Ignite (Unbreakable Bonds 7)

Rowe and Noah answered questions but because they’d ducked, they had less to offer by way of explanation than the woman who’d witnessed the whole thing.

“Was more than likely a drive-by,” one of the cops said as he made a few notes in his little notepad. “We’ve had a few of them recently. I’m glad nobody was hurt this time. The others weren’t so lucky.”

But Noah had a feeling it wasn’t some random drive-by. He couldn’t explain it; he just felt there was more to the story. His gut was screaming at him that it felt personal. He’d only aimed at Noah instead of emptying a clip into the both of them.

They drove home in silence, the warm afterglow from the wedding ruined. Now he watched the cars rather than the twinkling city lights, his whole body tense with worry and suspicion.

When they pulled up to the house, Rowe hit the garage door opener and Noah pulled out the gun again, keeping a close watch on their surroundings. After Rowe shut the garage door, they sat staring at each other before Rowe grabbed him and yanked him across the seat. He wrapped tight arms around him.

“That was so damn close,” he murmured against Noah’s neck.

“I’m fine, babe. You can see that I am.” Noah set the gun down.

“If I lost you, I wouldn’t survive,” Rowe whispered.

“You would, but nothing happened other than the damage to the truck.”

“I don’t give a fuck about that. Just you.” He pulled away and cupped the sides of Noah’s face, then kissed him. It was a slow kiss full of love and it made desire curl into Noah’s body as he tightened his hands on Rowe’s muscular arms. Noah deepened the kiss, loving the low groan that rumbled from Rowe’s throat. He twined his tongue with his lover’s and felt the answering shudder in Rowe’s body. He leaned back and looked at him, meeting those worried green eyes.

“Come on, let’s go greet our dogs and go to bed.”

“After we check the house.”

“After we check the house,” he agreed.

Inside, Igor, Vlad, and Daisy ran to them, letting them know all was right in the house. Two Rottweilers and a German shepherd were a pretty big deterrent to anyone thinking of breaking into their place, but they still checked every room and the security system. Now that he was safe, Noah was shaking a little on the inside at just how close he’d come to losing his life. And after such a wonderful day.

When they stood in the bedroom, undressing, Rowe stood beside the bed, frowning at Noah, worry still darkening his gaze. “I don’t feel like that was a random drive-by,” he said quietly.

“I don’t think so either,” Noah admitted.Chapter TwoNoah stood with his hands folded on the top of his head as he watched Garrett hit Dom with a leg sweep, knocking him onto his back. A loud, sweaty thwack echoed above the uproar as he hit the vinyl mat. Surrounding him were the sounds of men shouting at one another through training sessions, cheers, and fists hitting heavy bags.

On the second floor, he could easily imagine Quinn, Gidget, and Cole quietly arguing over some technical wizardry he couldn’t begin to comprehend. He’d been pretty handy with all things tech about ten years ago, but now the kind of stuff the triplets were dealing with just shot straight over his head.

Something settled and gave a happy sigh deep in his chest. He was wrapped up in the day-to-day chaos that was Ward Security. He’d found a home with Rowe Ward and his dogs, but Ward Security and the men who worked there were proving to be an amazing second home. He fit among these people, the sounds, and the insanity that seemed to lurk around every corner.

“Hey, Noah!”

Noah dropped his hands and turned around as Dom picked himself up off the mat, looking for who had called out his name. Jackson Kent jogged across the main floor toward him with an easy smile, his blond hair disheveled and sweaty. Rowe had managed to recruit him from another security firm on the West Coast, and he’d proved to be an amazing asset over the past several months.

It should have been a sign that he’d be a great fit when he promptly started dating his first client after the case had been closed. Last Noah had heard, Jackson and Wade were still an item and starting to talk about moving in together.

Noah stepped away from the small group watching Dom and Garrett spar so he could talk to Jackson without needing to shout.

“What’s up?”

“I heard about the shooting this weekend when you were leaving the wedding.”

Noah scratched his jaw, forcing a bit of a smile. He hated that something so horrible was now forever linked to such a perfect event. “You know Rowe and I don’t believe in a normal, quiet day,” he joked.