Page 2 of Deranged (Killers Inc. #3)

Roaming the halls at night had always been Henry’s thing.

He had never had much luck sleeping. Maybe he just didn’t feel safe enough to sleep until he had checked things a million times before heading home.

It was possible some people just weren’t meant to get any rest until they were dead.

Who knew? He had given up trying to figure it out a long time ago.

Henry made his final rounds of the property.

There was something in the air tonight that left him feeling uneasy.

Likely, it was just the wedding and having so many guests and the security nightmare that went along with that.

Either way, the property was on lockdown, and everyone was at their posts.

Tracker had made the place a hell of a lot safer with all his high-tech gadgets.

There was just something crawling up his spine and making the hair stand on the back of his neck.

It was like the air held its breath. When Henry hit the stairs to make his final rounds of the upper floors, he heard it.

Screams, shouting, and banging poured from an upstairs bedroom.

Henry ran at full pace with his gun drawn.

All the bedroom doors were open. Shadow and Ridge stood outside Field’s bedroom looking in.

Thankfully, Henry was tall enough to see over Shadow’s head.

Field was in full meltdown mode. Henry watched in horror.

In nothing but pajama pants, Mickey held Field against him with Field’s back against his chest and the guy’s arms pinned to his sides.

Field fought like a madman to get away. Henry saw the rabid animal in Field’s every line while Edge tried shouting over the wild noises he made.

Mickey spoke quietly against Field’s ear, making calming noises and begging Field to calm down. Only the fact that Mickey matched Field in size and muscle saved everyone from being torn to shreds. No one seemed to even notice Henry.

“It’s time to call Zeus.” Shadow sounded so brokenhearted as he made the claim.

Ridge nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

Tracker appeared from nowhere. “Already done. He’s on his way.”

Everyone stood by in helpless horror. The breakdown lasted so long, Henry thought about knocking him out. He knew Mickey had to be exhausted and Henry wasn’t sure how much longer Mickey’s strength would hold out. Then Field just went limp.

Shadow urged Tracker and Ridge down the hall. “Let’s go. Give him room to breathe.”

Henry couldn’t do that. Field was a threat. He was completely ready to shoot the man dead if he hurt Mickey.

Mickey looked totally calm. He stroked Field’s hair. “It’s okay. Just take a breath. I’m right here with you. You’re okay.”

“Who did I hurt?”

The deadness to Field’s voice punched Henry in the chest. He couldn’t explain it. There was just something familiar and painful about it.

“No one. Everyone is good. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Zeus is here.”

Shadow said the words stoically—like announcing the arrival of a doctor. “Clay is escorting him up.”

Henry’s hackles rose a hair. He was head of all things security. They couldn’t bring strangers into the house like this.

A blond guy in a black leather jacket appeared at the top of the stairs with Clay.

He walked like a man people obeyed. With his shoulders back and his head held high, he exuded power.

The confidence oozed from him. He breezed past Henry.

His eyes didn’t so much as flicker in Henry’s direction.

The moment he stepped inside Field’s bedroom, everyone else filed out. Zeus closed the door.

Mickey caught his gaze. “I’ve got everything under control.”

“You always do, but this is your wedding night. Go back to bed. I’ll stand guard.”

Mickey visibly hesitated. Henry didn’t know what Mickey wanted to say, and he would never find out. He gave Henry a small nod and shut himself inside his room with Edge.

Henry leaned against the wall across from Field’s door and stared at the wood separating him from whatever went on inside.

There was a stranger in the house. Henry didn’t like the looks of him.

He smelled danger. Then he heard it—the very distinct sound of someone being whipped.

No cries followed. The sound continued, with only the occasional mumbled voices in between.

Henry flinched with each blow. It went on forever.

Henry didn’t even realize how hard his fists were clenched from fighting the urge to kick down the door.

Then it opened and Henry died a little inside.

Blood poured from several open wounds across Field’s upper torso.

But the cuts had nothing on the scars that littered Field’s body.

Henry realized he had never seen Field in anything other than long-sleeve shirts.

Bare-chested, he was a roadmap of abuse.

Zeus stepped from the room, looking completely unruffled.

Field closed the door behind him, but not before his gaze met Henry’s for a moment. Field was dead inside and Henry couldn’t unsee it. The moment passed and Henry was left alone with Field’s visitor.

Zeus didn’t meet his stare immediately. He worked to remove the wrapper from a Jolly Rancher.

