Chapter 21

Zander came awake buriedunder a tangle of limbs.

Loud snores rumbled throughout the room and he grinned as he glanced around. He’d somehow ended up in the middle, sandwiched between Vince and Scotty. The other two were dead asleep, judging by the noises they were making. He shook his head with a soft smile.

His body was sore in places that hadn’t been touched in a long time, but he liked that. Liked the two men who clung to him as if they didn’t want to let him go. But the smile drained from his face when he remembered all the shit that waited for him. None of his responsibilities had disappeared just because he’d taken this reprieve. The weight of all of it pressed on his shoulders, and he wished for a moment that he had a life that made what happened inside this bedroom, in this bed, a possibility beyond those doors.

But it didn’t.

Not because he didn’t want it.

Fuck.He carefully extricated himself from the men—his men—and rolled off the bed, hauling on his clothes and then trudging into the bathroom to splash water on his face and gargle some mouthwash. He couldn’t meet his eyes in the mirror as he spit into the sink. There were so many things he needed to do and all he wanted was to return to the bedroom and climb back onto that bed.

He was the head of an organization now. He no longer had the luxury of thinking just of himself. He rubbed a hand over his head and then made his way back to the bedroom to find Vince sitting up and blinking at him.

“Hey.” He looked so good, all his golden skin on display, shoulders wide, and a light dusting of dark hair on his chest. His eyes were hooded, expression soft and open as he gazed at Zander. “You’re leaving?”

Zander nodded, helpless to fight the pull when his feet took him back to the bed. He bent, cupping Vince’s jaw, thumb stroking. “I have some shit to handle. I’m sorry I can’t stay longer.”

Vince leaned into his touch. “You’ll come back? I think we need to talk.”

There were a lot of things to be said, but Zander didn’t want to voice any of it. “I’ll try,” he conceded, pressing a kiss to Vince’s forehead. And the tip of his nose because he couldn’t help himself. And then his lips because they were right there, and soon they were in each other’s mouths, tongues tangled, breaths escalating. Goddamn it, he didn’t want to leave.

A pounding came on the door, rattling it, and he pulled away, taking Vince’s disappointed groan with him. “Take care of him.” He nodded at the still-sleeping Scotty.

Vince nodded, expression dazed. “Yeah.” He licked his lips. “Of course.”

Zander took one last look at the two of them in that bed and then turned away, heading to the door. Walking wasn’t the easiest thing after having two cocks shoved up his ass mere hours ago, but he accepted the discomfort because it was a constant reminder of what he’d had.

He yanked the door open to find Derri standing there, fist raised to knock again. Zander ignored his ex’s scowl, holding up a hand to halt whatever Derri was about to say. With a final glance over his shoulder, he stepped outside and shut the door behind him, walking away with Derri close behind. Zander didn’t speak until he got back to his room. There, he ensured the door was closed after Derri entered before facing the other man with his arms folded.

“What is it?”

“There’s dissent brewing back home,” Derri told him. “We have our allies among your uncle’s people, but there are those who remain steadfast and loyal to him. Even in death.” He hesitated, glancing away.

“Spit it out, Derri.”

“There’s been talk of retaliation for Murray’s death.”

Zander heaved a tired sigh. He’d expected as much. His uncle’s organization was immense, and a good bit of it was made up of men who’d come up in the ranks alongside Murray. They respected him because they’d never had his wrath turned on them or their families. He understood his uncle’s supporters not wanting to work for him or not trusting him. Didn’t mean he would tolerate insubordination or any kind of insurrection.

“We need to get back there,” Derri told him. “We can’t let the bad sentiments fester or allow anyone to get bold enough to carry out a plan to try and assassinate you.”

Zander would like to see them try. But Derri was right. He had to lead with a show of force and he couldn’t do that holed up in a fucking Alabama hideaway. His mind went where it always did, to Vince and Scotty and what it would mean, Zander leaving.

Goddamn it.He turned away. He didn’t want to do it. He didn’t want to leave them. But taking them with him wasn’t an option. For one, he didn’t know what he was walking into back home. His men would be targets and he couldn’t let that happen. Then Vince…

He scrubbed a hand over his face.

