Chapter Five
A month of sleeping with Shadow every night in their new bed had Ridge relaxed in a way he hadn’t been ever.
When they had been together at the training center, they had been forced to hide their relationship.
Then they had broken up before their escape.
Now everything was exactly how he always wanted them to be.
He couldn’t wait to go to bed each night.
It was like they had their own cocoon they could disappear to.
Ridge was in love with life. He couldn’t wait for this job to end.
On his stomach on some random people’s roof, Ridge stared hard through his scope at the house next door.
This job was different from their usual style.
With the guys they were hired to kill working inside a private home, Ridge couldn’t see inside beyond through the camera of Rain’s and Shadow’s masks.
He didn’t like this. Thankfully, Scout stood outside the back door, waiting to be unleashed.
Scout wasn’t forced to intervene often. In fact, he didn’t even wear a mask.
His face was painted like a terrifying clown.
That was how rare it was for them to need him beyond scouting the area.
He would draw too much attention in a mask.
Now he stared into the house through the open door where Rain and Shadow had just made entry.
Ridge held his breath. He stared so hard at the dual camera screens, he thought might go cross-eyed.
Shouts were silenced almost as quickly as they came. Blood arced through the air, soaking everything. Then unexpected gunfire cut through the air. Ridge’s entire body went on alert.
“There are two guards we didn’t know about. I’m going in.” Scout disappeared inside the house. More gunfire cut through the night.
Ridge held his breath.
“Area clear. Shadow is down.”
Ridge had never been off a roof and then full speed running so quickly in his life.
He passed his high-power rifle to the first person he saw.
Ridge didn’t even slow long enough to see which team member took it from him.
He slipped as he flew through the door. There was so much blood.
It seemed like every surface was coated in the thick red substance.
He righted himself before he actually fell.
Seeing the aftermath in real life and not just through a camera made his stomach heave.
Since he never saw the carnage afterward, beyond video, Ridge hadn’t realized how horrid it was.
Shadow was on the floor in a pool of blood. Ridge had no clue if it was his or one of the eight victims scattered around him. Ridge skidded to a stop on his knees next to Shadow. He felt the rapidly chilling blood seep through his pants. Ridge didn’t give a damn.
“What happened?” Ridge frantically searched for wounds. He didn’t know why. Rain very obviously held pressure on Shadow’s neck.
“We didn’t expect to get shot.”
Ridge didn’t know if Rain realized he yelled. He got it, though. Ridge wanted to rage too. They should have known exactly how many men were inside.
Edge appeared over his shoulder. “We have to move. There’s no telling how many neighbors heard that gunfire. The police might already be on their way.”
“Is it safe to move him?” Ridge couldn’t think straight. Shadow stared at him, wearing an expression Ridge had never seen. It was like he tried to say goodbye, and Ridge couldn’t take it.
Their newest team member, Briggs, appeared.
“Either we move him or he dies here. Let’s go.
” Before Ridge could rub two thoughts together, Briggs had Shadow in his arms. Rain kept pace with him, keeping pressure on the wound.
Ridge had no idea how bad he was. He didn’t know if a bullet had torn through his neck or if an artery was nicked.
In the face of losing Shadow again, he was useless.
They were in the van and on their way in under a minute. It felt like a lifetime. Ridge held Shadow’s hand. Rain silently cried. Tracker called Rain’s husband as he drove. He was their physician slash live-in surgeon. They needed him to be ready, if Shadow made it that long.
Ridge couldn’t help it and didn’t care how many witnesses he had. He kissed Shadow and babbled.
“I love you, baby. Please be okay. You can’t leave me again. I might not survive it this time. Just please hang in there. Don’t go.”
He didn’t know if Shadow couldn’t talk or if he was too scared to.
Either way, Shadow never made a sound. The ride home felt like an eternity.
When they got there, everything flew, but still felt like it crawled.
Austen had a team ready to go and had Shadow on the table in no time.
His brothers kept squeezing his shoulder and placating him.
All Ridge could do was wait. He honestly wasn’t sure he could survive this.
The curves were tight. Zeus had never pushed his car as hard.
He didn’t even check how fast he drove. All Zeus knew was he had to get to Shadow.
