Chapter Nine #2
He wasn’t the least bit surprised when Field hugged him last and tighter than anyone else.
He spoke quietly against Tracker’s ear, keeping his words between them.
“You’re not losing anyone. You’re gaining a husband.
Trust me, that’s someone you need more than you need us.
Let him save you the way Henry saved me. ”
Tracker’s eyes filled with tears. He felt like an overwhelmed kid. “Thank you. I know you get it.”
When Field pulled away, Tracker wiped his eyes and sniffed. “You have two of my security screens out of order.”
The laughter that filled the room also filled his chest. His gaze slid Zeus’ way. In his heart, he had known they were so much more than they ever pretended to be. The endless love he felt had always been meant to lead him right here. If this turned out to be a dream, then he hoped he never woke.
Zeus had known exactly how Tracker would react to his proposal.
That was why he had done everything in his power to get Tracker’s family to help him.
If everyone didn’t reassure him at the same time, Tracker would overthink the situation.
He needed all of his brothers to support him.
Tracker was too used to being the man in the background who watched over them, expecting nothing in return.
His mind undermined him when it came to love.
But he was the reason Zeus woke up every morning and the place he wanted to fall asleep each night.
He had felt Tracker hesitating a little more each night when it came to staying with him.
It had become more than obvious Tracker felt torn between where he wanted to be and where he thought he was expected to be.
Meanwhile, Zeus needed to know Tracker would always sleep next to him.
He had approached Beau first. This hadn’t been an overnight miracle.
It had taken him over a week to speak with everyone privately.
But Beau had been the real test, since Zeus hadn’t known how to get his way with that one.
Beau might have done anything. Instead, he had simply been resigned.
That didn’t mean Zeus didn’t have to negotiate.
They would have to spend some time in Hawaii each year, but Zeus had been considering cutting back on his role at the club, so that was no big deal.
While he would always need the outlet Affinity offered, he had other ways to assuage his programming.
Just the thought of how many ways Tracker fulfilled him had Zeus damn grateful when everyone finally left.
Tracker rearranged his screens for the fifth time.
Zeus crowded his space, molding against him.
He ran his hand down Tracker’s arm and brought Tracker’s hand to his mouth.
Zeus kissed the ring on Tracker’s hand. As much as he believed in them, Zeus had to admit there had been a small part of him that had expected Tracker to turn him down.
That would have been embarrassing in front of the family, but the reward had been worth the risk.
“You look really sexy in this ring. You should strip and let me see you in this and nothing else.” He ran his tongue along the line of the platinum piece. Zeus heard Tracker take a shaky breath.
“It is a gorgeous ring. I love it.”
“I love you.” Zeus kept trying to seduce Tracker. “It was hard as hell to leave you behind this morning. You looked so cozy and snuggly. I wanted to kiss you awake.” He kissed Tracker’s neck.
“Instead, you set up an elaborate plan to propose.” Tracker sounded breathless as hell.
“Yeah, so totally worth missing one morning. You have no idea how happy I am knowing I’ll wake up next to you for the rest of my life. Maybe one day, I won’t be so greedy in the mornings, but it’s you, so I doubt it.”
Zeus ran his hand from Tracker’s chest to his zipper. He slid Tracker’s zipper down before undoing the button. Tracker’s breath hitched, and he didn’t stop Zeus. Arousal had him hyper focused.
Tracker leaned into his touch. “I have a confession.”
Zeus was equal parts curious and impatient. He knew what it was like to have Tracker inside him, and he was an addict. “I’m listening.”
“Since you’re already there, reach into my pocket.”
Zeus shoved his hand into Tracker’s left pocket. It was empty. He tried the right. As his fingers collided with what felt like warm metal, he stopped breathing. He pulled the ring from Tracker’s pants. It was definitely a wedding band.
Tracker did an uncomfortable-sounding throat clearing.
“I’m sure you don’t remember, but this is the date we met.
So I kind of thought it would be a great day to ask you to marry me.
” Tracker cleared his throat again. “Admittedly, I probably would’ve chickened out.
Especially since I chose this date as my for real day to ask since I’ve already lost my nerve twice. ”
Tracker sounded so nervous and uncomfortable that it hurt Zeus’ chest. “What did you think would happen if you asked?”
A small chuckle fell from Tracker’s lips. “I don’t know. Maybe if you said no, my self-esteem would never recover. I don’t know,” he repeated. “Maybe it would’ve killed something inside me.”
Zeus gently turned Tracker in his arms. He wanted Tracker to watch him put the ring on his left hand.
Zeus never broke eye contact. “I would’ve married you years ago if you’d given me the slightest hope.
You’re everything.” Tracker looked like he might cry.
It had been a long time since he had seen Tracker struggle with his confidence like this.
“In fact, let’s go right now.” His erection was forgotten. This was way more important.
A wry smile passed over Tracker’s mouth. “Our family would hate that.”
Zeus shrugged. “We can do a ceremony later, or something. I want a big celebration. It’s important to me for everyone to see you’re mine. But I can’t let you sit with doubt, and—truthfully—I don’t want to wait. The thought of you as my husband fills my whole chest with pride. I want that.”
“Me too.”
Their smiles grew as they recognized at the same time they had just agreed to get married today.
“I’ll be a Lion by the end of the day.”
Tracker’s words solidified something huge inside Zeus. He hadn’t realized how badly he wanted Tracker to carry the last name he had chosen for himself until Tracker said the words. “You’re okay with that?”
Tracker smiled. “Of course. Tracker Lion is a great name.”
Their smiles were equally huge. “It really is.”
Tracker shuffled closer. “When we get back, I can turn you over my knee.”
Shivers of anticipation ran down Zeus’ spine. “Sounds like an amazing way to spend our first day married, Mr. Lion.”
For a moment, they simply held each other’s stare.
They had come so far in life to find a dream existence they never imagined.
A beautiful fairytale they had been taught not only didn’t exist for them but also was only for the weak.
Zeus had never felt stronger in his life.
He already knew—with Tracker at his side—he would never feel anything less than perfect again.
Keep an eye out for the next Killers Inc., Watcher.