Fish & Chips (Cut & Run 3)

If Lorenzo Bianchi had known the fake Del Porter on the dance floor was actually bisexual and had the reputation Ty did at home, there was no way he"d sit passively by while his wife danced with him like that. Zane found himself swallowing on no small amount of jealousy as well, especially upon seeing the real enjoyment on Ty"s face. Ty and Norina grinned widely at each other as they moved in graceful box steps and the occasional twirl or dip.

“A distraction, perhaps,” Zane started before forcing himself to turn back to the table. “But also motivation to conduct a successful business.”

“Leave it to the American to skip the small talk and move right on to the business,” Bianchi remarked bemusedly. He picked up his glass, holding it up to Zane. “I salute your ability to ignore beautiful things in favor of business.”

Zane nodded once and leveled an expectant look at Armen.

“While they"re otherwise occupied, no time like the present.”

“To business, then,” Armen murmured as he raised his own glass.

He and Bianchi touched their glasses together.

After a moment"s hesitation under Bianchi"s expectant eye, Zane went against his earlier decision and lifted the lowball glass in front of him from the dark blue napkin. “To successful business.”

The music hit a crescendo, and there was a smattering of applause from the people watching as one or two of the couples attempted some difficult dips or spins. A glance back saw Norina almost parallel to the ground, one dainty hand trailing the shining wood surface as the other gripped Ty"s elbow. Her feet were between Ty"s legs, sliding easily as Ty pulled her up and into an impressive spinning turn that required some fancy footwork on both their parts.

Zane"s curiosity was in overdrive: where the hell had Ty learned to dance like that? They would be having a talk about this. Zane lifted the glass halfway to his lips but stopped as he continued to watch, wanting… no, aching to be…. After a long moment"s feeling, he shook his head and turned back to the table, letting the lowball glass thump gently to the table as the music faded back into the slow strand of the last vestiges of the tango. He sure did have his occasional flights of fantasy, Zane reflected with no small amount of regret. Dancing a tango with Ty definitely qualified.

“I have arranged for a meeting tomorrow, during the shore excursions,” Armen told them as the music finally ended. He spoke quickly, as if to get it out of the way before the other two returned to the table. “We are to be taken to the objects, allowed to examine them, and then we will negotiate a price for any we deem worthy.”

He had just finished with this curt explanation when Ty and Norina came gliding back to the table.

“Oh, how wonderful!” Norina was exclaiming, hanging onto Ty"s arm and practically dragging him. “I have not danced in such a fashion in too long! We must do it again!”

Zane stood once again with the other men, observing the formalities, and waited for Ty to seat Norina and rejoin him. “Did you enjoy yourself, doll?” he asked, a little more seriously than he"d actually planned.

Ty"s face was flushed, though whether from the exertion or from embarrassment Zane couldn"t be sure. “Yes,” Ty answered curtly. The tone was enough to let Zane know he was blushing and not merely overheated.

Zane slid his arm around Ty"s waist and pulled him in close for a moment. “You looked incredible,” he said honestly. It was good luck that it was in character.

Ty shivered violently. He turned his head and exposed his neck to Zane"s lips as he spoke. “Shut up,” he whispered, flustered yet slightly amused. Zane chuckled and decided to let up. Otherwise he"d pay for it later. So he pulled Ty"s chair out for him instead, but his hands still itched to touch.

“Well done, my lovelies,” Bianchi said as Ty seated himself and Norina beamed at her husband. “Del, I thank you for sparing my poor feet.”

“My pleasure,” Ty responded with a weak attempt at a smile.

Norina turned her charming smile on Ty and began speaking rapidly in Italian to him, obviously too excited to remain in English.

Ty was merely nodding in apparent agreement to whatever she said as he reached for his whiskey. But Zane didn"t want to wait, and he knew getting Ty out on the dance floor wasn"t really a viable option.

So he caught Ty"s hand and lifted it to his lips for a soft kiss along Ty"s knuckles. He leaned very close, brushing his lips against Ty"s cheekbone as he whispered. “How about another blush so they don"t suspect I"m telling you about the meet.”

Ty glanced down slightly and then turned just enough that his breath was warm against Zane"s cheek. He put his drink back down, so distracted that he almost missed the blue napkin. “Is it soon?” he asked softly.

“Tomorrow,” Zane breathed. “On shore.” He leaned a little closer, draping his arm over the back of Ty"s chair. “Maybe you can go shopping,” he murmured.

Ty made a strangled noise in the back of his throat before pulling back and looking away from Zane with a sharp shake of his head. He followed it by stamping hard on Zane"s foot. Zane stifled a pained gasp and a grimace. Bastard. Ty wanted to be in the market when the deal went down, didn"t he? Zane jabbed Ty in the ribs with two fingers and kicked his shin in return while starting to settle back in his chair.

Ty jerked and sat forward too hard, jostling the table and the glass he"d again been reaching for. The hundreds of dollars worth of Scotch in his glass splattered everywhere, soaking the linen tablecloth and the majority of it flowing over the edge onto Ty"s chest and lap.

He stood quickly with a curse under his breath. Norina exclaimed loudly and reached with her napkin to help him. Zane sat back quickly, managing to avoid all but a small splatter across one pants leg, and he had to stifle a laugh. He hadn"t expected Ty to react so violently, but maybe he was in a worse mood than Zane suspected.

Ty convinced Norina not to help him dry off, instead taking her napkin with thanks and then turning narrowed eyes on Zane, as if it had been his fault. “Excuse me, won"t you?” he said to the rest of the table through gritted teeth. “Order me fish, darling. I"ll be back,” he snapped at Zane as he turned and made his way out of the dining room quickly.

Only after he was out of sight did Zane realize Ty had probably taken advantage of the heavy tuxedo to hide a weapon on himself for the first time all week. He couldn"t take the jacket off—they"d see his gun.