Page 11 of Edge (Killers Inc. #2)

Henry wasn’t the least bit surprised when Mickey didn’t show up for his shift.

He might have panicked if he didn’t keep track of Mickey’s phone.

Beau never knew anyone’s schedule and had been all about Kylo the entire morning, so he didn’t notice.

He didn’t have to go far to find him. Mickey was slumped over the steering wheel of his SUV, completely out.

Field was in the passenger seat, every bit as dead to the world.

Henry opened the door and beer cans and liquor bottles fell out. He pinched the spot between his eyes.

“Dumbass.” He didn’t doubt for a second Mickey had driven like this. Mickey had never given a shit about himself. It made him irresistible to people just like him because, while he didn’t care about himself, he deeply cared about everyone else.

With a sigh, he lifted Mickey from the vehicle and carried him inside. It took him a minute to avoid everyone in the house to get to Mickey’s bedroom unseen. When he dumped Mickey on the bed, he didn’t budge. Henry checked his breathing. He was alive but knocked all the way out.

Henry backtracked and got Field. He got to Mickey’s bedroom quicker this time since he had already found the empty path.

He dropped Field on the bed and went to work.

Once he had their shoes off, he tucked Mickey under the covers first. Even drunk, he was beautiful.

He wouldn’t be creepy and stare. Henry did that enough every day.

He already felt like an ass. Henry moved to Field’s side of the bed and got him under the covers.

Then he couldn’t move. Field looked like a totally different person asleep.

It was like unhappiness etched his every line.

Henry sat on the edge of the bed. Every second that passed, the worse he felt.

He was a bad person. Of course he was. He had sold his soul decades ago in Italy.

Henry had a best friend with more talent at making deals than either of them had morals.

Henry would do anything to protect Beau, and he had over the years.

People didn’t get to the top with clean hands.

Still, Mickey and Field hadn’t deserved to be dropped in his path. Yet here they were.

He swiped his fingers through Field’s hair. Henry still couldn’t believe the guy hadn’t balked even a second before dropping to his knees. “You really are a fucked-up mess, huh?”

“I’m sorry.”

Henry’s gaze shot to Mickey’s side of the bed. His voice sounded like shit, but he was awake. “Why? You better be about to say for drinking and driving.”

Mickey didn’t react to the humor in his voice. He didn’t say anything. Mickey just held his stare, looking half out of his head.

Henry circled the bed again and sat on the edge at Mickey’s side.

He didn’t know how lucid Mickey actually was, but Henry couldn’t look away.

He leaned sideways and braced his weight on the mattress, boxing Mickey in.

It was as close as he would ever get to holding him.

“I was upset last night, but I hope you know you can talk to me. Why are you sorry?”

Pain swam in Mickey’s eyes. “You didn’t say anything. All these years, you didn’t say anything. Why? Maybe I wouldn’t have fallen in love with an asshole who doesn’t want me, if you had told me. I’ve always been closer to you than anyone else. Now I’ll never know.”

Henry had never hated himself more, and that was saying something. Mickey didn’t deserve this. Henry had told himself a lot of things to stay away from Mickey because he had always known Mickey was too good for him. Now Mickey suffered because Henry was a bastard.

“Forget it, okay?” He kissed Mickey’s forehead.

The ache in his chest made him angry. He wasn’t supposed to feel anything.

When he pulled away, Mickey was out again.

Henry had to walk away. As he made his way down the stairs, the doorbell rang like kids trying to get Halloween candy.

Henry cursed under his breath as he rushed to answer.

He had a bad feeling he knew who was on the other side.

Henry didn’t have the patience for this today.

He jogged the last few steps when the ringing got out of control.

Henry yanked open the door. “This is a fucking home. A family lives here. Goddamn. It couldn’t be more obvious no one taught any of you any manners.”

The entire Agafonov crew stood on the stoop, looking various states of terrified. “Give us our Field.”

Their reactions and Shadow’s demand proved Henry was right to think Field was a loose cannon. Still. He was angry with the world today, especially with this crew. “If you can’t keep up with your people, that’s not my problem.”

The pretty boy, Tracker, visibly got his hackles up. “I always know where everyone is at all times. We know Field is here.”

“He’s with Mickey. Upstairs. Second to the last door on the left.”

Henry spun at Kylo’s drive-by info. “How in the fuck?”

Kylo giggled and kept going. He dragged a mesh bag of stuffed animals behind him, heading for the living room.

Before he could say a word, he totally lost control. Combat boots stormed up the stairs. Edge brought up the rear. Their gazes met. Henry stepped in his path. His rage kept him from being silent. No one hurt Mickey.

The fury in Henry’s expression was exactly what Edge expected.

Today, he was a little better prepared for it.

Last night had been the second type of PTSD attack Edge suffered.

It was the one that Mickey hadn’t seen yet.

He had a clearer mind today. Edge had back his usual icy calm.

There was nothing Henry could do to him.

“Say what you have to say.”

Henry ran his tongue over his teeth. It was obvious he bit back all the words.

He definitely wanted to hit Edge. Edge watched him take a calming breath, proving his love wasn’t toxic.

“There’s nothing I can think of to say that’s bad enough for knowing he loves you.

You . The piece of shit who doesn’t even want him.

There is no description for how badly I want to break you.

But unlike you, I do love him. If hurting you pains him even in the slightest, I can’t do it.

