Chapter Fifteen
ELLIOT
Leaving Lily was harder than I thought. Even though I know she’s safe with Tommy and Jax, it was harder than I would have imagined walking away—granted, we’ll be back later, but still, I can’t explain it.
I rub my chest with the palm of my hand as River joins me in the lift.
“Fuck,” he says, closing his eyes as his hands grip the handrail behind him.
“Yeah, you can say that again... You can stay,” I offer. “No point in us both having to be away from her.”
He shakes his head, his hazel eyes finding mine. “No, she needs her rest, and I can’t imagine having the four of us hovering around her will allow her to do that.”
I agree, but being in the same flat with her would help set me at ease.
“Hmm, and it has nothing to do with me needing to pay Noah a visit?” I ask, quirking a brow.
River steps into me until my back meets the mirrored wall behind me. “Are you trying to insinuate I’m jealous?” he asks, a dark edge to his voice just as he grabs my throat, leaning in until his lips brush the shell of my ear. “Because last time I checked, you were mine, Elliot.” His lips wrap around my earlobe before he nips it with his teeth.
And then his mouth is on mine in a bruising kiss. It’s fast and hard.
The ding of the lift has him pulling away and smiling down at me. He squeezes my throat once before releasing me.
“Just in case you needed reminding,” he says with a wink, backing out of the lift.
I adjust my dick as much as I can in the confines of my jeans and follow him out into the underground car park.
“I’ll drive,” he says, veering towards his car. As he approaches, it automatically unlocks.
Pulling out onto the main road, he glances at me briefly.
“Do you think we’re doing the right thing with the safe house?” River asks.
Do I want to, no. Do I think it’s in her best interests? “Yes, I do. Doesn’t mean I like it,” I admit.
His lips cut into a smile. “What the hell is she doing to us?”
“I have no bloody idea.”
Noah answers the door. His hair mussed up as he steps aside to let us both inside.
River’s hand moves to my lower back as we enter the hallway.
“Hey man, good to see you both,” he says, closing the door behind him and ushering us towards the living room.
“Just a shame it never seems to be under the best circumstances lately,” I admit.
He waves towards the sofa, and River and I take a seat .
Noah’s eyes flick between us briefly, his lips parting to speak justas Jessica enters, wearing an oversized hoody, leggings, and a pair of bright pink flamingo socks.
She smiles when she sees us.“Hi,” she says in greeting.
“Hi Jessica, you look well,” River says, causing her cheeks to heat.
“She does, doesn’t she?” Noah replies, holding his hand out and pulling her in for a slow kiss.
River’s eyes shoot to mine, and he winks. It seems like forever since I last saw a glimpse of his playful side, and damn if it isn’t welcome. I can’t help but smile as I reach over and squeeze his thigh.
Caleb walks into the living room, shoving his wallet into his jeans pocket.
“Elliot, River,” he says with a curt nod. “Good to see you.” He joins Noah and Jessica, wrapping his arm around her waist as she pulls out of the kiss,looking up at Noah with something akin to wonder before shyly glancingup at Caleb, who smirksas he leans between them and steals a kiss from Noah—a claiming. Not that he needs to, it all makes more sense now than ever before why me and Noah never worked, why we were only destined to be friends.
Jessica’s face is flushed as Caleb pulls back and whispers something in her ear.
She swats his shoulder playfully, her attention moving to River and me. “Can I get you guys a drink before Caleb and I head out?” she asks.
“No, I’ve got this, sweet girl,” Noah says. “I don’t want you to be late.”
She smiles back at him. “Okay, we’ll see you later.”
He nods, glancing back to Caleb, who holds his gaze for a few seconds before taking Jessica’s smaller hand and leading her towards the door .
“And don’t forget to ask them,” she says, glancing over her shoulder. “Bye.” She gives us a quick wave.
Caleb moves his gaze to us. “Let us know if you need anything else,” he says sincerely. I presume Noah has filled him in on the situation.
“Appreciate it, man, thank you,” I reply.
“Anytime,” he replies, as he and Jessica disappear into the hallway, closely followed by the front door closing.
Noah turns his attention back to us. “Did you want a drink?”
