Page 15 of Deranged
“Why were you there?” Field still sounded half asleep, but he was being very snuggly. He had Henry’s walls falling—the way he always did. This was why he couldn’t stay away. Being with Field was like coming home and finally getting to relax.
“I was worried about you.”
“Then why would I be mad?”
Henry didn’t know. Truthfully, if the shoe was on the other foot, he would be furious. That was pride speaking, though. Field had never put pride between them. Henry wouldn’t either.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. He only got in one hit. A busted lip is nothing.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
Field went still. Henry regretted asking. He loved the way Field stroked his stomach and chest, loving on him. “Ridge wants us to leave.”
Henry’s immediate reaction was visceral. He wanted to find Ridge and rip him to pieces.
Field kept talking like Henry wasn’t seeing red. “This is the second job with Beau that’s gone sideways. He thinks Beau is putting us in more danger than he is protecting us. Edge basically said none of us gave a fuck about him. So if forced to choose, he wouldn’t choose us. His husband is here, so that’s fair. Still kind of upset; he thinks I don’t care, though.”
Henry tried breathing through his nose to calm his temper. He didn’t want it showing in his voice. “That first job, your teamwas warned it was likely a setup. Tonight was a fluke. No one expected Briggs would be there. He had no reason to be.”
Field went back to stroking him. “Who’s Briggs? Is that the guy’s name who attacked me?”
“Yeah. He’s a freelance… whatever you hire him to be, I suppose. From what I gathered, your target had asked him to come to tonight’s meeting last minute. He wanted to hire him for a job, but it had to be in person. Briggs intentionally showed up late to keep the upper hand and scope out the situation. That’s when he spotted you. Apparently, he planned to use the same spot to get a clear view of what was going on. You swung your weapon his way, and he automatically defended himself.”
“Well, shit. Is he dead?”
Field’s tone made Henry glad for Beau’s level head. It was obvious Field would be upset over the guy dying for him.
“No. Austen is treating him. He knows we spared his life. That’s a loyalty money can’t buy in this business. The piece of shit you shot wouldn’t have shown him that same mercy.”
“It’s good he’s alive. There’s always so much death. It never goes away.”
His voice still had a hint of a slur, as if he was half out of his head.
A thought hit Henry. “Have you been drinking?”
“I had an episode. Austen shot me full of drugs. It’s okay.”
Henry’s throat immediately swelled. He hadn’t been here. If he hadn’t been questioning that fucking guy, then he would have been here. Henry always let his temper win. At least they hadn’t called Zeus, he didn’t think. Field wore a black long sleeve shirt and workout shorts. Henry couldn’t tell if he had any open wounds. They had better not have called Zeus. No one beat his baby. Henry would definitely kill someone.
“Henry?” Field sounded like he was more asleep than awake again.
“Yeah?”
“I’ll choose you.”
Henry thought his chest would cave. He had been too scared of himself to let his thoughts dwell on Ridge’s words. Henry could only deal with so much bullshit tonight. He hadn’t known how badly he needed that reassurance until he got it.
“Good. I have no qualms about tying you to the bed.” He felt Field chuckle. Henry held him tighter. He would check Field for wounds tomorrow. Field needed rest, and Henry still itched to kill someone. It was best to get some sleep.
Chapter Seven
Thebedwasemptywhen Henry woke. He never slept in or overslept. When he checked his watch, he blinked at the time. It was almost noon. He couldn’t believe no one had come looking for him, wondering where he was. Then again, other than Beau, it was possible no one noticed.
Since he spent more nights in Field’s bed than at home, a ton of clothes had migrated to his room. He rushed through his morning routine and then trailed through the halls like he had been inspecting the place this whole time. No one could call him on shit, but Henry didn’t want anyone else thinking they could shirk their duties. He found Beau enjoying his day with Kylo. Beau didn’t even notice Henry at first.
He lightly knocked on the open door. Beau glanced up from his indoor picnic with Kylo and Kylo’s teddy bears.
