Chapter Five
Noir: I think this is by far the most tedious meeting with solicitors I’ve ever endured.
Lazarus: Want me to send you nudes?
Noir: Always .
Lazarus: Leaving the doctor’s office now. See you soon.
Noir: I’m an impatient child. What did you learn?
Noir: Did you get everything from the beach house?
Lazarus: Yeah. I didn’t have much left. Mostly toiletries I just threw those away. Unfortunately, I had to do that dumbass list of chores these short-term rentals leave. I don’t know why they charge an outrageous cleaning fee if I’m the one doing the goddamn cleaning.
Noir: They charge cleaning fees? Leave it for them then. Fuck them.
Lazarus: I’m upstairs in the gym. Come join me.
Noir: Eww. Why?
Lazarus: It’s literally your gym and you’re saying eww. I want a kiss.
Noir: Sigh. Just a kiss?
Lazarus: Maybe.
Noir: I’ll be there in a minute.
Lazarus didn’t leave the next day or the next. He dipped out a few times for errands and to grab his stuff from the beach house, but he kept returning to Noir. When Noir had meetings, Lazarus made himself scarce. The way his guards closed ranks around those meetings let Lazarus know exactly how important they were. He assumed they were royal business, and he wasn’t interested in politics. It was no wonder Noir had looked so fucking bored when they met. Lazarus couldn’t think of anything worse than attending those sessions.
All of Noir’s free time went to Lazarus. Even when he worked on his books, he did so with his feet in Lazarus’ lap. Lazarus was content with those quiet times together. He had never felt this at peace. For the first time, he no longer cared about the hunt. He had been in town for nearly a year for a mystery he hadn’t thought about in months. Life was all about what kept him here now.
Noir drew.
Lazarus read. He had picked up the first book in the series, hoping to get some insight into Noir’s mind. Now he couldn’t stop. With one hand, he rubbed Noir’s foot. He held the book with the other, engrossed. He paused and glanced Noir’s way to find him quietly watching him. A smile immediately snapped to his lips.
“What?”
Noir shrugged. “Just enjoying the show.”
Lazarus set his book aside. “What kind of show would you like? I’ll entertain you.”
Noir laughed.
Lazarus loved that sound because he knew no one else ever heard it. They were different together. There was something between them that was just for the two of them. He shifted to his knees and crawled up Noir’s body. “I’ll do anything you want.”
Noir’s eyes flashed with interest. “Anything?” He snagged Lazarus' shirt and hauled him down. Their lips met.
“Pardon the interruption, Your Highness. It’s time to dress for tonight’s dinner party.”
Noir groaned. “Fuck. I forgot.” He looked defeated. “Are you sure you don’t want to go with me?”
Lazarus shuddered at the idea of wearing a tux to a country club and surrounding himself with dignitaries. “I don’t clean up well. I’m more than happy to watch you dress, though.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Noir didn’t smile like he hoped. His gaze moved over Lazarus’ face, looking concerned. “You know I’m not ashamed to be seen with you, right? I’d proudly walk in there with you tonight.”
Yeah. There was definitely something here. Noir wanted to be with him as much as Lazarus wanted to be here. In the end, they were still from two different worlds. Lazarus would never belong in Noir’s sphere. “I know. Don’t worry about me. I should get some shit done I’ve been avoiding. Enjoy your dinner. I’ll be here when you get home.”
“Okay.”
A wicked smile lit Lazarus’ face. “One kiss, though, before you leave.”
“No.” Noir laughed and shoved his way out from underneath Lazarus. “I know your ‘just one kiss’ trick. This isn’t something I can be late to.”
Lazarus shot to his feet and chased Noir to the bedroom. Guards tried to pretend they didn’t watch as they passed. Lazarus overcame him just inside the bedroom. With his arms wrapped around Noir’s waist, he hauled Noir back, holding him against his chest. He squeezed. His lips found Noir’s temple.
“Behave while you’re gone. No flirting with any of these rich dicks.”
Noir relaxed into his hold. “What about you? Will you be out flirting with some biker dude?”
“Dude.” Lazarus chuckled. “That sounded wrong in your accent. You have nothing to worry about.” Noir’s body felt too good against him. He took a step back. “But I’m definitely going to bounce. You’re too tempting and you’re about to be nude. I can’t promise I’ll behave with you.”
“Fair.” Noir moved as if he meant to leave Lazarus behind.
“Nope. Not so fast.” Lazarus snagged his shirt. This time, he spun Noir in his arms and claimed his mouth. He savored every second of the way their tongues played. Lazarus breathed his air. He turned away and headed out without looking back. Lazarus hadn’t been joking. Noir was too much temptation. He had to put some distance between them.
As he headed for the door to the garage, someone handed him his helmet. “Good day, sir.”
Lazarus nodded. He hadn’t learned everyone’s names yet. Lazarus still wasn’t sure if he should bother. His home was still in Arizona. Noir was still leagues above him. But goddamn it. Sometime, in the past few months of staying here, Lazarus had gotten attached. It was stupid. But after Noir’s observation, Lazarus had sought a doctor’s opinion. He knew it didn’t really matter at this point in his life, but Noir was right. Lazarus was autistic. That realization had led to a million more. He wasn’t incapable of getting close to anyone. There was so much more to it. A huge part of it had been his upbringing. He shielded himself from others, terrified of being made to feel the way his parents had. Noir was the healthiest relationship he had ever had in his entire life. For the first time, he wasn’t scared to love someone. Someone genuinely seemed unafraid to love him back.
