Chapter Seven #3
Zeus chose a gate he didn’t normally use.
He hoped Tracker had only had time to tell the guards closest to his place.
Zeus held his breath. No one stopped him.
Still, Zeus found a semi-hidden spot to park and walked the rest of the way.
As he approached Tracker’s place, he spotted Shadow storming his way toward Tracker’s door.
Zeus dipped out of sight. He wished he hadn’t texted Shadow since he hadn’t let Shadow know exactly how wrong he had been.
Still, something inside him told him to wait.
He moved to the closest window so he could hear exactly how bad things were.
“We need to talk about Zeus.”
Tracker groaned. “Please don’t. I don’t have this in me today.”
He heard a chair being dragged across the floor. “Nope. We’re doing this. Why in the hell were you having coffee with another man?”
Silence met the question. He practically felt Tracker’s confusion. “Uh. He was there at the same time as me and sat down. What the hell does that have to do with Zeus?”
Zeus covered his eyes, reminding himself his eye was practically swollen shut. Things really were as bad as he feared.
It was Shadow’s turn to sound baffled. “So you weren’t on a date with someone else?”
This time, there was no hesitation. “What? No, and what if I was? Zeus obviously only saw me as a friend anyhow.” His voice changed. “At least, I thought that’s what we were.”
“Babe, are you being serious?” Shadow didn’t wait for Tracker to respond. “You do realize you’re in a relationship with Zeus, right? Like an exclusive, no coffee dates with other men, full-blown relationship.”
“What?” Damn. Tracker’s voice sounded dead.
Shadow groaned. “Oh, sweetie. How did you not know you were in a relationship? Zeus is stupidly in love with you.”
Zeus had heard enough. He had to fix what he had broken. Giving up on hiding, he headed straight for the door and let himself in. Tracker and Shadow both jumped at his appearance. He wanted to cry at how dead and red Tracker’s eyes were.
“Holy fucking shit, Zeus. What happened to you?”
Zeus ignored Shadow’s question. He couldn’t look away from Tracker. “Leave.” Zeus heard the bite in his tone. His gaze jumped to Shadow for a second. “Please.”
Shadow stood. “All right. I’m around if either of you needs me.” He let himself out.
Zeus could barely blink as he stared at Tracker. This one person really made him crazy. Zeus had never been jealous, not one time in his entire life. It turned out that emotion truly did look ugly on everyone equally. “Hey.”
Tracker’s gaze skirted away. “Hey.”
Zeus didn’t even know where to begin. He just said the first thing that came to mind. “I love you.”
Tracker’s eyes moved back to hold his stare.
Zeus kept going. “I’m in love with you.”
Tracker’s lifeless expression never budged.
The fear returned full force. “It occurred to me I’ve never made that distinction clear with you.”
Tracker sniffed. “Okay.”
Reality landed hard on Zeus. That was always Tracker’s response.
He only accepted things said to him directly.
Tracker didn’t know how to play games. He needed things to be completely straightforward.
Mostly because he was oblivious as fuck, but also because he knew absolutely nothing about people or relationships.
Zeus sat in the chair Shadow abandoned. “You’re my best friend. I know you better than anyone else. So, I should’ve used my words rather than assuming we were on the same page. I thought you were in love with me too. Of course, that’s obviously just part of my narcissistic tendencies.”
“You’re not narcissistic. Also, I am in love with you. You didn’t read that wrong.”
“Maybe, but I didn’t say this is real. We’re together. I don’t want you to touch anyone else, and I don’t want to ever be with anyone other than you.”
“Okay.”
Zeus smiled. It hurt like hell. He tasted blood. Damn. Atticus had really done a number on him. “I feel like a total ass. When I walked into that coffee shop, you were sitting there with Atticus and—”
“You know his name is Atticus?”
Zeus made a dismissive gesture. “Yes. People have to apply with their real identities. While they can choose a different name for everyone else and to play, I won’t let anyone in under an alias. Plus, they have to pay their dues and whatnot.”
Tracker nodded. “That makes sense. Sorry to interrupt.”
Zeus fought not to laugh. Tracker had no idea how unique he was.
Zeus shook his head. “Anyhow, I saw red when I saw you with someone else, especially someone I know to be extremely sexual and ruthless.” His shoulders fell.
“It was so dumb. I know you. You’re incapable of being deceitful.
I honestly don’t know what happened. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.
Sometimes I don’t know what to do with that.
You’re wholly unique to me. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.
All I know is I want to spend the rest of my life with you. ”
Tracker’s lips parted in surprise.
Truth be told, he was a little shocked too. While his claim was true, Zeus couldn’t believe he had said it. He never thought those words would pass his lips.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. Atticus saw me and asked to sit with me. I don’t like being rude.”
