Page 16 of Deranged (Killers Inc. #3)

The place was oddly quiet, to have so many people sitting around the room.

In the new dance studio, they sat in a circle.

A pile of presents sat on the floor in the center.

They had a few additions today. Field had asked Clay, Briggs, and Fabrice to join them.

He had an ulterior motive with Briggs. Clay and Fabrice were there because he liked them, and he needed the support of some people who weren’t his brothers.

“What’s up with all the gifts? It’s not your birthday.”

It was true Field usually handed out gifts on his birthday so he wouldn’t be in anyone’s debt. This was likely the same, so he hadn’t come empty-handed. Plus, he didn’t feel like he had been showing his family the love they deserved lately. He had to fix losing his temper the other night.

“I’ve been feeling like you guys deserve more from me, so humor me, okay?”

Everyone nodded and mumbled their agreement. A lot of “whatever you need” was thrown around.

Field cleared his throat. Even to his ears, he sounded uncomfortable as hell.

Crisp cut in before he could speak. “You’re wearing a sleeveless shirt. I’ve never seen you do that before.”

Field looked down at himself. “Yeah. It’s Henry’s. I just grabbed the first thing I saw.”

Edge laughed. “I have to hand it to you. You said you’d make him yours. No one keeps their word the way you do.”

Field saw his opening and took it. “He asked me to marry him, and I said yes.”

Everyone brightened and said their congratulations. Several of his brothers jumped up for hugs. He wished he felt better, but he still had some shit to say. Field would give anything for this to just be a celebration.

“Thanks, guys.”

“Is that why you called this meeting?” Rain asked, looking like he hoped to help move things along. It was obvious Shadow had talked to him and filled him in. He had known Rain would support him.

Field cleared his throat again. “No. Well, partly, but no. Lately, it’s kind of felt like we’re falling apart.

” No one denied it. That pushed Field forward.

“A lot of things have changed lately and I’m not holding up well.

” Field stared over their heads as he spoke.

He couldn’t look anyone in the eye. “This last job, coupled with the way everyone is acting, nearly sent me over the edge. I had one of the worst episodes I’ve had in a long time.

Afterward, if Shadow hadn’t come after me, I wouldn’t be sitting here right now.

” Field’s gaze shot to where Clay and Fabrice sat.

“Please don’t tell Henry that. I don’t want to scare him.

” He knew his brothers wouldn’t be surprised.

Field hadn’t thought about the rest of the guys being there.

“We don’t talk,” Clay and Fabrice said at the same time, proving how much Henry wasn’t part of the household beyond Beau and Mickey.

Field nodded. He got back to the reason they were there.

“Anyhow, I realized something afterward. Something has to give. First off, you guys can’t fucking leave me.

How very fucking dare any of you even think it?

” He heard the pleading and hurt and couldn’t stop it.

“You know we’re dead if we split. If you’re that upset about something, talk to me.

I’ve always tried my best to be there for everyone.

” He focused on Edge. “I’ve always loved everyone in this family.

If I’m failing you, say it.” His outrage died a swift death.

“I’m really about to fail you. This is Briggs. ”

Every eye turned Briggs’ way.

Briggs didn’t look uncomfortable even with his legs still heavily bandaged from surgery.

Ridge spoke first. “Isn’t that the guy who tried to kill you?”

Field shrugged. “He was only protecting himself. Any one of us would’ve done the same in his position.”

Shadow flashed Briggs a welcoming smile. “Sorry about the legs.”

Briggs looked at Shadow with open shock. “That was you?”

Two knives appeared in Shadow’s hands so quickly, no one could’ve possibly seen where they came from. He spun them and they disappeared. Then Shadow went back to smiling and posing like the pretty, pretty princess he was.

Field tried to keep the conversation moving along. “Briggs was raised and trained by the society.”

That had everyone’s attention. The society was an academy of assassins.

Academy was a very loose term they used for themselves, making the literal nightmarish torture of children sound okay.

Societies made the government-led program they survived look like summer camp.

There was zero oversight. The children were dirty, starved, beaten, and forced to kill each other for food.

It was hell. Briggs seemed nice, though.

