Love and Payne Page 10

  Zach followed his gaze, his eyes going comically wide before he cursed under his breath, grabbed a pillow, and shoved it down onto his groin.

  “Um… did I, uh, say anything while, um—” He cleared his throat. “—you know?”

  Austen took pity on him. The poor guy was blushing from his shoulders to the top of his head.

  “No.”

  “Okay.” He motioned toward the bathroom. “I’m going to take a quick shower and, um, put some clothes on.”

  “I’ll wait here.”

  Zach backed away, tripping on the blanket hanging over the edge of the bed, and Austen put a fist to his mouth to keep from laughing. Zach quickly recovered and dashed into the bathroom. The big dork.

  With a smile, Austen walked over to the armchair by the window and sat down. He pulled out his phone, and after his thumbprint was scanned, he put through a secure call.

  “Hey, anything new?”

  Sparks’s no-nonsense tone greeted him. “Other than one of Barlow’s lawyers condemning Therians across every social media channel? Nothing yet. Every trail leads to a dead end.”

  “And Barlow?”

  “Word is, he’s rethinking his whole stance on Therians. On the one hand, allegedly Therian extremists tried to kill him and his daughter, and on the other, a Therian THIRDS agent risked his life and was injured saving his little girl, and the THIRDS managed to stop the drivers from hurting anyone else. Zach’s been all over the media. They’re calling him a hero, and Barlow’s made several statements. He’s praised the THIRDS and publicly expressed his gratitude to our agents for what they did, though he seems more focused on Zach, which makes sense as he was the one who personally saved his daughter. He wants to set up a meeting to thank Zach, and has already extended an offer of support should Zach need anything. I’ve informed his counsel that Zach is still recovering and we’ll notify them when he’s feeling up to it.”

  “Any luck finding out more about the attackers?”

  “Nothing that would explain why someone is targeting Zach. The attackers were a small group of anti-Human Therian thugs. They had priors, one of them released recently from prison on charges of assault, theft, violence against Humans. We didn’t find anything tying them to any other organizations. Their bank accounts showed no large transactions, but when our agents searched their homes, they found large amounts of cash hidden in one of the apartments. Our operatives ran checks on all electronic communication, but no information was found on who hired them.

  “The vehicles they used were reported stolen by a security company downtown two days before the attack. Their surveillance equipment had been disabled, so there’s no footage of the trucks being taken. Whoever arranged this is a professional, not some Therian extremist group. They took every precaution. The drivers wore masks. I’m guessing so as not to be caught on any cameras on the way to THIRDS HQ. That would suggest they intended on not getting caught, which supports my belief that we’re dealing with something bigger here, and the use of a Therian extremist group was meant to throw us off. They knew exactly at what moment Barlow was leaving HQ. THIRDS Recon agents have been going through security footage and scanning the crowd for any possible associates. Intel agents have gathered all the intel and created algorithms for Themis to run through, but so far the system hasn’t discovered any connections. How’s Zach?”

  “Taking it slow.”

  “And you? How are you taking it?”

  Austen couldn’t help his smile. “You getting sappy on me?”

  “Concerned.”

  “Because of the hired gunmen or because I’m under the same roof as Zach?”

  “I think we both know the answer to that.” The line went quiet, and for a moment Austen thought he’d lost her, but then she spoke up. “Don’t underestimate him, Austen. He’s stronger than you give him credit for.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Don’t let fear keep you from what you really want.”

  “Yeah, because it worked out so well for you, right?” The second the words were out of his mouth he regretted it. Man, he was an asshole. Sparks tried having a family once, and her life with TIN caught up to her, leaving her to watch her home get blown up with her husband in it, and her little girl put in hiding to be raised by a mother who wasn’t her. She hadn’t seen her daughter since.

  “That was uncalled for,” Sparks said quietly.

  “Shit, I’m sorry. That was low.”

  “Yes, but you’re right, and yet I have no regrets.”

  Austen was surprised by her admission. “But they took everything from you. He’s gone, and she’s out there somewhere without you.”

  “The time I had with them was the happiest of my life, Austen. However brief it was, in that time, I wasn’t TIN or Lieutenant Sparks. I was a woman, a wife, and a mother. I was me.”

