“It’s not the fact that they’re fucking,” Zane told him.
Ty pointed at the wall. “That is exactly what they’re doing!”
Zane smiled, nodding. “Ty. You’re upset because you know there’s something else going on with Nick, and he hasn’t talked to you about it.”
“How could he not fucking tell me about them?”
Zane raised both eyebrows. “Maybe he was afraid you’d react like this?”
“Well, I didn’t do it in front of him!”
“And now that you know they’re together?” Zane continued. “You’re pretty sure he’s told Kelly what’s bothering him, and not you. He’s talked about things with the doc that he used to reserve for you and that upsets you.”
Ty swallowed hard. “When you put it that way, it makes me sound like an asshole.”
Zane chuckled. He was silent for a moment, then cursed quietly. “My laptop’s been fried!” Zane cried. “Son of a bitch!”
“How’d that happen?”
“I don’t know, looks like it didn’t like the trip here; it’s completely dead. I think Nick was right, these islands are cursed.”
“Told you to buy a Mac.”
Zane slammed the lid of the laptop closed and turned away from the desk, coming over to the bed.
Ty watched him, feeling out of sync and a little desperate to understand why.
Zane took pity on him and ran a hand over his head. “He’s your best friend, Ty. It hurts when you feel like your friends are pulling away, I know. I lost every one of mine, but none of them were like Nick is to you, you know? He’s not replacing you with anything. Trust him.”
Ty slumped his shoulders, his brow furrowing as he looked down at the USMC signet ring on his finger. He twisted it, trying to find the truth in Zane’s words. Aside from Deuce, Nick was the most consistent, oldest friend Ty had. They had been through everything together, shared everything together. They’d lived in the same room in some fashion for almost seven years; in some ways they were closer than brothers, and they had no secrets.
Or they hadn’t, until the last few years. Ty shook his head. No, it was earlier than that. It was when he’d signed on for the FBI, for Burns’s work. Ty had been so angry that Nick wouldn’t come with him, he’d just shut him off entirely. He supposed that had been the beginning of the secrets. The beginning of where they were now. They’d reconciled, but their friendship had felt different ever since. There had been times during their deployment when Ty had been sitting in the canteen and seen Nick walk in, but Nick hadn’t come over to sit and talk. A few times Nick had even acknowledged him, but gathered his food and left anyway. There had been moments they’d passed each other in camp and Nick had saluted and been on his way without even a knowing smirk at the oddity of Ty’s rank.
Ty groaned and threw himself onto the bed, staring up at the high ceiling. “I feel like I lost him somewhere.”
Zane stretched out next to him, lying on his side so he was facing Ty. “Did you ever think maybe he feels the same way?”
When Ty glanced at him, Zane was smiling.
“What?”
Zane shrugged. “Out of all the problems we could be lingering on tonight, I think it’s kind of sweet that you’re moping about your best friend.”
Ty rolled his eyes. He finally snorted and swiped his hand over his face.
“You want to shower?” Zane asked, lowering his voice suggestively.
“Yeah,” Ty whispered.
“You want to get dirty first?”
Ty raised one eyebrow in a show of detached interest, trying to hide his smirk. He turned his head, looking Zane up and down.
Zane grinned, his eyes warming. He rested his hand on Ty’s chest, pushing the buttons apart to get to skin.
“Let’s go to the hot spring,” he suggested, the warmth in his eyes turning into outright fire.
“But it’s all the way down there,” Ty protested, pointing toward the balcony.
“It’s in its own little area . . . secluded . . . steamy.”
Ty began to smile, but he held his ground, shaking his head. “You kinky little exhibitionist, you.”
“I’m just suggesting that a hot soak would feel really good for aching muscles.”
“I do have some aching muscles.”
Zane hummed and scooted closer, nudging his nose against Ty’s chin.
Ty closed his eyes and smiled, sliding his hand up Zane’s back. “You were sexy as hell on that horse tonight. Riding to the rescue.”
Zane stole a kiss. “I can think of someone else I’d like to see riding something.”
