For a long time, Zach couldn’t even figure out what exactly drew him to Austen. He couldn’t seem to get the guy out of his head. Physically, it was no question. Austen Payne was sexy as sin, with his rocker, bad-boy looks. He was slender and sinewy, with dark hair, dark eyes, long lashes, a kissable mouth, and long legs. Zach shook the thoughts from his head and got back to the matter at hand.
“I have a question,” Zach said. He had several, but it was best to start slow. Austen was more fidgety than usual.
Austen cast him a sideways glance. “What?”
“If this is a THIRDS investigation, why is TIN involved?”
Austen narrowed his eyes. “Who told you we were TIN?”
Colin, Bram, and Edan were leaning forward, and Zach reined in a laugh. Bunch of nosy busybodies. Brayden shrugged, looking amused as Austen cast Zach’s brothers an accusing glare. They quickly sat back, shifting their gazes everywhere but at Austen, who turned his attention to Zach.
“Most SSAs just relay information to their teams. They don’t get involved with their teams, or fight beside them. You were always fighting alongside Destructive Delta, and risked your life for them on more than one occasion. Also, SSAs aren’t trained the way you are. You took on two Therian hit men in my hospital room.”
“Did your brothers tell you I killed one of them?”
Zach nodded. “To protect me.”
“I would have killed the second guy if Brayden hadn’t gotten to him first.”
What was Austen fishing for?
“To protect me,” Zach reiterated. When Austen didn’t respond, Zach changed the subject. “So, what’s the plan?”
“The plan is I’m going to find out who’s after you, and you’re going to rest up. Edan’s going to go with Brayden to your place to pack you a bag. Colin and Bram will check on your family and give them a cover story for why you’re not at the hospital.” Austen turned toward the three staring blankly at him, and he arched an eyebrow. “Do I need to draw you a pictogram? Go.”
“You’re an asshole,” Colin said, heading for the door.
“Takes one to know one, big guy,” Austen drawled.
Edan and Bram thankfully kept their thoughts to themselves as they left with Brayden, closing the door behind them. When the room was quiet again, Zach spoke up.
“So… what am I doing?”
“You’re going to rest, eat food, and rest some more. I told Brayden to grab your laptop and tablet, so you have some entertainment.”
Zach frowned at him. “You expect me to sit here and do nothing?”
Austen crossed his arms over his chest. God, the man was sex on legs. He looked more like some rebel from a rock band than a TIN operative, with his black skinny jeans, white T-shirt, and beat-up black leather jacket. His dark brown hair was tousled, he had stubble on his jaw, a hint of a dimple on his chin, and his lips were deliciously pouty. He was muscular but lean, his legs long despite his petite frame.
“Are you listening to me?”
Zach blinked up at him, his face burning when he realized Austen had been talking to him and he’d been too busy admiring the man’s delicious body to hear a word he said.
“Um, sorry, no. I got distracted.”
Austen’s brows shot up. “You got—by what?”
“You.” Zach held Austen’s gaze. “Sorry not sorry.”
Austen opened his mouth, then laughed. He shook his head in amusement. “Fair enough. How are you so damn honest? You just say whatever you’re thinking.”
Zach shrugged. “Why lie? It doesn’t accomplish anything.”
Austen let out an indelicate snort. “Dude, I lie for a living, remember?”
“Do you lie to Sloane?”
Austen narrowed his eyes. “What are you getting at?”
“You might lie for a living, but you don’t lie to Sloane because you care about him, right?”
It was clear by Austen’s expression that Zach’s honesty wasn’t appreciated. Normally Zach would drop it, but not this time. Zach wasn’t going to let him off that easy. There was too much at stake.
AUSTEN REFUSED to be baited. Instead of answering Zach, he decided to ignore the question. He paced the room, thinking of his next move, aware of Zach’s eyes following him. The silence in the room was deafening. He’d lost track of how much time had gone by when the door was thrown open, and a gasp caught Austen’s ear. Zach’s eyes went wide, and he cursed under his breath. Turning, Austen gaped at the brothers who’d returned, Brayden right behind them.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Austen was about to ask them why the hell they weren’t following his orders when the reason hurried into the room. “You brought your mom to the safe house? What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“Language, young man,” Iona scolded.
