Page 58 of My Hunger, Your Soul

“Thank you,” I say, and he squeezes my hand that's resting on the back of the sofa.

“Now the other stuff, about the family Noah had mentioned. I assume everything he told us was true?”

“Yeah. I never would've taken the job if I thought this would happen. It's such a mess.”

“Why is it a mess?”

“Because being with Ivan—that's his name—brings a certain amount of danger. I've already been stalked and threatened.”

“Oh my god, did you get hurt?”

“No, nothing that bad.”

“Did Ivan and his family take care of the problem?”

I look at what I thought was my innocent brother, but the way he asks the question with such conviction, tells me he meant it in the way I thought. He's asking if they took the problem away and he doesn't even blink as he said it. Why isn’t he freaking out?

“Yeah.”

“That’s a relief. At least they’ll look after you,” he says like I’ve just told him my partner's family are charity workers and how wonderful they are. Why isn't he reacting like a normal person would?

“So, what time are we leaving? I can't wait to meet him.”

“Hold on…what's wrong, Chase? Why are you so chill about this? Did you hear what I said?”

“Of course I heard what you said. Your boyfriend is in some kind of mafia type psycho family and you’ve been confused.”

“And that doesn't bother you? You…my therapist brother Chase who would never harm a fly?”

“You forget who I’m married to, Ty. Noah is hardly a saint.”

“But he’s not a killer,” I say, and Chase is the one to avoid eye contact. What the hell is going on here?

“Chase?”

“Ty, stop worrying. Noah is perfect and I’m happy. I say you go for it with this Ivan—that's if I approve when I meet him, and just go with the flow.”

I wish people would stop telling me to go with the flow.

“If I didn't know any better, I would think you've already met Ivan. He keeps telling me to live and stop over analyzing.”

“He’s right. You're too uptight, Ty. Have fun and live as you want. You’ll never get judgement from me. Now let's get an Uber so I can meet this guy. Is he attractive?”

This is so strange to be talking so casually about this.

“My brain is so scrambled from this conversation.Yes,he’s hot.”

Chase waggles his brows and I grab my phone to order an Uber before texting Ivan to say we're on our way.

If Chase is cool about this, then I can be cool too.

30

IVAN

A chime alerts me to a text message, and my dick starts to come to life. Tyler is on his way. It's been torture not having him close to me.

All of us are at Starlight, which I don’t think has ever happened before. I know why, though. Because they’re all nosy fuckers who wanna watch me meet Tyler’s brother. Fucking Aaron has been gossiping about it with everyone since Lev told him. The bar is relatively busy, but not filled like it will be by the end of the night when the shows start. Seb is working behind the bar where Kai and Aaron sit with him. I’m sitting at Dima and Lev’s reserved booth with Jules, D and Lev. But for now, it's time for business, as Simon has managed to work his charm on Callie, Tim’s daughter.

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