Vince was fucking law enforcement. How were they supposed to coexist, to be together, operating on opposite sides?

Scotty knew nothing about the life Zander led. What kind of person would he be, dropping Scotty into the middle of what could potentially turn out to be a full-scale war?

But how was he supposed to tell them all of that and make them understand, especially after what they’d just shared? How was he supposed to let them go?

“Zander. Are you listening to me?”

He spun back around. “I need you to find someone for me.”

“Uh.” Derri blinked. “Okay.”

“I need it done discreetly and I need it done now.” He gave Derri the name, and his ex frowned when he recognized it.

“Is that—Why do you need him?”

“Derri, can you fucking do what I ask without questioning me at every turn? Or just let me know if this arrangement isn’t working for you and we can re-evaluate.”

“What the fuck does that mean?” Derri took a step forward, expression dark, hands fisted at his sides. “I’m not allowed to ask questions now? Since when?”

“Since everything became a fucking battle with you,” Zander shot back. “We don’t have time for this. I don’t have time for this. Do what I ask so that we can get back to business.” He gave Derri his back and didn’t move until he heard footsteps and the door opening and closing.

Alone, Zander blew out a breath. The decision had been made. He would be leaving and his time with Vince and Scotty would come to an end. They’d experienced a whole lifetime in the span of one night, the three of them. Imagining a world without them in it…

Well, it was a shitty thought. A fucked-up reality. But it was what had to happen. The thought of telling them—He rubbed the center of his chest, gratified when a knock came on the door and one of his men opened it and poked his head in.

He grabbed onto the distraction with both hands.

Hours later, Derri returned. He stood silently while Zander finished up a call, then said, “He’s downstairs waiting for you.”

Zander got to his feet. “Any issues? Complications?”

“None.”

“I need you to make sure this one is clean. He’s high profile and we don’t need any blowback.”

Unlike earlier when he’d blown up at Zander, this time Derri spoke calmly. “Like I said, no issues or complications.”

Zander nodded. “Okay. Take me to him.”

Derri led him downstairs to a door hidden behind a fake wall that led to a hidden room. And there, blindfolded, mouth taped shut, and tied to a chair was a man, sniveling and tugging uselessly at his bonds.

Zander went up to him and undid the blindfold. Despite the pale face and red, swollen eyes, the resemblance to Scotty was uncanny. “Mayor Don Fallon. Welcome.”

“Umph. Umph.”

“Oh, my bad.” He ripped off the duct tape over the mayor’s mouth, swallowing a smile when the man screamed. He was a squat motherfucker with a hell of a belly and dark beady eyes that were filled with panic.

“W-who are you? Do you know who I am?” Don blustered. “You fucked up.”

Zander grimaced at the shrill tone.

“You fucked up. Release me. I don’t know?—”

“I know who you are, Mayor.” Zander crouched in front of him. “You’re here because you hurt someone I care about. So I’m going to hurt you in return.”

There wasa pit in his stomach. Vince didn’t understand why that would be when he’d just had the most intense night of his life. When he could still feel Scotty’s and Zander’s hands on him. Whenever he inhaled, he took the three of them into his lungs and it made his pulse race with adrenaline and remembered pleasure.

So why couldn’t he shake that feeling of something being wrong?

He sat on the edge of the bed while waiting for Scotty to come out of the shower. He’d already showered while Scotty slept, immediately after Zander had left them to go with Derri, the ex.

He didn’t like Derri. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he’d wanted to arrest the fucker for years and never could. Or maybe, just maybe, it was because Derri used to have Zander the way Vince and Scotty just had Zander. If Derri had his way, judging by that soft gaze he always directed at Zander, he would have Zander again.

Vince frowned and shook his head.

Funny how things changed so quickly; one minute he wanted nothing more than to put Zander behind bars and the next, he was here, getting angry at the idea of anybody else touching him. He’d never been the possessive type, but he could be for Zander and Scotty. He wanted to be.

