Chapter 13

He’d never beena voyeur before, but something in Zander wished the other two hadn’t noticed him. That they hadn’t stopped kissing. That way he could stand in the doorway and watch them while torn: Wanting to stay and watch. Wanting to join in.

But things like that weren’t for him, so he ignored the ache, the pressure in his groin, and entered the room. He gritted his teeth, trying not to let his gaze roam over the two men—the way they sat so close together, bodies still touching.

“Here.” He handed one of the noodle cups to Scotty, then turned to Vince. “I’m feeding you.”

Vince’s eyes flashed. “I can?—”

“Not up for debate.” He could’ve let Scotty feed Vince. Or yeah, Vince could’ve maybe handled it himself, but Zander liked the way Vince’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. The way his lips tightened. Don’t look at his mouth. Except he had to, didn’t he? His dick twitched in the strangling confines of his jeans and he wanted to take himself in hand so badly.

This was unexpected.

He didn’t like unexpected.

But the whole fucking night had been just that, hadn’t it? Scotty and Vince barging into his life and turning it upside down.

Unexpected. That and everything that occurred since.

Vince didn’t speak as he forced himself to sit up straighter. Zander had checked his wound and changed the bandage earlier and from what he could tell it was looking good. So far. He still had to watch to ensure Vince didn’t contract an infection.

What did it matter, if Murray was only gonna kill him in the end?

His chest tightened at that reminder, but he pushed it aside, blowing on a forkful of noodles before holding it up to Vince’s mouth.

The agent rolled his eyes. “You’re treating me like an invalid.”

Zander lifted an eyebrow. “Do you or do you not have a hole in your fucking body, delivered by your boyfriend over there?” He shoved the food into Vince’s mouth when the other man’s lips parted as if to respond.

Vince chewed, holding his gaze. Then he spoke after swallowing. “Careful or I might think you’re jealous.” He licked his lips, and fuck him, Zander felt that wet swipe in his nuts.

“What’s there to be jealous of?” he asked hoarsely.

Vince’s lips twitched. “You tell me.”

“Are you talking or feeding him?” Scotty demanded. “Because I can do it. I can feed Vince.”

This guy. Zander glared at him. “I liked you better when you were scared of me.”

Scotty’s face reddened. The tips of his ears too. And how the fuck did Zander find the sight adorable? Christ, what was happening?

“I’m just saying?—”

“Don’t say shit!” Zander barked at Scotty. “Just eat the fucking food. God.” Why was he still keeping Scotty alive? He didn’t even know. Then he met Vince’s eyes and remembered he’d made a promise. Given his word. Goddamn it. He fed Vince while grinding his teeth. His stomach was empty, the aroma of the noodles making it rumble, but he held out until he’d finished feeding Vince and handed him a bottle of water.

“How’s the pain? You need painkillers?” If anyone ever told him he’d be taking care of a federal marshal, one who’d been after him for years, he’d have laughed and shot them in the face. But here he was. And he wasn’t going to acknowledge the feeling that wormed its way through his veins when he’d first walked into the room and spotted Vince and Scotty kissing.

He wasn’t going to admit to the want that had knifed his gut so deep and sharp.

“I’m fine.” Vince caught Zander’s wrist.

Zander froze. He knew he was supposed to pull away, put distance between them, but he couldn’t. Just like he couldn’t help it that his gaze dropped from Vince’s eyes to his mouth. Funny how one minute Zander was in control, devoid of any feelings, then suddenly those two bum-rushed their way into his life and now he couldn’t get a handle on who he used to be.

Those two had him spilling his secrets.

Wanting things.

Questioning himself.

What the fuck was happening?

He found the strength somehow to yank away from Vince’s grip. He shot to his feet, taking his own food with him as he left the room. It occurred to him that he was running and the man he used to be would never do such a thing, but he kept going anyway. Making his way out to the cars, he sat on the bumper of a Ford Focus—facing the office entrance—and angrily shoved noodles into his mouth.

He should call Derri.

See how far away Murray and his guys were.

