Page 39 of After the Chase

"I don't need to know you." This isn’t an attraction to Ethan, its recognition of another species from my world. The closest I have ever seen was my mother.

"Animals scent other animals and predators sense predators close by. I can sense it in you, that same emptiness that lives in me."

Ethan's breathing has changed, becoming shallow. His eyes are locked on mine, and I can see it now, all of the things he hides. The darkness he keeps carefully contained.

"Stop hiding it," I say, the words are soft, almost gentle, but there's nothing gentle in them, I’m wanting him to live it. "Stop pretending to be something you're not. Embrace what you are. Embrace the evil inside you. Let it breathe."

For a long moment, neither of us moves. The room feels airless, wrong, like reality has bent slightly out of shape. Two things that shouldn't exist standing too close together, recognizing each other in a way that defies the natural order.

Then Ethan laughs, a genuine sound, but there's something broken in it that confirms everything I've said.

"You're right," he says quietly. "I do wear a mask. Most of the time."

"It's unnecessary, at least here. I bet you haven’t acted on half of your impulses, have you?"

"Maybe." His eyes are still locked on mine, and I can see the real him now, fully visible, no longer hidden. "But the world outside this room requires a lie. You'll learn that eventually."

"No, unlike you I just don't care."

I step back, returning to my chair as I take another inhale from my death stick, but stubbing it out in the ashtray on Marcus’ desk. The temperature in the room seems to normalize, though the wrongness lingers like a bad taste.

Marcus clears his throat. "Well, that was fucking terrifying."

I turn to face him. "Do we have a deal?"

Marcus studies me for another moment, then stands, extending his hand. "We have a deal, Noah. You fund the club, you get access to our resources. And when we have work that requires your particular skill set, we'll call you."

I shake his hand. "Good, I also expect this in writing."

“Of course. But understand, Noah, this is a partnership. Not a hierarchy. You're not a member of the club. You're an associate—a very valuable associate, but still separate."

“I have no desire to be part of this club. I’m a lone wolf, Marcus.”

"And what about your husband?" Ethan says, not surprised they would do some digging into my life.

“No different than your husband, Ethan. Leo is his name, right?” Ethan glares at me, unhappy that I have said his name out loud.

“I did my research too. I know everything about everyone in this club and in your life too, Ethan. It would be dumb not to. Husbands are off limits but come under protection.”

"Then welcome to the Blackrose Saints, Noah. I think this is going to be a very productive relationship," Marcus says.

Ethan pushes off the wall, crossing to shake my hand as well. When our palms meet, his grip is firmer than it needs to be. "I think we're going to get along very well."

“I doubt that,” I say as Marcus stands.

“Let me show you out, Noah,” Marcus says, and I hold my hand up to stop him.

“No need, I can see myself out,” I say as I walk out of the office, letting the door close behind me.

As I’m walking down the corridor toward the main room, I hear a sound that grabs my attention. I stop briefly before deciding to ignore it only to hear it again, a female voice, muffled but distinct. Crying. I slow my pace, glancing toward a door on the left that’s reinforced. Unable to resist, I open the door and follow the narrow stairs that are behind it, leading down to a basement. The sounds behind another door are louder and I open it, surprised it is unlocked. Inside, a woman, maybe mid-twenties, is sitting on a bare mattress behind a large cell. She has a significant scar down her face but from the look of her clothes she is looked after.

"Noah."

Ethan's voice comes from behind me and I turn to find him leaning against the wall, arms crossed, waiting for my reaction.

"Curious?" he asks.

"Who is she?"