Love and Payne

by Charlie Cochet

  “Really?” Austen rolled his eyes. “Because an unarmed Human lawyer overpowering a Therian THIRDS SSA is so believable.”

  “Just play your part,” Kerner hissed.

  Austen didn’t reply. As instructed, he took on the role Kerner had imposed on him, and struck the guy in the face with the butt of his gun. Kerner’s face whipped to the side, blood from his split lip spraying on the pristine white snow. He spat out a mouthful of saliva mixed with blood before narrowing his eyes at Austen, who shrugged.

  “You said make it look convincing.”

  “Just get it done,” Kerner spat out, straightening to his full height and holding his hands up once again. He turned, and Austen pressed the barrel between Kerner’s shoulders.

  “Now walk.” They headed up the drive toward the house. Two armed men were stationed outside the doorway, and when they saw Kerner with his hands up and his split lip, they quickly drew their weapons.

  “Stand down,” Kerner ordered. “Or he’s going to kill me.”

  Not yet, but I will.

  The guards did as asked, and Austen motioned to the cuffs attached to their belts. “Cuff yourselves together then take a walk into the woods. Now.” As soon as they complied, Austen pushed Kerner toward the front door. Kerner put his hands down, and knocked on the door. Barlow answered.

  “Bill? What’s going on? What—”

  “I’m so sorry, Aaron,” Kerner cried, his performance Oscar-worthy as tears streamed down his face. “I couldn’t stop him.”

  “Shut the fuck up and get inside,” Austen growled, the anger of his predicament fueling his own performance. The more Kerner sobbed, the angrier Austen became. Not only had this asshole dared to put Zach and his family in danger, he was trying to rob Austen of a future with Zach. Even if he’d ended up walking away from Zach, if he’d broken both their hearts, or if Zach decided he wasn’t worth the trouble, it would have been their decision, not this asshole’s. When Barlow’s guards arrived, Austen grabbed Kerner by the collar and jammed the barrel of the gun to his temple. “Weapons on the floor or his brains will be all over it instead.”

  “Do as he says,” Barlow pleaded with his men, his hands held up in front of him. “Go stay with Maisy in her room.”

  Kerner stiffened. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

  No guards, thankfully no Maisy, but also no witnesses except Kerner himself, and if a douchebag wasn’t seen overpowering an assassin, did it really happen? Shit.

  “You.” Austen pointed to the closest guard. “You stay. You’re my ticket out of here.”

  The guard remained where he stood while the others ran from the room. Austen aimed his gun at Barlow. “Sit. If anyone tries anything, your little girl will be next.” The words had bile rising in his throat, but Austen pushed it all aside. He’d have to treat this as if it were another job. Leave the world outside, and sink deep into the darkness inside him, the shadows that surrounded his heart and soul. Zach thought he was a good man. He might never be after this. Doesn’t matter the reasons why he did it. He was about to take an innocent life.

  “Please, you don’t have to do this. Talk to me.”

  Austen hit Kerner across the head with the butt of his gun before kicking at the back of his legs, sending him crashing to the carpet. Barlow jumped off the couch, but Austen took a step toward him.

  “I told you not to fucking move!”

  “What do you want?” Barlow asked, his eyes wet with unshed tears.

  “I need for you to die, Mr. Barlow.”

  Barlow started to shake, but he looked off to the door. It was most likely the way that led to his daughter’s room. Seeming to pull himself together, he straightened, and when he spoke, his voice was steadier. “Why are you doing this?”

  “Because the world needs to know that Therians are the superior race. Humans like you who come in spouting their hate, trying to force us into cages of your making need to be stopped. I’ve seen firsthand what Humans like you do to Therians, and if you’ve seen what I have, you would be putting this gun to your head and pulling the trigger yourself.”

  “I know I’ve said some horrible things in the past, but I was wrong. I understand how you feel.”

  “How could you possibly understand? Some rich Human dude with his own private security, mansion, and private schools for his kid, the best healthcare the government can provide.” The best lies were spawned from truths. It was easy for him to pretend to hate Humans. All he had to do was channel his parents, and those like them. Working for TIN, he’d come across the worst Humanity had to offer. Not that there weren’t vile Therians out there. He’d come across plenty of them too, but for now, he only looked to the Human side.

