“Is it safe to move him?” Ridge couldn’t think straight. Shadow stared at him, wearing an expression Ridge had never seen. It was like he tried to say goodbye, and Ridge couldn’t take it.
Their newest team member, Briggs, appeared. “Either we move him or he dies here. Let’s go.” Before Ridge could rub two thoughts together, Briggs had Shadow in his arms. Rain kept pacewith him, keeping pressure on the wound. Ridge had no idea how bad he was. He didn’t know if a bullet had torn through his neck or if an artery was nicked. In the face of losing Shadow again, he was useless.
They were in the van and on their way in under a minute. It felt like a lifetime. Ridge held Shadow’s hand. Rain silently cried. Tracker called Rain’s husband as he drove. He was their physician slash live-in surgeon. They needed him to be ready, if Shadow made it that long.
Ridge couldn’t help it and didn’t care how many witnesses he had. He kissed Shadow and babbled.
“I love you, baby. Please be okay. You can’t leave me again. I might not survive it this time. Just please hang in there. Don’t go.”
He didn’t know if Shadow couldn’t talk or if he was too scared to. Either way, Shadow never made a sound. The ride home felt like an eternity. When they got there, everything flew, but still felt like it crawled. Austen had a team ready to go and had Shadow on the table in no time. His brothers kept squeezing his shoulder and placating him. All Ridge could do was wait. He honestly wasn’t sure he could survive this.
The curves were tight. Zeus had never pushed his car as hard. He didn’t even check how fast he drove. All Zeus knew was he had to get to Shadow. Field’swords still rang in his ears. He had known Zeus would want to know. At the end of the day, he cared about Shadow more than anyone understood. There was nothing he could do. Shadow had the best care money could buy. But Zeus had to be there to pace. If he died, Zeus had to be close enough to touch him. Even he didn’t know why. Maybe it wouldn’t be real unless he was there. Most everyone didn’t feel very real to him. That was a byproduct of being brainwashed by the Russian government. He had dragged himself out of that mess and redirected his rage into control. Shadow was one of the very few people to crawl beneath his skin. He had known Shadow came to him because he loved Ridge, and Zeus just happened to look a lot like him. Zeus still wondered if he had given Shadowhis all, if Shadow would have chosen him. Zeus had been too scared to do that, so he had kept Shadow just angry enough with him to keep him from getting attached. Yeah, he was an asshole. Everyone knew it. Zeus didn’t know any other way to be. His tires squealed as he zipped into the driveway. He barely had his car in park before he was off and running.
A night guard he had met a couple of times stopped him before he made it to the door. “Ridge might come unglued if he sees you here. He’s a man on the edge right now.”
Fuck. He hadn’t really considered that. “I can’t leave.” Zeus knew this guy didn't understand. He was connected to this family, even if it was from the shadows. He had tobe here.
Clay squeezed his shoulder. “I didn’t say you had to leave. You can hang out. I’ll keep you posted. Ridge just can’t see you. He’s not holding up so well.”
Zeus nodded and paced. What had he thought coming here would accomplish? The back door opened and ruined Zeus’ plan to stay out of Ridge’s path. Ridge stepped outside. Their gazes met. Ridge looked like shit. He was covered in dried blood. He looked like a man ready to come apart at the seams.
“Tracker told me you’re here.”
Zeus nodded. His throat swelled. Ridge walked toward him and somehow Zeus knew exactly what to do. He opened his arms. Ridge walked into them. Zeus hugged him as tight as he could without crushing him.
“He’ll be okay. Shadow wouldn’t leave you.”
Ridge nodded. “He almost didn’t make it here. I don’t know what’ll happen.”
Zeus’ throat swelled. He couldn’t imagine a world without Shadow in it. “He fought too hard to get back to you. You won’t lose him.” Zeus had no idea if he was telling the truth.
Ridge took a step back. His eyes were red rimmed. “Thank you. I should probably get back inside. Are you coming?”
Zeus shook his head. “My nerves are too shot. I think I’ll just stay out here and pace. Clay will keep me updated, but you should definitely be in there, waiting for him.”
Ridge took a step back, nodding. “Thanks again for coming.If you change your mind, just come inside. I’m sure the rest of the guys would love to see you.”
“I will.” He wouldn’t. The more he thought about it, the more he realized he didn’t deserve to be there.
“Are you two twins? I swear I’ve never noticed before, but this is the first time I’ve seen you two this close together. Holy hell. You’re nearly identical.”
Zeus and Ridge shared a smile. Zeus answered on their behalf. “Maybe. There’s no way for us to know.”
Ridge squeezed his shoulder, bringing Zeus’ focus back to him. “See you soon.”
Zeus dipped his chin.
Ridge disappeared inside the house.
Zeus went back to pacing.
“He’s lucky to have you as a friend… or brother. Whatever you two are.”
Zeus snorted before he could stop himself. “No one deserves the plague that is me darkening their door.”
Clay’s hazel gaze followed him. “That’s not how it looked just now with Ridge.”
Because he was an absolute bastard who could have anyone he wanted, he snagged Clay’s waist and had him up against his car in an instant. His mouth covered Clay’s. Just as Zeus predicted, Clay didn’t push him away. He kissed him back. The kiss was—unfortunately—way hotter than he expected. Clay had a talented tongue. Still, Zeus was merely making a point.