  Austen couldn’t bring himself to reply. Sparks never shared any part of herself. She was always his boss. He smiled. “I think maybe the Sarge is rubbing off on you.”

  “Perhaps.”

  Austen could hear the smile in her voice.

  “How are things with Sergeant Maddock?”

  Sparks sighed, and that one sound said so much. “He’s speaking to me again, which is a start.”

  Austen nodded. He couldn’t blame Maddock. After discovering Sparks had allowed his son to be kidnapped and tortured by her old TIN colleague turned rogue assassin—even if it had been to find out about her daughter—their relationship had crashed and burned, but Dex had forgiven her and urged his father to do the same.

  The silence between them was comfortable. Austen had known Sparks longer than he’d known his own mother. For all the emotional distance Sparks kept between them, she was still more maternal than his mother had ever been.

  “I’ll keep you posted if I hear anything new,” she said, her tone again authoritative.

  “Thanks.”

  “And, Austen?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m never more than a phone call away.”

  “Thanks,” he replied softly before hanging up.

  “Ready?” Zach said, walking into the bedroom. He was dressed in black jeans that hugged his long powerful legs and a V-neck charcoal-gray sweater over a white T-shirt. With his hair tousled, he was hot. Fuck.

  Ready? Ready for what? Now there was a loaded question if he’d ever heard one. Austen stood and nodded. “Sure.”

  He was so not ready.

  CHAPTER 8

  ZACH LED the way through the house and down a hallway to a large room that appeared to be a mudroom of sorts, with a huge fireplace and several cushioned benches. On one side was a kitchenette, and blankets were piled high on one of the benches, along with several Postshift Trauma Care kits for when they shifted to Human form.

  “We’ve got everything we’ll need for Postshift Trauma Care. Mom will send Sheena and some of the others in to help as soon as we return.” Zach pointed to the wooden doors running along the end of the room. “Changing rooms.”

  Austen nodded. He motioned to one of the rooms. “You first.”

  Zach smiled, amused. “Okay.” He disappeared into one of the rooms. Austen and Brayden would wait until the rest of the Zachary brothers changed. Austen was glad the room was huge, because as the painful roars echoed around them, it was clear they’d need plenty of space. Colin, Zach, Bram, and the twins—Alastair and Boyd—went first. One of the doors pushed open, and a ginormous bear with dark brown fur emerged. Colin was the biggest, his fur the darkest brown. Zach, despite being huge, was the smallest of them all, his fur a reddish brown, and Austen couldn’t help his dopey smile. Zach was so freaking adorable.

  Zach shook himself from nose to furry little tail. He sat back on his big furry butt and waved at Austen, making him laugh.

  “You’re such a dork.”

  Zach ambled over and pushed his nose against Austen’s side, almost knocking him down. Austen laughed and grabbed Zach’s ear, giving it a playful tug.

  “K
nock it off.” Feeling the soft fur, Austen moved his hand over Zach’s head, petting his muzzle and smiling at Zach’s contented chortle. It sounded like a motor trying to start. His eyes were closed, his ear twitching as Austen ran his fingers through his soft coat. Austen was pretty sure if he put his arms around Zach, his fingers wouldn’t touch, he was so damned big.

  “Okay, I better go get my spots on,” Austen teased, and Zach nodded. His brothers headed out while Edan and Brayden each stepped into a changing room. Austen walked into his own, quickly undressed, and hung up his clothes. He let out a breath and loosened his limbs, readying for the shift, not just in body but in mind. Although his Human brain was very much present while he was in Therian form, his animal instincts were at their fiercest. Everything he felt was more intense—sights, sounds, smells, touch. The world around him was louder, brighter, sharper.

  He hissed when the first bones popped, and gritted his teeth against the heat that flooded through him, like a burning fire under his skin. His screams were inevitable as bones popped out of place, muscles stretched, and fur pierced his skin. He dropped to his knees, tears blurring his vision as his body contorted, tore itself apart, and pieced itself back together in his Felid form. Darkness encroached on his vision, the colors changing, and he closed his eyes, his nerves feeling as though they were exposed. His breath came in rapid pants, and his heart beat furiously, his blood pumping wildly as his screams turned into yowls, his skull feeling like it was being crushed. The pain to his head was always the worst of it all.

