chapter 2
"Okay guys, I wanted to talk to you about something before the wedding. Things have been busier than ever this past year. It's time to expand."
Jonas narrowed his gaze. "Yeah? How many are we taking on? We’re spread thin already, and training can be kind of a bitch."
Noah nodded. "I hear you. That's why we're only taking on one new guy. And I guarantee you, training won't be necessary."
Matthias’s gaze ping-ponged between Noah and Rafe. "Nah, mate. Tell me you're not fucking thinking what I think you're thinking about."
Dylan slid his gaze back and forth between Noah and Matthias. "Huh? What am I missing?"
Oskar crossed his arms and hung his head, shaking it backward and forward. "You don't see it? Noah is asking this one to join the team." He jerked his thumb in Rafe's direction.
Rafe, to his credit, didn't budge. Didn't move, didn't smile, frown or anything.
Matthias however was far less cool. "Over my fucking dead body, mate."
Rafe muttered under his breath. "That can be arranged."
Of course that got Matthias's hackles up. He took a step toward Rafe, and Oskar had to physically stop him.
Dylan shook his head. "No. Not doing it. Not working with this asshole. Dude, have you forgotten he tried to kill us? More than once?"
Rafe smirked. "Trust me, if I’d actually wanted you dead, you would be dead."
Noah shook his head. "Rafe, not fucking helping."
Ryan chuckled. "I can't believe this. You're actually thinking about asking this turd to join the team. I know he's Lucia's brother and all but, I don't like it."
As the members of his team grumbled, Noah could see the loneliness, the confusion, and what he thought might be a faint glimmer of hope. "Okay, you idiots, you’ve had the opportunity to express your displeasure. Not that I give two shits. Do you all trust me?"
Matthias was the first to meet his gaze. The kid may not be happy about what Noah was saying right now, but after everything that had happened between them, Noah knew he had Matthias's loyalty, no matter what. When he spoke, his voice was barely above a growl. "Through fire," he said quietly.
Noah nodded. Honestly, he hadn't even had to ask. Although, it might be one hell of a task trying to keep the two of them from killing each other. Matthias was somewhat untested, but in some ways he was just as deadly as Rafe. Dylan just threw up his hands. "Are you fucking serious right now?"
Next to Dylan, Ryan clenched his jaw. "Yeah boss, you know I do, especially after what you've done for me, but —"
Noah shook his head. "No buts. You either trust me, or you don't."
Ryan swallowed but then nodded, unable to even look at him.
Considering where Noah had found Ryan, the kid was a sure bet, too.
Dylan was a wildcard. As was Oskar. Not that Noah didn't think Oskar would do the right thing, but rather because the German was somewhat of a wildcard all the time. He always had his own motivations for doing things. Yet he always wanted to do the right thing. And if he thought you were doing that, he’d follow without question. And then there was Jonas. His best friend. The friend who'd been left to pick up the pieces of his shattered soul. The friend who he lied to for years, but who he’d eventually been forced to come clean with about who he was. Jonas was also the friend who’d helped him heal.
And you saved him too. There’d been a moment in time when Jonas had been sitting in front of the gates of hell. And then Noah’s skills had come in handy. But honestly, if Noah was being honest with himself, his friend had saved him more than he helped his friend.
Jonas slid his gaze to Noah and nodded. "I don't like it. I'm not a fan." He glanced briefly over to Rafe. "But he's Lucia's brother, which means he’ll do anything to keep his sister safe. And she is our family, so I’m assuming that extends to us. And then, well, you're vouching for him. So I may not understand it, but I'll back your play. Although," he turned to face Rafe and stared him down, "you try any of that shit again, and I will kill you in your sleep."
Rafe smirked. "Again, you're welcome to try."
Noah could only chuckle. That was Rafe for you. Because at the end of the day, everyone in the room knew that if Rafe wanted to, he could put them all down.
Dylan dropped his hands. "Seriously? Whatever man. If you say he's on the team, he’s on the team. I'll work with him. But that's only because I trust you."
Noah nodded. Oskar only chuckled. "Why the fuck not? Hell, since these guys are pussies anyway, I'll volunteer to train him."
"Like I need your fucking training," Rafe growled.
"See in the real world, you can’t go around killing people and shit. I know you former assassins have a problem with that. But it’s not really what we do here. So I'm happy to teach you the finer points of security. You know… not killing the clients and shit."
Rafe considered this. "Yeah, you might have a point. I am better at killing things."
Oskar just shook his head. "You see, my training skills are at work already."
Noah turned his gaze to his friend, the man he’d call brother in under an hour. “Welcome back to the fold.”