Luke said nothing to Joshua about the crazy thoughts running through his head. They were crazy, right? There was no possible way that Noah…? He needed time to think. He couldn't just voice these thoughts until he was certain…
Once he knew the boy was from Branson, he was completely incapable of carrying on any reasonable dialogue. His mind was exploding. He left Joshua and, instead of heading home, found an all night coffee bar and sat there drinking double shot espressos for a few hours, trying to clear his muddled mind. He would have to confront Noah but he wasn't sure how.
By the time he got back the house it was dark and quiet. Noah must have decided to take an early night. He was just placing his keys on the table when the light went on and he turned to see Noah leaning up against the door frame, shirtless in just his bottoms. He looked amazing, his hair all ruffled. He lifted his hand to stifle a yawn, "You're home at last… It's late."
"Sorry. It took longer then I expected. Did I wake you up?"
Noah leaned his head up against the wall and faked loud snoring.
"Okay, okay!" Laughed Luke as he walked towards him, "Go back to sleep baby…"
But as Luke drew closer Noah's left hand shot out and pulled Luke's right arm quickly behind his back as Noah's other arm crossed his chest, drawing him in. Luke could feel the rise and fall of Noah's breathing against his back. He drew in an audible breath just before Noah's lips found his in a soft kiss.
"How's the boy?" Luke asked as their lips separated but they stayed in each other's arms, mouths only inches apart.
Noah smiled. "He fell asleep on the floor so I carried him into the room. He was clutching that book you gave him. I couldn't pry it out of his fingers so I just let him sleep with it." Noah kissed him again, "Trust you to be the one to talk him out of the closet!"
Luke smiled at his little joke.
"It's because you make him feel safe…" Noah whispered, stroking his arm, "You make him feel like he's the most important person in the whole world."
"How do you know that?" Luke murmured back.
Noah's lips moved closer until their noses were touching, "Because that's how you make me feel." His blue eyes were blazing with power. "Every day..."
This time as they kissed, Noah pushed Luke gently around so that his back pressed up against the door frame while Noah's hands searched for skin.
Luke pulled away slightly, still wanting to have that conversation, but Noah's lips followed his, asking for more, and Luke, always powerless to resist the man, submitted instantly to him. This time it was Luke's turn to push Noah backwards against the frame and he lifted his arms around Noah's neck, allowing Noah to bend him slightly back. His hands feeing at the muscles in Luke's shoulder blades as they conversed with lips and tongues.
Luke nibbled Noah's lower lip as Noah pulled their hot bodies closer, pressing them harder together. Luke felt Noah's want through the fabric of his boxers and he knew that Noah could feel his too. Noah's kiss changed briefly, becoming gentler; lingering every now and then… a slight hesitation… as though memorising the feeling… increasing the intensity.
By this point Luke was completely lost in Noah, his stomach tingled at the strength of their emotional connection and he felt pretty sure he no longer had any lungs. The fireworks that were sparkling deep inside of him at the beginning of Noah's kisses were now full blown, blazing and beautiful lights. He loved this! He loved this feeling… this sensation that he had only ever experience with Noah. It filled every aspect of him with warmth, like drinking hot chocolate outside in the snow.
When Luke least expected it Noah reconnected their lips with such unbelievable passion that he actually sagged with the force of it. Then Noah pushed their foreheads together, whispering, "Can I take you to bed?"
The conversation would have to wait until morning because Luke could do nothing but nod.
...
Luke found it impossible to sleep so he went to check on the boy.
The child slept curled in a ball, hugging 'Noah's Ark' tightly against his little chest. He breathed softly through his mouth and squeaked slightly on each exhalation. Luke sat beside him on the bed and gently pulled the sheet up and over him, tucking him in. He stared down at the child, leaning his face close to his, studying every tiny feature. He gently stroked the fading blackness under one of the boy's eyes and shuddered at the thought of somebody striking him. He was so small. So beautiful.
Joshua said his mother hurt him… What kind of life had he led?
Luke cupped the child's head with his hand, smoothing the black curls back and his shivers turned into slight shakes. He let out a breath of air and shook his head. It was impossible! It was a coincidence! It had to be! But what if it wasn't? What if this abused little guy was…?
He kissed the boy's forehead and wandered back into the passageway, briefly leaning up against the wall, head flung back, eyes closed. He entered the kitchen and poured a glass of cold milk from the fridge, slugging it back thirstily. The full moon outside illuminated his path as he made his way back to bed. His mind whirling with contemplation…
How? When? Why?
