Reese stood on Gideon’s back porch, damp from the rainy mist that was falling gently in the woods around him. He pressed the phone harder against his ear, the voice on the other end coming through as a disembodied crackle. “Say that again?” Reese didn't even want to be on this call, though he’d known he’d have to take it sooner or later.

 

“Are they there?”

 

Reese glanced inside, where he could see the three Cooper siblings gathered around Gideon's kitchen table. Rae and Declan sat catty-corner to each other, their heads thrown back in laughter. Jared stood between them, and though it was hard to tell through the glass door, he didn't seem to be smiling along with the other two. Reese watched from Gideon’s deck as Jared bent down to see something Rae was pointing at, his long chestnut bangs falling down over his pretty eyes. “They’re here.”

 

“Are the other two as good as Declan?”

 

“I don’t know yet.” Reese started to pace the length of Gideon’s patio, his eyes still on Jared who had backed away from the kitchen table and pressed himself against the far wall of the kitchen, his fingers playing over his sleeve with that strip of leather he wore on one wrist. “Trained by Johnathan Cooper, I’d bet on it, though.”

 

“Weren’t you on our job in Salt Lake?”

 

Reese forced himself to tune into the phone call. “Yeah, but they weren’t with me. I got here later than planned and headed right out the next morning. I just got back today.” His thigh still burned, but once he’d snuck a snack and a nap, the dizziness had gone away. “Iris Chambeaux is in town, with the Prescott brothers. Tate said something about a job down in Arkansas, and the Coopers are wanting to tag along.”  Reese would go to keep an eye on them if he had to, but he had been hoping to rest his leg a day or two. It wasn’t that bad, and he’d had worse. But damn, he was exhausted.

 

“Where in Arkansas?”

 

“Uh,” Reese tore his gaze away from Jared. “Some small town. Near Pine Bluff, I think.”

 

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Scrap it.”

 

Reese stopped short. “What?”

 

“Scrap it. Stop it. Don’t let them go.”

 

“Why the hell not?”

 

“We’re planning something big, in a few days. Near Jefferson City. Make sure the Coopers are down there.”

 

“When?”

 

“Soon enough that I don’t want them stuck in bumfuck Arkansas in the meantime.”

 

Reese’s breath caught in his chest when he saw Jared staring at him through the kitchen door.

 

“Slater? Do I need to send someone else up there?”

 

Reese swung away from the house at the sound of the kitchen door sliding open. “No,” he said, his hand tightening on the phone. “I can handle it.”

 

“Make sure they’re in Jefferson with you, Reese. If you can’t do that-“

 

Reese walked further from the doorway, where he could feel Jared’s eyes on his back. “I said I’m handling it,” he bit out.

 

“I’ll let you know when I know more.” The connection ended at the same time Jared closed the door behind him.

 

Reese shoved his phone back into his jeans pocket. He braced his arms on the railing that encircled the deck, the moisture left by the falling rain quickly seeping through his sleeves.

 

Jared came to rest next to him on the wooden rail. A moment passed, with only the sound of raindrops bouncing off of leaves echoing through Gideon’s tree lined backyard. “What are you handling?”

 

Reese drew in a deep breath, and on the exhale masked his frustration under a wry smirk. “Haven’t we already talked about eavesdropping?”

 

Jared’s shoulder lifted. “Can’t help it. It’s my timing, I guess.”

 

While Jared was still looking out towards the lake that rested past the trees, Reese’s eyes dropped to the thick leather cuff on Jared’s wrist. Reese had seen the inked imprint on hundreds of rescues that he had picked up over the years, but he had never met anyone who had worn anything to cover it up. He knew that jewelry and body adornments had been quite common in America before The Ravaging, but now it was practically unheard of. People usually wanted to show off their pure, untainted skin as immediate proof of not being a ditchbreed.

 

Jared lifted his hands from the railing, and in an instant he was shrugging down the sleeve of his sweater to cover his wrist. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, fixing Reese with a glare that seemed much too harsh on his pretty face.

