Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHASE
Sitting in a taxi on the way to meet my brother, I think back to earlier when we arrived in New York.
The city hit me like a wall of sound and motion. We've been in Europe for months, moving through quiet streets and ancient architecture. New York is the opposite, aggressive, loud, and relentlessly modern.
Noah and I were in a car service, heading from JFK into Manhattan to our hotel, when Noah’s phone chimed.
"I have a meeting at the Infinity Hotel," Noah says as we pull up at our hotel. His voice is tense, a hint of annoyance.
"Marcus wants to discuss my father's arrangement with the Saints."
“Who is Marcus?”
“He’s the Prez. That’s what they call the head of motorcycle gangs. They make all of the decisions.”
“Okay, well at least it’s a meeting on neutral ground.”
“Hardly. His friend owns the hotel.”
“Is it safe?”
“Nothing is ever safe. I’ve arranged for you to meet Tyler at that bar his partner’s family owns. Starlight. You’ll be safer there.”
"Starlight? When did you arrange this?"
"Just now. You will meet tonight and I will come to you straight after the meeting."
He's already out of the car, waiting for me with the door open. He is so uptight, his shoulders rigid. He doesn’t want this meeting, because for Noah this is a social nightmare.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
“I’m pissed I knew nothing about what my father was involved in. I want the control, but it’s the fucking logistics where I have to talk to people that’s frustrating me. After this, hopefully it will be a silent relationship.”
After a few hours of settling in and having some food, showering and changing for the evening plans, my stomach filled with fear. I don’t like the fact that Noah is going to this meeting alone.
Noah was dressed like a Lord of darkness. Head to toe in black with his leather jacket and all of his rings shining on each finger. His hair was perfectly styled in that messy way, the black strands carefree. He smells fucking good, too. We didn’t speak much before he kissed me and left.
“Only speak to Tyler. Do not engage with those guys or there will be trouble.”
“Don’t worry about me, just take care of yourself.”
And those were our parting words. I stood in the empty hotel room for a moment, processing what has happened since we arrived back in the US.
A few weeks ago our only concern was travelling, and now it’s the upheaval of our lives that may throw us into the underworld.
And I’ll admit I’m scared. For me and for Noah.
I’m also concerned as Noah doesn't like being separated from me.
He hates me being somewhere without him, especially somewhere connected to the Kozlovs.
But he's allowing it because Tyler is my brother, because this meeting with Marcus is important and dangerous as he doesn’t know the risks yet.
The bar is on the outskirts of the city and I vaguely remember it.
We came here a few months ago when Tyler was getting involved with Ivan and the whole Kozlov world, and Noah helped them out with a mess they were in.
So much was happening that I didn’t get a chance to take in the elegance of this place.
Luxury and money live here with the baddest of people.
As I walk in, there is a jazz band playing on the stage where dark red lighting fills the room with a sensual atmosphere. It’s such a paradox to be somewhere so chill in its vibe and beautiful that has wickedness and evil at its core.
Tyler is already at a booth near the back, away from the main floor. He stands when he sees me, pulling me into a tight hug. I have missed him so much.
"Chase."
"Hey, Ty."
We sit, and a waitress appears immediately. Tyler orders a whiskey and I ask for the same.
"Soooo, finally came home," Tyler says once she's gone.
“I would hardly call New York home.”
“I’m here so it must be your home.”
“Whatever you say, big bro.”
“Where is the miserable Noah? Throwing people into traffic?”
I laugh out loud at his description of Noah, as it somehow fits. Tyler joins me in the laughter and I appreciate the light reprieve. Anything to stop me thinking about Noah.
“His mom died and he is meeting some business guy that his dad dealt with. Looks like he is inheriting quite an empire.”
“Oh shit, I’m sorry. I didn’t know his mom died.”
“Whatever you do, don’t mention it to him. He hates anyone thinking he is sad about it when in fact he doesn’t give a shit.”
“Why doesn’t that shock me…you certainly picked the psycho of psychos.”
“You’re one to talk. What would you call Ivan? Sweet stay at home husband?”
“No, but he’s a golden retriever psycho.”
“Isn’t his hobby inventing torture tools?”
“Shut up, Chase.”
After a few more laughs and easy going catch up, Tyler studies my face.
"You look different. There is an edge to you that wasn’t there the last time we saw each other."
"A lot has changed."
"I can see that. He’s gotten to you hasn’t he? Noah’s world is tainting you."
“Don’t talk about him like that, he hasn’t tainted anything.”
