Page 70 of After the Chase

“It’s better than your original idea. When are you starting?”

“You’re fine with this? Really?”

“Yes. Nobody would believe what you are writing is real life, and if it makes you happy, do it.”

Chase jumps up and grabs me around the neck and starts kissing my face and neck all over.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

I don’t get the excitement, but I enjoy the response. Any opportunity to have his mouth on me and I’ll take it.

“What are you going to call yourself?” I ask as he sits back down in his seat.

“C. Shadow.”

“Clever,” I say, loving that he has used the name he calls me.

“I had to include my shadow somewhere,” he says, and I’m fucking preening.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHASE

One Week Later

The call comes at 7:43pm on a Tuesday.

I'm sitting at the desk in our apartment, working on the third chapter of my novel, which is a psychological thriller about a forensic psychiatrist who falls in love with a serial killer. Noah is in the bedroom, on a call with someone from the Blackrose Saints. My phone vibrates and I see Ivan's name flash on the screen.

I answer. "Hey Ivan."

"Chase." Ivan's voice is wrong, strained and panicked. Ivan doesn't panic. Ever. "Tyler's been involved in a hit and run, they're taking him to St. Luke's. You need to get here now."

I freeze, no, this cannot be happening. "What? What happened?"

"Looks like a deliberate hit and run, they got away fast, happened not far from the house so it had to have been planned," Ivan's breathing is ragged. "Chase, it's bad and they're taking him into surgery.”

The line goes dead and I'm on my feet before I realize I'm moving, my hands shaking as I grab my jacket. Noah appears inthe doorway, his expression shifting from neutral to alert in an instant.

"What's wrong?"

"Tyler, he's been hit by a car. Hit and run, and they're taking him to St. Luke's." My voice sounds distant, like it's coming from someone else. "I have to go."

"I'll drive you."

"No." I'm already moving toward the door. "You're on a call,” I fumble with my phone, trying to call Noah's number even though he's standing right in front of me. My brain isn't working properly. "I'll call you when I know more."

“No, I’m taking you, the Saints can wait.”

Noah catches my wrist, his grip firm but not painful. "Chase, you need to breathe."

I try, but I can't, every worst possible outcome floods my mind.

I don't remember leaving the house or getting into the car. The city blurs past the windows as we approach the city, the traffic is heavy like it always fucking is, and every red light feels like an eternity.

Tyler.

My big brother. The one person in my family who loved me, worked hard to raise me so I could make something of my life while he put his on hold. The most caring and amazing man you would ever meet. And someone tried to kill him.