The guy was raw sex and temptation. He was an Adonis carved from marble, and he knew it.

The arrogance practically seeped from his pores.

He knew Henry watched his every move and got off on knowing he had a captive audience.

Henry wasn’t interested. He was just fascinated for some reason even he couldn’t explain.

Finally, Zeus’ chin lifted. His light gray gaze slid down Henry’s body. Henry felt like the guy stroked him with a single glance. Zeus popped the candy in his mouth and a wicked smile touched his lips.

“Hey.”

Henry didn’t get a chance to respond.

Shadow’s bedroom door opened. “Is it okay if we talk for a minute, Zeus?”

At Shadow’s shaky-sounding question, Zeus’ eyes never wavered from Henry. “Anything for you, beautiful.” With another sweep of Zeus’ gaze down his body, Zeus headed Shadow’s way.

Henry watched as the guy softened. He spoke too quietly for Henry to hear before kissing Shadow’s forehead.

He motioned inside the room, and Shadow took a step back, allowing him inside.

The door closed behind the pair and the spell was broken, setting Henry free.

For longer than he cared to admit, Henry didn’t move.

He stared at Field’s closed bedroom door, seeing nothing.

From the first time he met Field, Henry knew the guy was a mess.

This was much bigger than that. Henry had to keep an eye on this.

He had a bad feeling Beau had made a mistake letting these people into their home.

Henry would be damned if they went down with these guys’ sinking ship.

With his back against the corner, Field watched the door.

His eyelids were heavy, and his head kept bobbing as sleep tried to win.

He couldn’t let the darkness take him. Field had to keep watch.

Sometimes, he forgot what was real. Maybe they would come for him tonight.

He couldn’t risk this being a dream. Only the sting of his fresh wounds kept him grounded.

This was reality. He lived in the U.S. now.

In California. With his brothers. They were safe.

The light from the moon shining through his bedroom window caught his attention.

He could see the stars. The sight had him transfixed.

He knew where he was. The stars never lied.

Air filled his lungs. His mind cleared. He was in the U.S.

now. In California. With his brothers. Another breath brought oxygen to his brain.

Fuck. He had ruined Mickey and Edge’s wedding night.

The back of his head hit the wall. Mickey had been so good to him since he came into their lives.

All Field did was break things. He had no idea how long he sat there, but he knew enough time had passed to make it too late to apologize. Mickey was probably fast asleep.

A soft and unsure sounding knock landed on the door. Field had conditioned himself to recognize every tiny sound that came in the night. He would know Shadow’s knock anywhere.

“You can come in.”

The door peeked open, and Shadow poked his head through the crack. “Are you sure? I don’t want to bother you.”

Shadow was so beautiful. Dark hair and light blue eyes. Tiny frame. He was elegant and everything Field could never be. Field wished Shadow would forget he existed. He was ugly and scarred and just fucked up. None of his family deserved him as their burden.

“You never bother me.”

Shadow slipped inside the room and closed the door behind him. “Is it okay if I sleep in here with you?” He twisted his fingers, looking unsure.

Field eyed him, wondering if this was an act of pity or if Shadow was every bit as afraid as him. Either way, Field wouldn’t turn him away. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t try to talk some sense into him.

“Are you sure? Even I’m not sure if I’m me again yet.”

Shadow nodded. “I’m not scared of you hurting me. You know how it is. I’m scared of me.”

At the confession, Field pushed himself from the floor. Nothing Shadow could have said could have gotten through to him more. They were all a bigger danger to themselves than anyone, and that was terrifying, considering how deadly they were. He would keep Shadow safe.

Shadow climbed into bed, and Field followed. He tugged Shadow into his arms and held on. The way Shadow shook wasn’t an act.

“I’m probably getting blood all over you.”

Shadow chuckled against the crook of his neck. “I don’t care. Being covered in blood is my natural state at this point.”

Silence filled the room.

Neither of them slept.

“Henry saw me.”

He felt Shadow take a deep breath. “I think Henry sees everything. It was inevitable.”

He knew Shadow was right, but it still hurt his chest. Field really enjoyed flirting with Henry and pretending to be a carefree fool. He supposed it had been unavoidable for that illusion to get shattered. That didn’t make the loss hurt any less.

“Field?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you.”

Field’s throat swelled. “I love you too.”

Shadow nodded. “Don’t leave me, okay?”

The whisper broke him, and the first tear fell. “Okay.” They’d had this conversation a thousand times. One of these days, his answer would be a lie.