They had spent several hours talking that morning before Field had called everyone together.

Field felt like this was the best decision he could make for everyone.

“If I’m going to make it, I have to step back from the team.

Not you or the family, just the work. Briggs is highly trained and could easily take my place.

He’s agreed, if all of you are good with it, to stay here and do whatever is needed.

” Field tried for a smile. “He’s a really great guy.

I hope you’ll give him a chance. For me. I try not to ask for much. I’m just—”

Ridge cut in. “No, man. Don’t keep explaining.

You’re right. I know I’ve been part of the problem.

Honestly, I never wanted to move here, but Clay showed me some pretty cool training areas that have kept me busy, and goddamn.

You’re the one who holds us together. If it weren’t for you, none of us would be here to have this discussion.

You’re the reason we’re alive today. If you need anything, I’m in.

” His gaze swung Briggs’ way for half a second.

“Nice to meet you, man. I’m sure you’ll fit in just fine, but we’ll talk.

” He went back to focusing on Field. “I know you think we don’t see the way you spend every day trying to make us smile and make our lives brighter, even when it’s costing you everything to even stay upright.

We notice that shit. If this is what you need, then okay. ”

Everyone nodded along. Something warm tickled Field’s face, and he realized he was crying. He swiped at his cheeks and sniffed.

“I’m sorry I’m not cut out for it, but I’m destroying myself and hurting Henry. Can we please just open these fucking gifts and be a family again? All this tension is crushing my chest.”

Shadow popped to his feet. “Why don’t I hand out the presents and you relax?”

Field nodded and swiped at his cheeks again.

He watched Briggs, Clay, and Fabrice brighten like kids when they realized they were included in receiving gifts.

A weight slowly lifted from his chest as everyone laughed over the ridiculous things he had bought them.

Field loved these people. They had kept him going more times than he could count.

He needed their happiness because sometimes he had none.

Mickey stood and handed him a wrapped gift. “I had to rush this, since I didn’t have much warning.”

Field laughed as he accepted the gift. “You shouldn’t have. I just needed to see all of you smile again.”

Mickey looked way too excited. “Just open the damn gift.”

Field ripped open the paper. A bark of laughter burst from him. There were two T-shirts inside. One with his picture on it and one with Henry’s face plastered on it. “Let Henry know the one with your face is his, and please, please, make sure he knows it’s from me.” Mickey sounded downright evil.

Field swiped at his eyes for a different reason. He couldn’t stop laughing, picturing Henry’s face when he saw Mickey’s gift. His brothers would come through for him. They always did.

The only sound in the room was Beau tapping keys on his laptop. Henry stared at the wall above Beau’s head. Silence between them was never uncomfortable. Today, he simply floated in his thoughts.

“You’re being extra brooding today. Does that have anything to do with the bruises on your face?”

A smile snapped to Henry’s lips. “Nah, I was just lost in my head. That’s not always a bad thing. The bruises are no big deal.”

Beau’s ice blue stare latched on to him. “Is everything okay between Field and you? Mickey took Kylo to the dance studio for some meeting Field called.”

Henry nodded. It felt like an absent movement. “He’s bought them all gifts.”

“Oh, Kylo will enjoy that.”

Henry nodded again. “He asked Kylo to join because he wants him there. With the guys, he’s breaking the news that he’ll be stepping back from working.”

Beau’s unreadable expression never changed. “Good. He’s tired.”

A wry smile touched Henry’s lips. Beau truly was the most observant person he had ever met. “He’s also telling them we’re getting married.”

Beau sat back. “Well. I never thought I’d see that day.”

“You won’t be. We’re just going to do the justice of the peace thing or whatever. The stress of a big wedding is too much for him. He had another huge episode. That’s how I ended up with the broken nose and black eyes.”

“Should I be worried?”

That was dumb. Field would never intentionally hurt Henry. “You should’ve seen his face when he realized he hurt me. He was devastated. I can’t risk the stress of a wedding sending him spiraling.”

“Nonsense. You’ll get married here.”

Henry bit back a sigh. Beau could be trying at times. “He genuinely can’t do this right now.”

Beau went back to clicking around. “It’s final.

