Two days later

 

Reese stood in Gideon Hatch’s kitchen, watching the others celebrate everyone’s safe return out on the back deck. Gideon, Iris, Rae, and the Prescotts had caravanned with Lara Cassidy back to Kansas City, taking every single one of the Jefferson compound rescues with them to the local shelters. Reese and Declan had stayed behind, opting to drive Jared back home to Gideon’s after taking him to Logan and Lila’s to get his broken wrist set and casted.

 

They didn’t expect any fallout from Jefferson this soon, but he and Declan had silently and tacitly agreed that two pairs of eyes looking out were better than just one.

 

Now the others had returned from Kansas City, and Iris and Gideon had fired up the grill and insisted on a “good old Renegade dinner” before Iris and the Prescotts headed back south. Reese had excused himself, retreating into the kitchen while everyone else, except Jared who was upstairs napping, celebrated outside.

 

Although this time, speaking to Nick Farrington on the phone was no longer a secret to be kept. Reese just needed the quiet. “You ducked out of Jefferson pretty damn fast, Farrington.”

 

“Yeah, well, you paint a big ass Agent sized target on your back and see how long you want to stick around.”

 

Reese chuckled. “I hear you.”

 

“Thanks for keeping my cover, Reese. I know it wasn’t easy.”

 

“I’m just glad you chose the right side.”

 

“Chose it a long time ago. This shit isn’t easy to get out of.”

 

“Yeah, I know. And we are damned lucky we had you in there.”

 

“Those Coopers, you were right about them. Hell of a team.”

 

Reese leaned against the counter, watching Declan and Rae play fight outside. “Yeah, they are.”

 

Nick paused, a heavy silence filing the line. “You know Vivienne’s got her eye on them. All of them. And I’m not talking about recruitment.”

 

Reese blew out a breath. “Yeah. I know.”

 

“You’ve got some time,” Nick comforted. “Vivienne may be one cruel bitch, but she’s not stupid. You guys really shook them up in Jefferson. She’ll take her time, plot something out.”

 

He was right, Reese knew. And he would be right there when she came after them, because damned if he was ever letting Jared out of his sight for more than ten seconds ever again.

 

Speaking of which. Reese glanced up the stairs. “You had our ass back there, Nick. They won’t forget that.”

 

Nick took the sign off for what it was. “You take care of yourself, Slater.”

 

“Same goes.” Reese pocketed his phone, confident that it wouldn’t be long until he saw his old friend again. He hefted another bag of ice from the freezer so he could refill the cooler sitting just inside the door before going up to check on Jared.

 

The kitchen door slid open, and a glass of whiskey was thrust under Reese’s nose before he could turn to head upstairs. Reese dumped the ice and looked up to see Declan holding his arm out, his eyebrows raised in a what are you waiting for expression.

 

Reese straightened and took the glass, eyeing Declan suspiciously. “You brought me a drink.”

 

“Don’t get sappy.” Declan leaned against the kitchen table, his own glass in hand. “Call it a one-time liquid peace offering. This means nothing.”

 

Reese sniffed the amber contents of his glass. “Damn. You even broke out the good stuff.”

 

“Gideon’s secret stash.” Declan clinked his glass against Reese’s, and they both took a sip.

 

“Not bad.” Reese savored the rich taste of the whiskey. “Careful, Cooper. Might make me fall in love with you like I did your brother.”

 

Declan scowled, a retort clearly dancing on the tip of his tongue. “You-“

 

“You love me?”

 

Reese turned and saw Jared, standing on the bottom step to the kitchen and looking too damn gorgeous with his sleep messed hair and his pretty eyes, now staring at Reese in wonder.

 

Reese swallowed his mouthful of whiskey, heartbeat picking up speed inside his chest. “You and your eavesdropping, sweetheart, what did we say about-“

 

“You love me.” Jared slowly walked over to Reese, his bright orange cast a strong contrast against the borrowed black tee shirt of Reese’s he had slept in.

 

“Ah,” Declan walked backwards out of the kitchen. “I’m just going to...yeah.” He made a hasty retreat out onto the patio to join the others.

