Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run 7)

Zane shouted, his voice full of anger, pain, and betrayal. He picked Ty up and slammed him against the large wooden support beam in the middle of the room. The glass of a picture frame cracked against Ty’s shoulders. Ty tightened his hold on Zane’s arms, locking him down, trying to immobilize him before he hurt himself or Ty.

“I’m sorry, Zane,” he gasped, trying to hold tight.

Zane pressed his face into Ty’s neck, fighting back a sob. His entire body was trembling.

Ty dug his fingers into Zane’s back, holding him close. He put his lips to Zane’s ear. “I’m so sorry.”

Zane’s shoulders tightened under Ty’s hands. “I would have chosen you over anything,” Zane hissed. He pulled back, breaking Ty’s hold, bunched the front of Ty’s shirt in both hands, and jerked Ty forward until they were nose-to-nose, until Ty’s feet weren’t solidly on the floor. “My job, my family, my wife. I would have given my life for you! But you! You can’t even give me the truth!”

Ty only had time to squeeze his eyes closed before Zane picked him up and tossed him sideways. He crashed against one of the tables and slid with it as it tumbled over amidst breaking glass and bits of splintered wood.

It took him a moment to get his wits about him. The others were wide-eyed and gaping. Ty rolled to his stomach and pushed up, accompanied by the tinkling of glass from a broken hurricane lamp as it cascaded down his arms and back.

Zane was framed by the neon light coming from the bar behind him, casting him into darkness and shadow.

“Jesus, Zane,” Ty muttered.

Zane turned his back on him and went back to the bar. He pulled out a new glass and poured another whiskey, neat. “I don’t know about you, but I certainly feel better,” he said before throwing the whiskey back in one gulp.

Zane stood at the bar, watching the scene unfold in the mirror as the whiskey burned its way through him.

Nick and Kelly moved to help Ty out of the debris from the table and chairs they’d destroyed. Liam hung back, arms crossed, watching with one eyebrow raised. When Ty stood, his hand went immediately to his side, and he doubled over again. Zane was struck with concern, but he shrugged it off. He’d known Ty would still be tender in the kidney area. One good jab had made it almost impossible for him to defend himself. It had been unnecessary, though. Ty hadn’t even tried to fight back.

Zane ducked his head when Ty’s eyes found his in the mirror. Zane caught the pain and fury despite trying not to. He continued to stare at the empty glass in front of him as they helped Ty up the steps.

Zane reached for the bottle and poured himself another glass.

“Is that really the best idea?” Liam asked. He leaned against the bar beside Zane. “I’ve managed to deduce you might be one who imbibes a bit too much.”

“Go away,” Zane growled.

“An alcoholic, that’s what I meant by that,” Liam said. “In case that wasn’t clear.”

“I said go away.”

“Or what? You’ll toss me over a table as well?”

Zane bared his teeth at Liam.

“I’ll tell you one thing, love, I wouldn’t pull my punches like he did. Seems an unfair advantage, trying to hurt someone who refuses to swing back.” He reached for the glass in Zane’s hand and took a sip. “Might as well drink tonight, though, yeah? Tomorrow, Ty’s going to get you all killed.” He handed the glass back to Zane and smirked.

“What makes you say that?”

Liam tapped his temple. “He’s not thinking. Neither are you, for that matter.” His arm brushed Zane’s as he leaned against the bar again. “These cartel hooligans. You know who they’ll send, don’t you?”

“I have an inkling, yes. Mateo Valencia.”

“Is he good?”

Zane shrugged and took another sip. The whiskey scorched its way down his throat, lighting a fire inside him he’d been sorely missing. The world around him grew cooler compared to it.

“Is he better than you?”

Zane flexed his wrist, where a sheath and knife felt just right against his skin. He remembered a meeting in a penthouse suite when one of Antonio’s pups had yapped one too many times. Zane’d slashed the man from lip to ear, just to teach him a lesson. Just to remind him he didn’t speak until spoken to.

“No,” he answered.

Liam cocked his head. “Good to know.” He glanced at the steps. They were still alone. Kelly was probably checking Ty over to make sure he wasn’t hurt. “When you’ve finished satisfying your need for fine whiskey, I’d like to speak with you upstairs. Privately.”

Zane huffed. He took another sip, closing his eyes. He had missed the smell. The taste. He had missed the world of black and white. “Can’t you say it here?”

Liam whistled low and moved closer to whisper in Zane’s ear. “I’d prefer to discuss such things without clothing.”

Zane turned his head sharply, but Liam didn’t back away. His nose brushed Zane’s, and for a few heartbeats, Zane thought he was going to kiss him. Liam didn’t move though, and Zane finally backed away with a jerky nod.

“You are single now, Zane, in case that wasn’t clear in the way he looked at you. Ty doesn’t mess around with people who don’t want him.”

Zane’s heart hammered faster.

“Take your time,” Liam murmured before walking away.

Zane pushed the door open and stepped inside, closing it behind him with a click that seemed to echo through the building. He took a few tentative steps in the darkness, and set the bottle and glass on the kitchen table.

A light flipped on, and Zane looked over his shoulder at the gun pointed at him.

“Put that away,” he grumbled.

Ty sat up in bed and swung his legs to the floor. He slid the gun under his pillow again. “How many have you had?”

Zane shook his head and tapped the bottle. “Not enough to make it okay.”

Ty’s expression remained impassive, which was singularly annoying since Zane usually read him so well. “I was doing my job,” he said, his voice low and even. “I was doing what I had to do to stay with you. What’s so f**king wrong with that?”

Zane sneered. “Tell me something, Ty, is there anything you won’t do for a job?”

Ty didn’t have an answer for that. He stood instead, crossing his arms. His breaths were harsh, like every word Zane hurled was making it harder for him to get air.