Chapter 8 #2
Noah turns to me and his face is a demonic cold look that looks like it’s been carved in glass. His eyes are wide and empty, his jaw looks even more defined in the lights reflecting from the streets, and his mouth is set in between a sneer and a smile that would send people running.
“I took back the fucking power, baby. I bow down to no one. Now the ball is in that arrogant fucker’s court.”
“Tyler said they aren’t a gang to be messed with.”
“And I’m not somebody you cross." His hand finds my thigh, gripping it tight. "Because this isn't just about me anymore, Chase. This is about us. About what we're becoming. About the world we're being pulled into, and I plan to control our own destiny."
“I’m with you, but I’ll admit, I’m scared, as I know nothing of this life.”
“Baby, you are the safest person there is with me by your side, trust me. Not only will I burn any fucker that crosses us, I will take full advantage of the world my piece of shit parents created. Don’t you worry about anything.”
When we arrive at the hotel, Noah doesn't speak during the elevator ride, but his hand never leaves mine. In our suite, he pours himself a soda and stands at the window, looking out at Manhattan.
I watch him from the doorway, seeing the tension in every line of his body.
The meeting with Marcus has awoken something inside him that has lay dormant.
This is a new side I haven’t seen to him before and it worries me as much as it thrills me.
He looks like a King looking down on his people right now.
Noah is after blood and power. He thrives on control and struggles with boredom.
This new project is alleviating that boredom and may be the key in keeping him entertained while satiating his violent desires.
“You wanted to hurt him?”
“Of course I did.”
“I think you should know that Ivan mentioned the Kozlovs are planning to work with the Blackrose Saints. Some kind of deal, I imagine.”
Noah turns swiftly, even more pissed than before.
“Well that’s fucking perfect. Then again, it may come in useful as they do owe me for the help I have provided them, in particular that Brazil farce.”
“They will probably help, Noah. Tyler is my brother, they will want things to work out for us, they’ll consider us family.”
“I don’t do family.”
I remain silent as I’m not sure what else to say.
“Are you afraid, baby, of what’s to come? Or are you ready to fall into a new world with me? Hmm?” he asks, his voice low. It’s like he is purring at me.
“Why do you make it all sound so hot and tempting?”
Noah puts his drink down and grabs me by the waist, pulling me close to his body.
“Because your blood is becoming my blood. Infected with the darkness that becomes addictive. You are waking up, Chase. Just go with it.”
“I…” I stutter, stunned into silence, because am I? I’m so confused with which side I’m on and I remember what Ty said about maintaining a connection to humanity and not losing myself. But how can I not lose myself when this man is my entire world, my reason to breathe?
He pulls me toward the bedroom, and I follow willingly. Because this is what we are now, two souls bound together for eternity, by a love that exists outside the boundaries of morality.
And I wouldn't change it for anything.
The call comes the next day while Noah and I are having breakfast in our hotel suite. Noah's phone buzzes and he glances at the screen before answering.
"Dima," he says quietly, a few seconds pass before he responds to whatever Dima has said. “Yes. See you then,” he says before he ends the call and sets the phone down on the table.
"Dima? What did he want?" I ask. Dima is one of the Kozlov brothers, he and his brother, Lev, are the head of the mafia family and they are also the cousins of Ivan, who works for them.
"He knows about my meeting with Marcus and he wants to discuss it. I expected it. We’re going over to his home to discuss.”
“I’m coming?”
“Yes, Tyler will be there.”
“What do you think will happen?”
“Dima will want to know what leverage I have and no doubt stick his nose in and want a piece of the action. All of this bravado of a “meeting” is exhausting, when we could just discuss it over the phone. I’m not sure I can manage in that house for more than ten minutes before bashing one of them over the head with my bat. ”
I chuckle to myself as the anti-human part of Noah has become more endearing over time. I don’t think Ivan will let him get away that easily.
The Kozlov mansion is as beautiful as I remembered it, although it has undergone some changes since we were last here.
Dima and his brother Lev have used their expansive land to build each of the senior guards their own home for them and their partners, one of which Tyler lives in with Ivan.
This is how Tyler and Ivan met, as the Kozlovs hired Ty to design the properties and oversee the build.
I’m so proud of him as he is a very talented architect.
The gate opens for our taxi to take us through the driveway until we are at the grand entrance where two men I recognize wait for us.
Jules is one, who is the longest serving guard for the brothers, and Dima himself.
