Page 3 of Deranged
Shadow urged Tracker and Ridge down the hall. “Let’s go. Give him room to breathe.”
Henry couldn’t do that. Field was a threat. He was completely ready to shoot the man dead if he hurt Mickey.
Mickey looked totally calm. He stroked Field’s hair. “It’s okay. Just take a breath. I’m right here with you. You’re okay.”
“Who did I hurt?”
The deadness to Field’s voice punched Henry in the chest. He couldn’t explain it. There was just something familiar and painful about it.
“No one. Everyone is good. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Zeus is here.”
Shadow said the words stoically—like announcing the arrival of a doctor. “Clay is escorting him up.”
Henry’s hackles rose a hair. He was head of all things security. They couldn’t bring strangers into the house like this.
A blond guy in a black leather jacket appeared at the top of the stairs with Clay. He walked like a man people obeyed. With his shoulders back and his head held high, he exuded power. The confidence oozed from him. He breezed past Henry. His eyes didn’t so much as flicker in Henry’s direction. The moment he stepped inside Field’s bedroom, everyone else filed out. Zeus closed the door.
Mickey caught his gaze. “I’ve got everything under control.”
“You always do, but this is your wedding night. Go back to bed. I’ll stand guard.”
Mickey visibly hesitated. Henry didn’t know what Mickey wanted to say, and he would never find out. He gave Henry a small nod and shut himself inside his room with Edge.
Henry leaned against the wall across from Field’s door and stared at the wood separating him from whatever went on inside. There was a stranger in the house. Henry didn’t like the looks of him. He smelled danger. Then he heard it—the very distinct sound of someone being whipped. No cries followed. The sound continued, with only the occasional mumbled voices in between. Henry flinched with each blow. It went on forever. Henry didn’t even realize how hard his fists were clenched from fighting the urge to kick down the door. Then it opened and Henry died a little inside. Blood poured from several open wounds across Field’s upper torso. But the cuts had nothing on the scars that littered Field’s body. Henry realized he had never seen Field in anything other than long-sleeve shirts. Bare-chested, he was a roadmap of abuse.
Zeus stepped from the room, looking completely unruffled.
Field closed the door behind him, but not before his gaze met Henry’s for a moment. Field was dead inside and Henry couldn’t unsee it. The moment passed and Henry was left alone with Field’s visitor.
Zeus didn’t meet his stare immediately. He worked to remove the wrapper from a Jolly Rancher. The guy was raw sex and temptation. He was an Adonis carved from marble, and he knew it. The arrogance practically seeped from his pores. He knew Henry watched his every move and got off on knowing he had a captive audience. Henry wasn’t interested. He was just fascinated for some reason even he couldn’t explain.
Finally, Zeus’ chin lifted. His light gray gaze slid down Henry’s body. Henry felt like the guy stroked him with a single glance. Zeus popped the candy in his mouth and a wicked smile touched his lips.
“Hey.”
Henry didn’t get a chance to respond.
Shadow’s bedroom door opened. “Is it okay if we talk for a minute, Zeus?”
At Shadow’s shaky-sounding question, Zeus’ eyes never wavered from Henry. “Anything for you, beautiful.” With another sweep of Zeus’ gaze down his body, Zeus headed Shadow’s way.
Henry watched as the guy softened. He spoke too quietly for Henry to hear before kissing Shadow’s forehead. He motioned inside the room, and Shadow took a step back, allowing him inside. The door closed behind the pair and the spell was broken, setting Henry free. For longer than he cared to admit, Henry didn’t move. He stared at Field’s closed bedroom door, seeing nothing. From the first time he met Field, Henry knew the guywas a mess. This was much bigger than that. Henry had to keep an eye on this. He had a bad feeling Beau had made a mistake letting these people into their home. Henry would be damned if they went down with these guys’ sinking ship.
With his back against the corner, Field watched the door. His eyelids were heavy, and his head kept bobbing as sleep tried to win. He couldn’t let the darkness take him. Field had to keep watch. Sometimes, he forgot what was real. Maybe they would come for him tonight. He couldn’t risk this being a dream. Only the sting of his fresh wounds kept him grounded. This was reality. He lived in the U.S. now. In California. With his brothers. They were safe. The light from the moon shining through his bedroom window caught his attention. He could see the stars. The sight had him transfixed. He knew where he was. The stars never lied. Air filled his lungs. His mind cleared. He was in the U.S. now. In California. With his brothers. Another breath brought oxygen to his brain. Fuck. He had ruined Mickey and Edge’s wedding night. The back of his head hit the wall. Mickey had been so good to him since he came into their lives. All Field did was break things. He had no idea how long he sat there, but he knew enough time had passed to make it too late to apologize. Mickey was probably fast asleep.
A soft and unsure sounding knock landed on the door. Field had conditioned himself to recognize every tiny sound that came in the night. He would know Shadow’s knock anywhere.
“You can come in.”
The door peeked open, and Shadow poked his head through the crack. “Are you sure? I don’t want to bother you.”
Shadow was so beautiful. Dark hair and light blue eyes. Tiny frame. He was elegant and everything Field could never be. Field wished Shadow would forget he existed. He was ugly and scarred and just fucked up. None of his family deserved him as their burden.
“You never bother me.”
Shadow slipped inside the room and closed the door behind him. “Is it okay if I sleep in here with you?” He twisted his fingers, looking unsure.