 

Reese set his glass down on the table. He searched Jared’s face, those beautiful brown eyes flecked with golden specks and a hint of disbelief. He grabbed Jared, pulling him close. “Christ, sweetheart, of course I love you. What amazes me is that I seem to be the first.”

 

Jared held on tight. “It’s just, I mean with.” He looked down at his wrist, the one that held a cuff instead of a cast. “I never thought that it was something meant for me.” He looked up at Reese. “Especially from someone like you.”

 

Reese tipped his chin up, capturing Jared’s mouth with his own. “If you still think that spot on your arm is something that would keep me from loving you, then sweetheart, you’re a worse listener than I’ve been giving you credit for.” He dipped his head for another kiss, because his Jared tasted so much sweeter than whiskey.

 

 

“Yes,” Jared moaned, hours later when Reese had finally stolen them away from the celebration. “There, Reese, yes.” He cried out when Reese’s cock slammed into his sweet spot, his lover’s hips rotating in sinful, pulsing circles.

“That’s it, sweetheart.” The others were still outside, drinking and carrying on in the woods of Gideon’s backyard. “Wanna hear you scream for me.” Reese gathered a strong arm beneath Jared’s waist, pulling him into his thrusts with all the force of the control that Jared gave up to him. “Sound so sweet when you scream for me.”

 

“Gonna come,” Jared gasped. His bruised knee was splayed wide, braced by the bag of ice that Reese had wrapped around it before they’d started. Jared’s casted wrist was flung over his head, cushioned by a pillow that held firm while the headboard knocked against the wall.

 

His body jerked with every thrust of Reese’s hips, and Jared dug the fingers of his free hand into the dimples of Reese’s lower back, urging him to drive inside his body harder, faster, deeper. He hitched his good leg around Reese’s waist, savoring this feeling of utter want and desperation that no man had ever before made him felt. Words spilled over his lips as his come spilled between their bodies, words of love and need that told Reese exactly how Jared felt about him.

 

“Love you too, sweetheart.” Reese found Jared’s hand, his fingers running up and down Jared’s scarred wrist. “Every inch.” He pulsed inside of Jared, spilling into his body while holding onto his heart.

 

Jared lifted shaking hands to cup Reese’s face, pressing their lips together in a soft, sweaty kiss. “Even when I eavesdrop?”

 

Reese blew out a laugh, collapsing onto his side next to Jared. He tugged him close, mindful of Jared’s injuries. “Even when you eavesdrop.” He grabbed Jared’s hand and kissed his fingers, his palm, his wrist. “Told Gideon I was done being a runner.”

 

Jared froze. He launched himself up onto his elbows, ignoring the protest from his recovering knee. “You’re not going to be a Renegade anymore?” He placed his casted arm on Reese’s chest, fingering the silver chain that looked oh so sexy against Reese’s sculptured torso.

 

“Course I’m still a Renegade.” Reese ran a hand through Jared’s hair. “But I can’t wait outside, while I watch you run in. That damn near killed me, sweetheart. I can’t do that again.”

 

Jared ducked his head, placing kisses along Reese’s chest. “So what does this mean?”

 

Reese clicked his tongue. “It means I have to suffer through some training sessions with your brother, so I can become a tracker instead.” He tucked his chin to look down at Jared. “Do you see how much I love you?”

 

Jared chuckled. “You don’t hate him as much as you pretend to. And neither does he.”

 

Reese hummed at that, settling his arms around Jared. “Our fight isn’t over, sweetheart.”

 

Jared knew he wasn’t talking about Declan anymore. He burrowed into the warm circle of Reese’s arms. “I know.”

 

“Not gonna let them touch you.” Reese tipped his chin up, forcing their eyes to meet. “You made me care, Jared. I spent so long just walking away. You’ve made that impossible, and I love you for it. I’m not going anywhere.” He touched his lips to Jared’s. “And like hell I will let anyone keep us apart.” His body turned towards Jared’s again, Reese’s hands and mouth seeking purchase anywhere they could find a spot to claim.

 

Jared smiled against his mouth, kissing him back. He pushed himself up and straddled Reese’s hips, relishing the burn of his lover’s handprints on his body. “Neither will I,” Jared said, meeting Reese’s stormy gaze with his own as he sank down onto him again. “Just let them try.”