The bathroom door opened and Scotty stepped out, a towel around his waist and water dripping from his hair. Vince lifted his gaze to the younger man’s face.

“Are you okay?” Scotty hadn’t said much since waking up except to ask for Zander.

“Yeah.” Scotty nodded, using the other towel in his hand to dry his hair. “Can we go get something to eat? I’m starving.”

“Yeah. Sure.”

They were no longer confined to their rooms. Thanks to Zander, they could come and go as they pleased, so once Scotty was finished getting dressed, the two of them left the bedroom and made their way down to the kitchen. Two armed men followed them, keeping their distance, and Vince bit back his frustration. He didn’t see why they needed to be shadowed as they moved around the house, but he would take that question up with Zander the next time he saw him.

There was nobody around in the kitchen, though he knew they kept a chef on staff. He and Scotty made themselves sandwiches and sat at the large table to eat. Scotty was quiet.

Too quiet.

“Hey.” Vince put his sandwich down on the plate and reached out to Scotty, touching his arm. “Why are you so quiet? Talk to me.”

Scotty kept his eyes on his food as he shrugged. “I’m fine. Just a little tired.”

“Okay.” Vince nodded. “You can go back and get some rest when we’re finished.” But he couldn’t help the feeling that something else was bothering Scotty. “Um, are you okay with—with what happened between the three of us?”

Scotty’s gaze shot to his. “Yes,” he blurted out. “I mean…” He lowered his tone. “More than okay.” His expression softened. “It was amazing.”

Vince smiled, stroking the inside of Scotty’s wrist with a thumb. “It was. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t having second thoughts or doubts or whatever.”

“No second thoughts.” Scotty licked his lips and Vince’s belly tightened. “I want…” His throat worked. “I want it again.” He said it so softly, with so much hesitation, that Vince got up and went to him, kneeling at his feet and gazing up at him.

“And you will. I’m there with you.” He stroked Scotty’s jean-covered thigh and watched as the other man’s nostrils flared and he shifted into the touch. “Zander also feels the same way.” Not that he’d come out and said it in so many words, but Vince liked to think he could read Zander. He’d seen the raw yearning in Zander’s eyes before he’d left them earlier.

“What do you think happens next?” Scotty asked.

Vince cocked his head. “What do you mean?”

Scotty glanced away, red creeping into his cheeks and throat. “You two don’t really belong here, right? You have to leave eventually. I’m assuming Zander does, too, now that-that his uncle is gone. So I’m just…” He shrugged again. “What happens next?”

His knees began to ache from kneeling, but Vince ignored it, taking Scotty’s hand and bringing his knuckles to his lips. Kissing them. Scotty’s lips parted and his tongue—a very talented tongue—poked out. “I don’t have all the answers,” Vince told him honestly. “But we’ll figure it out. I promise you, we’ll figure it out together.” He released Scotty reluctantly and got to his feet. “Now eat.” He returned to his food and did the same.

They had to talk with Zander to figure out what came next, to give Scotty the answers and the peace of mind he clearly needed. Vince already knew what he wanted to happen, but he had to wait until the three of them were together so they could all discuss it.

Just as they finished eating, one of the guards entered the kitchen. “Zander wants to see you.”

Vince frowned. “Me?”

“The both of you.” The guy gestured. “Let’s go.”

Vince exchanged a look with Scotty before grabbing the younger man’s hand, linking their fingers as they followed the guard out of the room. Both of the guards led them down a hallway and then down several flights of stairs before they arrived at a door that Vince would have definitely missed if he hadn’t been paying close attention.

One of their escorts opened the door, then stood back and motioned for Vince and Scotty to enter.

Vince didn’t budge, holding on tight to Scotty. “How do I know Zander’s in there?” All he saw was darkness. He didn’t know what the fuck was waiting on the other side. What if it was a trap? What if Derri was behind it? Vince couldn’t trust any of those guys, not when they knew exactly who he was and what he did. “Where is?—”

“Hey.” Zander appeared through the darkness like some kind of fucking apparition. “Come on.” He held out a hand, and while Vince gaped at him, Scotty took it, following him.

