Page 102 of A Quick Buck

“Take your time.” Alistair kissed his forehead.

Noah took another deep breath. “I need to know that… that it isn’t always gonna be like this. I want something… normal? Or at least, like, resembling normal?”

“I don’t like death,” Alistair said. “I want you to know that. It’s bad for business, bad for the soul, and I don’t enjoy it.” He dragged his thumb down Noah’s cheek. “But.”

“But?”

“I will do what is necessary to protect what is mine and hold those accountable who hurt me or the people I hold dear.”

Noah’s heart sank. “Like my uncle?”

“There is perhaps a part of me that is becoming more inclined to believe he is innocent.”

“Seriously?” Noah wasn’t sure he had heard him correctly.

“Yes.” Alistair moved his hands back down to Noah’s shoulders, rubbing there firmly. “After speaking to Mickey and Roger, I am beginning to suspect Patrick’s involvement has been fabricated.” He smirked. “After all, you said so yourself… it was very convenient how all of that evidence was quite literally thrown into our laps.”

“You believe me?” Noah grabbed Alistair’s forearm. “Really?”

“I believe that I might.”

“So, what happens now?” Noah fidgeted. “You call off Mickey and Captain Crazy?”

“They have strict instructions to bring your uncle to me alive,” Alistair assured him. “Even if your uncle did not kill Jason Carbone, he is certainly involved. He did have much to gain from Jason’s death. Then again…” He pursed his lips. “Perhaps he is aware that he’s being framed and is in hiding.”

“Because he probably knows you’d send Captain Crazy after him.”

“Best not let Roger hear you call him that,” Alistair teased.

The smile Alistair gave him sent a swarm of butterflies fluttering through Noah’s stomach, and he was glad Alistair had bossed him into talking about this. He’d never been the kind of guy that talked stuff out in a relationship. Hell, whatever this was between them was still the most intimate experience he’d ever shared with another person in countless ways.

Tilting into Alistair’s hand, Noah asked suddenly, “Do you really think we have somethin’ normal?”

“I don’t think ‘normal’ is the right word for it, dear Noah.” Alistair rubbed his thumb over Noah’s cheekbone. “I think we have something passionate, something unique, and what I hope will grow into something very special long after my business here is concluded.”

“Your business? You mean my uncle.”

“I do. One way or another, dear Noah, I must find him to find out what happened to Carbone.”

“But… but you really don’t think he did it?”

“It does not appear that way, but I am still not certain. I must have an answer, and it seems now only your uncle can provide that. Wherever he is.”

“I want…” Noah closed his eyes. “I do want to keep seeing you. Doing this. Whatever this is. But I don’t want to see any of that nasty shit, okay?”

He didn’t bother to correct his language that time.

“Of course, dear Noah.” Alistair smirked. “I don’t expect you to ask Mickey Tamerlane for an apprenticeship anytime soon.”

“Ha!” Noah snorted out a quick laugh. “Who the hell would ever be crazy enough to do that?”

“Erasmus.”

“Huh?” Noah wasn’t actually expecting an answer. “Well, wow, he definitely got the creepy stare thing down.”

“Mickey and Erasmus both suffer from excessively intense personalities, but don’t worry. That same intensity applies to their loyalty.”

“Oh, goody. I feel so much better.” Noah sagged back on his heels.