Page 17 of Silent Fire (Sin & Steel #6)

SILENT FIRE

LYNN HAGEN

Chapter One

T h e t avern was a whirlwind of chaos—glasses clattering, deafening music, uproarious laughter, shouting, cigarette smoke drifting in the air, and the thunder of motorcycles.

Totally not Noel’s scene. A world he didn’t belong to. Tomas had promised his protection, but it was something Noel didn’t need.

Okay, so maybe he’d needed it when he’d stupidly grabbed Tomas’s gun and waved it around at some very dangerous-looking dudes, but that was pure panic talking.

Who wouldn’t freak out when faced with four intimidating guys? Noel hadn’t exactly waved it, more like held it with a flimsy grip, scared out of his mind he might accidentally fire it just from its weight alone.

But as nice as Tomas had been in giving Noel a place to crash, it was time to bounce before he overstayed his welcome.

Or before anyone expected him to “thank” them in other ways. He slammed the lid on those thoughts, refusing to think about… them and weaved his way around burly guys, heading for the door.

“Noel!” Brett called from the bar, surrounded by guys just as small as him.

Nope. Noel was trying to make a break for it, not get caught up in small talk. Truth was he actually liked Sin’s and didn’t really want to leave, no matter how much he tried to deny it.

The place was wrapped in leather, exhaust, and liquor, and the gruff men had been nothing but nice to him.

Except Matias and Santiago, who were still salty about having a gun pointed at them. What had they expected when men twice Noel’s size converged on him? He had a right to defend himself by any means necessary, even if he’d never handled a gun before.

Continuing toward the exit, he pretended he hadn’t heard Brett. The tavern was so noisy the pretense was believable.

Besides, Matias was currently standing behind the bar, leaning over, forearms resting on the counter as he talked with Elijah. Noel wasn’t going anywhere near the counter. He didn’t need the leader of the biker club to stare through him with those intense, light brown eyes.

As crowded as it was, the men moved slightly as Noel passed, giving him enough space to walk without being jostled.

Finally! He’d made it to the door, already feeling the warm breeze against his heated skin. With so many packed bodies, the tavern’s interior was a damn sweat box. The air outside wasn’t as stifling. Noel stood there for a second just to cool off.

His gaze landed on Tomas next to his motorcycle, rummaging through his saddlebags.

Holy fuck. Every time Noel saw him, he was blown away by Tomas’s good looks.

He was at least six-three and had a body that just wouldn’t quit.

Thick shoulders and muscular arms, with an ass Noel wanted to palm with both hands.

He glanced toward the sidewalk leading him away from the tavern, then back at Tomas. Biting his lip, Noel fought the urge to go over and see what Tomas was up to. Maybe say a proper goodbye and thank you.

But he hesitated.

Tomas might not’ve hurt him when Noel had taken that gun, but it would be foolish to think he was harmless.

There was an aura of danger radiating from the guy. The literal reason Noel needed to leave. The last dangerous guy he’d been involved with had tried to kill him.

Still was.

Then Tomas glanced up, catching Noel’s gaze. A smile tugged at the corners of the guy’s mouth as he beckoned Noel over with a tilt of his head. Oh my god. The confidence he exuded when he moved was like standing too close to the sun.

Noel’s heart stuttered. He shouldn’t. He needed to just walk away, leave yet another place behind like he always did. Keep moving, keep his distance. Attachments only led to disappointment.

But his feet were already carrying him toward the curb where a row of motorcycles were parked. The sounds of the tavern faded as he approached Tomas, replaced by the rumbling purr of idling engines.

“Going somewhere?” he asked, straightening up. Amusement danced in his dark eyes, as if he could read Noel’s struggling thoughts.

Shoving his hands into his pockets, Noel shrugged. “I was thinking about it. Figured I should get out of your hair.”

“Who says you’re in my hair?” Tomas’s voice was low and smooth, sending a shiver through Noel.

“I just meant…I don’t want to overstay my welcome. You’ve already done a lot for me.”

“It’s no trouble.” Tomas leaned a hip against his bike, arms crossed over his broad chest. The posture made his biceps bulge against the sleeves of his T-shirt. “In fact, I was hoping you’d stick around a bit longer.”

Don’t you dare read into that. Noel’s mouth went dry. “Oh? Why’s that?”

T omas’s chuckle settled between them, warm and intoxicating, as though it belonged there all along. “Let's just say I’m enjoying your company, carino . Wouldn’t mind getting to know you better.”

A current raced under Noel’s skin. This was dangerous territory. The smart thing would be to politely decline and get the hell out of Dodge.

