Cut and Run 2 - Sticks and Stones

refusing to be deterred now that he’d begun. “I like being with you, Zane. And I’d like to keep that up now that you’re here,” he admitted shakily. He met Zane’s eyes determinedly. “I want you.”
    Stunned, Zane found that all he could do was sit there. Despite how they’d gotten closer, some things were just unspoken; he wouldn’t have imagined hearing this sort of thing from Ty again. The last time had been when they were reunited in DC—more than two months ago—and that had been during a seriously emotional outburst on both their parts. That certainly wasn’t common. And the slow but steady drift apart afterward had made that memory, that warmth and knowledge, fade. But here Ty was, saying it again.
    As for himself, he’d said as much to Deuce up on that mountain. He’d wanted Ty since the first time Ty had met his eyes evenly and given him a soft smile. When Zane allowed himself to think about it, he had to admit that he was a hell of a sucker for the man. The realization had hit him right between the eyes before he left West Virginia. But he tried not to think about it—tried not to think about more —because it was far too close to feelings that terrified him, deeper feelings he knew could cause so much pain when things went bad. Deuce had been right. Feeling too much was what Zane was afraid of. But wanting….
    Ty nodded at Zane’s silence, light color spreading across his cheekbones as he looked down again. “I just wanted you to know,” he said quietly.
    He stood up and reached out to affectionately pet Zane on the head as he walked by, heading back into the apartment. Zane reached out to grab his wrist and he stood. His gut clenched with delight. Hell, there had never been any question that he wanted Ty. Surely Ty knew that without Zane having to say it.
    “I’m on board with that,” he declared.
    Ty blinked at him, his fingers curling around Zane’s hand as Zane held his wrist tightly. “Really?” he asked in honest surprise.
    Zane smiled warmly. “Really. I want you here, with me,” he assured him. “I’m glad you’re home,” he added softly.
    Ty actually managed to blush further, and he swatted at Zane’s head as he backed away. Zane grinned as he reached out and caught Ty again around the waist.
    “Rumor has it we’re being put back into fieldwork next week,” Ty told him as he let himself be dragged back close to Zane.
    “We’ve got to be safer there,” Zane responded wryly as he pressed his forehead to Ty’s and brushed his nose against Ty’s cheek.
    Ty laughed, the sound rich and honest and carefree. True to form, all the problems and hangups and issues that had been thrown at them had already slid right off his back, and the Ty Grady Zane knew so well was here with him again, alive and well, and they were together. Now Zane had every reason he needed to get himself straightened out.
    No way was he going to fuck it up.

Check out this exclusive sneak peek at the sequel to Sticks & Stones
    F ISH & C HIPS
    By Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux

    T HEY sat at McCoy’s conference table, behaving themselves and attempting to appear abashed.
    Ty figured Dan McCoy knew him better that that, though. He was probably still getting a read on Zane, though, just like everyone else in the Baltimore office. They’d only been actively assigned to Baltimore for a few weeks now. Ty was at home. Zane was still an unknown to most everyone, despite the stories that had filtered through about their past escapades.
    McCoy knew enough to know they were up to no good, anyway.
    “I hope you got it out of your systems,” McCoy finally said to them in annoyance.
    “We were just putting on a demonstration,” Ty explained easily. “Zane calls it, ‘How To Get Your Ass Kicked.’ It goes over real well with the rookies,” he drawled, overly pleased with himself.
    Zane just sat there looking cool and comfortable in his well-fitted suit. He had a small smile on his face as he shook his head slightly at his partner.
    “Shut up, Grady,” McCoy requested flatly.
    “Right,” Ty muttered. He shifted in his seat and leaned forward. “You said you had an assignment for us?” he asked eagerly. He would take anything over the “getting up to speed” deskwork they’d been doing the last three weeks. Despite one blip up in the mountains of West Virginia, the last eight weeks of Ty’s life had been godawful boring. Even Zane couldn’t keep Ty’s wavering attention for very long