Field’s words still rang in his ears. He had known Zeus would want to know.
At the end of the day, he cared about Shadow more than anyone understood.
There was nothing he could do. Shadow had the best care money could buy.
But Zeus had to be there to pace. If he died, Zeus had to be close enough to touch him.
Even he didn’t know why. Maybe it wouldn’t be real unless he was there.
Most everyone didn’t feel very real to him.
That was a byproduct of being brainwashed by the Russian government.
He had dragged himself out of that mess and redirected his rage into control.
Shadow was one of the very few people to crawl beneath his skin.
He had known Shadow came to him because he loved Ridge, and Zeus just happened to look a lot like him.
Zeus still wondered if he had given Shadow his all, if Shadow would have chosen him.
Zeus had been too scared to do that, so he had kept Shadow just angry enough with him to keep him from getting attached.
Yeah, he was an asshole. Everyone knew it.
Zeus didn’t know any other way to be. His tires squealed as he zipped into the driveway.
He barely had his car in park before he was off and running.
A night guard he had met a couple of times stopped him before he made it to the door. “Ridge might come unglued if he sees you here. He’s a man on the edge right now.”
Fuck. He hadn’t really considered that. “I can’t leave.” Zeus knew this guy didn't understand. He was connected to this family, even if it was from the shadows. He had to be here.
Clay squeezed his shoulder. “I didn’t say you had to leave. You can hang out. I’ll keep you posted. Ridge just can’t see you. He’s not holding up so well.”
Zeus nodded and paced. What had he thought coming here would accomplish? The back door opened and ruined Zeus’ plan to stay out of Ridge’s path. Ridge stepped outside. Their gazes met. Ridge looked like shit. He was covered in dried blood. He looked like a man ready to come apart at the seams.
“Tracker told me you’re here.”
Zeus nodded. His throat swelled. Ridge walked toward him and somehow Zeus knew exactly what to do. He opened his arms. Ridge walked into them. Zeus hugged him as tight as he could without crushing him.
“He’ll be okay. Shadow wouldn’t leave you.”
Ridge nodded. “He almost didn’t make it here. I don’t know what’ll happen.”
Zeus’ throat swelled. He couldn’t imagine a world without Shadow in it. “He fought too hard to get back to you. You won’t lose him.” Zeus had no idea if he was telling the truth.
Ridge took a step back. His eyes were red rimmed. “Thank you. I should probably get back inside. Are you coming?”
Zeus shook his head. “My nerves are too shot. I think I’ll just stay out here and pace. Clay will keep me updated, but you should definitely be in there, waiting for him.”
Ridge took a step back, nodding. “Thanks again for coming. If you change your mind, just come inside. I’m sure the rest of the guys would love to see you.”
“I will.” He wouldn’t. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he didn’t deserve to be there.
“Are you two twins? I swear I’ve never noticed before, but this is the first time I’ve seen you two this close together. Holy hell. You’re nearly identical.”
Zeus and Ridge shared a smile. Zeus answered on their behalf. “Maybe. There’s no way for us to know.”
Ridge squeezed his shoulder, bringing Zeus’ focus back to him. “See you soon.”
Zeus dipped his chin.
Ridge disappeared inside the house.
Zeus went back to pacing.
“He’s lucky to have you as a friend… or brother. Whatever you two are.”
Zeus snorted before he could stop himself. “No one deserves the plague that is me darkening their door.”
Clay’s hazel gaze followed him. “That’s not how it looked just now with Ridge.”
Because he was an absolute bastard who could have anyone he wanted, he snagged Clay’s waist and had him up against his car in an instant.
His mouth covered Clay’s. Just as Zeus predicted, Clay didn’t push him away.
He kissed him back. The kiss was—unfortunately—way hotter than he expected.
Clay had a talented tongue. Still, Zeus was merely making a point.
He pulled away and held Clay’s stare so the guy saw the truth in Zeus’ eyes. “That’s all I have to offer anyone, and everyone knows it.”
Clay looked unmoved—like the kiss had meant less than nothing to him. “Green Jolly Rancher?”
A smile exploded across Zeus’ face without warning. “Yeah.”
