Page 41 of After the Chase

“Would you find my fist in your face amusing too?” I say, and he stops grinning.

“Okay that’s enough,” Seb says from beside him, rubbing his arm like a child that needs consoling.

“You’re trying to distract me so you can leave by goading me. Not wise,” Dima says and I smirk at him.

“I don’t need to do anything, I don’t give a fuck about what any of you think and feel.”

“So does that mean you have declined Marcus’ offer?”

“No. I’ve just come from there and we have made a deal.”

“Really? You went over to the clubhouse on your own to talk to Marcus?”

“Yes. Didn’t your bestie Ethan text you? He was there too.”

Dima scowls at me as him not being in the know is having the effect I want. I’m sick of these assholes thinking they control shit that’s none of their business. My relationship with Chase does not mean I have loyalty and ties to them.

“What was the deal?”

“Dima…” Seb warns, because he is clever enough to pick up on my body language. I’m not to be messed with right now.

“What? It affects our business. So, what is the deal?”

“Nothing that concerns you. All you need to know is that the funding remains, everything else is between me and Marcus.”

“You are without doubt the biggest prick I have ever met,” Dima says.

“Are you sure that’s not your endearing brother, Lev?”

“Can you two stop acting like kids please?” Seb scolds like he is our parent. I scoff and shrug, ready to leave.

“I’ve said it before, it will be beneficial if we all can just get along, Noah.”

“And we can get along, by everyone staying out of my face and business. You do your shit, and I’ll do mine.”

“Good enough for me,” Dima grumbles and I grab Chase’s hand.

“Come on, time to go.”

I pull him up out of his seat and drag him out of the club, with a quick goodbye to Simon on the way out.

When we get back to the hotel, Chase finally starts asking questions.

“Considering you’re in one piece, I assume it went well?”

“You could say that. I agreed with some extra little demands to sweeten the deal.”

“What demands?”

I walk over to him, as he stands beside the bed, and tug on his hair. I want to devour him, we’ve been apart far too long.

“Nothing you need to worry about, baby. Just know you will forever be protected now.”

“I was always protected with you around.”

“This is different, more eyes will be on you.”

“You’re scaring me, Noah. What does that mean? I thought you weren’t getting involved in the club.”