Ty bit his lip, loath to admit that he enjoyed Zane’s cheesy come-ons. He wrapped his arms around Zane and brushed the tip of his nose against his lover’s. “Whatever makes you happy, Lone Star.”
Zane chuckled. “Come on, Captain. It’s late. No one else will be out there.”
“I thought you said I need rest for the vapors. Thought you said you were tired.”
“I was until I thought about you and me in that damn hot spring.”
Ty hummed as his body responded favorably to the idea. Zane’s playful smile was another reason to say yes. No matter what had happened to Ty and the rest of Sidewinder while they’d been deployed, Zane had definitely benefited from those six months. He seemed unburdened now, more willing to simply grab onto life and go for a ride. Ty brushed his fingers through Zane’s hair with an affectionate grin.
“You know if we get out there, I’m just going to ask you to marry me again.”
Zane’s grin widened further. “I’ll risk it.”
Ty wasn’t even sure where the damn hot spring was, so Zane led him through the quiet mansion, out the back patio to the path that curved its way into the interior of the island.
Ty squeezed his hand and pulled him closer, enjoying such a simple thing as walking along the dark path with their fingers entwined. This particular path was lit by dim, boxed solar lights set low to the ground. Zane didn’t hurry. He purposely brushed their arms together as they walked.
The warmth Ty had noticed whenever Zane was near him began to spread further, making the touch of Zane’s fingers like traces of fire, and a sort of unfettered giddiness crept in. They so rarely had these moments, but tonight Ty could make himself believe they were normal.
Zane didn’t let go of his hand when they reached the spring area. It was deserted, just like Zane had guessed it would be. It was also unlit.
“This way,” Zane said, moving along the pathway to the spring edge.
Ty looked down at the water as they passed by. Only the moon and the eerily glowing mineral water of the hot spring showed them the way.
Zane pulled his shirt over his head and dropped it to the grass at the edge of the spring. Then his hands dropped to the button on his jeans, and he stopped. Ty hung back, watching him as deep breaths became harder to manage. He didn’t think this thrill of anticipation would ever get old. Zane raised one eyebrow—a clear dare—and unfastened his jeans, letting them slide down his hips and thighs to fall to the dirt path.
Ty popped the button on his pants and dropped them, pulling out of his shirt without bothering to unbutton it. He kicked his clothing off to the side and moved toward Zane and the swirling water. The night was fucking freezing. Zane descended into the spring, down the carved-out steps into the bottom, and the water hit right at his chest as he turned in place to leer at Ty and hold out a hand.
“It’s warm.”
Ty’s lips twitched at the chivalrous gesture. Sometimes Zane just couldn’t help himself. Ty got in slowly, enjoying the heat as it lapped at his cold skin.
“We’re both going to catch pneumonia on the way back in,” Ty griped.
He took Zane’s hand, pulling himself closer until their bodies just barely touched in the bubbling water. Zane curled their hands together while taking a step back, tugging gently for Ty to follow. They were, for all intents and purposes, out of sight unless someone walked around the p
ath to look directly at the spring. It was also insane for anyone to be out when it was this cold. The knowledge didn’t keep the butterflies out of Ty’s stomach, though.
He followed Zane regardless, willing to risk getting caught.
Zane sat on the bench molded from the rock under the water, drawing Ty down next to him. Then he sighed happily, leaning back in the steaming water. “Now this is nice.”
Ty settled into the water beside Zane, acknowledging the tease. He eased over and let their shoulders press together as he leaned his head back. He hooked his leg over Zane’s knee, resting it there so their calves pressed together and he could slide his toes against Zane’s ankle. Zane slid his palm against Ty’s thigh, stroking idly under the water, then shifted a little, sliding his arm behind Ty’s back and angling himself so Ty was leaning against him. He settled his hand on Ty’s hip, rubbing the skin under his fingertips.
Ty closed his eyes and turned his head toward Zane, adjusting so that more of their skin touched. He was content to sit like this, comfortable and intimate. It was a gentler foreplay then they were used to, and it was doing some very interesting things to Ty’s mind and body. It seemed like he was tingling all over, and it wasn’t from the minerals in the hot spring. He rested his head on Zane’s arm, letting the water and the promise of his lover’s caresses warm him.
