Grayson hung back, held up a phone, acting like he was checking the time, but his eyes tracked every step.
Colton’s muscles tensed, ready for the chase. Instead, the rain picked up, starting as a gentle tap and then building again until droplets misted every car in sight.
Guy didn’t even raise his collar.
The rhythm of the street swallowed Colton up, just another guy hustling along. The rain left a wet, grimy line along the curb, water dripping onto his boots from weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk.
The stranger stopped at a battered Ford, wrenched the door, and slid behind the wheel. Colton didn’t even bother glancing that way as he rounded the intersection, but he caught the plate out of his peripheral and sent a quick text to Grayson. The lion shifter would remember the numbers. He didn’t miss details.
Grayson watched the car idle. “Go check on your mate. I’ll see where this guy runs off to.”
Colton watched his team leader head to his truck parked a block back, but his eyes never left the rust bucket of a car as it rolled off the curb and cut through traffic.
Waited until the car vanished, then doubled back the way he’d come, the walk feeling twice as long. The town had that washed-out, post-storm look. Sidewalks slick, windows fogged, and the air heavy enough to lick off your skin.
Inside the diner, the customers were quieter now, the breakfast crowd thinned to a handful of locals.
Zack was nowhere in sight.
Every muscle wanted to launch itself into panic mode. Colton scanned the booths, the tables, kitchen pass window, nada.
The counter was bare except for a smeared napkin and half a slice of pie. Jace had vanished into the kitchen, Axel was hunched over receipts, ignoring everyone.
Maybe he’d gone on break. Maybe the creep from before had circled back and—
Zack stepped out of the bathroom, hands sliding into the back pockets of his jeans. He looked up in time to snag Colton’s gaze, then flashed a grin so bright it damn near knocked Colton on his ass.
Any tension spun off like old cobwebs.
Zack barely got the first word out before Colton kissed him. Just a quick flash of tongue and teeth, a grip on the back of Zack’s shirt that said you’re not going anywhere, not now or ever.
“Missed you.” Colton’s voice came out rough.
“You weren’t gone that long.” A tiny smirk.
Their eyes locked, and Colton’s stomach went low and hot. He wanted to pick Zack up and carry him out of the diner, but judging from the way Axel eyed them, now wasn’t the time. “Everything good here?”
“My life is a whirlwind of bad tips and hotcakes, but otherwise, yeah.” Zack grinned, voice going just a tad wobbly. “Unless you count the guy who ordered a bagel and then, I shit you not, tried to return it.”
Jace snorted. “Don’t get him started on the bagel conspiracy.”
Zack leaned in, whispering, “Did you catch the creeper?”
Colton shook his head. “Lost him. Grayson’s on it, though.”
“He was my size. I could’ve taken him.”
That earned a real laugh out of Colton. “Next time, Blue.”
Colton claimed a seat by the window, watching the street and the slow drag of traffic. There wouldn’t be a next time. He would make sure of it.
Chapter Ten
The sun had just crested over the horizon, chasing away the shadows. Since Colton had stepped out to meet with Grayson about the weirdo from the diner, Zack needed something to do to pass the time. Mooning over Colton while he was gone wasn’t something Zack cared to do. So he rolled his invisible sleeves back and threw himself into cleaning, inhaling as the scent of coconuts from the cleaning wipes filled the air.
Wiping down the counter in slow circles, he let thoughts of Colton fill his head. The way those brown eyes went dark with hunger. How his voice dropped an octave when they made love. Every memory sent warmth pooling low in Zack's belly, making his skin feel too tight.
Love. That was the word rattling around in his brain, refusing to be ignored. Too soon, probably. Insane, definitely. But there it was, lodged somewhere between his ribs and making itself at home.