A snort that hurt burst from him. “You literally develop whole intricate plans for your team to take out targets.” Zeus shook his head. “But I’m not surprised you didn’t want to be rude.”
Tracker’s gaze slid away. He cleared his throat. His discomfort was a tangible thing. “But Atticus is my friend. We’ve been chatting online for two years. I just didn’t know it was him.”
Zeus nodded along, holding his tongue because none of this was Tracker’s fault.
That was too huge of a coincidence to be real.
Still, it was Tracker. He took everything at face value.
“I trust you. You’re allowed to have friends.
I didn’t mean to make you feel otherwise.
You didn’t deserve that. I’m the problem.
Not you. This is the first time I’ve ever been in love or felt insecure.
You’re my Achilles heel. You could really break my heart. ”
A sweet smile appeared and lingered on Tracker’s lips. He turned shy. Tracker was back to avoiding Zeus’ gaze. “You make me believe things no one else could.” His smile vanished. “That’s why you hurt me so much.”
God, he heard the pain. He could never be sorry enough. Zeus took Tracker’s hand. “Next time, you can be the one who kicks my ass to get me to listen.”
“Next time?”
Zeus rushed to clarify. “There won't be a next time, so no need for violence.”
Tracker eyed him. “Who kicked your ass this time?”
“Atticus. He also beat the shit out of Foster for getting in his way.”
“What?” He looked around frantically as if searching for something to hold him to reality.
Zeus stroked his hand down Tracker’s arm, soothing him. “It’s fine. I had it coming. Foster maybe not so much. But Atticus really isn’t someone you want to step in front of when he’s angry. His sessions have a purpose. Everyone’s does.”
Tracker blinked, looking frozen. “I don’t even know what’s happening anymore. What is happening?”
Despite everything, Zeus couldn’t help but smile.
“Well, you’re mine and I’m yours. Atticus is your friend, and I hurt you.
Foster had no idea what was happening and stepped between us.
Everything was a huge misunderstanding, and I’m so fucking happy to be holding your hand right now.
But I could also use an ice pack, if you have one? ”
Tracker stood and pulled Zeus to his feet. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Like a love-struck puppy, Zeus let himself be dragged along. When they reached the kitchen, Tracker turned on the water and then grabbed an ice pack from the freezer. Zeus watched as Tracker wet some paper towels. He stood still while Tracker gently cleaned his face.
“Let me have this shirt.”
Zeus dutifully lifted his arms so Tracker could have his shirt. “Jesus. He got your ribs too. I’ll toss this in the washer for you.”
Zeus snagged Tracker’s waist before he got away. He stared into Tracker’s eyes and willed him not to look away. “I love you.” He needed to have this moment that wasn’t about misunderstandings or anything other than the reason Zeus was there.
“I love you too.”
His heart was in his arms. “I really want to kiss you, but I don’t want to bleed in your mouth.”
A huge grin split Tracker’s face. “It sounds like you’ll need to whip Atticus harder next time.”
Zeus had mixed feelings on that one. “I doubt he’ll schedule with me again. This ass-whooping flipped the power dynamic. He won’t see me as in charge anymore.”
Tracker melted a little in his arms. “I’m sorry about all of this. Not only did you get hurt, but you’ll likely lose money.”
Zeus shook his head. “I don’t give a fuck about any of that.
You and I both know what we came from and how much worse pain can be.
These cuts and bruises are nothing. Losing you, though.
I thought that might kill me. Don’t let me be dumb again.
I feel like such an ass, and my chest hurts just thinking about hurting you.
” The more Zeus spoke, the worse he felt.
Tracker deserved so much better than him.
“Tell me how to take it back.” Even Zeus heard how broken he sounded.
Tracker swiped his lips across the undamaged corner of Zeus’ mouth. “I don’t want to take it back. An afternoon of pain to have this? You’re worth it.”
That wasn’t true in the least, but Zeus had no plans to correct him. He loved the fact that Tracker saw him in a way no one else did. “Take me to bed. I want to hold you.”
Tracker dropped the shirt. “Okay.” He took Zeus’ hand and made his way to the bedroom.
The moment they were near the bed, Zeus pulled him to a stop and stole his shirt. Nothing felt better than Tracker’s bare skin against his. That had nothing to do with sex. He felt a connection no one made him feel. “You’re a blessing I don’t deserve.”
“Then you should definitely hold me.”
Zeus toed off his shoes and climbed into bed. When Tracker joined him, he pulled Tracker closer, tucking him against him. They fit together perfectly. He couldn’t stop himself from placing light kisses every place he could reach. Zeus planned to spend the rest of his life just like this.