Armed & Dangerous (Cut & Run #5)

At quarter to seven, O’Hare was bustling, and it helped Zane shrug off the last of the lingering unease from the flight. He had to walk at least half a mile through the sprawling terminals, maneuvering through throngs of people as he tried to get out, but he made it to the security point in under fifteen minutes. Right on time. Now he just had to find his contact.

He got stuck behind a group of college kids, some kind of sports team, as he came through the terminal exit. He stopped to try to look around and over them, searching for anything that might give him a clue as to whom he’d be meeting.

Suit and tie, he would guess that much.

Several people fit the bill as he surveyed the milling crowd. A man in an expensive suit with no luggage other than a briefcase was reading a newspaper. A woman in a sharp pantsuit and her hair in a tight bun stood near the entrance to a café, checking her watch. Zane gave her a second glance before his gaze coasted past a well-built man leaning over into a cold drinks case, wearing an expensive trench coat and a T-shirt and jeans. The T-shirt and trench combo didn’t get rocked often.

Zane smiled when it made him think of Ty. The pang of hurt that had lodged in his chest a couple of days ago twinged, and he rubbed at it, ignoring the frazzle of irritation that followed. Ty would wear something like that. He would probably get to Chicago, think Damn, it’s cold, and then go right out and buy a high-dollar trench to wear with jeans and a T-shirt because he’d be able to wear it at work when he got home, and who cared what he looked like in the meantime? Zane chuckled despite the frustration and lingering sense of loss. It would make sense to Ty, anyway.

He tipped his head to one side to try to see what the T-shirt said. The man straightened and brought into view the face of one Special Agent B. Tyler Grady.

Zane did a literal double take, hardly able to believe who he was seeing.

Ty.

Ty looked up and met Zane’s eyes across the crowded terminal, and shock registered on his handsome face. He was wearing a pair of jeans Zane had intimate knowledge of and a T-shirt he had never seen before. It was pink and vintage-looking with an orange half circle on it. There were two cartoon characters in front of the circle, an alligator and a crocodile, one saying, “See you later,” and the other replying, “After while.” He hadn’t shaved in a day or two and looked a touch harried, but he also looked healthier than he had the last time Zane had seen him, less worn and more at peace with the world. As Zane drew near, he could see that Ty’s hazel eyes were the same as he remembered: alight with life and humor.

“Zane! What are you doing here?”

Zane was torn between a nearly overwhelming urge to pull Ty into his arms and the driving need to shake him silly. Zane curled his hands into fists, all too aware of the people all around them. “Burns sent me.”

Ty turned his chin. “You’re my backup?” he asked, a smile forming as he spoke. His eyes sparkled, and the smile lines around them appeared before he took an impulsive step forward and hugged Zane tight. Then he kissed him, heedless of the crowds milling through the terminal.

Zane clutched at Ty’s arms in surprise, but the warmth of Ty’s lips melted the shock away within seconds, and Zane squeezed his eyes shut as everything else faded.

It seemed like forever before Ty broke the kiss and took Zane’s face between his hands to look at him. “I thought it’d be days before I got to see you.”

Zane turned his head just enough to press his lips to Ty’s palm before he frowned. The swell of absolute relief and ridiculous happiness didn’t stand a chance against the stored-up anger and frustration. He pulled back and took Ty by his shoulders, shaking him just like he’d wanted to. “What were you thinking?”

Ty laughed and grabbed him. “Stop! Okay!”

“I should shake you until your teeth rattle,” Zane said as he let Ty go.

Ty nodded as his smile fell away. His hands dropped from Zane’s face, his fingers dragging against Zane’s skin.

Zane had almost a week of frustration built up, and he wasn’t about to let it go that easily, even if Ty did look like a kicked puppy because Zane sort of wanted to kill him. When he spoke again, he was surprised that it came out in a growl. “Where the hell have you been?”

Ty shrugged, looking away at the thinning crowd. “Here and there. In theory, Tennessee was involved. Or Kentucky. I’m still not sure.” He looked back at Zane. “Which one has the bluegrass and which one has blue grass?”

