Page 39 of Silent Fire (Sin & Steel #6)

Tomas studied him for a long moment, reading the fear and desperation in the rigid lines of Noel’s body. Whatever this was about, it was huge. Monumental in a way that made Tomas’s wolf stir restlessly.

“On my life,” he said simply, meeting Noel’s searching gaze with steady conviction. “You can trust me.”

Noel drew a shaky breath then dug into the pocket of his jeans. He withdrew his phone, thumbing through the screens before holding it out to Tomas. “You need to see these.”

Tomas took the phone, brow furrowing. A long string of messages appeared, the first dating back six months. As he scanned the words, a cold knot of dread formed in his gut.

The texts were threatening, vile things filled with thinly veiled promises of violence. Tomas’s grip tightened on the phone until his knuckles turned white. The most recent message had come through last night, right before Noel had started drinking himself into oblivion.

Miss me? Been thinking about you. Is that town as cozy as it seems? Winking emoji. See you soon, love.

This “Brian” was hunting Noel, stalking him like prey. And Noel, brave, beautiful Noel, had been living under the shadow of those threats for half a year.

He forced himself to meet Noel’s haunted gaze, his own expression carefully neutral despite the fury simmering inside of him.

“Who is this asshole?” The words emerged in a low growl. Tomas struggled to contain the rage boiling in his veins, an all-consuming need to protect his mate from any who would harm him.

Noel shook his head, wrapping his arms around his bent knees. “Just...someone I need to get away from. For good this time.”

Tomas wanted to demand more, to understand the full story so he could properly eviscerate the bastard. But he forced himself to remain calm, to let Noel open up at his own pace.

“I swear.” The words emerged in a low growl. “Whatever this asshole has planned, I won’t let him touch you.”

Noel’s eyes widened, but Tomas didn’t care. Let his mate see the ruthless side of him, the primal beast lurking just beneath the surface. A beast that would shred anyone who dared lay a hand on his elegido .

Shoving the phone back into Noel’s hands, Tomas rose in a single fluid motion and swung a leg over the seat, gunning the engine to snarling life. He had no idea where Brian was or what he looked like, but Tomas was reacting, his wolf was snarling for him to hunt.

“Where are you going?” Noel scrambled upright, coffee sloshing over the rim of his mug.

Tomas revved the throttle, letting the feral growl of the engine answer for him. His blood sang with the promise of violence, every instinct urging him to hunt this Brian down and make him pay for his crimes.

“Tomas, wait!” Noel reached out, grasping Tomas’s arm. “Please, just...don’t do anything stupid, okay? He’s not worth you getting into trouble over.”

Torn between obeying his baser instincts and honoring Noel’s wishes, Tomas stilled. He studied the fear and concern in Noel’s eyes, at the way his fingers trembled where they gripped Tomas’s sleeve.

With an explosive exhale, he killed the engine.

“I won’t let him keep hurting you,” he said, voice low and intense. “I’ll make this Brian disappear from your life. You’re mine to protect now, Noel. Don’t ask me to ignore that.”

Noel’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “I’m not asking you to ignore it. I’m asking you not to stoop to his level.” He took a step closer, sliding his hand down until their fingers twined together. “Please, Tomas.”

The contact was like an electric jolt, sizzling through Tomas’s veins. He tightened his grip reflexively, holding on to Noel’s smaller hand like a lifeline. Drawing a steadying breath, he nodded once.

“Okay,” he said gruffly. “I’ll handle this the right way. You’ve got my word.”

Noel’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Thank you,” he murmured, offering Tomas a tentative smile.

He allowed himself to return it, a silent acknowledgment of the trust Noel had just placed in him. It was a fragile, precious thing, and he would guard it fiercely.

With his free hand, he patted the seat behind him. “C’mon, beautiful. I’ll take you to get breakfast.”

Noel hesitated, chewing his lip. But after a beat, he set his cup on the ground, rounded the bike and climbed on behind Tomas. His mate’s arms slid around his waist, holding on as the engine roared back to life.

Pulling out of the lot, Tomas couldn’t stop the fierce rush of satisfaction at having his elegido on the back of his bike. His wolf rumbled its approval, a sense of rightness settling over them both.

He was playing the long game, letting the truth gradually unveil itself until Noel saw him, truly saw him, as more than just a protector.

As his chosen one, his heart, his everything.

For now, Tomas would bide his time, keep Noel safe, no matter what monster from his past came slinking into the light.

Brian didn’t know the forces he was dealing with. But he would soon find out.