 

Reese silently admonished himself for getting caught staring. “The rain is really starting to come down. You should go back inside,” he said, the words coming out more dismissive than he had intended. The rain hadn’t actually picked up, but the veiled order was out of his mouth before he could stop it. Reese leaned back against the porch rail and shoved his hands in his pockets to resist the urge to wipe away the annoyance on Jared’s face.

 

Jared’s eyes flashed. “You want to know something?”

 

Even as he shouted at himself to keep his distance, Reese was drawn to Jared, pulled by an innate need to protect this rescue from anything and everything.

 

Including himself.

 

The notion confused the hell out of him, yet it only got stronger every time they met.  “What’s that?” Jared wasn't acting so shy now, in fact he looked pissed.

 

Jared hugged his elbows, but didn't look away. “I’m getting really tired of people thinking they know what’s best for me.”

 

A thrill shot through Reese at seeing the first display of boldness from Jared since they met. There was nothing for Jared to hide behind out here, and nothing between them but the rain. “Is that right?” Reese stepped closer, their bodies just inches apart. Jared was shorter than Reese only by a couple of inches, just enough that Reese would have to tilt his head down to kiss him again. 

 

“Yeah.” Jared tipped his chin up. “I’m sick of being told what to do.”

 

Reese placed his hands on the railing, on either side of Jared. “Maybe people are just trying to look out for you.” His palms itched to grab onto Jared’s slim hips, to tug him up against Reese’s body and show Jared every dirty thought that was running through his mind. If Jared had any idea what Reese was thinking, he’d know better than to trap himself in such a tenuous situation.

 

Reese wanted to yank Jared tight against his chest so he could kiss him again, for real this time, until they were both out of breath and neither one of them could see straight.

 

Jared’s tongue darted out to lick his lips. “Or maybe they don’t care what I want.”

 

Reese watched the movement, his mind turning an innocent gesture immediately filthy. “So then,” Reese murmured, bending his head low, the scruff on his cheeks just barely grazing Jared’s temple. “What do you want?”

 

Jared unfolded his arms, his slender fingers just barely peeking out of his sleeves. He looked up at Reese and reached out, agonizingly slow, to touch his palm to Reese’s chest. Reese shifted closer, his eyes glued to Jared’s lips and the way they barely opened when he spoke. Jared’s voice was a whisper, skittering across Reese’s skin. “I want-“

 

The slick slide of the glass door made Jared startle, and Reese ripped away from him with a curse.

 

Gideon raised an eyebrow. “Dinner is just about ready,” he said slowly, eyeing Reese. “Think it’s best you two get on in here.”

 

The moment shattered, Jared rushed past them, hurrying indoors.

 

Reese ran his hands down his face, now thankful for the cooling rain that was still falling. He made to follow Jared, but Gideon’s hand on his chest stopped him. “You better be damn careful about what it is you want there, boy.” He pierced Reese with a glare before turning back inside.

 

Reese swore again. If Jared looked up at him with those curious, innocent eyes one more time, careful was going to go right out the window.

 

 

“Alright, dig in.” Kip set a humongous bowl of pasta smothered in meatballs and marinara in the center of the table. “I just did what I could with what I found.”

 

“Better than what I could have done.” Rae commented.

 

Kip flashed her a smile. “Now, I doubt that.”

 

Declan shook his head. “Don’t. RaeRae could show you up in a heartbeat at any kind of escape, but when it comes to cooking? If you value your life, turn down anything she offers you.”

 

“Okay, my lasagna was not that bad.” Rae countered.

 

“Your attempt at lasagna,” Jared corrected. “Also known as the last time we let you anywhere near the kitchen.” He looked only at Rae, like he was trying to pretend that there weren’t six other people at the table.

 

“Alright, you all leave her alone.” Gideon settled, though his mouth had curled upwards. He addressed Reese. “Tell me again what this nonsense is about these guys not going to Pine Bluff?”