I shake my head. “No, I’m good, thanks,” I reply.
“No thanks, man,” River says simultaneously.
“Anyone would think you were eager to get out of here,” he says, sitting down on the opposite sofa.
“Something like that,” I reply honestly.
“You have no idea,” River says, his knee beginning to bounce. I reach out and squeeze his thigh.
Noah studies me for a brief moment before looking at River.“I’m not goingto ask, it’s none of my business, but I can only guess it’ssomethingto do with your client.”
River sitsup straighter. “No, it’snot your business,” he spits out.
His reaction takes Noah back a little as he holds up a hand, palm facing us. “Okay, easy, man.”
“Fuck, sorry,” River replies, dropping his head into his hands.
My hand moves to his back as I lean in close. “You all right?” I ask.
He raises his head and glances at me before he licks his lips and nods.
“Sorry, Noah,” he says, but remains looking at me.His eyes are turbulent dark swirls of browns and greens, silently asking for something. Before I can think better of it, my hand moves to the back of his neck, and I tug him in for a chaste kiss before pulling back, our mouths still close enough for me to feel his warm breath against my lips.
“You good?” I ask.
He clears his throat and nods, and I drop my hand to his lower back.
When I look back at Noah, he’s watching us, a small smile on his lips.
“You look good on him,” he says to River, who relaxes under my touch just a fraction.
“Nah... he looks good on me,” he replies, turning to me with a wink.
“As does Lily,” I add, smiling, my eyes finding Noah again.
Noah tilts his head in silent question. If anyone would understand, it’s him.
“Lily… it’s complicated… she’s become more than just a client to us, and she was hurt right under our noses. We failed to protect her.” It’s impossible to ignore the shame that fills me at my admission.
His eyes flick between River and me. “I’m sorry. I know how it feels when you let down someone you care about. There are not many people I would trust with my life, but two of them happen to be sitting in this room.”
I shake my head because, at the moment, I don’t even know if I’d trust myself with a fucking hamster. The fact that video feed eluded me only makes my self-castigation more palpable.
“No, El, I mean it. You can try to refute my words, but there’s no point, it’s the truth. You’re good men, all of you. There are not many I consider friends who aren’t family, but you guys fall into that category. When shit went down with Jessica, you didn’t hesitate to get involved. Caleb and I will never be able to repay you for stepping up when we needed you the most. So if loaning you a property for the foreseeable future is a small price to pay and a token of our gratitude, we’ll give it to you gladly.”
Well, shit. “I don’t know what to say,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck, slightly overwhelmed by his sincerity and generosity.
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m just telling you, both of you,” he says, looking at River, “how it is.”
“Okay, man, go easy on the feels, I’ve only just got Elliot to come around,” River says trying to ease the tension.
I bump him with my shoulder. “Fuck off,” I say, but there’s no weight behind it.
Noah slides a large jiffy envelope across the small coffee table.“Address, keys, alarm system details and codes. I can get the kitchen fully stocked and the house and bedrooms ready for your arrival. Let me know if you have any particular requests, and I’ll get it sorted.”
“Thanks, Noah.”I turn out the envelope and take a look at the contents. Pleased with the security system set and knowing we can connect it to our network while Tommy and Lily are there will at least put us somewhat at ease. “We’ll check with Lily to see when she’ll be up for travelling. But it will likely be in the next day or two.”
We stayed another ten minutes before making our excuses to leave.
“Go, get back to your girl,” Noah says, as he sees us both out. “Oh, and before I forget, Jessica wanted me to invite you all to her grand opening.”
“Opening?” River asks.
Noah smiles from ear to ear. “She finally finished at culinary school. So Caleb bought her a restaurant. It’s where they were off to earlier when you guys got here.”
“Fuck, that’s amazing. Tell her we said congratulations,” River says.
I smile. “Make sure you send us the details. All being good, we’d love to come.”
He nods. “Oh, and your Lily is more than welcome to join you, of course. ”
Something about Noah calling Lily ours affects me in a way I never would have expected, making my breath catch.
Is she ours, though?
Does she even want to be ours, especially after what happened?
It’s something I’d very much like to explore in more depth, providing she’s willing.