by Lynn Hagen
“Exactly.” Boz held his hand up, palm out, as a blue glowing ball of electricity bounced on his palm. If the ball struck the water, Maltese would fry.
“I don’t want his money,” Maltese shouted in anger. “He was a piece-of-shit father who cared only for himself. Does he think money can make up for years of cruelty and betrayal?”
“He seems to think so.” Boz narrowed his eyes. “But that money should be mine. I’m the one who stuck around instead of running off. I’m the one who helped him score big. Half of that should be mine!”
“So that’s what our relationship boils down to…money?” Maltese’s arms were cramping from swishing around to keep himself from being pulled farther back by the water. He needed to get back to the house, but Boz stood in his way with that wicked ball of electricity still bouncing on his hand like a baseball he was ready to hurl at Maltese.
“What relationship?” Boz asked. “You’ve been gone for so long that I consider myself an only child.”
Maltese hated that Boz’s words stung him deeply, enough to bring tears to his eyes. Forgotten was every single happy moment they’d shared, the laughter between them, the trouble they’d gotten into together. Now all Boz saw were dollar signs, and he would kill anyone, including his own flesh and blood, who stood in his way.
A shadow moved behind Boz. Maltese squinted, trying to make out the form. His heart did somersaults when he realized the outline belonged to Vince.
He’s alive!
His mate grabbed Boz around the waist and slammed him into the floor. Boz shoved the electrical ball into Vince’s side. His mate flailed around as Maltese forged his way back to the house. He was terrified of his brother, but he would face the devil himself to save his mate.
A scream tore from Maltese’s throat as he dove at Boz, knocking him off Vince. He shoved his hands against his brother’s chest and let his powers flow. Boz’s eyes rounded, as though he were stunned that Maltese had regained his powers, before he jerked around and then went still.
Maltese jumped off of Boz and scrambled to Vince. His mate lay lifeless on the floor. “No, no, no!”
Maltese let the energy flow through his hands and then used them as paddles to shock his mate. He repeated the process over and over again until Vince coughed, rolled to his side, and then swung his arm out to slug Maltese.
“It’s me,” Maltese said as he dodged Vince’s fist. “You’re okay. Just lie still.”
Vince’s eyes widened. “Behind you!”
Maltese spun and rolled away as Boz dove for him. He pushed to his feet and blasted his brother with everything he had. Boz flew backward, slamming into the kitchen table, turning the wood to kindling as he fell to the floor.
But Maltese didn’t let up. Boz had tried to kill his mate, had tried to kill him. For what, money? Vince’s life was worth far more than that. To Maltese, his snow leopard’s life was priceless.
His energy spent, Maltese collapsed to his hands and knees, sobbing, everything too much for him to handle.
Vince moved beside Maltese and pulled him into his arms, hugging him tightly as he gently rocked him. “Shhh, it’s okay, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”
“I thought he killed you,” Maltese said between sobs. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m right here, babe.” Vince soothed his hand down Maltese’s back. “I’m not going anywhere. Not until I get to put my pencil in your pocket protector.”
Maltese laughed between tears. He pulled back and swiped at them with his hands. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again.”
“I’ll try not to.”
The front door flew open. Maltese, as drained as he was, managed an electrical ball and was about to throw it when Sheriff Werth held up his hands.
“Easy now. You don’t want to fry your boss.”
Dillon and Jacoby moved in behind him and assessed the situation. “I take it that’s your brother?” Jacoby asked.
“No.” Maltese shook his head. “He’s a complete stranger to me now.”
And so was his father. Maltese didn’t care how much money his father tried to throw at him, he wouldn’t take it. His family was right here with him, holding him and still petting his back. His dad could shove his riches up his ass.
Vince pressed his forehead against Maltese’s. “I love you.”
Maltese threw his arms around his mate’s neck. They fell to the floor as he rained kissed down on Vince’s face. “I love you, too.”
One of Vince’s brows arched. “How much do you trust me?”
Maltese straddled Vince’s waist and opened his arms as wide as they would go. “This much.”
With a laugh, Vince pulled him down and kissed him so thoroughly that Maltese’s breath was stolen from his lungs. When they broke apart, tears flowed down Maltese’s cheeks. He never thought he could be this happy.
But with his gorgeous deputy grinning up at him, how could he not be? His world was no longer cold and lonely, and for that, he would spend the rest of his life showing his snow leopard just how much he loved him.
THE END
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