 

Reese tapped his fingers on the tabletop. “I think we’re better off waiting for a bigger job.”

 

Declan huffed. “Since when do we wait to help people?

 

Reese took Jared’s plate and filled it, passing it to him before loading up his own. “Don’t you think it’s a bit overkill to send five people to a small sanctuary town? Hell, Hatch just sent me to a raid with only two other Renegades. And that wasn't just an extraction, that was fending off a dozen agents on top.”

 

“Dammit, I told you I don’t know what the hell happened down there. There were others who were supposed to show up.” Gideon filled his plate with spaghetti, his bushy eyebrows drawing together. “Maybe you’re right, that we should hold off.”

 

“Hey, what? No!” Rae cried. “We need to get back to work, dammit.”

 

Declan narrowed his eyes at Gideon. “You aren’t seriously going to let Slater upend our plans.”

 

Gideon sighed. He eyed Reese. “You’ve got something you wanna share, son?”

 

Reese took a long sip of beer, waiting them out. “I just think it’s a waste of resources, especially when we don’t know what might be coming around the next corner.”

 

“Scary thing these days, not having communication lines like we used to,” Tate said. “Too many Renegades not showing up where they’re supposed to be.”

 

“Lack of communication isn’t our only problem,” Reese said. His eyes went dark. “Ever since Johnathan Cooper’s death, too many Renegades decided that the fight isn’t worth the risk. That’s probably why no one came to help down in Salt Lake.”

 

“Yeah, well, they ain’t deservin’ to be called Renegades, then.” Gideon grumbled. He squeezed Iris’s hand where she laid it on his thigh.

 

“Because they're scared,” Declan surmised, continuing Reese’s line of thought.

 

Reese nodded. “Scared that without a leader, the Renegade movement is going to fall apart. Leaving trackers and runners unprotected if shit goes down uncoordinated. And if that happens at every one of our interceptions, hell even just at half of them, then we are screwed.”

 

“It’s been two years,” Rae said, her eyes shiny.

 

“It takes time for the chess board to be put back together, after a king is lost.” Iris said, her voice soft with reverence.

 

“Johnathan Cooper was a good man,” Kip offered. He raised his beer in Rae’s direction. “Only worked with him on a job once, but damn, that man could lead.”

 

“You couldn’t be more right, cher,” Iris toasted. Gideon got up to hand another round of beers around the table.

 

Jared pushed his away. “It’s not exactly smart to be drinking before a job.”

 

“Skip the job.” Reese repeated. He popped the cap off his bottle. “You Coopers are some of the best fighters out there. Everyone at this table knows you don’t need to be wasting time on some backroads practice run in Arkansas.”

 

“And Slater finally says something I agree with,” Declan muttered. “The first part, anyway.”

 

Jared’s left leg jiggled a rapid rhythm beneath the table. “Getting rescues to a shelter isn’t a waste of time,” he argued.

 

Reese slid his leg against Jared’s, turning his ankle to stop Jared’s shaking. “I didn't mean it like that.”

 

“But you want to choose who gets saved.” Jared pulled his foot back, his fork hitting his plate with a clatter. He squared a look at Reese. “You know I’m one of them, right? That I’m a ditch-”

 

“Jared!” Declan barked.

 

“Right?” Jared demanded.

 

Reese slowly set his beer bottle down and returned Jared’s look. He could see him trying not to shake. “I know you’re a rescue,” Reese said calmly. “I know you were born to think that you’re dirty and unlovable, that you’re just a sinful threat to the rest of us.” Reese’s leg pressed into Jared’s again. “I also know you have multiple people surrounding you right now who don’t think that way, who would never use that word to describe who you are.” Reese cut a look to Declan, who was already watching the Prescott brothers for any possible negative reaction on their part. Satisfied that Declan was on guard, Reese turned his attention back to Jared.