C h apter Five

Tomas rode his motorcycle into the parking lot of Lizard’s Diner. As he turned off the engine, the smells of bacon grease, maple syrup, and fresh coffee wafted over to greet them. Noel made a quiet sound of approval behind him. Tomas smiled, glad his mate was happy with his choice.

Noel hopped off smoothly, with Tomas doing the same, taking a moment to stretch.

“Come here.” Tomas crooked his finger. His mate stepped closer, giving a shy smile that made Tomas want to kiss him.

Instead, he ran his fingers through Noel’s hair, which felt like golden silk against his skin. “You’ve got bedhead, babe,” he teased with a grin.

“I wasn’t planning on being out in public this morning,” Noel grumbled, trying to smooth the strands down with a few swipes.

Tomas chuckled, gently pushing his elegido’s hands aside, he started untangling the knots himself, careful not to tug. Usually, he wasn’t into messing with anyone’s hair, but he liked fussing over Noel’s blond locks.

His mate’s eyes briefly closed, a soft sigh escaping. Even the smallest move from Noel could wreck him.

“Are you done, mom ?” Noel swatted at his hair like a fly had landed on it. “It’s decent. Most guys pay big bucks to look like they just rolled out of bed. I actually did.”

“You just screwed with my careful fingering.” Tomas narrowed his eyes, fighting not to smile. “See if I slowly run my fingers through your soft hair again. Next time I’ll make sure to pull it.”

Noel stood there, mouth dropped open slightly, eyebrows pinched. “I don’t know if that was a threat or a dirty promise.”

Tomas brushed his lips over the soft skin of his mate’s ear. “It’s whatever you want it to be, mi dulce adicción .”

His mate sucked in a breath, and when Tomas glanced at him, Noel sank his teeth into his bottom lip, blue eyes weaponized sin.

“Let’s go eat.” Tomas gave a low growl while guiding Noel to the door, which jingled when he opened it.

When his mate passed under his arm, he glanced up at Tomas, those blue eyes inescapable. “Why do I have a feeling you’re going to ruin me?” he murmured.

Tomas grinned, feeling the same way. “ Mi dulce adicción.”

Blushing fiercely, Noel hurried inside, and Tomas laughed softly before joining him.

Noel stopped just inside the door and turned to look at Tomas, wide-eyed. “What the hell is this place?”

Tomas glanced around, really looking at the diner for the first time. He’d never bothered before. Never gave a damn. But now, seeing it through Noel’s eyes, he understood the hesitation.

He leaned in slightly, voice low. “The pancakes will be worth this reptilian fever dream.”

“I’m holding you to that,” Noel muttered, still eyeing the nearest ceramic lizard like it might scuttle off the wall.

Tomas grinned and nudged him forward, guiding him along. His boots echoed off the tile, a sharp contrast to the hum of conversation and the clink of cutlery.

Dot looked up from behind the counter, an order pad in one hand and a steaming carafe in the other. She didn’t stop what she was doing, but her expression warmed.

“Well, look what the cat dragged in.”

Tomas smirked. “Been a while, Dot.”

She poured the coffee for a customer seated at the counter then nodded toward an open booth. “Go on and grab a seat. I’ll be with you in a sec.”

He led his mate to the closest booth near the front, one with cracked red vinyl and a view of a jukebox that looked like it might electrocute someone.

Noel slid in, eyebrows lifting at the plastic gecko clinging to the salt shaker. Tomas sat across from him, grinning.

He watched, mesmerized by the way Noel’s slender fingers traced the contours of the figurine, brows furrowed just a bit as he studied the intricate details. It was so painfully endearing that Tomas had to resist the urge to reach across the table and still those restless hands with his own.

Lips curving into an amused smirk, Tomas leaned forward, tracing the back of Noel’s hand with the calloused pad of his finger. “Relax, carino ,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble meant only for his mate’s ears.

Noel’s cheeks flushed a delicious shade of pink. He opened his mouth, no doubt to fire back some snarky retort, but seemed to think better of it. Instead, he worried his plump bottom lip between his teeth, holding Tomas’s heated gaze for a beat too long before ducking his head.

The silence stretched between them, charged and electric. Tomas could practically taste the current of awareness sparking in the air. He allowed his finger to linger against Noel’s skin, feeling the warmth, the thrum of his mate’s pulse.

“You’re cute when you’re flustered,” he murmured, pitching his voice low so only Noel could hear the words.

Noel huffed out a breath, but it did nothing to hide the pleased glint in his eyes. “Keep it in your pants, lobo .”