With that said, I’m not going anywhere. The second I know he’s over you, you’ll see me again. ”

“Noted.” Edge stepped around Henry and followed his brothers up the stairs. He found them trying to wake Field, who was in bed with Mickey. The smell of alcohol permeated the air.

While everyone else tried waking Field or hovering like worried hens, Edge moved to Mickey’s side of the bed. Even though, in his heart, Edge knew Field would never hurt him by sleeping with Mickey, he was still relieved to see they were both fully dressed.

He massaged Mickey’s arms. “Hey, baby. You still alive?”

Mickey didn’t react.

Edge got worried he really might be dead. He checked his pulse. It was strong. Still, he dug his phone out, ready to call nine-one-one.

Shadow jumped in. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He twisted Field’s nipple—hard.

Field shot up like a bolt. “What? Holy shit! What’s wrong?” He looked around. “Oh.” He snuggled back down and pulled the covers high. “Go away and let me sleep.”

Shadow smacked his thigh. “We thought you might be dead in a ditch somewhere. You scared us.”

Field didn’t bother opening his eyes again. “Bullshit. Tracker always knows where we are.” He snagged Mickey around the waist and pulled him close like a teddy bear. “Just because none of you want to keep Mickey doesn’t mean I don’t. Go be pricks somewhere else.”

Edge really wanted to blow up, but he knew that wasn’t the right thing to do after last night. He had to stay calm. He rubbed Field’s arm. “I appreciate you staying with him, but he’s not waking up, Field. He might need medical attention.”

Field’s head lifted. He stared down at Mickey, inspecting him. Field licked his face from chin to forehead.

Mickey came awake like he was ready to throw hands. “What the fuck?”

Field went back to snuggling beneath the covers. “See? He’s good.”

Mickey blinked at the crowd surrounding the bed. “Why wouldn’t I be good?” He immediately heaved. “Wait. I’m not good.” Mickey scrambled from the bed and into the nearby bathroom.

Edge followed. He stood by, ready to jump in and do whatever was needed. This was definitely a case of better out than in. An arm appeared in the doorway, holding a Gatorade. Edge had no idea where it came from, but he accepted it.

Finally, Mickey collapsed against the wall. He truly looked like hell. His gaze slid toward Edge. He definitely didn’t look happy to see him. “Why are you here?”

Yeah. He definitely wasn’t thrilled. “For you.” He passed the drink to Mickey. “I said a lot of shit last night that I didn’t mean. The whole thing with Henry triggered me in a bad way. My history, it’s—”

“Bad,” Mickey said, interrupting him like he couldn’t listen to another word.

“Yeah. I gathered as much. Do you know what? So is mine. I was homeless nearly my entire life. Do you know what happens to homeless kids on the street? Go on, guess.” Thankfully, he didn’t get to say a word.

Mickey was obviously too furious. “I’m sure you’ll have no trouble figuring it out.

But do you know what? I’m not currently sitting here, trying to destroy you with my bullshit.

Not once have I used my trauma as a crutch or a weapon against you.

I get it, okay. You don’t want this. It’s fine. You can go.”

Edge rubbed his forehead. “That’s the thing I’m trying to say. I don’t want to go. You’re what I want. I just don’t know, okay? I never meant to hurt you.”

“Yes, you did.” Mickey held his stare. Despite obviously being half dead, he didn’t sound any less certain of his mind.

“Every word you said was meant to hit its mark—me. You can have all the excuses, and they can be good ones, but that still doesn’t mean I have to let you treat me like shit to soothe yourself.

I deserve better. I deserve someone who loves me back. ”

Edge flinched. Henry had claimed Mickey loved him, but he hadn’t believed.

He thought the words were meant to strike at him.

But now Mickey basically confirmed his claim, and Edge had really fucked up because Mickey was right.

Edge had intentionally hurt him, and Mickey had done nothing but treat him like a king.

He didn’t deserve to be treated the way Edge treated him, and no excuse was good enough to expect Mickey’s forgiveness. That was something earned.

“You’re right. I can’t be sorry enough to excuse the way I hurt you.”

Mickey fought his way off the floor. “Good. Now that you know what everyone else already knew, I’m going to go cuddle up with Field, pass out, and pray for death. Have a nice life.”

Edge stepped into his path. “Please, Mickey. I know how much more amazing you were to me than I ever was to you. You gave me pieces of yourself you’ve never given anyone and I know it. Please give me a chance to make things right.”

Mickey stared at him in silence, and Edge saw the truth. He had killed something beautiful inside Mickey. Henry had thought Mickey was straight for a reason—because Mickey had thought it too. Then Edge had blown his life to pieces. He didn’t deserve a second chance.

Edge stepped out of the way. “Be careful with Field. He has terrifying nightmares that make him dangerous.”

“I’m not worried.” He headed for the bed.

“Maybe he’ll do me a solid and kill me.” Mickey sat his drink on the bedside table and fell into bed.

Field immediately had him back in his arms, holding him the way Edge used to do.

The entire crew still stood there, witnessing the next downfall of his life.

He really wished—just once—they didn’t see him at his lowest.

Edge motioned for the door. “Let’s go. He’ll be fine here.”

They filed out. No one met his stare. Thankfully, he didn’t cross Henry’s path again. Maybe he would let the guy put him out of his misery. Then they could both be happy.