 

Jared looked down at his hands, twisting them in his lap. He bit his lip. “We can’t just ignore the rescues in Pine Bluff now that we know they are there.”

 

“They deserve to be saved just as much as any other.” Reese agreed. “Tate and Kip should still go. But the three of you sure as hell don’t need to.”

 

“I’m sorry, remind me when we appointed you lead coordinator?” Declan snapped. “Maybe you should-“

 

“He’s right,” Gideon interrupted. “A sanctuary city like Pine Bluff shouldn’t require that much man power. We are spread too thin as it is.” He shared a glance with Iris. “Besides, after talking with Blaine and Brandt, something tells me we are gonna have a short window of time to get a hell of a lot together.”

 

“Alright then.” Tate excused himself and rose from the table, his brother following suit. “Kip and I are gonna head for Pine Bluff. We will keep you posted on the job.” He nodded to Gideon. “Much obliged for the hospitality.”

 

Kip finished shaking hands around the table, pausing when he got to Jared. “I know some rescues don’t much like being touched. Just so you know, my brother and I don’t care what you are. Just glad to have you on our side.”

 

Jared nodded his thanks. He didn’t offer his hand, but Reese felt Jared’s leg slide up against his again beneath the table.

 

“You boys be careful.” Iris stood to walk them out. “And if things go south, you get the hell out, you hear me?”

 

Tate smiled, and kissed her cheek. “Yes ma’am.”

 

 

Later that night, Jared stepped out into steamy summer air that was stickier than Gideon’s pancakes. The earlier rain had left behind a heavy blanket of humidity. Even with its thick heat, the quiet of the night still felt refreshing compared to the suffocating atmosphere inside.  After that dinner, Jared was desperate to get out of the confines of the house.

 

And if he wanted a little privacy for the simmering emotions that threatened to boil over any second, well, that was his business. Jared was ready to get back to work, to feel like his own rescue had meant something, but now that there were other Renegades in town and real talk of impending jobs, a feeling of uselessness was sinking down in his stomach. A familiar nagging voice inside his head told him he wasn't good enough, that he wasn't a fighter like Rae or a strategist like Declan.

 

Jared looked down at the photo of his family on the beach, the one he had taken when he’d been in Rae’s room the other day. He’d stashed it in his hoodie after training today, needing to be little closer to something of Johnathan’s memory. Jared hadn't looked at it since he and his siblings had gone through Johnathan’s things, but after spending half of dinner talking about their dad, Jared felt nostalgic enough to pull it out.

 

He missed his dad so much it hurt.

 

You really let this marked up street scum call him Dad?

 

Recalling William’s harsh words, Jared squeezed his eyes shut, tears seeping out the corners. Jared was lucky, he knew, to have been found by someone with a heart as kind as Johnathan Cooper’s. His life could have ended, or turned out so differently, if someone else had caught him that night.

 

A ragged cry exploded from his chest, and Jared sunk down onto the long porch swing, his body doubling over with the force of his sobs. He shook with the echo of the loss of his dad, the man who had saved him from the streets and raised him to be what he was.

 

Because William had been right, Jared was a ditchbreed. He didn't deserve to sit around a kitchen table, acting like he had a home. He didn't even know his real last name. He’d always imagined what it would have been like, growing up in a nice neighborhood with his own name and his own things. Jared had skulked around plenty of high-end cul de sacs lined with majestic estates and manicured lawns because fancy houses always threw out the best food. When the weather was bad and no one in their right minds would be outside, Jared could get away with scavenging the trash cans of the elite. Their taste in food was gourmet and classy, and even leftovers out of a polished garbage can tasted better than the scraps he normally found tossed out on the streets.

 

Then Johnathan had appeared, one rainy night working a raid on a nearby camp. Even though Jared had been an expert at hiding at even the first sign of Agents, Johnathan had spotted him, coaxed him out from the large shipping crate Jared had retreated into, and had made Jared feel safe enough to let Johnathan take him home.