  “My wife. She was killed by a Therian.”

  Austen hesitated. “What?” That wasn’t in Barlow’s file. The police report on Barlow’s wife stated she was killed during a home invasion by a Human.

  “It was covered up,” Barlow said, lowering his eyes to his fingers in shame. “I paid for the HPF reports to be doctored. I was advised that it could show bias in my campaign and make it… harder for me to get the Therian vote.”

  “No, the anti-Therian vitriol you were spewing was making it harder for you to get the Therian vote, jackass.” Okay, so that part wasn’t acting. What the hell?

  “The case was quickly closed, and since the Therian who’d killed my wife was shot dead by the HPF, no one knew. I tried hard to hide the anger and hurt I was feeling. No one knew the truth, but I couldn’t seem to keep my hatred buried.” Barlow raised his head, and met Austen’s gaze, regret and pain in his eyes. “What I did was unforgiveable, and my wife deserved better, but I thought if I could make it to Congress just as planned, I could do something about it. I was going to… punish Therians for what they’d done, but then Agent Zachary changed everything.”

  Austen flinched at hearing Zach’s name, a barely there flinch, but Barlow caught it. He tilted his head and took a step forward.

  “What are you doing? Sit your ass down!”

  “Agent Zach risked his life to save my little girl, and in turn, me. He showed me that not all Therians are like the man who took my wife from me. Maisy had seen it. She couldn’t stop talking about him after that. How brave he was. What a good bear he was, just like her teddy bear. And she’s right. He is a good Therian.”

  “And why the fuck should I care?” Austen spat out. “I said sit your ass down.”

  “Do you know him?”

  Kerner took a step toward Austen. “Aaron, please. Do what he says. If you antagonize him, there’s no telling what he’ll do.”

  Fuck. He should have killed Barlow by now, and Kerner knew it. Austen could only stall for so long.

  “I don’t think he wants to hurt us, Bill,” Barlow said, a hopeful smile on his face. “Do you, Mister…?”

  Gunfire erupted outside.

  “Austen!”

  Oh, thank God. The door slammed open, and Kerner threw himself at Austen, punching him across the face as he grabbed the gun. They both hit the floor, as Zach ran into the room. At the same time, several of Kerner’s men flooded in.

  “Secure Barlow,” Austen yelled at Zach, who quickly grabbed a confused Barlow.

  “What the hell’s going on?” Barlow asked, taking cover behind the couch with Zach as Kerner’s men opened fire. No way Barlow didn’t realize his good pal Kerner was trying to kill him. Speaking of….

  “Kill them all,” Kerner ordered as he and Austen thrashed on the carpet. Royally pissed off, Austen decided he’d had enough of this asshole. He thrust his palm up against Kerner’s nose, satisfied at the crunch that reverberated through the room and the spray of blood that hit Austen’s cheek. The man made a horrible gurgling sound, and Austen jabbed him in the throat, wrenched the gun away from him, then shot him in the head before scrambling to his feet and diving for the loveseat when the bullets started flying his way.

  Austen popped up from behind the loveseat and fired one bullet per gunm
an. No sense in wasting ammo. They fell to the floor like flies dropping in the heat until no one was left. Barlow slowly emerged from behind the couch with Zach.

  “Austen, thank God you’re okay.” Zach was hurrying toward Austen when Barlow shouted from behind him.

  “Look out!”

  Austen spun as one of the gunmen on the floor fired, and Austen didn’t think. He threw himself in front of Zach.

  A gunshot echoed through the house.

  “Austen, no!”

  Austen sucked in a sharp breath at the searing pain burning his flesh. He opened his eyes and saw he was on the floor, cradled in Zach’s arms. He held on to his side as the room went silent, or so it seemed. In actuality, it was buzzing with noise and movement, but Austen only saw and heard Zach.

  “Funny how I always end up in your arms.”

  Zach pressed down against Austen’s side, flinching when Austen cried out at the pain. “Maybe fate’s trying to tell you something.”

  “Don’t jump in front of bullets?”

