Reaper by Edward Kendrick Read Free Book Online Page B

works.”
    “Why didn’t you call me for backup?”
    “I was sort of busy dealing with those two sons of bitches and keeping the kid safe. Besides, how would you have explained it to Mike?”
    “I’d have thought of something.” Dallas carefully re-taped the gauze, asking, “Did she at least put some antibiotic cream on it?”
    “Yeah, after she scrubbed it. That woman is heartless,” Zack muttered.
    “Better than you getting an infection.”
    “Mind if I get dressed now?”
    “Yeah, I do. I think you can miss one day of work. In fact, mister, you’re going to stay in bed until this time tomorrow, and do not argue with me,” Dallas said pointedly when it appeared as if Zack was going to.
    “It’s only a damned flesh wound. I’ve had a lot worse done to me in my life.”
    “Back when you were young and able to handle it.”
    “Right. Play the age card.”
    “I will, if that’s what it takes,” Dallas told him. “I’m going to shower, and if you’re not here when I get back, your ass is in big trouble.”
    “From you, it’s not trouble. It’s—”
    “Not what you’re getting until you heal.” Dallas waggled his eyebrows. “Does that give you a reason to rest and get better?”
    “It does,” Zack admitted, closing his eyes. He smiled when Dallas leaned over to kiss his forehead. He started to say something, and seconds later, was asleep.
    You are too much, my man. Too impetuous, too daring, too…too caring. And those are only a few of the reasons why I love you.

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Zack did adhere to Dallas’ wishes and had spent twenty-four hours either in bed or on the computer putting together his plans for the fundraising gala for Off-the-Street. He’d awakened late in the afternoon when Dallas had and they’d cuddled for a while, but that was all. Between the ache in his shoulder and the doses of aspirin Dallas had foisted on him, Zack had the feeling he couldn’t have performed no matter how badly he might have wanted to.
    The following morning, however, Zack was up, dressed and down in the kitchen, about to dig into a hearty breakfast of pancakes and sausage when Dallas came home from work.
    “Thank God,” Zack whispered, after making certain Mrs. Cook wasn’t within earshot. “She’s been mothering me like I was going to die any second now.”
    Dallas snorted in amusement. “And you love it.”
    “Okay, it is nice—I guess. Never got that from…” Zack snapped his mouth shut, not wanting to rehash his past.
    “I know,” Dallas replied compassionately, giving him a gentle hug. “And it still hurts after all these years.”
    “Almost thirty years. You wouldn’t think it would but… Well, I guess that’s life.” Quickly changing the subject, Zack asked Dallas, “So how did your night go?”
    “Other than the normal traffic stops? We caught three kids trying to break into a clothing store. Broke up a fight between a couple of gang members and a potential one between two very drunk men outside of Tommy’s Bar.”
    “And survived in one piece.”
    “Don’t I always?”
    “No.” Zack remembered a time eight years ago when he’d spent two days at the hospital watching over Dallas while his lover recuperated from a gunshot wound.
    “All right. Most of the time.” Dallas saluted Mrs. Cook when she returned to the kitchen, smiling when she told him to sit and eat.
    “It’s not often I see both of you in the morning at the same time,” she lamented. “Usually you grab something on your way out,” she said pointedly to Zack. “And you…” She shook a finger at Dallas.
    “Come on,” Dallas said. “I sit and eat. Well, half the time anyway.” He grinned. “It’s hard to make a sandwich out of pancakes or French toast.”
    “Not that you haven’t tried. Well, now that you’re here—and he’s here too—I expect you both to eat everything in front of you.”
    “Yes, Mama,” Dallas replied, hugging her before he sat.
    She set his plate in front