Both of them stand by the door with a large presence of control.
We get out of the car and Dima greets us first.
“Noah, Chase, good to see you both again.”
He reaches out and shakes Noah’s hand first before reaching for mine.
“Good to see you too, and you, Jules.”
“Hey, Chase. Noah,” Jules greets and smiles as Noah sighs at having to shake his hand too. Noah fits in here, as these are his kind of people. He just refuses to submit to it.
“The others are waiting inside for us. Chase, Tyler is waiting out back for you, you can go via the side gate.”
I have to admit I’m relieved not to be part of this meeting, but I’m anxious for Noah. He gives me a subtle nod before following Dima and Jules inside, while I head out the back to see my brother.
When I enter the grounds at the back of the property I’m blown away by the scattered homes there. They have done such a good job and they blend perfectly with the main house, but everyone has their privacy. Tyler comes walking toward me and embraces me.
“Can’t wait to show you my home. Come on,” he says as he eagerly pulls me toward his one story property that’s all open plan when I walk inside. The large windows take advantage of the extensive land and trees around here. It’s gorgeous.
When we get to the kitchen I see we have company, Seb, Dima’s husband and Aaron, who is Lev’s partner are sitting around the kitchen island.
There is another guy here who I vaguely remember, I think he is Jules’ partner Kai.
He was very quiet the last time I saw him so didn’t really have much of an interaction.
It’s hard to stand out amongst these guys, especially Aaron.
“Hey Chase,” he says, nodding at me as I walk further into the kitchen area.
“Great to see you back here for social reasons,” Seb says, and I laugh.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Lev has been bitching about meeting with Noah. I think he is challenging his inner alpha,” Aaron laughs as he takes a sip of his coffee.
“To be honest, I doubt Noah notices,” I say as Ty pours me a fresh cup of coffee and hands it to me. I sit on the vacant stool, across from Aaron and Seb.
“He’s pretty detached. I’m sure he’ll be fine. Anyway, Dima likes him and only wants this all to work out,” Seb says.
“You mean take control,” Tyler mumbles under his breath.
“It’s not like that and you know him. He still has a job to do, Ty,” Seb says, defending his man.
“Yeah, whatever. Anyway, what do you think of the houses? Did I do a good job?”
“I didn’t expect anything less. It looks great, Ty. I’m proud of you.”
“Awww how fucking sweet is that? Look at Ty blushing. He loves getting praised, don’t you Ty? Especially by Ivan, his daddy,” Aaron jokes and Tyler scowls.
“He’s not my “daddy” Aaron. Will you stop with that?”
“No shame in the daddy game. Just saying,” Aaron says.
“Does Lev not need you at the meeting, Aaron?” Ty says.
“Nope. I was told to wait.”
“Anyway…” Seb says to cut the teasing. “I hear Noah met with Marcus?”
“He met with Marcus? That guy is fucking hot,” Aaron says so nonchalantly like he’s ordering food. But the comment annoys me a little.
“Is he?” I ask, pretending to not be bothered.
“Oh yeah, when Carlos met him it caused quite the jealous freakout from Si,” Aaron says, laughing at the memory. But now I’m even more annoyed. Carlos is the new business partner to the Kozlov brothers and his partner, Simon, is one of their guards.
“Aaron, can you ever just read the room?” Kai says, finally looking up from his phone.
“What?” Aaron says, acting innocent.
“Chase, you truly have nothing to worry about, so get that look off your face,” Ty says, and I look at him wide eyed. Was I that obvious?’
“I know.”
“No you don’t, because you look jealous. Noah is freakily obsessed with you and only you. He barely even notices those guys in there with him and they are hardly ugly. You out of anyone should know this.”
I relax a little because this is true. For a brief moment I felt a stir of jealousy that Noah was in a room with a hot guy, forgetting how his mind works.
“Aside from the hotness, did Noah mention what he thought about Marcus?” Kai asks.
“He said he was an arrogant dick. Nothing complimentary, but then again Noah never gives compliments. He hates the public in general,” I say.
“I like Noah. He’s right,” Aaron says, and Seb laughs.
“Weirdly, I think Noah fits in here better than he thinks. I assume you will move back here if he goes through with the deal with Marcus?
Huh. I never thought about that.
“Really, is that an option? Chase, it would be amazing to have you home again,” Tyler says as he rests his hand on my shoulder.
“I guess we will wait and see.”