Page 176 of A Quick Buck

“No, I get it. It’s okay. Thank you. I appreciate that. We got a family plot. I think he’d like to be there with my parents.” Noah fidgeted. “What about Landon?”

“What about him?”

“What’s gonna happen to him?” Noah pressed.

Alistair sighed. “My darling boy, there are some questions you do not need to know the answer to.”

“If Patrick can have a funeral, why can’t he?”

“He was shot in the head. It’s a little harder to persuade a medical examiner that the death was natural and avoid an investigation.”

“How much harder? Like, more expensive?”

“You actually want to give that boy a funeral.” Alistair was surprised.

“Maybe I’m not thinking clearly because of the whole almost dying thing, but yeah, I do. He should… he should be with his parents.” Noah licked his lips, adding, “Please.”

Alistair nodded to Erasmus, saying, “Go ahead. Make sure that it’s done. Whatever Rafferty needs. Money is of no consequence.”

“Right away, Mr. Star.” Erasmus stepped to the side to use his phone.

“Thank you,” Noah said earnestly. “I really, really appreciate it.”

“Of course, dear boy. I think it speaks volumes for your character that you’re concerned about the final resting place for the boy who tried to kill you multiple times. You’re growing.”

“Yeah. I guess I am.” Noah fidgeted. “So, uh, we’re going home now?”

“Home?” Alistair tilted his head. “Do you mean my house?”

“Yeah, that.” Noah planted his hands on his hips, summoning up a surge of confidence and smirking smugly. “Look, old man, you’re gonna have to change some shit up if you think I’m going to live with you.”

“Oh?” Alistair smiled. “And who said you’re living with me?”

“Damn, there goes that bad memory of yours again. You told me you were gonna keep me safe, and your house is obviously the safest place there is. Now, check it. I’m gonna need you to make some room in your closet. Like, a lot of room because I’m gonna be getting some new threads. Not too much, you know, but I can’t stay naked all the time. I’d also like the left side of the sink in the bathroom, and oh, yeah, maybe get rid of all those drugs in my car—”

“You greedy little thing.” Alistair grabbed Noah’s hip. “It is extremely rude to make such demands, especially based on the mere assumption that I would allow you to stay with me on a permanent basis.”

“I’m not assuming.” Noah grinned slyly. “I know it.”

“That confident, are we?”

“Confident knowin’ you’re totally wild about me and you’re gonna say yes? Yeah.” Noah’s grin grew, daring Alistair to disagree. “Not a doubt in my mind.”

“Well, then.” Alistair shrugged. “I suppose that’s settled.”

“See, I knew you would see it my way, and—ah!” Noah gasped as Alistair suddenly grabbed him and pushed him face first against the car.

“Oh, yes, dear Noah, if only because I still have so much to teach you,” Alistair taunted, sliding a hand greedily down his side. “Anything and everything you can imagine. We will also need to see about an appropriate punishment for you for being such a presumptuous brat.”

“Yeah. Definitely.” Noah groaned happily. “Big brat, that’s me.”

Alistair chuckled, and he kissed the side of Noah’s neck. “You are an absolute menace.”

“But that means we’re going home, right?”

“Yes, dear Noah. We’re going home.”

Chapter 25