Austen snapped his mouth shut. Wait. What just happened?
“I tried. I swear,” Edan whined. “I texted to check on her, and she demanded to know where Zach was. I told her no, but….”
“Well, congratulations on that epic failure,” Austen growled. “Maybe next time you’ll reach down deep and find your balls instead of acting like a prepubescent teen!”
Brayden took a step closer to Edan. “Don’t be so hard on him, Austen.”
Austen’s brows shot up near his hairline. Did Brayden just defend Edan? Austen was about to tell his friend what he thought of that, when Iona moved across the room to Zach’s bedside, her big amber eyes filled with worry and motherly love. Austen had never seen that look up close before. Fascinating.
“What’s going on?” Iona kissed Zach’s brow and ran a hand over his head. “Hi, baby. How’s my sweet boy doing?”
Zach smiled lovingly at her. “I’m okay, Mom.”
“I brought you your favorite roasted vegetable soup and sausage balls.” She leaned in for a hug.
“Thank you.” Zach laid his head on her shoulder, returning her embrace and closing his eyes with a tender smile as she hugged him and ran a hand down his back.
Incredible. This was the first time Austen had been this close to Mama Bear, and it was astounding how her big, burly, giant sons turned into soft, squishy little boys in her arms. How did she do it? She never so much as raised her voice, and they all fell into line. Were they afraid of her? No, from what he’d observed over the last few years, he knew that wasn’t the case. It was more like they feared disappointing her.
Austen couldn’t imagine growing up with a mom like Iona Zachary, not because she was what Austen imagined a mother should be with her coddling, hugs, and kisses, but because she was a total hottie. High school must have been a nightmare for Zach with a mom who looked like a Hollywood movie star. Unsurprisingly, Iona and her equally elegant husband, Gavin, produced a small army of beautiful bear Therians like them—the girls as stunning and kind as Iona, and the boys as huge, handsome, and honorable as Gavin. It was disgusting. Mama Zachary was in her midsixties, tall, with long legs, a killer figure despite having popped out ten kids, and dazzling red hair that fell in waves over her shoulders. Her hair was pulled up in a ponytail, and she was dressed in jeans, black boots to her knees, and a soft green turtleneck beneath her black trench coat.
The Zacharys were descended from Scottish warriors, and Austen could easily see Iona riding off to battle with the rest of her clan. Geez, he knew way too much about this family. Maybe it was time to find himself a new hobby.
Iona cooed over her baby some more before turning to the rest of them, the hard look in her eyes catching Austen off guard.
“Someone explain why my baby is in a safe house.” Iona turned her gaze to her oldest. “I expect answers, Colin Gavin Zachary.”
Austen’s eyes went wide. He didn’t know much about mothers, but he knew the use of a full name was never a good thing.
Colin cleared his throat. “You know that guy Ozzy saved?”
Iona frowned in thought, then nodded. She got up and scooted to the foot of Zach’s bed. “Yes. That very unpleasant anti-Therian
politician.” Her eyes softened, and she patted Zach’s leg. “Our Ozzy saved his little girl.”
“Well, whoever tried to kill Barlow and his daughter has set their sights on Ozzy for some reason. The THIRDS are investigating, but Alpha Sleuth has been pulled off the case. Until the THIRDS know who’s after him or the involved parties are apprehended, he needs to stay hidden.”
“Especially after they sent two Therians to kill him at the hospital,” Bram added.
Austen was dumbfounded. “What are you doing?” he asked Colin and Bram. Why in the hell were they discussing an ongoing investigation with their mother?
Iona turned her attention to Austen. “My boys don’t keep secrets from me, Mister…?”
“Agent,” Austen growled. “Agent Austen Payne. And these aren’t teenage secrets about schoolboy crushes or sleepovers. This is classified information. Your youngest son is the target of trained killers, and if I hadn’t arrived at the hospital in time, those men would have succeeded. Your sons agreed to cooperate and follow my orders to keep Zach safe. Having their mother here is in no way, shape, or form what I would call cooperating or following orders.”