Zane barely resisted the impulse to shake him again. It wouldn’t help, but it might help him feel better. “I’m not asking where Burns told you you were.”

Ty nodded, refusing to comment on that.

Zane shook his head and then glanced up at the ceiling before meeting his lover’s gaze again. “You just left,” Zane said, and he made no effort to hide his upset.

Ty glanced around the terminal, then looked back at Zane and flopped his hands. “I had to. I don’t know how to explain it; it’s just sometimes it feels like… like the world is shrinking around me. Like if I don’t get out and away that it’ll catch me and crush me. And I know that sounds stupid, but it’s a real feeling and I panic. I woke up that morning and I just had to go.” He reached up and put his palm against Zane’s cheek again. It was like he couldn’t help himself. “I tried to wake you, I really did. I even shook you!”

“You shook me.”

“Well… I poked you.”

“Ty!”

“I know! You were sleeping so soundly and…. You looked happy and safe so I let you sleep.”

“I was,” Zane said, too loud, and Ty glanced around. Zane stopped and gritted his teeth before continuing, his voice lowered again, “I was. And then I woke up.”

Ty met his eyes with difficulty. Even with the fear Zane could see, Ty was more rested and pulled together than he had been five days ago, when he’d resembled a train going off the rails. He looked so much more like himself. Zane recognized just how stressed Ty must have been before taking off, and he could see that wherever Ty had been, it had helped.

“When I left that morning I intended to be back that night. Or at least the next morning. I swear, Zane, if I’d known I’d be gone this long I would have tried to stick it out.” Ty waited a few breaths and then added, “I’m sorry.”

It didn’t help Zane feel any better about the situation, especially when Ty’s sincere remorse highlighted how he was acting like a stereotypical jilted lover. Jealous, demanding, cranky. Zane grimaced. It just wasn’t fair that he had been the one left behind and yet he still looked like the asshole. “There’s no way I’m going to come out of this looking good.”

Ty grabbed his arm as Zane turned away, stepping in front of him to face him. “What do you care if you come out of it looking good? The only person seeing you is me, and I know what I did was shitty. What do you care if we fight in front of a bunch of strangers who’ll never see us again? I know you’re angry, Zane. Show it. Just get it out so it doesn’t sit inside you and blow up later.”

Zane looked into his eyes and saw the near desperation there, and suddenly he could see the core of what had been bothering Ty. Neither of them had ever felt comfortable showing what they were feeling. For the first time, Zane could see just how badly Ty needed that. But Zane was too close to losing his temper as he stood there and looked into Ty’s eyes. “What do you want me to say?” The words came out graveled and curt.

Ty put both hands out, palms up. “I don’t know, bitch at me? Tell me it’s okay? Say something. I’m damn near groveling, here, Zane.”

“You scared me, Ty. Scared me,” Zane snapped back, loud enough that people started glancing at them.

“I know,” Ty said, still calm. “I’m sorry I scared you. I’m sorry I bolted without saying anything to you. I’m sorry I left when you needed me. If I could go back, I’d do it differently. But I’m not sorry for going. You and I both know I needed it. And somewhere in there, you know I needed to do it alone.”

“I wouldn’t have stopped you,” Zane said in a more controlled tone.

“I know, Zane.”

“Then why the hell didn’t you wake me?”

“I was afraid… I was afraid if I woke you and looked into your eyes I wouldn’t be able to go. And I had to go, Zane, I had to.”

Zane sighed. The anger was melting away, even after almost a week of percolating. Zane wanted to resent Ty for being so easy to forgive. He had expected to be hit with Ty’s charm, not this disarming sincerity. Even though fear and worry remained, they were blunted by the desperately happy part of him that just wanted Ty with him, no matter what. And he was glad to see Ty looking healthy again.

Ty nodded. “You’re understandably pissed.”

“You’re damn right I am.”

“Why don’t we go get your bags, take a cab ride to my hotel, and you can take it out on me there?”

“Take it out on you. As opposed to what, the world?” Zane asked as he turned and started to walk through the breezeway.

