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“Why, ‘cause we fucked?” Ze studied him, wanting to see if there was truth in his words.

Colton knocked Ze’s hand away from his chin. “I’m not a fucking hormonal teen with some high school crush just because we fucked.”

“Then what is it?” Ze wanted to know why the man who’d nearly killed him twice was all of a sudden trying to save his life.

“Because I fucking want you!” Colton snapped, then released an exasperated sigh. “I think I wanted you from the moment you dodged my first bullet. I was impressed with you then.”

Ze fell back against the cabinet and laughed. “I saw a rat.”

Colton jerked and looked around. “Where?”

Ze’s laughter grew stronger and he shook his head. “Not here… back at the motel. A fucking rat scared the shit out of me and I jumped just as you took your shot.”

Colton stared at him for a second, letting it all register, then he burst into laughter. “Are you fucking kidding me? A rat saved your life?”

Ze nodded, still laughing, his hand going to his stomach.

“Jesus,” Colton said, then let his laughter die down as his expression grew serious. “They’re coming for you… now for us.”

Ze stopped laughing and nodded. “I’ve never been in this situation before. But this won’t end even if we take out this other assassin and you manage to call off your brother. As long as your client wants me dead, my life will always be in danger.”

“Let me deal with him.”

Ze shook his head. “No, I won’t have you taking out my enemies. The man wants me dead; he can try to do it himself.”

“You plan on facing off with him?”

Ze nodded. “If I live through what’s coming and you tell me who it is.”

Colton slammed his head against the cabinet. “I can’t believe I’m even doing this. I’ve been in this business pretty much my entire life and not once have I ever failed to finish a job. And never have I given up a client.”

“And then you met me,” Ze said. “If you’re serious… about us.”

“And are you serious about us?” Colton looked at him carefully, searching for any tales of dishonesty.

“I’ve never met a man who makes me feel what you make me feel, Colton. When we fucked that night, there was a connection between us and I didn’t even want to kill you anymore. But I knew I might have to because I was your target. The thought pissed me off and made me sad because would I ever find another man like you?”

Colton smiled. “Listen, we’re going to get through this, because there is no fucking way I’m giving you up.” He leaned forward, kissing Ze again, then sat back and pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He dialed his brother and kept it on speaker for transparency. He needed Ze to trust that what he was telling him was the truth. If they were going to try to make this work, there could be no secrets between them.

“Is the job done?” his brother asked in theirBridger Code, his voice deep and smooth as usual.

“No,” Colton said, speaking their language.

“I knew you couldn’t do it.”

“Listen–” Colton was cut off by the sound of glass shattering and a bullet whizzing past him and striking Ze in his arm.

“Ahh fuck!” Ze cried out. He dropped low but another bullet came through the living room curtain, leaving another hole and striking the floor beside Ze’s head.

“Stop!” Colton yelled, then he threw himself in front of Ze right into his brother’s trajectory.

“Move, brother!” Nathan said, his voice still coming through the speaker.

“No! Damn it, listen to me, Nate,” Colton yelled.

“How much does he fucking know about us?” Nate asked.

“Enough. Don’t kill him.”