Vince did the same, nose wrinkling as a dank odor hit him. “What is this place?”

Zander didn’t answer. He just kept leading them on until they entered a second room. This one appeared to be a basement, cold and well lit.

Vince stopped in his tracks.

There was a man tied to a chair, and he was beaten and bloodied.

“What the fuck?” Vince raced to the man, whose head was hanging low, chin to chest. “Zander, what is this?” On his knees, he reached out a hand, intending on checking the person’s pulse, but Zander barked at him.

“Don’t touch him.” Turning to Scotty, Zander asked, “You recognize him?”

Scotty was pale, paler than Vince had ever seen, shaking with his hands fisted at his sides. His throat worked for a while before he nodded. Before he said, “It’s my uncle. Don.”

What? Vince glanced from Scotty to the unconscious man. He couldn’t see his face, couldn’t make out his features, but obviously, Scotty knew his uncle. Why did Zander have him in this place, tied up and bloodied? “Isn’t he the mayor?” The fucking mayor? He got to his feet and went to Zander, who had a deadly glint in his eyes.

Ignoring Vince’s question, Zander took Scotty’s face in his hands. “Look at me,” he commanded softly. “Eyes on me.”

It appeared to take effort but Scotty tore his gaze away from his uncle and gave it to Zander.

“Good.” Zander kissed his forehead. “I’m so proud of you, you know that?” he whispered. “You survived him because you’re strong.” He kissed Scotty’s nose. “But he won’t survive me.”

Scotty choked on a sob and collapsed against Zander’s chest.

“This will be the last time you see him,” Zander said, just soft enough for the three of them to hear. “He can’t hurt you ever again. He can’t do shit to you.” He leaned back, cupping Scotty’s cheek. “Listen to me. I want you to listen.” He paused when Scotty sobbed harder. “Are you listening?”

Scotty nodded, tears dripping down his face. “Y-yes.” He sniffed loudly.

“He can never hurt you again. I will make sure of it.” Zander held him close, cupping the back of his head and kissing his temple. “I will always protect you.”

Vince’s chest hurt, listening to Scotty’s sobs. He recalled all the stories the younger man had shared of what he’d endured under his uncle, what the man who was supposed to be his family had done to him.

Zander was slaying Scotty’s demons. Making sure Scotty had proof, that he knew he no longer had to worry.

If Vince didn’t know before, he knew now…

He fucking loved those two men.

Goddamn it.

“You can stay and watch,” Zander was telling Scotty. “Or you can leave. Whatever you want, however you feel, know that it is absolutely the right decision for you.”

Vince stepped closer, placing a hand on Scotty’s shaking shoulder and squeezing gently. “And we’ll support you.” He lifted his gaze to Zander’s. “Always.”

“I want—” Scotty cleared his throat. “I want to stay.”

Vince pressed a kiss to his ear. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. I want to stay.”

“Then you stay.” Zander nodded, releasing him. “And you watch.” He stepped up to the man who was stirring, whimpering, and tipped his head back with a finger under his chin.

Eyes almost swollen shut blinked open, struggling to focus. “Sc-Scotty? Scotty, is that you? H-help! H-help me.”

Vince wrapped both arms around Scotty from behind. “Focus on me,” he whispered to the younger man. “Focus on Zander. Focus on us.” He wasn’t normally the kind of man who did this. He didn’t sit idly by or willingly participate in the death of another human being. But he was beginning to learn that those lines he’d so clearly drawn in the sand had become smudged.

They weren’t as starkly defined as they’d once been.

The man begging for his life as Zander pointed a gun at his head? That man was scum and Vince wanted his death after what he’d done to Scotty. He approved of the fucker’s execution.

And he didn’t flinch when the gun went off. One bullet to the forehead and Scotty’s tormentor was dead. He felt that release in his chest and knew Scotty had to have felt it, too, because his knees gave out.

Vince went to the floor with him. Then Zander was there, the two of them wrapping Scotty up in their arms while he bawled.