Torch (Unbreakable Bonds 3)

“You would have liked her.”

Noah lifted his head, turning it so that he was facing Rowe. His dark eyes reflected the faint light from the bathroom. For a moment, he looked so sad it took Rowe’s breath away. “Anyone who’s smart enough to love your goofy ass is definitely someone I would like.”

“Thanks.”

Noah snorted, his eyes falling shut again. “Sleep, Rowe. Or I’m taking my gun back and I’m shooting you myself.”

Closing his eyes, sleep claimed Rowe fast and for the first time in more months than he could count, he fell asleep with a smile on his lips.Chapter 4Rowe awoke wrapped in a cocoon of sheets and blankets. Early morning sunlight was attempting to peek around the blackout curtains on the one window in the guest bedroom, giving him just enough light to see that Noah had already gotten up. How had he not heard it? Not stirred in the slightest when the other man moved?

Shoving out of the blankets, Rowe hesitated, trying to decide whether to take the gun with him or leave it under the pillow he’d used. He was home; he was safe. But then safe was relative now and there was a former Ranger supposedly lurking around his place, friend or not. With a barely stifled groan, Rowe got to his feet without the gun, and shuffled to his bedroom for his phone. A quick pass through his email revealed that nothing had blown up while he’d slept. In fact, it was after eight. He’d slept like the dead for five hours. That was more sleep than he’d gotten any other night during the past year.

Before he even reached the kitchen, the scent of coffee hit his nose and he sighed. But Noah was nowhere to be found. Not in the kitchen, bathroom or living room. It was then he realized the dogs were missing as well. Panic swelled in his chest, threatening to overwhelm him. He rushed to the door off the kitchen leading to the deck and backyard. It was the last place…

His breath left him in a rush as his eyes fell on Noah standing near the edge of the deck, dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. In one hand, he clutched a travel mug, while he launched a tennis ball with the other toward the back of the fenced-in yard, sending Daisy running after it. The two Rottweilers were sprawled across the deck in the early morning sun, looking as if they were exhausted.

A fine trembling wracked Rowe’s frame and he gritted his teeth for control as he came down from the surge of panic. He had to get a handle on this. Mel’s death left him constantly struggling to keep his balance, waiting for something new to rip his world apart. With Noah there, he trusted his friend even if he hadn’t seen him in years, but he was afraid to hope that his appearance would last more than a couple hours. And did he even want Noah to stick around? Jagger was gunning for him and his friends. Rowe didn’t want to think about putting Noah’s life in danger, too.

Unless he chose to help…

As a former Ranger, the man had the training to protect himself and he probably had a few tricks up his sleeve that Rowe might not have heard of yet. Of course, Noah might have other plans.

“Enough,” Rowe growled to himself. This indecision was eating him alive.

Opening the door, Rowe stepped out onto the deck, wincing at the brisk air biting through his T-shirt and flannel sleep pants. Noah looked over his shoulder from where he was prying the ball loose from Daisy and smiled.

“Morning,” he said before hurling the ball across the yard and sending the German Shepard off like a shot. However, her pace was a shade slower this time. She was wearing out. With any luck, Rowe would be able to cancel one of the dog walker visits. Right now, it didn’t look like the trio would be moving much for at least a few hours.

“Sleep well?”

“A few hours.” Noah shrugged and turned sideways so he could look at Rowe and keep an eye on the dog that had just reached the ball. “When my body figures out what time zone I’m in, I’ll catch a few more Zs.”

“You said last night that you flew in from Berlin? Were you there long?”

Noah gave a shrug of one shoulder that told Rowe absolutely nothing.

Rowe pushed one hand through his disheveled hair and snorted. “I just can’t believe you’re here. I mean…what’s it been?”

“Last phone call? Almost two years. Last email? Ten months. In person? Nine years when we met for beers in Vienna while your friend was checking out some investment.”

“Yeah, but who’s counting?” Rowe joked but Noah lost his smile.

“I am.” Noah knelt down in the wet grass and scratched Daisy behind her ear. The dog dropped the ball, her breathing heavy as she leaned into his large hand. “I should have come to see you sooner.” Noah’s voice had become softer and he paused like he wanted to say more, but was holding back the words.