 

Jared wrapped his fingers around his leather cuff, purposefully digging the fabric into his scarred skin. Losing the only parent he had ever known hurt like a caustic chemical burn, eating away his insides and leaving him torn and empty. He deserved it, he rebuked himself, for trying to pretend to be something other than what he was. Living with the Coopers, Jared had gotten too used to being part of a loving family, rather than the lonely ditchbreed he was born to be.

 

Ragged sobs wracked his body and Jared clenched harder around his scar, needing to feel something other than the agony ripping him apart inside. Physical pain he could handle; the suffering consuming him from the inside out was much harder to bear. Jared fought against the urge to crumple the photograph in his hand, his body’s shaking at war with his brain’s instructions towards preserving one of the few visual memories of Johnathan Cooper.

 

When the raw sobs finally abated Jared gasped for breath, sitting back up against the old wooden swing. His stomach and chest hurt, and his throat felt like he had swallowed glass. Wrapping a hand around one of the metal chains holding the swing in place, Jared pressed his face against the metal links, their sterile chill bringing a refreshing sensation to his burning cheeks.

 

He startled as heavy booted steps made their way up Gideon’s creaky porch stairs. Jared swiftly wiped his eyes, and only for a second debated making a run for it back inside before deciding not to bother.

 

Reese had already seen him, and Jared wasn't in the mood to face his brother and sister.

 

Reese came to a stop a few feet from where Jared sat, stopping just short of the front door. He paused and glanced sideways when he heard Jared’s shaky exhale. “Jared?”

 

Jared’s throat wasn't working yet. He sniffed louder than expected, and tried to wipe his eyes as best he could. The obscurity of the night couldn't have been dark enough for Reese to miss the pained look on Jared’s face.

 

“Jared?” Reese repeated, softer this time. “You okay?”

 

Jared took in the toolbox hanging from Reese’s hand. “What are you doing?” He didn’t mean to sound so abrupt.

 

“I was out in the shed, working on my bike.” Reese set the tools down. “What are you doing, Jared?” His voice was soft, his tone much too insightful and concerned for Jared’s taste.

 

Jared resisted the urge to bite out a harsh laugh. He’d been wondering the same thing. “I don’t belong here.”

 

Reese looked around, stepping closer to Jared’s swing. “I’m guessing you don’t mean Iowa.”

 

Jared spared him a sideways glance. “No.” Just having this gorgeous man give Jared any of his time sent him over the edge again. “You can go inside. Just le-leave me alone. I-I can’t, I’m not-“ Jared pulled his knees into his chest and hid his face, his arms draped over them. He dug his leather cuff as far into his skin as it could go, relishing in the burn he deserved.

 

“Stop that.” The swing rattled under Reese’s weight, his strong arms wrapping tightly around Jared.

 

Jared wanted to scream at Reese not to touch him; he was dirty, tainted. Why couldn't Reese see that? He pinched the photo between his fingers and let out a pained cry. Reese held him tighter and after several moments, Jared quit fighting.

 

“It doesn’t make a difference.” Reese said softly.

 

Jared turned his face into Reese’s shoulder and ran his nose across his sleeve. “What doesn’t?”

 

“You being a rescue.” Reese answered, pulling back slightly so he could look Jared in the eye. “Having the mark.”

 

Jared raised his head and gave a scornful half-laugh. “It makes every difference.”

 

“The hell it does.” Reese’s eyes flashed, starlight glinting in their deep blue depths. “You’re a Renegade, Jared, just like us. That mark on your arm doesn’t take away from that. But more than a Renegade, you’re a human being. I know most of society makes you think that you aren’t worth anything just because of some damn stain on your arm, but you are. You are, sweetheart, and dammit I wish there was a way to make you see that.”