” Beau’s gaze locked on him. “Don’t worry.

You two can just show up. Zero work on either of your parts.

It’ll be even less stress than driving to the courthouse.

Just walk out back and say your I dos. But you’re not screwing his entire family and yours—i.e.

me—out of getting to celebrate the two of you. ”

He wanted to growl. “We’d really hoped to go today.”

Beau shrugged. “Then that’s what we’ll do. You know I can afford to move mountains.”

“We.” Henry had money. There was no reason for Beau to foot the bill.

The look Beau shot him could have frozen water.

“This is my gift to you. That and two weeks of not seeing your face so you can enjoy your new husband. That should also give him time to recover from doing that—” He motioned to Henry’s face, as if Henry didn’t know what he meant.

“—to your face. He strikes me as the type to sulk and suffer like a kicked puppy.”

Henry laughed and shook his head. He had to admit, he kind of wanted to have a wedding. Henry just hadn’t wanted to put anything on Field’s shoulders that might end in the stress sending him into an episode. No wedding was worth that.

“I love you.”

Beau smiled. His eyes danced with laughter. “I know. The feeling is mutual.” He dug out his phone. “Go find your man. I have a fuck ton of shit to do if I plan to pull a wedding together in a couple of hours.”

Henry stood. “You don’t need to tell me twice.”

Beau’s laughter followed him out the door.

Henry had no idea how long Field would be at the dance studio.

He imagined he still had some time. Henry called together a dozen men from the security team and had Field’s room emptied in under an hour.

An hour and a half after they got started, all his things were moved to Henry’s place.

Henry was still working on hanging clothes in the closet when Field got home.

“Hey, sexy. You moved everything without waiting for me to help.”

Henry turned. As always, his heart skipped a beat at just the sight of Field. “You look damn sexy in my shirt.”

Field’s smile grew. It looked mischievous. “Speaking of shirts. Mickey wanted me to make sure you understood this is from him.” He passed a folded t-shirt Henry’s way.

Curious, Henry reached for the shirt. A smile exploded across his face as he unfolded it to see Field’s face wearing his goofiest of smiles. “I love it.”

Field held up a second shirt. “Look. I’ve got one too.”

Field’s smile was bright and had Henry ready to do anything. “We should wear them tonight to the wedding?”

“There’s a wedding tonight?” Field’s adorable confusion made Henry glad he hadn’t fought Beau on this.

“Yeah. Ours. Beau is handling everything. It’s his gift to us. He says all we have to do is show up and say our vows.”

Field blinked. “Wow. That’s nice of him.”

Henry tossed the T-shirt on the bed and snagged Field’s waist. He hauled him close. “I’m ready. I hope he moves fast.”

“Mhmm. I don’t. I just got you alone.”

Henry’s face hurt from smiling. “You had me alone a few hours ago.”

“So? It takes a lot of time to meet my daily quota of cuddles. I’m a needy little bitch. You know this.”

Henry worked Field’s shirt up his torso. “You need to change. I want to see my face on your body.”

While giggling like a naughty kid, Field eagerly donned the shirt Mickey had given him.

Henry took a step back and eyed the results. “Very nice.” It was tight, stretching deliciously across Field’s wide chest and protesting against his massive arms. “Now take it off so I can cuddle you properly.”

“I need my shirt off to cuddle?”

“Of course. Nipple licking is a little difficult otherwise. Well, maybe not hard as much as not as enjoyable. Plus, you don’t want your shirt wet later.”

“You’re so weird. I love it.” He scrambled from the shirt.

Henry didn’t hesitate to swoop in and lick Field’s nipple.

Once he started, he couldn’t stop himself from moving on to the scar just above his nipple and then the one below it.

Before long, Field’s panting filled his ears while Henry worshipped every inch of the man who would be his husband in a few short hours.

He planned to torture Field just like this until someone told them it was time to see what Beau had put together.

Despite thoroughly enjoying himself, time couldn’t move quickly enough to suit his heart.

Henry couldn’t relax until Field was officially his.

They had to get started on forever. Nothing less would do.

Keep an eye out for the next Killers Inc., Trapped.