Page 86 of Stolen for Keeps
I braced for it—the jab, the deadpan sarcasm, and some well-aimed brotherly roast.
But Elia just nodded. “Took you long enough.”
“No roasting?” I asked, only half-joking.
He smirked. “Not today.”
That was new. A peace offering, maybe. Or maybe he just saw something in my face. Something serious enough to skip the wisecracks.
He didn’t say it, but I could tell. He was glad. Not because it was easy, but because he wanted this for me. He wanted me to have something that felt like a future.
He set the table like he always did, an omelet waiting. I dropped into the seat across from him.
“Before you hear it from someone else,” I said, “Maya came straight to Buffaloberry Hill from prison.”
Elia raised a brow in shock, but there was no judgment. “Okay. And?”
“She told me everything last night. And I believe her.”
“That’s good enough for me.”
I exhaled. “But…she sort of reoffended.”
That got a groan, and he dragged a hand down his face. “Noah, I’m not here to wag a finger. Claire and I sure as hell weren’t easy. You love who you love. Just be clear withyourself. Know what you’re walking into and what you’re willing to put on the line.”
“I’m taking her to The Sundown. If anything blows up, I don’t want you and Claire near the fallout.”
“That wasn’t what I meant. I just want you to protect yourself. Love may turn out how you hope, but it also might not.”
“Still, I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
I still remember how close I’d been to losing him when he was beaten black and blue, defending his dignity…and his love.
“We’re family, Noah. Your mess is my mess.”
“Not this one,” I said.
He gave a small shrug. “Take her to The Sundown. You’ll need the space anyway,” he said, that smirk coming back. “But you’re not flying solo.”
“Thanks, brother,” I acknowledged, before adding, “The trouble sounds small. A necklace that had changed hands within her family. But it’s turning into something bigger. Corrupt cops and feuding relatives who don’t mind getting dirty. She went to prison for it, but she reclaimed it.”
“Wow.” His tone wasn’t judgmental, just more impressed than anything. “So the necklace is hers?”
“Her mother’s.”
“Huh. Where’s her mother now?”
“I don’t know. They stopped speaking after the arrest. Maya stole the necklace back so she could sell the diamonds and pay for a girl’s liver transplant. She didn’t even know the girl.”
Elia’s gaze turned gentle. “Oh man. Bless her.”
“Yeah.”
“Keep her close, Noah. A woman like that doesn’t come around twice.”
Didn’t I already know it.
“One more thing,” I said. “The guy coming today to check out the venue…who is he?”