Unfortunately, there was an unhealthy side to things too. On Lazarus’ side anyhow. Even though he brushed off tonight’s dinner, it highlighted everything Lazarus could never be. No matter what Noir claimed, he couldn’t walk proudly into that dinner with Lazarus. So Lazarus had to suck it up while countless men and women fawned all over Noir, begging to be in Lazarus’ shoes. Lazarus wasn’t sane. He didn’t know how to cope with this simmering jealousy in a way that wouldn’t destroy them. So Lazarus leaned into the crazy. He went straight for his storage locker, packed up his high-powered rifle, and set out to scope out the best vantage point to watch this party. He wouldn’t shoot anyone. Just watch. Maybe.
The lush wooded areas surrounding the posh club had several spots for Lazarus to hide. He found one and settled in to watch for Noir’s arrival. He put his eye to the scope and studied each new face. Three cars in, Lazarus went on high alert. His plans took a sharp turn. Andreas stepped from the back of a black SUV.
“Son of a bitch. There you are, you motherfucker.”
Lazarus quickly broke down his rifle and changed course. He would likely never get another chance like this one. Tonight, he would end this.
The ride to the country club was unusually quiet. Maybe it just felt that way without Lazarus’ huge presence. Noir fought a smile just thinking his name. God, what had happened to his life? It had been absolute hell keeping his business dealings in the dark with Lazarus always under foot. It was worth every aggravation.
They were ridiculously alike. So much more than even Lazarus knew. Noir felt like himself in Lazarus’ company. He didn’t have to keep his shoulders squared and his chin up. Noir could relax and simply sink into his own world. He wasn’t a prince with Lazarus. Noir was just a man, savoring the time alone he shared with his man. He was Noir’s man. Noir would kill him before he shared him. That was why he had two of his guards tailing Lazarus tonight. He tried to work up an ounce of guilt, but he had no shame. Noir’s jealousy was an ugly thing. He didn’t want Lazarus to see it. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Lazarus. They hadn’t truly defined their relationship yet. That left Noir feeling like he was on shaky ground. He had no clue how to handle things in a healthy way. For now, subterfuge it was.
“I’ve never seen you like this.”
Noir’s gaze slid Ajax’s way. “What way do you mean?” He knew. Noir just wanted to hear Ajax’s observations.
“Happy. I can practically hear you thinking about him.”
It was damn hard to keep his face expressionless. He wanted to smile and gush like an idiot. “I don’t know how to respond to that. It would be unbecoming of me to admit to any sort of unhappiness.”
A sad smile touched Ajax’s lips. “To anyone else, maybe, but I’ve known you your whole life. I know your dad. Your upbringing. To anyone else, you look like you have it all. I’ve been right here, seeing the real you.”
Noir couldn’t deny it. He spent a moment measuring his words before he spoke. “He is amazing, though, right? This isn’t in my head. I’m not just seeing what I want to see, am I? I’ve never been sure how much I can trust my mind.”
“It’s real. That man cares for you. Your dad will hate him.”
A smile exploded across his face. “Maybe. When has that ever mattered to me?”
Ajax shook his head. “It’s good to see you smile.”
The car came to a stop in front of the club. Noir took a breath and arranged his features into the bored royal. Press waited, the way they always did. “His Royal Highness, Prince Noir Antonsen.”
Noir stepped from the car and headed for the door. Lights flashed, and he kept his gaze straight ahead. He didn’t move too fast or too slow. Noir had to look unaffected in every way. This was it. This was the thing that had him fucked in the head. He wasn’t real to anyone. Why would he believe he was real himself? He could do anything. No one cared. Not only did he have diplomatic immunity, no one would dare insult a prince. This entire existence was suffocating. Yet he should be grateful for drowning. He should appreciate every breath this life stole from him. No one saw him… except maybe Lazarus did. That was where he wanted to be.
“Noir. You’re looking extra annoyed tonight.”
Noir accepted a glass of champagne and focused on Heath. They had known each other for years. Heath’s family were the largest oil stockholders in the U.S., and he shared in the list of the top ten most eligible bachelors in Atlantic City with Noir. That fucking list. It sucked to be that wanted.
“Heath. I’m surprised you’re here. Don’t you usually skip these things?”
Heath’s gray eyes flashed with devilry. “Well, rumor is you’re dating ‘gutter trash.’” Heath did the full air quotes. “Bets were made if you were brave enough to bring him tonight. I, for one, was rooting for you. What these assholes consider trash makes for the best lovers, or so I’ve found.”
Noir was furious. He would be damned if he showed it. “I asked him to come, but he had another engagement. It’s also rather funny to me these people think of a millionaire as gutter trash. I can’t imagine how they must hate themselves. Most of them can’t even claim that status.” He knew it was wrong to expose Lazarus’ wealth. Noir didn’t care what people thought of him, but Lazarus didn’t deserve their disdain. While he had made his money in the dirtiest way, no one made that much money ethically. That was just life. Noir also knew Heath got drunk and told everything he knew. He wouldn’t hesitate to use that to his advantage.
“I hadn’t heard that part. What’s his trade?”
An evil smile pulled at the corners of Noir’s mouth. “He’s who people call when they need someone to downsize their company.”
Heath nodded, looking thoughtful. “I imagine that is a lucrative field. Companies would pay a lot to have someone else face the wrath, but it’s a job that must be done sometimes.”
Noir nodded. Heath had no idea.
After a moment of looking around, Heath made his excuses. “I suppose I should find my table.”
Noir knew he couldn’t wait to spread his new piece of gossip. “Of course. It was good to see you, as always.”
Heath flashed him a final smile and was off like a shot. Noir chuckled under his breath. This night might turn out to be more interesting than he expected. He never tired of stirring the pot.