But he couldn’t deny the spark of excitement Tomas’s words ignited in his belly. The reckless part of him, the part that had grabbed the gun in the first place, wanted to explore this.

Explore Tomas.

He must’ve read the conflict on Noel’s face. He reached out, hooking a finger through Noel’s belt loop and tugging him a step closer.

“Stay,” he murmured. “Just a little longer.”

Noel secretly inhaled, the spicy scent of Tomas’s cologne filling his nose. This close, he could see the faint stubble lining the man’s strong jaw, the pulse beating in his throat. He knew he should pull away, knew he was playing with fire. But Noel had always been drawn to the flame.

“Okay,” He heard himself say. “I can stick around for a bit.” He smiled tentatively.

Tomas’s answering grin was blinding. He clapped a hand on Noel’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Great. Let me just finish up here and we can head inside. I’ll even buy you a drink.”

Noel ducked his head, feeling his cheeks warm. “Sounds good.”

As Tomas turned back to his bike, Noel released a shaky breath. What was he getting himself into? Shoving his hands into his front pockets, he scuffed the toe of his shoe against the pavement, reminding himself not to get caught up in this place.

In Tomas.

He needed to just walk away like he’d planned, but his feet wouldn’t budge. It was like Tomas was a magnet keeping Noel right there with him.

Tomas secured his saddlebag and made his way toward the tavern door.

Noel didn’t move.

One sneaker stayed planted on the pavement while the other angled toward the street where the air felt fresher, quieter, holding a silence he didn’t completely trust.

His hands fidgeted in his pockets, tightening once. Slip down the sidewalk and make a clean break while Tomas went inside. Just because the guy wanted him to stick around didn’t mean Noel had to. Freedom was just ten feet away. Away from Sin’s. Away from Tomas. Away from desires he shouldn’t want.

“Noel?” Tomas held the tavern door open, his look saying he understood Noel’s struggle.

One drink wouldn’t ruin his plans, just delay them.

Noel took a deep breath, forced a smile, and joined Tomas to enter the tavern he’d just escaped from. He headed straight for the bar, gripping the edge to steady himself. Some song with a sultry beat played.

He felt Tomas before the guy even touched him. Heat sliding in behind him, fingers hooking right back into Noel’s belt loops, breath ghosting over the back of his neck .

His heart raced, mouth suddenly dry, while resisting the urge to lean back into Tomas and feel those powerful arms around him.

“What’ll you have, florito ?” Tomas murmured, lips grazing Noel’s ear.

Trust in humanity, but that’ll never happen . “Rum and Coke.”

Tomas signaled one of the bartenders. “Miguel, over here.”

A handsome guy with scars on one side of his face sauntered over to them, a bar rag slung over one shoulder. “Make it quick,” he said. “Gotta lot of people to serve.”

Miguel shot Noel a smile before turning back to Tomas.

“Rum and Coke and a shot of the devil,” Tomas replied.

Miguel nodded once and started on their drinks. Noel glanced up at Tomas. “What’s a shot of the devil?”

“A blend that’ll knock a novice flat on his ass.” His chuckle curled around Noel like wisps of smoke.

The butterflies in his stomach told him he was exactly where he was supposed to be.

* * * *

The streetlights outside created a soft glow through the windows, illuminating the dimly lit tavern.

The worn wooden bar pressed against Noel’s elbows as he leaned on it, watching the bubbles in his drink rise and pop.

The liquid swirled lazily in the glass, tempting but dangerous.

He took deep breaths, forcing himself to hold back on another sip.

He needed to keep his wits about him. Although he enjoyed Tomas’s company, it was time to bounce.

When Tomas headed to the restroom, Noel made his move. He slipped off his stool and headed toward the door.

No pausing or getting sidetracked this time. Since all he had were the clothes he was wearing, he didn’t need to grab anything from the room he’d crashed in last night.

A clean and quick getaway.

Once outside, Noel walked briskly down the street. It was going to take him about an hour to get back to the house where he was staying. He’d already been tired, but as he put more distance between himself and Sin’s, he started second-guessing his decision.

The tavern was safe, there was always food, and that bed was the comfiest he’d ever slept in.

Still, good things never lasted, and eventually, they probably would’ve kicked him out. Better not to get attached to comforts like a full stomach or a sense of security.

Tonight was cooler than usual, and Noel felt a slight chill as he walked along. He rubbed his arms, passing by Carver’s Hardware and a flower shop that reminded him of Tomas.

Florito . Why Tomas called him little flower was beyond him. Noel didn’t think of himself as fragile or that small.