Zane seemed just as content to remain like that, their bodies brushing, teasing, relaxing into each other. The hot water swirled around them. It was some time before Zane even turned his head and leaned forward enough to nuzzle at Ty’s ear.
Ty turned to meet his lips, nipping at him languidly as he moved his palm across Zane’s hard abs. Zane growled and chased Ty’s lips, making it a game while his free hand glided over Ty’s belly under the water. Ty grinned and nipped at him again, backing away playfully and pushing himself out into the center of the spring. His leg stayed hooked over Zane’s as he let himself float.
Zane laughed quietly and grabbed for his hips, leaning against the wall of the spring to watch. Ty smiled and closed his eyes, floating for a few moments with nothing but the sound of the spring in his ears and the feeling of Zane’s hands on his hips to keep him there. It was the anchor he’d been missing for the last year, the one thing that could ground him every time he began to drift. Finally, he bent his knees and sat up, pulling himself to Zane and ending up straddling one of his thighs. He slowly slid his knee over Zane’s other leg, skin gliding against skin, until he sat astride him, kneeling on the underwater bench. Zane’s hands had remained on his hips. He sat gazing up at Ty in the moonlight, unabashed devotion written all over his face.
Ty rested his arms on Zane’s shoulders and kissed him soundly. The warmth that had never dissipated began to churn inside him, love and desire warring for his attention. He groaned and delved his tongue between Zane’s lips, seeking something more. Zane pulled him close as they kissed, responding to Ty’s fervor with calm, consuming focus.
Ty smiled against his lips and finally forced himself to pull away. Zane’s face was shadowed, but Ty knew every feature by heart. The laugh lines that mingled with frown lines, the curve from his broken nose, the hints of gray feathered at his temples. His warm brown eyes that could go hard as obsidian in a blink.
He slid his hand down the side of Zane’s face. “Marry me,” he whispered.
Zane grinned, biting his tongue as he narrowed his eyes like he was considering it. Then he shook his head once. “No, thank you.”
Ty snorted. “So polite this time.” They were both grinning when they kissed again, but the disappointment was sharper for Ty than he’d expected. He was going to keep asking until he got it right, until Zane had forgiven him and was ready. Knowing Zane loved him didn’t mean it wouldn’t hurt though.
Zane’s hands slid along his skin under the water. They were crouched low, trying to keep their shoulders under water so the cold air wouldn’t bite at them. Ty could feel Zane growing harder. He adjusted the way he was sitting, rubbing against Zane to elicit a moan or two.
“Ty,” Zane finally whispered against his lips. His fingers dug into the muscles of Ty’s thighs.
“I can’t believe you convinced me to come out here with you,” Ty said between kisses. He lifted up onto his knees, letting Zane guide him back down. The head of Zane’s cock pushed at him demandingly. After the last several weeks of getting reacquainted, it would have been an easy entry. Ty lifted his face up to the sky, humming and sighing.
“Can we do this without lube?” Zane asked. His voice was strained, and every muscle in his body was hard and tight, no longer relaxed by the waters of the hot spring. “More importantly, should we do this in a mineral spring?”
“Fine time to ask now,” Ty grunted. He lowered himself back into Zane’s lap, dragging his own cock against Zane’s as he sat. “What’s wrong with mineral springs?”
“Don’t some of them have bacteria in them?”
“I’m getting out!” Ty shouted, trying to sound dismayed, but laughing too hard to pull it off.
Zane grabbed at him as he moved away, tackling him. They both managed to keep their heads above water, but Ty lost his footing. He wrapped around Zane to stay afloat, and he kissed him hungrily to combat Zane’s next attack. Zane shoved him toward the other side of the spring, slamming him against the rock wall and holding him pinned there as their kiss turned devouring, consuming.
Ty wrapped his legs around Zane, groaning as Zane’s hard cock threatened to breach him again. He flailed, reaching out for a handhold. He fingers fell on cool skin.
He jerked away, gasping and shoving Zane away from their kiss. “Jesus Christ!” he shouted.