 

Jared’s heart raced, skipping with something that he was afraid to call hope. “When Johnathan found me,” Jared cleared his throat. “He told me that it would all be okay, that I was safe now, and he was going to take me home.” More tears spilled over Jared’s lashes as he recalled that day. He shook his head. “I didn’t even know what that meant. Home.”

 

“But he gave you one.”

 

Jared nodded, wiping his eyes. “He did. And Declan and Rae, they just, acted like I belonged with them. They made me feel like part of a family. And I know I’m so lucky that they found me. That I found them. But there are still so many people who think rescues are damaged, or even dangerous.” His eyes burned, and the despair overtook him once more. “Just because we were born with…I was b-born with…I’m just a dirty ditchbreed.” His eyes once more burned with tears.

 

“Don’t,” Reese said sharply. “Don’t use that word. That’s not what you are, Jared.”

 

“Yes, it is!” Jared cried.

 

Reese took Jared’s face between his hands, dipping his head down to look Jared straight in the eye. “No. It’s how you were born. It’s not what you are. You’re a beautiful, strong, sweet man. That’s what makes you who you are, Jared, the same way that Rae is a skilled fighter and Declan is stubborn as shit.”

 

Jared exhaled a shaky laugh, his hands wrapping around Reese’s wrists.

 

“You matter, Jared.” Reese pressed his forehead to Jared’s, and another tear rolled down Jared’s cheek. Reese’s hands slid down to Jared’s knees, slowly lowering Jared’s legs off of the bench. He cupped a big hand around the nape of Jared’s neck. “You don’t even realize how amazing you are.” He bent forward and captured Jared’s mouth, his kiss as soft as his words.

 

Jared’s lips parted in surprise, and Reese gently pushed his tongue inside, exploring, tasting. Jared opened to let him in further, placing his hands tentatively on Reese’s shoulders. The kiss deepened, becoming more forceful, their lips melding tighter at every delicious turn. Only their feet on the ground keeping them from falling off balance, the swing rocking back and forth with the weight of their kiss.

 

Jared gave himself up to it, reveling in the feeling of Reese plundering his mouth. One of Reese’s hands gripped Jared’s hip and the other threaded through his hair, holding Jared at just the right angle to delve deeper, showing him in a kiss what his words had meant.

 

Jared’s hands curled into Reese’s jacket as he kissed back. A strange confidence took hold of his body as he leaned up and into Reese, taking over the kiss, pushing him against the back of the swing. Jared followed, straddling Reese’s thighs, and the deep moan Reese let out when Jared settled on his hips on top of Reese’s shot straight through Jared deeper than any stain ever could. Jared tilted his head, changing the angle of the kiss, savoring the sharp feeling of Reese’s three day stubble against his skin. Jared tore his lips away and rubbed his cheek along Reese’s jawline, peppering kisses along the sharp angles of his face as he went.

 

Reese’s hands slid down to grip Jared’s hips. “Goddamn, sweetheart.”  He tangled a hand in Jared’s hair, fisting hard enough to tug Jared’s face back just an inch. “That pretty mouth is gonna kill me.” He crushed his mouth to Jared’s once more, no sweetness this time, only pure want, showing Jared with his lips and tongue just how much he wanted to take. Jared rocked his hips into Reese, letting out a shuddered moan as his cock brushed against one just as hard as his own. Reese’s hips shot up off the bench swing, rubbing deliciously against Jared before pulling back. “Stop. Have to stop.”

 

Jared shook his head, brushing his lips back and forth against Reese’s. “Don’t want to stop.” He ran his mouth along Reese’s jaw again, wanting to hear that gravelly voice ground out another groan.

 

“I don’t want to stop either.” Reese’s hips hitched up into his again, making Jared gasp. “But someone could come out here any minute, sweetheart.” Reese trailed off on a groan as Jared rotated his hips in a circle. “Oh, for the love of...don’t move like that.” Reese’s body belied his instruction as he grabbed Jared’s hips and ground him down against his cock.