His eyes immediately sought out Noah as he entered the room and he instantly recognised the dripping, heated skin and the shifting body for what it was. Quickly he crawled back onto the bed next to Noah and took hold of his hand while smoothing his cheek. He leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Noah… wake up baby… shhh… wake up slowly… it's just a dream… shhh…"
He was flung back as Noah sat bolt up right, breathing in one gulp of air and then gasping noisily, yelping with each intake. His body was rigid and solid with tension and his hands gripped the sheets in balled fists at his sides. His eyes were wide at first and then, once he began to come around, they closed tightly shut. He began to breathe through his nose and Luke knew this was the moment when he could touch him. He sat up on the bed next to him and placed an arm around his shoulders, gently at first, so as not to startle him, and then more firmly as he pulled Noah across so that he was lying in a curled up position with his dark head resting on Luke's lap. Luke bent over to kiss his forehead and then smoothed his hair, just as he had done with the boy only moments before.
"It's been a while since you had one like this." Luke said softly.
Noah sighed, "It wasn't Oliver… It was the bomb…"
Luke closed his eyes as the guilt flowed through him, "I'm so sorry bubby!"
"You're going to get out… right Luke?"
When Luke stayed silent Noah sat up to look at him. Luke's expression answered the question for him.
"I see…" he said, his breath shuddered and he moved to get up but Luke quickly grabbed his arm.
"Noah…"
"No Luke! It's fine! You've made it perfectly clear that you care more about that company then you do about me! About what this is doing to me! About what it would mean to me if you… if…" and, still freaked out by his dream, he broke down in sobs, bending over and weeping into his hands.
"Okay!" Luke spoke urgently and grabbed him pressing his cheek into Noah's back, leaning over him, rocking him. "I'm sorry." He spent a few minutes thinking as he felt the sobs shake Noah's body, "Look… I have to somehow clean up this company. But I'll stay out of it! Okay? I'll hire people in to sort it out. I already have one guy undercover within the syndicate."
"It won't stop them Luke." Noah said without unfolding, "You're the boss! You're the one they'll go after every time! Luke moved back so that Noah could sit up and look at him; "Please!" he took Luke's face in his hand and stared directly at him, "Please!"
Luke couldn't take the pain and panic in Noah's eyes. Pain he was causing because of his stubborn need to take back Grimaldi Shipping. He knew he couldn't refuse him. "Okay. I promise. Tomorrow I'll make arrangements to sell the company and…"
"Today!" Noah cut in still holding Luke's cheeks within is palms.
Luke nodded, "Okay. Today. I promise."
Noah kissed him fully on the lips and drew him into a hug. "Thank you!"
...
Having been up most of the night worrying about the child on one hand and his company on the other, Luke woke up to find Noah had already vacated the bed. He slipped on a shirt and wandered into the lounge to find Noah on the floor watching the boy as he coloured.
"…and what's your favourite colour?"
The boy pointed to a red pencil.
"Red, hey? Can I tell you a secret?"
The boy nodded. He was sucking at the straw of a juice box Noah must have given him. He seemed to be enraptured with this, because every now and again he would remove the straw and make a loud sigh of satisfaction. It reminded Luke so much of Ethan and he smiled.
"It's mine too!" Noah told him.
To Luke's amazement the child actually smiled for an instant. The first smile he had seen.
"You know?" continued Noah, softly, "Now that you know my name and Luke's name, do you think you can tell us yours?"
The boy frowned at him. It wasn't a frown of annoyance but rather of confusion, as though he misunderstood the question.
"Can you draw something that will help me guess your name?" Noah asked.
Again the look of utter bewilderment as he clung to the juice box…
Noah tried again, "What does your Mommy call you?"
The boy's eyes grew wide at that, fear etched every part of his little countenance and he backed up against the couch. Noah acted fast and said, "It's okay… Nobody will ever hurt you here, all right? We just would like to know what to call you…"
Again the boy frowned at Noah. It was clear that he didn't want to disappoint Noah but it was also clear he was unsure of Noah's expectations. Eventually he turned to a new page in his notebook and started to draw. Luke hoped the creation would lead to a clue as to who he might be. Joshua said he never knew the boy's name and hadn't had the time to find out.
"Morning…" Luke said, announcing himself, although he knew Noah had already sensed him there.
"Morning…" Noah's smile warmed his heart as it always did.
On his arrival the boy dropped the pencil he was holding and leapt up, grabbing the storybook from the floor by his side and holding it out to Luke with a look of excited expectation. The child's eyes unnerved him yet again and he fought not to let that show.
"Would you like me to read to you?"
Black curls bobbed as he nodded.
"I think he's been waiting all morning for you." said Noah, "I offered to read it to him but he obviously has a favourite!"
Luke took the book and sat on the couch. The boy plonked himself back on the floor and watched Luke eagerly.
