Chapter 6 Colton #2
Maybe Colton needed to cut him some slack. He wouldn’t leave someone in the situation Zach had been in, but the kid couldn’t have known. “You’re welcome. Is this place safe enough for you to tell me what the hell happened?”
“I needed out.” Zach put the nearly shredded napkin down. “It was… is a mess.”
It took an effort not to roll his eyes. Even a baby could see things were f’ed up. “Are they doing something illegal? Is it meth?”
“No. I mean, I don’t think so. There’s the periodic junkie, and I’ve smoked weed, but… no. I think I’d notice.”
There was something off about the whole event. The level of anger in the one man’s eyes, and the predatory gaze in Mr. Suit. “Who were those men?”
“Stephen? He’s the minority owner of the band.” Zach started moving his fingers over his palm. “He’s a dick, and he’s pissed that my grandpa left me the majority share.”
Lord, how did somebody own a band? He’d ask, but he didn’t want to sound like an idiot. “So, who was the guy who was all up in your business during the show? He wanted me to leave pretty badly.”
Zach shook his head. “I don’t know. I mean, seriously, I honestly don’t know.”
For the first time, Colton wasn’t sure if he believed Zach. He’d been too afraid of the guy to have never seen him before. “Okay. I’ll see what I can find out about him. Why is Stephen so eager to get you to sign everything over? Is there a lot of money in what you do?”
“As far as I know, there isn’t, but there’s some in Grandpa’s estate.” Zach shrank into his seat. “That’s what he really wants—access to the bank accounts.”
He was still missing something. “You mentioned a lawyer. Is that in some kind of trust for you?”
“No,” Zach said. “It’s in probate, which is a fancy way of saying, the state is holding it hostage to get their tax from the dead.”
Colton wondered who taught him that line—the lawyer or his grandfather. “And the lawyer won’t give you any of the money?”
“Not sure. Didn’t ask.” Zach stared at Colton. “I was afraid Stephen was monitoring the account.”
Jesus, this kid had been mind-fucked. “Well, you’re safe now.”
“I—Sure.” Zach shrugged. “I guess.”
Colton wanted to reach across the table, take Zach’s hand, and hold it until he felt safe.
Totally something a well-adjusted person who’d been totally played did with the guy who did him dirty.
Except Colton wasn’t sure it was all an act.
Enough of him believed—or wanted to believe—Zach had been honest about what he wanted and the need to get away was the bonus.
“You need a place to stay?” He nodded before Zach even had the chance to answer. “I’m building a house right now, but my uncle—the sheriff—he’s got a huge spread. There’s room for you to breathe and figure out what is what, okay? You have a safe place here.”
“Thank you.” Zach sagged. “I can’t. Not after what I just did.”
The sincerity in his refusal only fueled Colton’s ridiculous optimism that Zach hadn’t totally played him. “It’s not a problem. Seriously. I won’t let you twist in the wind.”
“I’m sorry.” Zach snuck a glance, but dipped his head quickly. “You deserved better, but I knew you’d help.”
Yeah, and Colton was the rube who Zach made his move on. At least he had been the cop first, the horny bastard second. “I’m glad you did.”
“Are you?” Zach sat back and went right to tapping on things and picking at them. Those fingers were always busy.
Colton wondered what it would be like to feel them on his skin. “I am. I don’t want anyone to feel trapped. Anyone. And hell, you’re talented. You’ll make your way out of here, once you’re on your own.”
Annie appeared and put a steaming cup in front of him. Zach perked up and leaned slightly forward.
“That smells good,” Zach said.
“You want that, not a Coke?” she asked.
“Can I have both?” he asked.
“Sure, hon.” She grabbed a cup from the counter, filled it, and set it in front of Zach. “You decide on food?”
Colton rattled off both their orders, since Zach had told him what he wanted. And off she went.
They sipped coffee, and Colton kept quiet. As a law enforcement officer, he had questions. What the hell was going on with that show topped the list. Personally, he wanted to know the same thing, but this time it involved what Zach was thinking.
Colton had grown up with carnies coming to town twice a year for county fairs. Some came only once—others returned year after year. Most were drifters and misfits, but Zach didn’t fit the mold.
He was crazy talented, but didn’t seem to realize just how good he was. Why hadn’t he left to do more? Had his grandfather kept him prisoner? Did he stay out of obligation?
Zach clutched his mug like he wanted to crush it. “Breathe.” Colton waited for Zach to react and then changed the topic. “When did you start playing the fiddle?”
“I can’t say when I first picked up a violin.” Zach shrugged, cheeks pinking. “Is that strange? I remember getting this violin but not my first lesson.”
He remembered learning to love music, gospel and country, bluegrass and Dixieland. His family played whenever they all got together—nothing fancy, but joyful? Hell yeah. And loud. Lord, they could be loud. “It’s not strange. I think it’s amazing.”
“I can see how much it moves you,” Zach said. Then he lowered his voice. “It’s what made me notice you.”
Colton’s face got hot. “I don’t know about that, but you don’t have to butter me up. I’ve already agreed to help you.”
Zach looked at him, and Colton thought he might tear up. “I was just trying to explain. Never mind.”
Colton didn’t have thirty years on the force like his uncle, and had even less dating experience, but God help him, he believed Zach. He knew it was because he wanted to, not because he had evidence. Before he could answer Zach, their food arrived. “Welcome to your fancy-assed supper.”
“Oh my God, this smells so good.” Zach’s sincerity was undeniable. “It sure beats corn dogs at the fair.”
The change from dejected to excited gave Colton a small thrill. “Oh, I don’t know. Corn dogs are a food group all their own.”
Zach laughed, and Colton figured he’d done his good deed for the week. Now he just needed to figure out what the hell the actual deal was and how to help without seeming like a complete fool.