 

Jared let Reese pull his body back and forth, the denim of their jeans rubbing painfully against their hardened flesh. “Please,” Jared panted. Nothing in his life had ever felt so good. He let Reese catch his lips again, and breathed against his mouth. “Please don’t stop.” He braced his hands on Reese’s shoulders and ground down, chasing the building sensation that was shooting through his belly and his dick. “Please, I need-“

 

“What?” Reese rasped. “Tell me, sweetheart. Tell me what you need.” He planted his feet more firmly onto the ground, and Jared gasped when Reese’s thighs slammed up into his. “Need this?” Reese slid a hand back into Jared’s hair, his arm a corded length of muscle against Jared’s back, holding him firmly atop his lap. “Need to feel me, need to know how bad I want you?”

 

Jared whimpered, and it was all he could do to keep his mouth sealed against Reese as they ground together harder. “Close, so close, please-“

 

“I gotcha, sweetheart. Take it. Take what you need.”

 

Jared rocked back and forth over Reese’s hard body, crying out as he felt a warm splash against the front of his pants. He undulated against Reese’s hips, riding the wave of pleasure that crashed through his entire body. Reese’s hips rocketed off the bench swing, chasing his own release.

 

Jared’s hand shook where they lay on Reese’s shoulders, for once from pleasure instead of fear. Now that the heady haze of desire was starting to retreat, Jared wasn't sure what to do. It had happened before; he’d been wanted, used, then cast aside. He braced himself for the inevitable rejection, and started to lift himself off of Reese’s lap.

 

Two large hands clamped down onto Jared’s thighs, fingertips curling up onto his hips. “Don’t.”

 

Jared froze.

 

Reese lifted a hand to cup beneath his chin. He drew Jared’s mouth closer, and pressed their lips together. “Don’t run away. You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of. Trust me sweetheart, this only makes me want to have you again, with nothing between us next time.”

 

Another jolt of pleasure shot through Jared, and Reese chuckled softly at his quiet gasp. “There will be a next time,” he vowed. “But for now, I think we’d better get on inside. Iris is too perceptive for her own good, and I’m sure your siblings are wondering where you’ve been.” Reese stood up, gently lowering Jared down off him, only letting go when he was sure Jared was steady on his feet. “So unless you want a search party out here, we’d better go in.”

 

Jared pressed a hand to the front of his jeans, adjusting himself enough that he could walk without wincing. Reese shot him a knowing grin.

 

Smiling from the inside out for the first time in too long, Jared followed Reese inside.

 

 

Gideon relaxed against the old wooden headboard, his posture lazy, but his eyes alert. “What brought you up here, my girl? Know it’s not just because you missed me.” His gaze roamed over her tall, lithe body. “Goodness knows I’ve missed you.”

 

“Haven’t been gone but a couple months.” Iris winked at him in the mirror. “That is nothing but a blink of an eye for people like us, old man.”

 

“You haven’t aged a day since I met you.” Gideon caught her violet gaze, his expression turning serious once more. “What aren’t you telling me, gorgeous?”

 

Iris took her time sitting at the dresser, rubbing lavender and chamomile onto her skin. “I wanted to wait until we were alone to discuss it. Lots of tempers flying around your house, hmm? Some running hotter than others.”

 

“Haven’t had this much noise in my house since those Coopers were little tykes.” Gideon grumbled. “Although Jared missed out on that part.”

 

“He is lucky, to have become part of that family.” Iris thought of Rae and Declan. “They are lucky to have him too. So close, they’ve all become.”

 

Gideon grunted. “Sometimes too close, perhaps. Declan can be too damn stubborn to see he ain’t doin’ Jared any favors, keeping him overprotected like that.”

 

“Protection is in the Cooper blood.” Iris slid out of her robe and into bed beside Gideon. “Jared’s got it in him too, he just hasn’t been given the chance to find it yet.”

 

Gideon opened his arms for her to slide into. “I can see why Johnathan kept him out of the field. The kid is too scared.”