  His nose twitched, along with his furry ear, and he opened eyes that were his, but not completely. On shaky, long legs, he pushed himself to his paws. Bumping the door with his nose, he trotted out, then stopped to give himself a good shake down to his long tail. He yawned, his gums stretching over lethal fangs. With a huff, he chirped, and Brayden trotted over, the end of his huge fluffy tail between his teeth like always. Austen sniffed the air and turned his attention to Zach and Edan, who were sitting by the door. Austen’s fur bristled on instinct when faced with a predator bigger than him. Shaking it off, he padded over, chirped at Zach, then darted out the door into the cold.

  Once they were all ready, Colin roared, and everyone took off after him, running for the snowy hills behind the lodge, their huge bodies easily cutting through the snow. Cheetahs were not made for the snow. Austen’s fur protected him from the biting cold, but he wouldn’t be able to stay in it very long. Not the way Zach and his clan could. They drove through the snow like giant hairy snowplows. Austen hopped after them, the snow so deep it was the only way he could get anywhere. He chirped at Brayden as his friend darted by after Edan, his giant paws made for the difficult terrain. Brayden alternated between running and hopping like a snow rabbit. When he stopped, he got lost in the snow, his white and pale gray fur hiding him among the snow-covered rocks and shrubbery. Brayden loved the snow, but then so did most snow leopard Therians. They were also a bunch of goofballs. Brayden hopped up onto a fallen tree and lay down, clawing at it before curling his tail and nabbing hold of the fluffiness with his mouth. Snow leopard Therians were big fluffy dorks.

  Austen finally reached him and gracefully jumped up on the log beside him to watch the Zachary siblings as they loped and pounced on each other. Zach threw himself into the snow, and rolled, front paws holding on to his back paws as he wriggled happily in the snow. He frolicked around, thrusting his snout into the snow, sending small waves of it cascading into the air. As if sensing Austen’s eyes on him, Zach bobbed his head and let out a low roar, calling Austen to play. Austen flicked his tail, ignoring him. Silly bear.

  Not accepting his response, Zach bounded over and plopped himself in front of Austen, then sat up, waving a paw at Austen, who chirped him off. He was not here to play in the snow. Flicking his tail, he felt Brayden swat at it, and turned to hiss at his friend. Brayden promptly ignored him, using both massive paws to try and catch Austen’s tail. Austen chirped his face off at Brayden as Zach huffed and keeled forward onto the snow in the most theatrical display he’d ever witnessed. If Austen could roll his eyes, he would. Bear Therians were so dramatic.

  Brayden caught Austen’s tail, and with a growl, Austen whacked him in the head. Brayden jumped several feet in the air and landed in a heap in the snow. He was surrounded by drama queens. With a chirp, Austen hopped off the log and landed on Zach, sprawling over him like he was a furry pillow. Zach lifted his head and looked over his shoulder at him. If it would stop Zach’s pouting, Austen would oblige.

  Let’s play in the snow.

  Austen chirped, and Zach slowly climbed onto his four paws with Austen sprawled on his back. The wind whipped in his face as Zach headed for a steep hill, and Austen’s head shot up. He chirped his displeasure at whatever inane idea Zach seemed to have gotten into his head. Ears flattened, Austen braced himself as Zach launched down the snowy hill on his belly like a furry sled. Austen’s chirps were high-pitched as he told Zach off, and they only stopped when something bigger whooshed by, and Austen stared after Edan whizzing by on his stomach, Brayden riding him like a surfboard.

  Zach slid into a big pile of snow, plunging in headfirst. Unprepared for the sudden stop, Austen went soaring and landed in a mound of snow. His Felid instincts had of course kicked in, so he landed feetfirst. He flattened his ears, tail twitching high in the air. Bears. Behind him, Brayden rolled around in the blanket of white, paws in the air. With a huff, Austen hopped until he was out of the mound and beside Zach, who shook his massive body, sending a wave of snow onto Austen. He chortled in amusement, and Austen swatted at the snow, smacking Zach right in the nose with a clump of it, making Zach grunt in surprise. Austen fell over, chirping at the sudden hilarity of it. Zach pounced forward, and Austen took off, running and hopping with Zach on his tail.