“I haven’t had one of those since I was a kid, and I still haven’t forgotten how they taste.”
“There’s a bag of them in the car, if you want one.”
It was the strangest conversation and exactly what Zeus needed.
When Shadow’s eyes opened, there was no confusion.
He remembered everything, especially the way Ridge had fallen apart.
Shadow knew the moment he was awake that he needed to get to Ridge.
He tried to assess his situation while fighting against the worst weakness and exhaustion he had ever experienced.
A bag of blood hung from an IV pole. He didn’t suppose he could lose that.
It took a second to realize he recognized the ceiling.
With a Herculean strength he didn’t really possess, Shadow gritted his teeth and rolled onto his side.
There was a surprising lack of pain. He guessed that meant the painkillers were good.
Either that or he was dead. If he was dead, he was in heaven.
Ridge slept at his side. He looked so peaceful.
Gorgeous. Breathtaking, really. That was something that had eaten at his gut when Shadow lost him.
To Shadow, there was no one sexier. It had been impossible for him to truly move on.
Whenever he looked around, Shadow only saw drab people who didn’t hold his interest. Ridge had kept his heart when he had walked away. It had nearly killed Shadow.
“Ridge.”
Ridge shot up—fully awake—when Shadow said his name. “What do you need? Are you okay? Are you in pain?”
God, Shadow loved him. “I’m surprisingly not in pain. Austen must’ve given me the good stuff. Is Rain okay?”
Ridge shook his head. “You scared the hell out of me and you’re still more worried about Rain than yourself.”
It was true he hadn’t asked about his injuries, but he was Rain’s shadow.
“He has a husband. I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if I had to watch Austen lose him while I lost a piece of myself.
When I saw that gun, I just moved, ensuring I was the one who took the hit.
Rain has to live. He’s owed the happy life he has now.
” Shadow heard how rough he sounded. His throat also kind of hurt the more he talked.
“What about our happy life?”
Ridge didn’t sound angry. It was hurt in his voice. “I knew you wouldn’t let me die.”
Ridge stared at him as if trying to decide if Shadow was only placating him. “You can’t do that shit to me. Okay?”
“Yeah.” He heard him, but they both knew Shadow wouldn’t stop protecting Rain. “I love you.”
Ridge leaned in and pressed his lips against Shadow’s. “I love you too. Tell me what you need.”
Shadow assessed himself. Ridge wouldn’t be happy unless he helped Shadow in some way. “My throat kind of hurts. Could I get some water?”
Ridge immediately climbed from the bed. He wore nothing except his underwear. Even half dead, Shadow couldn’t stop ogling him. Ridge helped him roll onto his back again. He stuffed a couple of pillows behind Shadow, making sure Shadow could drink without spilling his water.
“You’re so beautiful. I swear my eyes never want to focus on anything else.”
Ridge’s mouth lifted in one corner at the compliment. “You don’t have to flatter me. I’ve always been yours.”
Shadow waited until he had a few sips before responding. “It isn’t flattery. It’s the truth. You take my breath away.”
A chuckle rumbled from Ridge. “Maybe I should put some clothes on, then. You need every breath you take.”
Shadow tried to laugh. It threw him into a coughing fit that hurt like hell.
Ridge tried comforting him. “Austen worried about this. Apparently, quite a bit of blood ended up in your lungs.”
“Great.”
Ridge chuckled at the sarcasm, but worry still swam in his eyes. Shadow felt a little more guilty by the second. He would find a way to make sure this never happened again.
“Would you hold me? I really need to be held.”
Ridge didn’t hesitate to climb into bed with Shadow and curl himself around him.
A shiver ran through Shadow. His teeth unexpectedly chattered. “Damn. I’m freezing.”
“Austen said you would be weak and cold for a while, considering you lost nearly all your blood. He also imagined there would be a bit of shock.”
Shadow kissed the arm that held him. He felt the way Ridge trembled. “You don’t have to worry, sexy. I would never leave you.”
“Damn right. I won’t let you.”
Despite everything, Shadow smiled. He had lived. Shadow made a silent vow to savor every moment he got. He had never felt more grateful for the existence he had been given. Shadow would treasure it as long as they lived.