Chapter 10 City Lights and Cracks Beneath

The city felt colder when they returned.

It wasn't the weather-New York had the same brisk spring air it always did in April. But something about stepping back into the glass tower of Voss International made Noah feel like the walls had gotten taller. Tighter.

The summit had been its own world-secluded, safe. Here, they were once again CEO and aide. Masks back on. Voices measured. Touch kept to a minimum.

Ethan hadn't said much in the car ride back. He'd answered emails and taken calls, his tone clipped and professional. Noah tried not to take it personally.

But it was hard, after three nights of whispered laughter and shared beds, not to feel the sudden space between them.

Back in the office, things moved fast.

Monday meant follow-ups, metrics from the summit, and a packed boardroom by ten a.m. Noah had barely dropped his bag in his office before Olivia cornered him with a portfolio of investor updates.

"Voss needs to see this before noon," she said. "He trusts you to keep the numbers straight."

Noah gave her a sharp smile. "Always do."

She walked off without another word.

He glanced through the glass toward Ethan's office. The door was shut. The blinds were drawn.

Noah's chest tightened.

They hadn't even exchanged a look since the elevator ride up.

Maybe this is how it has to be, he told himself.

But he wasn't sure he could keep doing it this way.

They finally crossed paths again just before lunch. Ethan emerged from his office in his usual all-black suit, sleeves rolled slightly up as he scanned something on his tablet.

He didn't see Noah until they almost collided in the hallway.

"Sorry," Noah said, stepping aside.

Ethan froze. "No, I-" He glanced around. The hallway was empty. He lowered his voice. "You okay?"

"I'm good," Noah replied. "Just busy."

Ethan searched his face. "Tonight. Come over?"

Noah hesitated. Just long enough for Ethan to notice.

"I just-" Noah exhaled. "Are we pretending again?"

"No," Ethan said firmly. "Just protecting."

"Feels the same from where I'm standing."

They stood there for a second too long.

Then Ethan stepped back. "Come over anyway. We need to talk."

Noah nodded once. "I'll think about it."

He walked away before he could change his mind.

Noah didn't think about it. He showed up.

By eight, he was standing outside Ethan's high-rise apartment in SoHo, jacket clutched in one hand, nerves in the other. The doorman let him up without a word.

When the elevator opened, Ethan was waiting.

He didn't smile.

Just stepped aside to let Noah in.

The apartment smelled like bergamot and something woodsy. Sleek lines. Cool surfaces. Expensive without being ostentatious.

They stood in silence until Noah finally broke it.

"Nice place."

"You've been here before," Ethan said, voice flat.

Noah walked to the floor-to-ceiling windows, staring out at the city glittering below. "It feels different now."

Ethan stepped behind him. "So do we."

Noah turned. "Do we?"

Ethan's face softened. "Yes."

Noah looked away. "Then why did you shut out all day?"

"I didn't mean to."

"You didn't even look at me."

"I couldn't," Ethan said quietly. "Because the second I do, I want to forget about all of it. The rules. The risk. I want to reach across the desk and-"

He stopped himself.

Noah's eyes met his. "And what?"

Ethan exhaled. "Touch you. Be with you. Be us."

"So why don't you?"

"Because the last time I let someone get close to me like this, it ended in a six-month investigation and a PR nightmare."

Noah blinked. "You're talking about Mason."

Ethan nodded. "I promised myself never again."

"But I'm not him."

"I know."

"Then stop punishing me for something I didn't do."

Ethan looked like he'd been slapped.

Noah stepped closer. "I've never lied to you. Never used you. I've chosen you. And I need to know you're choosing me back."

"I am," Ethan said, hoarse. "I swear I am."

"Then show me."

Ethan reached out and pulled him in.

They kissed-slow this time. Grounded. Like they weren't running anymore, just standing still and letting it happen.

After a long moment, Ethan rested his forehead against Noah's. "Stay the night."

"I was going to."

The next morning felt almost normal.

They moved around the kitchen like they'd done it for years-coffee brewing, toast popping, Ethan grumbling about inbox overflow while Noah flipped through the paper.

He looked like a man at peace.

And Noah didn't want to let it go.

They took separate cars to the office, five minutes apart. Just enough distance to avoid suspicion. But as soon as Noah stepped into the lobby, he knew something was off.

People were watching him.

Not directly. But just long enough to make it obvious. Conversations stopped when he passed. Smiles turned tight.

He reached his office and closed the door, heart pounding.

Then his phone buzzed.

Anonymous [9:18 AM]: He looks good leaving your apartment. Hope it's worth your job.

Noah's blood ran cold.

He stared at the message, reread it, and then deleted it instinctively.

But the damage was done.

Someone knew.

Not just suspected-knew.

He glanced toward Ethan's office. The door was closed, but through the glass, he could see Ethan on a call, face unreadable.

He needed to warn him.

Noah stood and walked briskly to Ethan's office. He knocked once, then stepped in without waiting.

Ethan held up a finger, still speaking. "Yes, tell legal to prep the full NDA brief. I want it airtight by end of week."

He hung up, then raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"

Noah shut the door behind him. "We have a problem."

Ethan stood slowly. "What happened?"

Noah handed him his phone, screen still glowing with the text.

Ethan read it once. Then again. His face darkened.

"Do you think it's real?" Noah asked.

"Yes," Ethan said. "And I think I know who sent it."

"Langford?"

Ethan nodded. "He's been circling since the summit. Looking for leverage."

"Are we in danger?"

"Not if we move fast."

Ethan walked to the window, staring out. "I can get ahead of it. Control the story."

"And me?" Noah asked. "Do I go down with you if it leaks?"

Ethan turned sharply. "I'd never let that happen."

"But it could."

"No," Ethan said. "I'll take the fall."

Noah crossed his arms. "That's not how this works. We're in this together."

Ethan shook his head. "You don't get it. I'm the one with power. If this gets out, they won't crucify you-they'll come after me."

"I'm not afraid."

"I am," Ethan snapped. "Because for the first time in years, I actually have something to lose."

Noah's breath caught.

Ethan stepped closer, voice low. "I won't let them ruin what we've built. I'll handle Langford. Quietly."

"Don't do anything reckless."

"I won't."

But Noah wasn't sure he believed him.

Because the look in Ethan's eyes was the same one he'd had at the summit-when he thought the only way to survive love was to hide it.

And hiding had a cost.

Later that afternoon, Noah received another message.

Anonymous [3:42 PM]: Nice try. Secrets don't stay buried forever.

Noah stared at it for a long time.

Then he forwarded it-to Ethan.

And for the first time, he considered what it would mean if everything fell apart.

If the truth came out.

If loving Ethan cost him the job he'd fought so hard to get.

He wasn't sure what scared him more: losing the work, or losing the man.

But one thing was clear.

The secret was no longer safe.

And the clock was ticking.