“Hey, it wasn’t an attack, Chase. It’s the same for me too, that’s why I can see it. Just be careful you don’t allow yourself to fall over completely to the other side. You need to hold onto some humanity.”
“Easier said than done when your whole world rotates around one person.”
“Yeah, it’s different for me as I kind of gained a family here, whereas you have become more isolated.”
“I’m happy, Ty. Don’t confuse my situation with sadness.”
“I’m not.”
We both take a sip of our drinks, before Tyler starts to dig.
"Who is Noah meeting with, or is it a secret?"
I’m about to answer, but I’m rudely interrupted by the sexy guy my brother is with, Ivan. He always has a smile on his face and is so eager to get to know you, but don’t let it fool you. The guy is fucked up.
“Chase! Great to see you, man. Where’s my bestie?
” he asks, looking around the club for Noah.
Ivan has got it into his head that because Noah has exchanged a few words with him in their past few meetings that they are besties.
He has a hero complex when it comes to Noah, which has not been well received by someone as anti-people as my man.
“He’s at a meeting, but he will be here soon.”
“Wow, he left you alone? Must be serious.” he says as he slides into the booth seat next to Tyler, before inappropriately kissing my brother like they are alone. Tyler pushes him away, and I can see the faint blush under his skin, but it’s great to see him so happy.
“Anyway, I was asking before this one interrupted, who is Noah meeting with?” Tyler asks.
“The Prez from the Blackrose Saints MC, Marcus, I think his name is.”
“You’re shittin’ me?” Ivan says, his brows scrunched up in either concern or confusion.
“What?”
“Why the hell is he meeting with those guys?” Ivan asks.
“Its just some business to do with his family.”
I take a sip of whiskey, feeling the burn. "Noah inherited more than just money, there are certain obligations."
"That doesn't mean he has to honor them, the Blackrose Saints are a big deal, Chase," my brother says, his voice full of worry.
"Doesn't it? His father then his mother funded the Blackrose Saints for years. That creates relationships where walking away isn't as simple as it sounds."
“Fuck me, Noah really is with the big boys. You do know that the brothers are planning on working with the Saints?” Ivan says, and that leaves me stunned. This is about to get a whole lot more complicated.
Tyler leans back, his expression troubled. "And more importantly, what about you? Where do you fit in all this?"
"I'm with Noah. Wherever he is, I am."
"Even if it means becoming a criminal?"
The word hangs between us. Criminal. It should bother me more than it does.
"Being with Noah means I already am, Ty. Just like you are with this guy,” I say, slightly annoyed at the judgement. Ivan smiles like it’s a compliment, but Tyler shakes his head and sighs, knowing he has no place in this argument.
"You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m just worried for you, that’s all.”
“Don’t be. I can take care of myself. I love him and nothing will come between that.”
“Now thats fucking romantic,” Ivan says, grinning as he toasts himself with his drink before taking a sip.
“At least if the Kozlovs are involved you’ll be more protected, hey, you could even come home and be part of the family,” Tyler says, his energy shifting from concern to excitement.
“One step at a time, Ty.”
We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of everything unsaid pressing down on us. Then Tyler asks about our travels, and I tell him about Venice, New Zealand, the cities we've seen. I don't mention the murders or car jacking as it’s a step too far in the sharing and caring conversation.
We're on our third drink when I sense that Noah is near.
I look up and see him entering the bar, his eyes scanning the room until they find me.
He's tense, I can tell with how rigid his body is.
The laser focused eyes on me with the vacant look on his face means only one thing, the meeting with Marcus didn't go well.
He crosses to our booth, and Ivan stands to greet him.
"Noah! I missed my partner in crime."
Noah stares him down, which would intimidate most people, but Ivan just grins at him with his eyes sparking. He is crushing hard on Noah like he is some kind of super hero.
“Not chatty today? That’s fine,” Ivan says before Tyler speaks.
“Hey Noah.”
"Tyler," Noah says, barely acknowledging Tyler, his focus is purely on me.
"Ready to go?"
"Yeah." I turn to Tyler. "We should do this again soon."
"Definitely. Call me tomorrow?"
"I will."
“Later boys. Have fun!” Ivan says, the innuendo obvious. He’s such a child, but I like him.
Noah's hand guides me out of the building toward the waiting cab. On the journey back to the hotel he's silent, staring out the window at the city lights.
"How did it go?" I ask quietly.
"Marcus wants me to continue my father's arrangement and threatened me if I didn’t uphold my family name. Dumb fuck.”
“What did you say?”