Iona stood and crossed the distance between them. Austen held his ground. He’d faced off against lethal Therians trying to kill him, the worst Humans and Therians could dredge up, and a world of ugly. He wasn’t about to be intimidated by Iona Zachary, even if she did tower over him. Austen prepared himself for a fight. Instead of striking out, Iona did something unexpected, and far more terrifying than anything he could have imagined. She wrapped him up in her arms and hugged him tight.
“Thank you for saving my boy.”
Austen’s eyes widened, and he stiffened in her embrace. “What the hell is happening right now? What are you doing?”
Iona pulled back, her expression soft. “Thanking you.”
“You’re touching me.”
“I’m hugging you. Yes. It’s my way of showing my gratitude.”
Austen took a quick step away. “Don’t do it again. You need to leave before—”
Iona lifted her hand. Clearly, he’d overstepped, and she was going to lay one on him. Instead, she placed her hand gently to his cheek. He flinched at the tender gesture. Had he been slapped, he wouldn’t have been so jolted.
“You care about my Ozzy.”
Austen scowled at her. He should have denied it. Normally he would have. Like a coward, he averted his gaze, but she wouldn’t let him.
“Austen, look at me.”
Jesus fuck, he was actually listening to her? What the hell was wrong with him? He didn’t have to listen to anyone. He was the one in charge here, not Zach, his brothers, or God help them, their mother. And yet, he moved his eyes back to hers.
“Thank you for saving my son from those horrible men. We’ll do everything in our power to cooperate. As an operative for TIN, I have the utmost respect and faith in you and your skills.”
Austen whipped his head to the side to glare at the brothers. “Really?”
The three couldn’t even look him in the eye. Bunch of asshats.
“Like I said, my boys don’t keep secrets from me,” Iona said, and Austen turned his attention back to her, his hands balled into fists at his side. “Son—”
“I’m not your son,” Austen replied through his teeth.
Iona nodded slowly. “Austen. I have seven sons who are all highly trained THIRDS agents. My husband was a military man who fought for our country, as was his father, and my father. I know how these things work. I know you care about Zach. We don’t know each other, but there’s time for that. For now, just know that you’re not in this alone. I get the feeling trust doesn’t come easy to you, but if there’s anyone you can trust, it’s my boys. They’re going to help you.”
Austen shook his head. He took Iona’s hand and carefully moved it away from his face. His gaze was unwavering when it met hers. “I don’t need anyone’s help. The more of you there are around, the harder you make my job. Keeping Zach safe is my priority, and having you and your sons here is a liability I can’t afford to have.”
Iona smiled at him before she walked back to the bed, where she took a seat. Had the woman heard anything he’d just said? Was the crazy catching?
“I’m going to disagree with you, Austen. You need us.”
Austen straightened. Something about the way she said those last three words implied a deeper meaning. Austen chose to ignore it.
“And if those men could get to Zach at the hospital,” Iona continued, “they can get to him here. It’s only a matter of time. It’s clear we’re dealing with professionals.” She tapped her manicured finger against her lips. An idea struck, and a big smile spread across her face. It scared the shit out of Austen. “The lodge.”
Austen cast Brayden a sideways glance, and his friend shrugged. Whatever it was, Austen didn’t like it. “What lodge?”
“Why didn’t I think of it sooner?” Iona said, getting excited at her idea. She turned to her brood. “A retreat.”
Austen waved his arms. “Wait, what? What lodge? What retreat?”
Edan turned to Austen. “Zachary Lodge is a huge estate built on several hundred acres. It belonged to our grandparents, but a few years ago they passed it down to our parents. We have all our family gatherings there—holidays, weddings, special occasions. Once a year everyone goes up without the kids for a little R&R.”
“The lodge is more like a small village,” Bram added. “Thirty thousand square feet up in the mountains, surrounded by nothing but snow and trees.”