  Zach chuckled despite the tears in his eyes. “Yeah, that would be a good start.”

  Austen put his hand to Zach’s cheek.

  “Or maybe fate’s telling me this is where I belong.”

  CHAPTER 14

  ALLOWING HIS brothers to take Austen from him had been excruciating, but Austen needed immediate medical attention. The bullet had hit Austen’s side, but without properly examining him, Monroe didn’t know how bad the damage was or if the bullet was still in there.

  Barlow’s men, along with the operatives TIN had sent, were taking care of Kerner’s remaining gunmen. Those who didn’t die in a hail of bullets were arrested, and the HPF was on its way since Kerner and his hired thugs were Human. TIN would be gone by then, and Zach’s brothers would take over. But it would take too long for an ambulance to get up here. Luckily they had Monroe. Barlow had instructed them to take Austen to the spare room at the end of the hall, and as soon as Austen was lying on the large Therian-sized bed, Monroe had gotten to work. He’d carefully removed Austen’s outwear, leaving him only in his long-sleeved T-shirt.

  Zach helped Monroe by removing his medical supplies and laying them out on a silver tray that had been sterilized by one of his brothers. Monroe quickly set up an IV and hooked Austen up to it before cutting through his shirt. Zach paced the room, his eyes never leaving Austen’s pale face as Monroe worked.

  “It looks like the bullet went through, and nothing major was hit,” Monroe said. “You’re one lucky little son of a bitch, Austen.”

  Austen chuckled weakly. His eyes landed on Zach and he held his hand out. Zach was at his side and took his hand in a heartbeat.

  “It’s going to be okay, baby.”

  Monroe only spared him a glance at the endearment before patting Austen’s leg. “I’m going to give you a little something for the pain, and then we’re going to stitch you up.”

  “Thanks,” Austen replied, squeezing Zach’s hand. “You okay, Z?”

  “Me?” Zach shook his head with a soft laugh. “Here you are with a bullet hole in you, and you’re asking me how I am?”

  Austen shrugged. “Meh, I’ve had worse.”

  It struck Zach that Austen was most likely telling the truth. He tried not to think about all the horrible things that had happened to Austen on the job. Something in his expression must have given him away because Austen squeezed his hand again.

  “Hey.”

  Zach looked up at him, his heart so full of love for this contrary, fiery, complicated man. He smiled warmly. “Hey.”

  “It’s going to be okay,” Austen said, his lids growing heavy.

  “He needs to rest,” Monroe said. He pulled the bloodied surgical gloves from his hands and dropped them on the tray. “I’m going to clean him up and get him bandaged up. He’s going to be okay, Zach.”

  As much as Zach hated leaving Austen, he got the hint. Austen needed time to rest, and if Zach was in here, he’d be fighting to stay awake with everything he had. Zach brushed his lips over Austen’s.

  “I’ll be back soon.”

  Austen was so exhausted, he just nodded before his eyes closed and he was out. Zach thanked Monroe and headed to the living room. His parents, sisters, and his brothers’ spouses had arrived, and they all rushed him.

  “Is he okay?” Una asked, tears in her eyes.

  “Poor Austen,” Kenna fretted, holding Davonna close to her. “He’s so brave.”

  “I can’t believe he took a bullet for you, bro,” Isobel said. “The guy must really be crazy about you.”

  “Okay, that’s enough, girls. Give your brother some room,” Gavin said, wading through his children to get to Zach. He put a hand to Zach’s cheek before bringing him in for a big hug. Zach wrapped his arms around his dad with a sniff.

  “He could have died. What would I have done?”

  “He’s an amazing young man who clearly loves you very much,” Gavin said, holding Zach’s head as he ran his free hand in soothing circles around his back. “Stop thinking about what could have happened and start thinking about what’s going to happen next. He needs you, son.”

  “You’re right,” Zach murmured, closing his eyes. He was exhausted, both physically and emotionally. He wasn’t going to go down that path. Both of them had dangerous careers, though he was certain the dangers he faced on the job were nothing compared to what Austen faced as a TIN operative, but if he wanted this to work between them, he would have to find a way to live with it. All of it. The secrets, the not knowing.

