Furi was speechless. He now had a family, he believed this man was telling the truth and no matter what fight was lying in wait for him, he wasn’t going to have to face it alone.
Ruxs put his hand out again and this time when Furi clapped his hand in his, the man pulled him in for a one-armed hug. “Damn. Thanks. I really appreciate that. You have no idea.” Furi was careful to keep his emotions under control. He couldn’t help but think back to his time with his dad, this scene was all so familiar. His father had the full protection of the Grideon motorcycle gang behind him. They were there for him day or night, watching out for him and his little boy.
Now Furi had let a man into his life who brought a kick-ass family along with him. Furi truly felt like he was walking in his father’s footsteps. After all this time.
Syn clapped his hand into Ruxs’ and gave him a quick pat on the shoulder. “Alright man, we're gonna get outta here. See you Monday.”
“Heck yeah, you will. I'm ready to take this fucker down on Monday.” The big man looked like he could take down five fuckers ... all alone.
Syn looked just as dangerous. “That’s what we do.”
“Alright, I’m gone. Bye Furious.”
“Bye,” he said quickly.
Syn took his hand and looked around carefully before he led him across the street. Furi was quiet riding up the elevator. It stopped on the third floor but there was no one there. Syn crowded in close to him, covering him with his bulk and pushed the button to close the doors.
“There’s no one there, hero. Calm down,” Furi whispered against Syn’s neck.
Syn stared at him for a few seconds while the elevator ascended, his dark eyes scanning his every feature as if he’d never seen Furi before. “You are so beautiful.”
Furi leaned in and touched Syn’s lips oh so gently. “Thank you,” he whispered.
They were still standing together when the elevator doors opened.
“Not the place man. So not the place,” said a man’s slurred voice.
Furi looked up at Syn’s angry huff. A guy with long, stringy hair and his crew were barging into the elevator before Syn and Furi could get out. Syn barreled past them, pulling Furi behind him.
Furi found it amusing. “Who was that?”
“No one of consequence.” Syn rolled his eyes.
Furi leaned against the door while Syn angrily turned his key and shouldered the door open.
“He’s my annoying neighbor. Lives directly across the hall. Plays his fuckin’ music way too loud and always has too many people over making noise in the hall. He’s a stoner and completely insignificant.”
“Then why are you mad?” Furi caught Syn’s shoulder before he could get further inside his apartment.
“I’m not. I just hate when people make it a habit of irritating other people.”
“Not your concern.” Furi pulled his bag off Syn’s shoulder and dropped it on the couch.
“You’re right.” Syn wrapped his arms around Furi’s waist. “How was your day?”
“Good. Got a lot done. Everything’s really coming together.” This all felt so domesticated. Furi tried not to think about his previous failed effort at domesticity. Syn was so mature, so protective, so everything Patrick wasn’t.
“You hungry?”
“I’m starving, actually. All I had all day was a piece of Doug’s burger. I’ve been in full-steam ahead mode all day.”
“Want to get a bite ...," Syn hesitated before he added, “out?”
Furi studied him. He knew Syn was thinking about their last time out and how it had ended. Syn flustered and embarrassed, Furi storming off alone.
“Yeah. I do.” He’d give Syn another chance. He didn’t think he'd disappoint him this time.
Syn smiled a sexy crooked grin. “Good. I know a nice Japanese steakhouse downtown. Then we have to make a stop.”
Furi was pulling his brush out of his bag to run it through his hair quick before they left. “A stop where?”
“Things didn’t go as well as I hoped with the protective order.”
Furi paused mid-stroke. “What do you mean? Do I have one?”
“No. But don’t worry,” Syn continued when he saw the nervous expression Furi couldn’t disguise. Fuck. There’s nothing to tell that bastard to stay the fuck away from me.
Syn’s hands were on his cheeks. “Hey. I said don’t worry. I’m gonna handle this shit my way."
Furi blew out a tired breath and reached his hand up to run it through his hair, but Syn caught it. “Don’t pull your hair, baby,” he smiled. “Do you trust me, Furious? Do you trust me to handle this for you?”
Furi looked Syn in the eye. He saw loyalty there. “Yes. I do.” He leaned in and fused their mouths together. They kissed like they were solidifying their dedication to one another, seconds turning into minutes. Neither was in a rush to stop or end the kiss, only pausing briefly to switch positions or take in a quick breath.