Austen’s jaw dropped. It struck him what Iona was suggesting. “Oh hell no. Absolutely not.”
She smiled warmly at him. “Why not? It’s perfect. The lodge is practically a fortress, especially in the winter. You need vehicles equipped for deep snow to get there, and the trees are mostly bare. We can spot anyone who tries to approach the property from any angle from miles away. There’s an underground bunker, and Zach will be surrounded by his family, which includes his THIRDS brothers. There’s no safer place for him.”
“That’s insane! There are killers after your son, and your suggestion is to have a family reunion? There are bad ideas, and then there’s this one.” Austen shook his head as he began to pace. “No way. It’s not happening.”
“Austen?”
Austen came to a stop at the sound of Zach’s soft-spoken voice. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. Don’t do it. Don’t turn around.
“Austen, please look at me.”
Austen shook his head. Nope. He heard a grunt and Iona’s gasp.
“Baby, what are you doing? You need to stay in bed.”
Fucking fuckballs. Austen spun on his heels and marched over to the bed, where Zach was trying to get up.
“What the hell are you doing? Listen to your mom and lay your ass back down.”
Zach smiled sweetly at him. Damn him and his stupid handsome face. He took Austen’s hand, and when Austen tried to pull away, Zach held on. With a heavy sigh, Austen stopped struggling. When had he lost his edge? At what point had he gone from being a fierce operative to being a sucker?
“Who knows how long this is going to take? There’s nowhere I feel safer than with my family.”
Austen swallowed hard, his gaze dropping to his hand in Zach’s. He told himself the pain to his heart had nothing to do with Zach’s words or his inadvertent rejection. Man, he was such a jackass. Why wouldn’t Zach feel safest with his family? This was good. It gave Austen a nice little reality check. He was not a part of Zach’s world, and why would he be when he pushed Zach away at every turn?
“It’s so beautiful and peaceful there. I think you’ll really like it.”
Austen’s heads shot up. “What?”
Zach’s smile was blinding. “Well, yeah. I can’t go without you. You said you’d protect me, right?”
Austen opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Zach wanted him there? The knowledge made him stupidly happy despite his head telling him h
e was being an idiot. He couldn’t do this. Not just because it was a logistics nightmare, but because him under the same roof as the Zachary clan was a shitstorm waiting to happen. He needed to come up with an excuse real quick. Of course, he made the mistake of looking at Zach, whose expression was so damned hopeful.
“But… but it’s going to be cold,” he whined. Oh my God, I’ve turned into a teenage girl!
Zach laughed, the throaty sound delicious and almost drawing a sigh from Austen. Almost.
“It’s going to be freezing,” Zach said, his smile lighting up his eyes. “The mountain scenery is breathtaking, and there’s nothing like sitting in front of the fireplace with a hot cup of cocoa while the snow falls outside the window. There’s a fully stocked bar, an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and a gym.”
Austen finally managed to pull his hand out of Zach’s grip. He folded his arms over his chest. “You do realize you’re in hiding, right? Not on vacation. I can think of a million reasons why this is a horrible idea.”
“Like?”
Austen counted them off on his fingers. “One, it’s cold.”
“You said that,” Zach said, amused.
Damn him. “Two… um….” Zach’s smile got wider, his dimple showing. Oh fuck no. Come on, man. Give me a break. Austen turned Zach’s face away. “Stop looking at me with that face. I’m trying to be serious here.” Shit. Now he was spouting nonsense because Zach was looking at him? Enough of this. “I don’t have to list all the reasons. It just is.”
Zach’s expression softened before he smiled at his mom. “Can Austen and I have a minute?”
“Sure thing, baby.” Iona stood and motioned for her boys and Brayden to follow her, and they fell into line right behind her without question, even Brayden.
Are you serious right now? Brayden turned to close the door behind them, and Austen put his arms out. What the hell, man? Brayden’s eyes went slightly wide, and he pointed behind him, as if the answer was obvious. Like, how could he not do what Mama Zachary asked him to do? The door closed, and Austen shook his head.
Love and Payne Page 5