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“No one is as good as Ward Security,” Rowe replied with a smirk. But the look died away and he turned serious again. “We should probably sleep in shifts just in case, though.”
“I’ll take the first,” Noah said. He stood and stretched. “Why don’t you two hit the hay.”
“Wake me in three hours,” Rowe said as he stood next to him. JB wandered off in the direction of the guest bedrooms and Rowe wrapped his arms around Noah. “I’m going to miss you in what is surely a huge bed in Lucas’s room.”
“After this long day, you’ll be asleep in minutes,” Noah scoffed but wrapped Rowe up tight in his embrace. “That was a close one tonight.”
“We’re lucky we came out of it unscathed. These guys mean business.”
Noah cupped his face and stared into his eyes before kissing him gently. “Get some sleep. I’ll make sure no bad guys come through this door.”
“There is one other thing that’s bothering me,” Rowe admitted as Noah lifted his lips from Rowe’s.
“What?”
“What if they’re not insane or scared?”
Noah cocked his head to the side, his brow furrowing slightly as he looked at Rowe. “What are you thinking?”
“What if they chucked that frag into the room because they knew they could get away with something like that? We’re just outside of freaking Washington DC. We’re in the center of law enforcement and intelligence for the entire country, and this shady guy and his team set up a security firm here to potentially act as a shell company for illegal activities. That takes either big, steely balls…”
“Or someone is protecting them,” Noah whispered in a horrified voice.
“And if that’s true, the cops aren’t likely to do us any favors.”
“Fuck, that’s just a lovely thought to try and fall asleep to tonight.” Noah’s hands tightened on Rowe, holding him closer as if he was unconsciously trying to shield Rowe’s body with his.
“I could be wrong, but it’s an idea. If Gidget can’t turn up anything useful, I’ve still got a few contacts in DC that might help.”
“You’re such a sneaky bitch,” Noah teased, his voice full of love and warmth.
Rowe smiled and kissed him before heading to where he assumed the master bedroom was. Rowe knew he found it when he spotted the king-sized bed set on a raised platform—next to another floor-to-ceiling window. He shook his head and grinned. Lucas liked to be the king of the city, no matter what city it was. He grabbed a quick shower to get the motel grime off and crawled into the massive bed. Like Noah predicted, he was out soon after that.Three hours later, Noah searched out the master bedroom and had to chuckle when he saw how over-the-top it was. It was the size of their living room and kitchen at home combined, with stately looking furniture surrounding the platform bed. Moonlight spilled over the massive bed with its white comforter and Rowe actually looked small in the thing. He was also really out with his mouth hanging open and soft snores spilling from his lips. Noah stood by the bed, smiling with fondness. His heart swelled in his chest as he looked at this man who was his everything. He decided not to wake him and left him sleeping peacefully.
Back in the living room, he settled into one of the chairs and stared at the door. He could probably nap on the couch—he was a light sleeper when he needed to be. He didn’t expect anyone to show up at the penthouse and try to take them out, but these guys had proved to be one step ahead, so anything could happen. Shadows filled the corners of the penthouse, which was bright due to the city lights coming through the windows. There weren’t even curtains to pull closed here. He got up and snatched an apple out of the bowl on the kitchen island before returning to the chair.
“Why don’t you let me take a shift?”
JB’s quiet voice made Noah turn his head as the man walked into the room. “I’ve got this. I wasn’t hurt like you were.”
“I can’t sleep anyway.” JB sat on the couch, keeping his tone low. “I’m not really hurt, just scratched up a bit. Decide not to wake the boyfriend?”
Noah sat back in the chair. “He looked too peaceful. I didn’t have the heart.” He took a bite of his apple.
JB’s grin shone white in the moonlight. “You sure are gone over him.”
“I’ve been gone over him for more years than I can count.” He leaned forward in the seat, the darkness of the early morning hour making him decide to be painfully honest. “It’s why I broke things off with you all those years ago. Wasn’t fair to you that my heart was so taken.”
“I always knew your heart was with the guy you talked about. At the time, I was pretty upset. Liked you an awful lot, Noah Keegan.” He drew his name out in his soft, southern, Texas drawl.
