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)
“You could have died,” Z said, his voice soft because he was having a hard time catching his breath.
“You could have too. You took a big risk coming after me.”
“I—”
Before he could finish what he was about to say, Fitch and Ansel returned. “Here,” Fitch said.
Snapped out of the moment, Z stood while Connelly took the zip tie and secured it around John’s wrists. “John Fleming, you’re under arrest. You have the right to remain silent.”
“Damn, that’s hot as hell,” Ansel whispered near Z’s ear.
Z elbowed him. “He’s mine. Back off, slut.”
“Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand the rights I have just read to you?”
“I’m going to end you. I swear.”
With Fitch’s help, Connelly lifted John to his feet. “You’re going to die in prison, asshole.”
* * *
For the next few hours, even though Connelly was busy dealing with the fallout, his gaze kept straying to Azariah. And occasionally he’d catch Azariah looking back with those onyx eyes shining, full of things left unsaid.
All Connelly wanted to do was take his hand and shut out the world. If he could just have a moment alone, just one moment to say all the things he needed to say.
His mind kept replaying the gunshot, the moment he realized he wasn’t dead, rolling over to see Azariah standing there like a dark and dazzling dream. The professionals might have called it shock, but it wasn’t. It was the opposite. It was peace and tranquility. It was the clarity that came from having his life flash before his eyes. It was knowing exactly what he wanted.
Soon after, Raoul drove up in a storm of worry and fury.
“Holy shit, Boy Scout. What the hell happened?”
It was so good to see his best friend right then, Connelly hugged him.
Raoul’s big arms wrapped tight around Connelly and held him close. “Hey, okay. You’re okay. Everything will be okay. Okay?”
He couldn’t help it, he laughed. “I thought you were practicing how to comfort victims? You suck.”
“You took me by surprise.”
The brick wall of his building was cold at his back when he leaned against it. It was kind of soothing. “Did Janie call you?”
“Yeah, right after she called 911.”
Connelly nodded. He’d have to call her later like he promised or else she’d be the next one to arrive on his doorstep.
“So, you going to tell me what happened and why Azariah is over there getting questioned?”
“John blindsided me. I was on the phone and didn’t see him coming.”
“I got that from what Janie told me, what else?”
“Fucker took my weapon. He was going to kill me. Threatened Mom and Janie. Wanted to take the boys.” He shook his head at John’s insane plan. Remembering the urge to rip the guy open with his bare hands. “If Azariah hadn’t showed up when he did...”
“He just happened to be here?”
Across the road, Connelly’s gaze once again met Azariah’s. “I haven’t had a chance to ask him.”
“Did you guys make up or something?”
“There hasn’t been time to talk.” It was embarrassing he’d been ambushed right in front of his own apartment.
Luck had brought Azariah to him at the time when he’d needed someone most. The fact was, everything that had happened since they’d collided outside the diner brought them to this moment. Like fate was manipulating events just so they’d end up here and now.
Connelly wouldn’t change any of it. Especially not when he met Azariah’s eyes again and they seemed to reflect all the affection and need forming a ball of tension in his stomach. He took a step out of the shadows, toward Azariah. And another and another, until he was standing right in front of him.
“We should talk,” he said.
Chapter Forty-One
Z had to clench his hands into fists just to keep from reaching out right then. The temptation to touch was so strong. Their audience in blue uniforms circling the area like hawks was the only thing that held him back.
“Okay,” he said.
“Are you done here?” Connelly asked the cop who’d been asking them questions for the last hour.
“Almost, I just have a few more.”
“We’ve all made our statements. If you need to follow up you can contact them later.” There was that tone again, the one Z loved. The one that made him shiver. It seemed to have the exact opposite effect on everyone else though, other cops included.
“Fine.” The cop snapped his notepad shut and left.
“Hi, I’m Connelly Reid.” He stuck his hand out to Ansel first, smart guy.
“Ansel Becke, Z’s very best friend in the whole wide world.” There was no hiding the self-satisfaction that lay beneath Ansel’s statement as he shook Connelly’s hand.
“Noted.”
“Fitch Donovan, boyfriend.” Fitch’s arm hooked around Ansel’s waist and pulled him closer.