Page 84 of After the Chase

"Yeah." His expression softens. "I got lucky. Thanks to Noah and Ivan I’ll never see that bastard again."

I glance at Ivan, who's leaning against the wall, watching us with that sinister stillness that reminds me so much of Noah. Ready to protect Ty at any cost.

"How is Noah?" Ivan asks, his tone casual but his interest genuine.

"He's good."

"I'm sure." Ivan's smile is knowing. "I haven't seen him since the hospital. Is he avoiding me?"

"He's not avoiding you, Ivan."

"He is. I text and he never replies." Ivan's tone is amused rather than offended. "It's fine, I understand. Noah doesn't do friendships, but I know deep down I’m his favorite."

Tyler shoots Ivan a look, then turns back to me.

"Are you okay, Chase?"

The question catches me off guard. "Yes. Why?"

"Because you look…" Tyler searches for the word. "Nervous. Has something happened?"

I take a sip of coffee, buying time. "A lot has happened."

"I know." Tyler's voice is gentle. "You don't have to explain, I just want to make sure you're okay, that you're safe. I’ll always be worried about my baby brother."

"I am, you don’t have to look out for me, Ty."

Ivan moves to sit in the armchair across from us, his coffee cup balanced elegantly in one hand. "Come on Chase, spit it out. Something has happened and you’re scared to tell Ty."

“How do you know that?” I ask, disturbed at his ability to see through people.

“You’re easy to read.”

I set down my cup. "Noah and I are planning to get a second home in Los Angeles."

Tyler's eyebrows rise. "Los Angeles?"

"Yes. We're not leaving New York permanently, we'll keep the house here. But Noah needs…space. A place to reset away from the chaos."

"The Kozlovs?" Ivan says quietly.

"And the Blackrose Saints." I lean forward slightly. "Noah needs to remain autonomous. He doesn't want to become trapped or reliant on the organization, living between cities gives him that freedom. The social thing is an issue too, he doesn’t do well being around people all of the time."

Tyler processes this, then nods slowly. "That makes sense. For Noah, I mean. He's not the type to be owned by anyone or anything."

"Except Chase," Ivan murmurs, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"That's different," I say automatically.

"Hey I’m not judging, that’s how it should be," Ivan says, and I relax again.

Tyler reaches over and squeezes my hand. "I think it's the right thing. For both of you. Noah needs space to breathe, and you need to be wherever he is."

"You're not upset?"

"Why would I be upset?" Tyler's smile is sad but genuine. "Chase, I know what you are now and I accept it. And if going to LA is what you need, then I support it."

Something tight in my chest loosens. "Thank you."