Hot liquid from the noodles splashed onto his wrist and he realized his hands were shaking. He swallowed, closing his eyes briefly. This was not the time to be losing his shit, but apparently, it was happening. Though, what it was, he couldn’t truly say.

He forced himself to finish the food, tossing the empty container into a nearby trash can, then gulped down the rest of his water, throwing the empty bottle away as well. He wanted to get the fuck out of there already. He wanted all of it done and over with.

But if it were done Vince would likely be dead, wouldn’t he? And where would Scotty be? Back on the streets, or would he return to suffering under the hands of his monster of an uncle?

What did it matter? It shouldn’t matter. Zander had never spared a thought to anyone. Hell, he didn’t even know how he’d managed to have a long-term relationship with Derri. He didn’t harbor a soft spot for anything or anyone. His uncle had instilled that in him, training him to do nothing but follow orders. To kill. He’d been a machine.

But he wasn’t working for his uncle anymore. And a machine wouldn’t be sitting there with a hard dick that refused to get soft, wondering how Vince would taste or if Scotty’s skin blushed that crimson all over.

I would like to see it.

His mouth watered at the silent admission.

“Fuck.” He leaned back on the car’s bumper, balancing on his elbows. “What the fuck?” They probably had minutes. Fucking minutes. And he was going through this crisis now?

A sound reached his eyes and he sat up as Scotty exited the office and walked over to him, eyes wide and bright. Zander didn’t want to look at him, but he couldn’t stop. Not when Scotty dropped his stuff in the trash. And not when he just stood there next to the car, staring back at Zander.

“You know, you don’t have to be such a dick all the time.”

The semi in Zander’s pants jerked at the husky reprimand. Fuck. “Go back inside.”

But Scotty didn’t budge. He just kept on talking. “Will you consider what I said? Will you let Vince go?”

Zander hopped off the car and approached him. He liked the flash of fear in Scotty’s eyes. Not so much the answering tug he felt in his groin. “So you’re no longer scared of me?”

Scotty snorted. “I’m terrified of you,” he murmured while holding Zander’s gaze and standing still. “But I’m also terrified of what will happen to Vince.”

“Right.” He smirked. “Because you two are a thing now?”

Scotty just stared up at him and as Zander watched, that red flush crept up his throat and covered his face, climbing to the tips of his ears again. Zander dug his nails into his palms to keep from touching the other man, but it was harder than he’d expected. Especially when Scotty stared at his mouth as if he heard Zander’s thoughts. As if he knew and wanted the same thing.

Zander took a step back. He didn’t have time for that. For the foolishness he wanted to indulge in. The temptation Scotty presented. He had to prepare for what was about to land on his doorstep. Now wasn’t the time to wish for things like kisses.

He was a trained killer. He was stronger than the urges that made it difficult to breathe.

A soft touch settled on his arm. “Zander?—”

“Don’t.” He shrugged away from Scotty and returned to the office, ignoring Scotty on his heel.

“Please, just listen to me.”

“What’s going on?” Vince asked.

Zander tuned them both the fuck out as he grabbed his phone to check in with Derri. He needed to know exactly how far away Murray and his men were. Time to start preparing for?—

Scotty snatched the phone out of his hand. “You need to?—”

Zander grabbed him by the throat and the phone crashed to the floor. Ignoring Vince’s shout, he drove Scotty backward, slamming him into the nearby wall. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“Please.” Scotty’s pulse raced under Zander’s touch, eyes wide and wet, lips trembling. Was it from fear or something else? The warmth of him…

Zander’s head spun. They were so close. He felt every line of Scotty’s body. Felt the hardness of him. Scotty wanted. Like Zander wanted.

God. Fucking. Damn.He inhaled, chest heaving, body strung tight as he panted, taking Scotty into his lungs. His mind struggled to grasp on to reasons as to why the answer to the unspoken questions in Scotty’s eyes should be no. He was losing his mind.

Scotty just watched him, those big eyes begging. At his back, Vince was talking, but blood roared in Zander’s ears, drowning out words. Pressed against him, Scotty trembled.

Zander did too.

“Zander.”

With just a whisper of his name, Zander’s control snapped and he slammed his mouth down onto Scotty’s.