 

Iris clicked her tongue. “He’s not scared, he’s unsure. That poor boy has survived far more fear and uncertainty than you or I will ever know.” Iris settled against Gideon’s large body, drawing comfort from his warmth and muscles that were still plenty strong. “He knows how to fight for himself. It’s just been too long since anyone made him try.”

 

“Woman, you just met him.” Gideon chuckled, his arms coming around her. “Though I long ago learned not to question what goes on in that beautiful mind of yours.” Iris could hear a rare melancholy in her man’s voice when he spoke again. “Boy doesn’t remember me.”

 

Iris lay a hand on his chest. “He will.” They were silent for a moment, enjoying the feel of their hearts finally beating together again in the same space, before turning the conversation to business. “You spoke with the twins earlier, yes?”

 

“I did. I suppose that’s why you’re up here, for the raid they’d like to see done on the Jefferson City compound?”

 

She nodded. “Brandt says it’s about ten miles east of Jefferson. Don’t know exactly where, though, and that’s going to lose us some time.”

 

“We will figure somethin’ out.” Gideon assured. “Blaine’s itchin’ to meet us there, but I think Brandt has convinced him they wouldn’t make it in time. Not to mention they’ve got their hands full up there with all the shelter raids taking place out east.”

 

“Vile, vicious people,” Iris spat, referring to the Agents. “The compound near Jefferson City is one of the Vivienne’s biggest Agent training facilities, as well as a hold for rescues. The twins thought you and I could coordinate one hell of a team to go in, get out as many as we can. I didn’t tell him exactly how shorthanded we’ve been lately.” Her eyes darkened. “Agents don’t normally hold rescues, Gideon. They kill them. Only a couple reasons they’d hang on to any like that.”

 

“Leverage.”

 

Iris nodded. “Or exploitation. Been hearing too many stories lately about rescue trafficking.”

 

“People paying for ditchbreeds when normally they wouldn’t give ‘em one look.”

 

“It’s all in the mystery.” There was a sick bite to her voice.

 

Gideon ran a hand along her arm. “We’ll get them out.”

 

“It’s gonna take more resources and manpower than these small town jobs we’ve been running lately.” Iris folded her arms atop his chest, rested her chin on them. “The fact that you have the Coopers here seems like kismet to me, love.”

 

Gideon shifted. “Circumstances of their visit being what they are, I was still damn glad to see them. Declan’s been tryin’ to do too much on his own, since Johnathan passed.”

 

“He’s got broad shoulders. Just like Jared will learn he is strong enough to offer help, Declan will eventually learn that he can ask for it. That Rae, she’ll help them figure it out.”

 

“Darlin’, even you don’t have that much optimism.” He looked down at her with a crooked smile on his face. He slid his hands along her hips and gave her butt a light squeeze. “We need to tell the kids about Jefferson. They need time to get ready.”

 

Iris smiled at him, pressing her lips to his. “We will tell them tomorrow.” She slid one of her legs up to rest alongside his. “I am fairly certain Reese already knows.”

 

“Not even gonna ask how you know that.” Gideon groaned when she rubbed her thigh against his. “Boy’s got his eye on Jared.”

 

Iris used Gideon’s barrel chest to push herself up so she was braced over him. “You and Declan, you two just leave that alone.”

 

“Did I say I minded?” Gideon flipped them over, settling himself between her thighs. “Slater is one of the good ones. I just don’t want him getting Jared into something the boy can’t handle.”

 

Iris threaded her fingers through Gideon’s hair, arching her back as he moved down her body. “That boy can handle more than anyone thinks he can.”

 

“Hmm.” Gideon mouthed at her breasts, her stomach, her hips. “Iris?”

 

“Yes.” She bit her lip when his mouth traveled further south.

 

Gideon moved his face to the vee of her thighs. “Let’s stop talkin’ about the kids now.”

 

Iris pulsed her hips up, seeking his mouth. “Yes.”