“What?” Zane cried. He pushed away, obviously thinking he’d hurt Ty or something had triggered a flashback.
But Ty’s eyes had mostly adjusted in the moonlight, and he could make out the pale skin of a leg and bare foot against the dark underbrush. When Zane saw it, he scrambled toward their clothing, probably trying to reach one of their phones for the flashlight app. Ty pushed himself up onto the lip of the edge of the hot spring and reached for the foot again, tugging at it. He would have prayed it was a drunk bridesmaid, but he already knew he would be wrong about that.
When Zane got the light and shone it on the bushes, Ty realized he’d been half-right. It was definitely a bridesmaid.
Ty hesitated to knock on Nick and Kelly’s door for so long that Zane reached up and knocked for him. Ty glared at him until he heard the lock thrown and the door creaked open.
Kelly’s face was puffy from sleep. He was wearing just a pair of sleep bottoms, no shirt, and he had Nick’s gun in his hand. He wasn’t even trying to hide it.
“What?” he croaked.
“Another body’s shown up,” Ty said quietly.
Kelly merely stared at him, then stepped aside and gestured for him to come in.
A lamp beside the bed gave off a dim glow, and Nick sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes with one hand.
Kelly crawled back in beside him, leaving Ty and Zane standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed with nowhere to sit. Nick waved a hand at them, and Zane shrugged and crawled onto the end of the bed, sitting cross-legged like they were at a slumber party. Ty followed suit because he was past the stage of giving a fuck.
Ty showed his phone with the picture of the victim to Nick. “You recognize her?”
Nick took the phone, nodding and frowning. “That’s the maid of honor.”
Ty’s stomach dropped. He was going to have to tell Livi that her best friend had been murdered at her wedding.
“Her name was Nikki . . . something. Webb. West. No, it’s Webb.” Nick still sounded half-asleep. Ty had little doubt that Kelly had given him something to make him rest.
Ty glanced up at him, then down at the photo again, feeling sick. Notifying family of victims wasn’t normally a part of his job. Notifying his own family of deaths definitely wasn’t in his resume.
“Do you want me to tell them?” Nick asked softl
y. “I’ve got some practice with it.”
Ty glanced around at the three of them. All of them were frowning sympathetically at him. “No,” he said with difficulty. “Thanks, but . . . no, I’ll do it.”
Nick nodded. He and Kelly shared a worried scowl, then Kelly nodded. They were communicating silently, and it bothered Ty. Kelly and Nick had always been able to do that, though, which told Ty that he just needed to get a fucking grip here. Nick took a deep breath. “We’ve got another problem.”
“A bigger problem than a dead maid of honor?” Zane asked, incredulous and full of dread.
Nick shrugged. “Debatable, but . . . yeah, probably.”
“When we got back from the Creepy Hollow woods, I was cleaning Nick’s back up,” Kelly started.
Ty raised a hand. “If this is a sex story, I’d like to take a pass.”
“It’s not,” Nick assured him. There was no humor in his voice. “I thought I’d hit something sharp in the path when I fell, but when Doc got a look at it, we realized . . . well, take a look,” he said. Then he pulled his shirt up, twisting so Ty and Zane could see his back.
A long, narrow welt covered him from side to side, starting around chest height and then streaking over his shoulder blade and the Celtic cross tattoo along his spine to disappear into the large eagle, globe, and anchor tattoo on his shoulder.
Zane cupped a hand over his mouth, leaning his arm on his knee. Kelly’s foot kicked Ty from under the covers, and he murmured an apology as he tried to get comfortable. Ty barely heard him. “That’s a graze,” he blurted.
Nick nodded.
“Nick, that’s a bullet graze.”
“Yes,” Nick said, voice calm. He turned and let his shirt loose, shaking his shoulders so the material would settle. “We were right. Those were silenced shots we heard.”
Breakfast the next morning was late in coming, mostly because no one had thought to prepare it.
Mara took over, heading down to see what she could do to cook for thirty people. As soon as she’d announced she was going to the kitchen, Zane and Nick both hustled after her, claiming they would help.
Ball & Chain (Cut & Run) Page 17
