Page 3 of Specter
“My real dad bought them for me. I don’t know what they’re worth.”
Duke met Noah’s gaze. He didn’t look as frightened any longer. Noah also didn’t look simple. He looked like someone trying to find a sliver of peace in a cruel world.
“Is it okay if I help you put your track together? Like I said, this used to be my favorite thing to do.”
Noah nodded.
Duke picked up a piece of yellow track and they worked together in silence for several minutes. With Noah distracted, Duke stole the chance to get a better look at him. He had definitely been punched in the face, but it didn’t take away from him one bit. It was no wonder Ted kept him away from the men. Noah was stunning and a lot of these guys were pretty shifty. They were roamers, looking for coin while hiding from the world. It wasn’t safe for someone like Noah to get near these guys. Still, it bugged the shit out of him that someone had obviously used him as a punching bag.
“Why are you playing out here instead of in the house where it’s warm?”
Noah kept his gaze locked on his task. “Mom threw up everywhere. It stinks inside. Plus, Ted will be in for lunch soon. He won’t be happy with the mess.”
Duke’s heart dropped. Noah wasn’t challenged in any way. He spoke softly, but there was definite maturity behind his eyes. That meant Duke’s suspicions were right. Ted was a mean one. The tip of Noah’s nose was red and so were his fingers. Some form of papa bear protectiveness rose in Duke’s chest. It was obvious no one took care of Noah. The boy’s fingers could fall off in this weather.
“Your hands are blood red. Don’t you have some gloves? You should wear your coat.”
“No.”
A smile snapped to Duke’s lips. Noah hadn’t sounded defiant. He merely said no as if it was his right, which really, it was. “Will you at least let me sit next to you so you can share some of my body heat or something? I’d hate for you to lose a finger to frostbite.”
“I’ll allow it.”
A chuckle rose in Duke’s throat at Noah’s glib tone. He swallowed it down as he moved to sit next to Noah. They went back to building the intricate track. When it was finished, Noah sent the first car sailing down the track.
He looked Duke’s way, smiling. “We did it.”
Duke’s gaze moved over Noah’s face. He was sweet. Noah deserved a better life than this. Duke unzipped his thick coat. He moved to take it off so he could drape it over Noah. To his surprise, when he opened the two sides and stretched to take it off, Noah tucked himself inside, as if he thought Duke intended for him to share. For a moment, Duke sat frozen. He didn’t know how to react. Noah went back to playing while tucked beneath Duke’s arm. Duke’s muscles slowly relaxed. He embraced Noah and tucked him tighter against him. They didn’t speak. Damned if Noah didn’t fit perfectly against him, though. Duke silently vowed then and there to keep Noah safe. It was past time someone did.
“Boss, there’s a delivery man here with a letter. He says he’s not allowed to hand it to anyone but you.”
A sigh tore from Duke’s throat as he dropped his gaze from the empty loft. “All right. I’m coming.” Sometimes, he thought he should sell this place and leave behind the ghosts of the past. But then Noah wouldn’t know how to find him, and Duke couldn’t have that. He needed to know Noah could come home any day. Otherwise, he had nothing left.
Duke emerged from the barn to find a huge guy patiently waiting. He smiled when his dark green gaze landed on Duke.
“Duke Wayne?”
Duke dipped his chin. “That’s me.”
He held out an envelope that looked fancy as hell. The paper was thick, and waves rippled through it, creating an intricate design. “You’ve been invited. Please don’t be late.” The moment Duke accepted the card, the man stepped inside a waiting SUV and drove away with no further explanation. Duke opened the letter. Gold foil sparkled inside even under the dreary sky. The card felt like it cost money as he pulled it from the envelope. There was a handwritten note stuck to the front. Duke read that first.
Your presence is expected December 24th at seven p.m. at the Dreco Mansion. I have Noah. Please present the attached invitation at the door for entry.
—Silas D.
Duke frantically checked the address on the invitation. New Orleans, Louisiana. Damn. He finally had a lead. Duke smiled for the first time in what felt like forever. He swore he could already feel Noah in his arms again. This time, nothing would break them.
Chapter Two
Itwassixfifty-fiveat night in New Orleans and still a balmy sixty degrees. Duke felt stuffy as hell in the required tux for the event. He clasped the invitation as tightly as possible, scared as hell it would disappear. His taxi couldn’t move fast enough to suit his heart. If Noah wasn’t there. If this was a hoax. Duke didn’t know what he would do, but he couldn’t go on like this. Time ticked by so damn slowly, Duke thought he might go insane. A smile unexpectedly stretched his lips when he realized his entire leg bounced out of control. His whole life, that nervous tic had driven people insane. Noah was the only person who could make him stop without him having to mentally force himself to be still.
Duke’s leg nervously bobbed up and down. He chewed the side of his nail. If Noah couldn’t sneak out successfully, anything might happen to him. It would be Duke’s fault. He should leave Noah alone. Noah’s life was hard enough without Duke making things more difficult. Duke couldn’t stay away. He was fascinated.
Duke’s eyes fell closed as a set of familiar hands landed on his shoulders. Perfect lips brushed his neck. His leg immediately stilled. “Why are you bouncing all over the place?”
Duke had to be honest. “I was worrying about you?”
Noah hugged him.