Zane heard his partner sigh, but Ty kept his mouth shut as they walked.

Zane suspected he was overreacting, and he tried to swallow the anger. This wasn’t how he’d wanted to see Ty again. He was not supposed to be angry and hurt and Ty all understanding and apologetic, making him feel like a caveman for being upset.

After checking the directory sign outside baggage claim, Zane found the baggage conveyor for his flight and stood waiting for his black leather duffel to scroll past. Ty stood at his side, silent and close. Zane could feel him. He took a steadying breath and turned to look at Ty.

He was watching Zane, eyebrows raised.

Zane sniffed in annoyance. “Still upset,” he muttered, the words almost lost under the shuffling sound of people moving around them. But he sighed and relaxed a little; just being able to see Ty and feel the bundle of energy that was his partner allowed that.

Ty gave him another serene, amused smile. He glanced over his shoulder, and then he stepped forward and took Zane’s elbow. Before Zane could do anything but draw a breath, Ty kissed him again, right there in the middle of baggage claim.

Zane grabbed his elbows, holding him still so he could deepen the kiss. To hell with whoever was watching. Ty felt so good in his arms, and he smelled like sandalwood, of all things. Zane didn’t care why Ty was suddenly so comfortable with the PDAs. He was going to take advantage while he could.

“Does it make you feel better to know I missed the hell out of you?” Ty whispered, lips moving against Zane’s. “And I hope you’re still just a little angry when we get to my hotel room.”

Zane let out a shuddering breath. “It’ll be more than just a little.”

Ty hummed, the sound deep and anticipatory. It was almost a purr. “Promise?”

Zane gripped Ty’s upper arms tight. “Absolutely.”

Ty smiled rakishly, damn him, and took a step back, looking Zane up and down before nodding at the conveyor belt. “There went your bag.”

Zane glanced around and had to dart after his duffel. When he pulled it off the belt and looked back at Ty in exasperation, Ty was still smiling.

“Come on. I’ll show you the hotel Dick ponied up for,” Ty said as he turned to head for the exits.

“You really have a hotel? But when do we move?”

“I don’t know.”

Zane slung the small bag over his shoulder and loped after Ty. “Why was Burns in such a hurry to get me here this morning if the meet isn’t set?”

“Probably because he knew I was here alone with nothing to do but something stupid. I’ve been stalking this guy for two days now,” Ty said as he dug around in his pockets, fussing with the heavy trench coat he wore. “Took me a full day just to get a whiff of him. Burns needed to give you time to get under. It’ll be this evening, so we’ll have time to buy you some new clothes, give you time to scruff yourself up. Maybe give me time to scruff you up.”

“What do you mean scruff me up?”

“I mean screw you through a wall,” Ty said, waving his hand up and down at Zane.

Zane laughed in surprise. That idea sounded pretty damn good.

“And you look like a Fed. We’re not supposed to look like government on this one, so we’ll need to find you some new clothes.”

“If you say so. All I know is I’m backup. And a lot happier to be here than I was thirty minutes ago.”

Ty’s hand snaked around Zane’s waist and pulled him closer as they walked. “Burns didn’t give me anything but the city and ‘hurry’ and that he’d call me to give me an address later. Then I sat here cooling my heels for two days because he decided I needed backup. I didn’t even get a chance to run down this dude, who apparently is pretty good at not being found.”

“Who is he?”

“I don’t know. Do you really want to talk about a case we’ll be handling in less than twelve hours, or do you want to go see my kickass hotel room and discuss your feelings instead?”

“Are you seriously asking me that question right now?” Zane said as he moved his duffel to his other shoulder so it didn’t hang between them.

“Is that a no, then?”

Zane reached to dig his fingers into Ty’s ribs, smiling when Ty twisted to get away. “You might get there without being mauled in the back of a taxi, but I’m making no promises.”

“Fair enough. So how was your week, anyway?” Ty asked, passing through the glass doors and out into Chicago’s frigid March morning. He began to search his pockets again, not looking where he was going.