When the Dead Speak by Bailey Bradford (books to read to increase intelligence txt) 📗

his feet. Pain shot up from the soles of Sev’s feet and he hissed before he could stop himself. In a split second, his world tipped, and Sev found himself, much to his embarrassment, being held in Laine’s arms, carried like a child.

“Put me down!” He squirmed and then gasped when Laine popped him on the butt.

“You just keep still or I’ll toss you over my shoulder—that’d be quite a show for Brendon and Zeke, huh?”

Feeling like a fool, Sev grabbed a handful of the T-shirt and made sure his parts stayed as covered as possible while he was carried to Zeke’s truck. He tried to ignore the snickers he heard coming from the two other men, but really, this was humiliating on too many levels.

Brendon pulled open the truck door so Laine could set Sev down. He picked up Sev’s feet one at a time, scowling at the damage to them.

“Your feet are all torn up, baby. Going to have to dig out a few thorns.” Laine glanced over his shoulder and tipped his chin. Zeke shook his head.

“Buddy, you are a mess—and Laine hasn’t even seen all the scratches that shirt’s hiding.” At that, Laine grabbed the edge of the shirt, intentions clear. Sev smacked at his hand, unwilling to take any more hits to his ego.

“Stop it! I am not taking this off and sitting here bare-ass naked!”

Brendon laughed. “We already saw everything pretty much anyway when we got here—what are you glaring at, Laine? Whose shirt do you think he’s wearing? I’ll give you a hint—it belongs to the sexy guy without a shirt on.”

“I don’t give a rat’s ass what you saw when you pulled up! This is staying on my body until I can have some privacy!”

Laine leaned forward until his nose was almost touching Sev’s. “I’ve got news for you, Sev, it’s only staying on your body until I take it off, understand?”

Sev wanted to thump his stupid dick for liking that dominating tone. He started to snarl a reply when Zeke intervened.

“Okay, I just want to point out that some nutbag was in your house, Laine. And I missed the fucker when he ran out the back door. Maybe we should deal with that before you two decide how Severo gets naked again.”

Laine knew Zeke was right, but leaving Sev was one of the hardest things he’d ever done.

“All right, why don’t you and Brendon take Sev back to your place and—” The other three men immediately protested that idea, with Sev pointing out that Laine had just told him he couldn’t take off the damned shirt without Laine present.

“Fine! You can take off the shirt, then!” Laine flung his hands up in the air and let them flop back at his sides. “If it will get you somewhere safe, then you can parade around butt-naked!”

“Laine, why don’t I take Sev back and you and Zeke check out your place? You have to call this in or write up a report, right? And while I am not in a big hurry to leave Zeke here, he is a much better shot than I am.”

Zeke rolled his eyes and popped Brendon’s hip. “Apparently not today. I didn’t even nick that bastard, but Brendon’s right.”

Laine didn’t like it, but Sev needed tending to and it was better that somebody stay here with Laine. He nodded, a sharp jerk of his head showing his unhappiness with the whole situation, then he did what he’d been needing to do since he’d got up for work. Laine stuck his head back into the truck and kissed Sev, stealing the man’s surprised gasp.

“I’m so glad that bastard didn’t hurt you, baby.”

Sev’s eyes seemed to melt at the words, or maybe it was the kiss, Laine didn’t know. He brushed his thumb over his lover’s bottom lip then stepped back. “We’ll be there as soon as we can be.”

“Be careful, please. I meant what I said. Conner… He told me when he showed up to warn me that I was in danger. That man wants you, Laine.”

Laine put on a smile he wasn’t feeling. “Well, he can’t have me, and he isn’t going to take you from me, either. You ready, Zeke?”

“Let me get my cane out of the truck. I won’t do you any good if I fall flat on my ass while some weirdo is trying to nail you.”

“Here—” Brendon jogged around to the driver’s side and got Zeke’s cane, handing it over to his lover along with a kiss. “You two take care of each other, and only shoot the bad guy. I will be one angry man if I lose either of you.”

“I’ll bring him back in one piece, Brendon, though I think I’ll toss one of my shirts on him first. I don’t want to have to keep looking at that flabby body.” Laine grinned and ducked back from the swing of Zeke’s cane.

“You only wished you looked this good, old man. Now, quit drooling over my abs and let’s get this done.”

Sparing Sev one last glance, Laine drew his weapon and led Zeke to the house. Once the truck was headed away, Laine worked his way around the outside of the house. When he found his bedroom window pried open, icy fingers of fear trailed down his spine. If Sev had been asleep… But he had been, hadn’t he, or close to it. And Conner had warned him. Laine closed his eyes and propped himself against the side of the house, ignoring Zeke’s questions about whether he was okay.

On a shaky breath, Laine murmured his gratitude. “Thank you, Conner. You saved more than just his life, you know. I’ll get this son of a bitch, I promise.” The only reply forthcoming was a soft breeze that swept across Laine’s cheek.

Chapter Seven

Between Brendon’s worried looks and knowing smirks, Sev wasn’t sure what to expect from the man. Then there was the fact that he felt ridiculous sitting in the truck wearing Zeke’s