  “Come on, baby. Let’s get you something hot to drink,” Iona said, taking his arm in hers and leading him into the kitchen. Barlow was being extremely kind and accommodating, especially with the number of bear Therians who’d flooded his cabin. On his way to the kitchen, Barlow stopped him.

  “Agent Zachary?”

  “Zach, please.”

  “Zach, may I have a quick word?”

  “Yes, of course.” Zach kissed his mother’s cheek, letting her know he’d be there in a minute. He turned to Barlow, who held out his hand. Zach took it, confused.

  “I want to thank you. Again. For everything you and your family have done for me.”

  “But… Austen was sent to kill you.”

  Barlow wrinkled his nose. “Bill was responsible for that. He held Mr. Payne’s family at gunpoint.”

  “His family.” Zach couldn’t help but smile at that. “Yes. He was trying to protect us. Kerner threatened to have my entire family killed.”

  Barlow shook his head, his expression somber. “I can’t believe someone I thought to be my friend turned out to be such a cold-hearted monster. I’m so very sorry, Zach. You can rest assured Bill Kerner is going to answer for what he’s done, even after his death. I’m afraid the media frenzy is going to be even more unbearable, but the city, the world, deserves to know it has good Therians protecting it. Whatever Bill was involved in, I won’t rest until I get to the bottom of it. He had help in all this, and I’m going to make certain those responsible are brought to justice. I’m going to run my campaign the way my Rosemary would have wanted me to.”

  “Zach!”

  Zach’s smile was wide when he turned and dropped to his knees as Maisy darted over and flung herself into his arms. She kissed his cheek and wrapped her tiny arms around his neck. He stood with her in his arms.

  “I’m glad to see you,” she said, holding her bear up. “Teddy’s glad to see you too.”

  “Aw, I’m glad to see you too. And Teddy.”

  Her big brown eyes filled with concern. “Are you okay? Daddy says you were hurt saving me.”

  “I’m all better,” Zach said. “We teddy bears are pretty tough.”

  Maisy giggled, and Zach chatted with her and her dad for a bit. Then Monroe appeared beside him.

  “Brayden texted to say he’s on his way. Austen’s awake and asking for both of you. That man is even more stubborn than you are,” Monroe teased. He turned his attention to Maisy.
“Hi, I’m Monroe. I’m married to Zach’s sister Una. Zach’s mommy is making some of her special cocoa. Would you like some?”

  Maisy looked at her dad with huge eyes and a smile that stretched from ear to ear. “Can I, Daddy?”

  “How can I say no to that?” Barlow said, taking Maisy from Zach. “Let’s go get some special cocoa.”

  Zach thanked Monroe, then headed back to the room where Austen was supposed to be resting. He closed the door behind him and smiled at Austen, who was not only not asleep but very awake.

  “Hey.”

  “Hey. How are you feeling?” Zach asked, taking a seat in the chair by the bed.

  “Better now that you’re here,” Austen said, his cheeks flushed. “I know we have a lot to talk about.”

  A knock forced them to put that conversation on hold, and Austen smiled wide when the door opened and Brayden poked his head in.

  “You decent?”

  Austen let out a snort. “Me? Never.”

  Brayden laughed softly as he closed the door behind him. He stopped beside Austen’s bed, his hands shoved in his pockets, a deep frown on his handsome face, and his eyes glassy. “You’re an asshole,” he grumbled, his gaze everywhere but on Austen.

  “And this is news to you?”

  Brayden glared at Austen, and Zach felt for him. He could tell Brayden was trying very hard to keep his emotions in check.

  “You could have died, you stupid son of a bitch!”

  Zach was caught off guard by Brayden’s outburst, but Austen didn’t appear fazed in the least.

  “Come here,” Austen said, holding his arms out to Brayden, who folded his arms over his chest with a hiss as he turned away.

  “Fuck you.”

  “Bray. Come on,” Austen said gently. “Come here.”

  Brayden didn’t move, and Austen winked at Zach before grabbing his side. “Oh God, it hurts!”

  A gasp escaped Brayden, and he spun around, his eyes wide as he hovered worriedly over Austen. “What’s wrong? Are you—”