  Being chased by a huge Therian wasn’t usually his idea of fun, but this was Zach, so although his Felid half was alert, he wasn’t anxious. Zach would never hurt him, no matter what form he was in. The realization had Austen skidding to a halt. Sensing something was off, Zach slowly approached. He dropped down beside Austen, putting him at eye level with Austen. Even in his Therian form, Zach was aware of his size, and he did what he could to put Austen at ease. Austen didn’t know what came over him, but he inched closer to Zach and nudged Zach’s furry cheek with his nose. Zach closed his eyes in contentment, and Austen found himself rubbing his face against Zach’s fur, his low motor-like purrs reverberating in the quiet air, where they were soon joined by Zach’s happy noises.

  They played in the snow for a little longer, until Colin roared and everyone took off after him, heading back to the house. Inside, Iona, Sheena, and some of the others were waiting to provide Postshift Trauma Care. Austen remained to one side to wait for Brayden to receive care and recover so he could then administer care to Austen. PSTC was a very intimate process because a Therian was always at their most vulnerable after a shift back to Human form. They were weak and helpless, which was why Austen was very particular about who he allowed to administer PSTC to him. Recovery required a vast amount of protein, and the impact was similar to the aftereffects of a seizure. Gatorade and protein bars would help get them on their feet and on the way to a full recovery, but it was a temporary fix until their bodies received the fuel they truly needed.

  Once Brayden had consumed his protein bars and was on his feet, he started toward Austen but was interrupted when Edan pressed his nose to Brayden’s hand. It was clear Edan wanted Brayden to give him PSTC. Brayden’s brows drew together in concern, and Austen could see his friend was torn. If Brayden wanted to protect his heart from Edan, performing PSTC was not the way to do it. It would bring a level of closeness and intimacy that resonated deep for Therians.

  “Hey.”

  Austen turned his head to Zach, who crouched down in front of him, a big dopey smile on his face. His cheeks were pink, and he dropped his gaze to his fingers in a shy gesture.

  “Can I help?”

  Aust
en turned his attention back to Brayden, but his friend and Edan were gone. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Austen thumped his tail anxiously. The last person he wanted giving him PSTC was Zach.

  “Austen?”

  Austen turned to Zach and stiffened when Zach slowly reached up. His brain told him to move away, not to let Zach touch him, but his heart kept him still as Zach ever so gently laid his hand on Austen’s head. His smile was blinding as he gingerly ran his fingers through Austen’s fur, as if any sudden movement might spook Austen, which wasn’t too far off the mark. Austen sat very still as Zach petted him lovingly before scratching him behind the ear, making him close his eyes with a purr. Austen hadn’t meant to purr, but his cheetah half was too content to care what he had to say on the matter.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  Austen’s eyes flew open, and he was taken aback by the awe on Zach’s face as he ran his fingers through the fur on Austen’s neck. Warmth flooded through Austen, and he surprised them both by stretching his neck out and quickly delivering a wet kitty kiss to Zach’s cheek. Wondering what the hell had gotten into him, Austen headed off to the changing room where his clothes were. Once inside, he turned to find Zach where he’d left him, looking wide-eyed. His expression quickly turned uncertain, and Austen chirped. He sat on his haunches and flicked his tail impatiently, making Zach chuckle. When Zach reached the changing room, Austen half expected Zach to get into the room with him, but he didn’t. He smiled tenderly as he started to close the door.

  “I’ll be right out here when you’re ready, okay?” With that he closed the door, and Austen was touched by Zach’s consideration. He could have easily used this as an excuse to see Austen naked, but he didn’t.

  Austen closed his eyes and willed his cheetah half to retreat, his bones once again popping, muscles stretching and contracting. His feral yowls of pain soon turned into Human grunts and groans. As soon as he was on two legs, he shakily dropped down onto the padded bench and with a trembling arm, reached for the robe hanging on one of the hooks. Fuck, he was freezing. It took him a few minutes to find the strength to slip into the robe and tie it at his waist.