Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92043 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“I’m gonna kill you.” The voice was one Z didn’t recognize, but it still made all the hairs on his arms stand up. That voice was full of rage and a hatred that would never be reasoned with. To think of Connelly on the receiving end of it caused his heart to drop to his toes.
“Then I’m gonna kill your sister too, and your whole fucking family. I’m gonna take my boys and we’re getting out of this fucking city,” the stranger continued.
Once he was through the plastic barrier there wasn’t anywhere to hide, but that was okay because the man who was threatening Connelly was too focused on his task. He didn’t notice as Z crept forward, the stun gun clutched in his hand like a wand. His arm trembled but not from fear. It was anger that heated his blood now. Anger that caused his vision to turn red.
Connelly was sprawled face-first in the dirt with this asshole’s boot on his back. The sight made Z want to forget the Taser and choke the life out of the bastard with his bare hands.
“Fucking coward,” Connelly said. There was no fear in his voice, just determination. He knew he was going to live through this and he was already planning his revenge.
The realization was just enough to bolster Z as he shoved the metal prongs into the assailant’s upper back and pressed the button.
Chapter Forty
After that, everything went by so fast it seemed simultaneous instead of a logical sequence of events. One second the Taser chattered with a sickeningly loud electric-static sound and the next a gun went off. The boom was so loud Z jumped.
The stranger fell sideways to the ground with a pained groan.
“Shit, Connelly?” Z squatted near Connelly. “Please don’t be dead.”
Connelly rolled to his back and his eyes landed on Z in shock. “Azariah?”
Fitch and Ansel burst through the plastic fence.
“Oh my God, Z.” Ansel ran forward holding a crowbar like a sword.
“Is everyone okay?” Fitch asked.
“We’re fine,” Z answered, as he rose from his crouch.
Connelly stood and plucked the gun from the ground, then searched the man still twisting in agony until he found another. He tucked the first into the waistband of his pants and secured the second in the holster near his ribs. Then he flipped the asshole over and shoved a knee into the small of his back.
“I called the cops, they’re on their way,” Fitch said.
Ansel dropped the crowbar and took Z’s shoulders. “Don’t ever do that again,” he said, shaking Z. “You fucking idiot, you could have been killed.”
Z held up his pretty purple weapon. “Not without a fight.”
“I’ve got some zip ties in the glove compartment of my car, will you get them?” Connelly was still kneeling next to the asshole, holding out his keys.
Fitch took them. “I’ll do it.”
“I’m parked on 1st Street. It’s the tan Ford sedan with a Staten Island Little League bumper sticker.”
“Got it.” Fitch left, dragging Ansel away with him. Once they were alone, Z didn’t know what to say.
“Azariah?” Connelly’s eyes were still bigger than usual, alert and ready. They made Z feel nervous, like a rabbit caught by the wolf. And just like that rabbit, he prepped to run.
No. The time for running was over.
“Hey, Hot Fudge.” He’d thought of a dozen ways to approach this reunion. None of them involved confessing his feelings in a construction zone with a criminal caught between them.
He noticed a spot on Connelly’s shoulder where the blue cotton of his shirt was darker than the rest.
“Fuck, you’re bleeding.” He dropped to his knees beside Connelly so he could see the wound and began pulling up the sleeve to get a better look, but Connelly stopped him.
“I’m okay. The bullet just grazed me. I’ll be fine. Why are you here?” Connelly’s question was filled with disbelief, perhaps even longing.
“Because I like you, you asshole.”
Those Cupid’s bow lips twitched. Connelly glanced at the man beneath him and immediately his face transformed with disgust. “My sister’s bastard ex-husband. Janie’s probably freaking out. I need to call her back.”
“Here, use my cell.” Z handed it over.
Connelly dialed with one hand. “I’m all right.” His beautiful hazel eyes softened as he stared at Z. “Yes, I promise. It’s taken care of. There’s no way he’ll get out of this... No... No. I’ll call you later. I have to deal with this first... All right. Love you too. Bye.”
He hung up and gave the phone back. “Thanks.”
They were so close now their breath mingled. Z reveled in the exchange because it was evidence that they were both still alive. His gaze dropped to Connelly’s lips and just like that he needed to feel them against his own. He needed to taste Connelly’s addicting peach flavor and be reassured that everything was fine. That everything was going to be okay.