"Hey?" asked Luke, "Why don't you sit up here with me?" he patted the space next to him, "Then you can see the pictures while I read."
That same look of uncertainty that Luke knew so well, crossed the child's face and briefly stopped his heart. The boy turned to Noah.
"Go on…" Noah nodded encouragingly. "It's okay…"
Tentatively the child stood. He looked back and forth between the two men and then walked slowly to the couch. He climbed up and sat half a metre away from Luke.
"I'm sure you can't see the pictures from way over there!" laughed Luke, "Come on… scoot over…"
For a moment they thought he might not do it, but eventually he crawled across and sat next to Luke, careful not to touch him.
Noah watched with a slight smile on his face as Luke read the story. The boy's expressions were incredible. It was a though he had never been told a story in all his life… as though he had never even seen a book. His face glowed with a sudden light that hadn't been there before. The blank stare was now expressive with wonder and enjoyment. Noah's heart swelled with love. There was just something about this kid…
Once the story ended Noah asked him, "Do you think you can finish your drawing for me while I make us some breakfast?"
The boy nodded and slipped off the couch, turning back to take the book from Luke and returning to his usual position on the floor.
"Wow!" mouth Luke, shaking his head.
Once they were both in the kitchen, out of earshot, Luke noticed the tears in Noah's eyes as he said, "Someone has really done a number on that kid! God it makes me so angry!"
Luke stroked his arm and nodded.
"Anyway, "Noah began, wiping his eyes, "You managed to work your magic and get him out of the closet, but do you think he could get him in a bath? He's been in those same clothes since he got here! And we really should take him outside for some air. It can't be good to be stuck in doors all this time!"
Luke cocked his head at him, grinning.
"What?" asked Noah, suddenly feeling self conscious.
"Nothing, you're just so adorable! I love you Noah Mayer!" Once again Luke decided to put their conversation off for a while. The moment just felt so wonderful and he wanted to enjoy it. "I'll see what I can do about the bath after we've eaten." He leaned up and kissed Noah before turning to start on breakfast.
...
Julius had spent yet another drunken night with Gianni. The man was a pig and the sooner he could end this job the better! Even the whores were threatening to ban the guy from the club.
"No amount of money!" they told him after one of the girl's ended up in the hospital.
Gianni was still drunk when he woke up on the floor of Julius' apartment rental. "Hey my pal!" he slurred when he caught sight of Julius sitting on the couch. "You're my best pal now, you know?" He stood up and swayed slightly before rushing forward to sit heavily next to Julius.
"Yes I know Gianni." Julius lit a cigarette and puffed slowly on it. It helped keep him calm. In his line of business he couldn't afford to lose his cool with anyone. As far as they were concerned he could be trusted with anything.
Gianni motioned for the naked girl seated in the corner chair to come over. She grimaced but did as she was told. He pulled her arm so that she lay face down over his knees and stroked her butt cheeks as he turned his wobbly head back to Julius. He decided to prove his loyalty to this newly discovered friend by saying, "Watch thisssss spaccccce!" He put a finger to his nose to indicate he was sharing a massive secret. He sniggered with excitement, slapping the girl hard on the behind, making her yelp.
Julius held his breath. This could be important. "What's that friend?"
Gianni smiled wickedly, "Thirty minutes from now that fairy will get it! If the bomb didn't scare him THIS will!" And he laughed hysterically.
Thirty minutes!
Julius needed a distraction. "I'm going to take a shower." He stood up slowly and calmly walked towards the bedroom. When Gianni looked away he quickly grabbed his phone from coffee table.
He didn't have much time!
...
They were still busy in the kitchen when the boy entered and handed Noah his completed drawing. Noah bent down to him, holding the drawing up where they could both see it. Luke leaned back against the counter, sipping from his coffee mug.
The picture was of a small boy with black hair and blue eyes.
"Is this a picture of you?" asked Noah.
The boy nodded pointing at it.
"Does this picture tell me your name?"
The boy bit his lower lip and stared at Noah with worry.
"It's okay…" Noah placated, "Nothing to worry about. It's a lovely picture! Can I keep it?"
Again the tiny head nodded and the little hand pointed at the drawing. Noah sighed and looked up at Luke who was shaking his head. Somehow the answer to the child's name was in the picture but neither of them could figure it out.
"Come on." Luke said, "Hop up on that stool! We're having pancakes!"
...
Three men in a black Mercedes sat waiting in a leafy suburb of Los Angeles. The windows were wound down and they could hear the ocean, a fact also heralded by the sound of seagulls.
"Get ready…" said the driver.
The two men, one in the passenger seat and one in the back removed the safety catches from their AK47s before carefully resting the barrels on the car window frames.