Page 18 of Trapped

Lost in his longing, Clay drifted closer. He had no idea why or what he would even say. Clay would fucking die if Zeus knew his thoughts. As perfect as Zeus looked on the outside, he knew it, and that Clay couldn’t play into. He had too much pride. Still, as Clay was a foot away from the people surrounding Zeus, nervousness set in. That never went well for him.

A guy regaled the group with stories, holding the people captivated. “This one time—”

Clay’s addle-brained tongue ran with his anxious mood. “At band camp,” Clay finished for him. Every eye turned his way. They looked at him like he was insane. Not a single person smiled. If Zeus did, Clay would never know. He couldn’t make himself look at the blond beauty.Clay chuckled. “I guess you all haven’t seen that one.” Clay slowly wandered away, as if he had only been passing to begin with. He spotted his best friend, Fabrice, alongside one of the Agafonov brothers, Scout.

As Clay moved their way, Fabrice’s light blue eyes shone brightly with humor. His jet-black hair nearly shimmered under the neon lights. He was the only person Clay ever confided in. That meant he was the only one who knew about Zeus’ kiss. It was obvious he had seen Clay actually gravitating toward Zeus. Thankfully, he knew Fabrice wouldn’t call him out.

Clay pasted on a bright smile and joined Scout and Fabrice. “What are youtwo up to?”

They both lifted their cups and answered simultaneously. “Drinking.”

“Me too. We should drink together.”

Loud laughter turned his head. Field tried climbing his husband’s shoulders. “Let me ride you, Zaddy!”

An unexpected bark of laughter burst from Clay. Field was huge. If the giant’s husband, Henry, wasn’t also built like a brick house, he would be permanently disabled by now.

“Fuck, I’m glad to see that smile be real.” Scout said exactly what Clay had been thinking.

“For both of them,” Fabrice added.

Clay chose to throw his two cents in, even as Zeus had his eyes sliding his way again. “On God, they both deserve it.”

Scout shuffled closer. “Don’t let yourself look at him like that. Everyone from the program has a specialty. Zeus was trained to be the seducer. They taught him how to always be the most sensual person in every room so he could get any target in bed. He’s considered the leading de-programmer of spies, but some things can’t be beat out of us—like my shooting skills. Shadow and Rain’s ability to kill perfectly and without conscience is another.” Clay turned his head and met Scout’s stare. He looked deadly serious. “If you feed into it, he will too. He will seduce you and never think of you again. It’s all he knows.”

All the guys could be intense. Clay had never seen that in Scout before now. Scout worked with him every day to help him shoot the rapid and accurate way he did. He had only ever seenScout smile. Before now, Clay hadn’t truly noticed how beautiful his eyes were… or how much insanity hid behind them.

Scout didn’t stop. “In fact.” He took a step closer. Clay had no idea why he didn’t take a step back. He also couldn’t say why it didn’t feel wrong or make him jump away when Scout grabbed the back of his neck and gently towed him forward. He could have stopped Scout, but then his lips swiped across Clay’s lips. The next thing he knew, he was trapped in an earth-scorching kiss. Scout’s tongue played with his. Clay was completely transfixed. Everything and everyone else ceased to exist. They were alone in the world. Clay’s head emptied all thoughts except one: this didn’t feel wrong.

Ridge’s gaze swept the room. He was almost manic with happiness. Field and Henry were acting ridiculous, or Field was, and Henry openly enjoyed the hell out of himself. A quick burst of soft laughter escaped him as the pair snagged Fabrice and danced him across the floor without an ounce of grace. Ridge couldn’t stop smiling at Fabrice’s peals of laughter. The young chef was way too serious. The moment passed for him and his gaze immediately jumped back to where Fabrice had stood. Scout openly and possessively kissed one of the Bosi guards, Clay. He didn’t look like he intended to letClay get away. It was nice to see another of his brothers happy.

Speaking of brothers, no matter how over the moon he was, something still ate at the back of his mind. He checked on his husband. The moment he turned his head, Rain dragged Shadow onto the dance floor. Nearly all eyes turned their way. The pair had spent more than a decade in professional stage shows, in the top roles of every great ballet production. It was like watching magic unveil when they danced together.

Ridge took his opening and sidled up beside Zeus. Zeus’ eyes weren’t on the couple dancing. His stare was locked like a laser on the kiss happening across the room. Ridge chalked it up to Zeus likely having some voyeuristictendencies. Zeus not looking at him made it easier for Ridge to speak his mind.

“I think we should find out.”

Not only did Zeus focus on him at the words, but so too did Tracker.

Ridge didn’t let it bother him. He needed this out of his head. “If you’re really my twin, I want to know. I’d love the idea of knowing I have that connection in the world.”

Zeus grinned, showing his sexy, playful side. “Are you sure about that? I kissed you.”

Ridge shrugged. “You kiss everyone. It’s a hallmark of your personality. We can chalk it up to not knowing. Plus, I’m married now. All my kisses belong to Shadow.”

Zeus’ expression turned serious. His gaze moved over Ridge’s face. “Is this really what you want?”

Tracker jumped in. “I could do it for you. That way, there’s no fear of your DNA ending up on file somewhere.”

Zeus looked Tracker’s way. “Seriously? You can do that?”

Ridge didn’t hesitate to brag about his chosen brother. “Tracker can do anything. If it involves technology in any way, he could probably do it with his eyes closed.”

Tracker’s eyes and smile spoke volumes about how Ridge’s words moved him.

Zeus chuckled. “Please do it with your eyes open. I don’t want anyone coming at me with a cotton swab if they can’tsee what they’re doing. This face pays the bills.”

Ridge might have laughed if he wasn’t so dumbstruck. “Does that mean you’ll do it?”

Zeus brightened. His expression turned genuine. “Yeah. If you’re really my blood, I want to know that.”

They hugged like they already knew what that test would reveal.

Zeus patted his back. “Look alive. Your husband is headed this way.”

Ridge released Zeus and turned. A bright smile snapped to his face. Shadow skipped his way. Sometimes, he was very much a pretty, pretty princess. Tonight, he had that glow.

He hopped in place as he reached Ridge’s side. “May I please havethis dance?”

Ridge couldn’t stop smiling. The gesture felt permanent. He held his elbow out to Shadow. “Whatever my flawless husband desires will be his. Let’s go, beautiful.” Together, they walked to the center of the dance floor as a slow song began. Ridge held Shadow as closely as he could. He stared down into the face of the one and only love Ridge had ever known. Ridge had never needed more. Even when they hadn’t been together, Shadow had been the only one for him. If Shadow ever decided to leave him in the dust, Ridge still wouldn’t want anyone else. Some people only got one great love. Shadow was his. If he ever left, be it by choice or death, Ridge would hunt him down. One way or another, it was them for eternity.