Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(69)

Searching for anything out of place, Zach peered into the night. A small man sprinted from around the bar toward them. He skidded to a stop, but not before barreling into Gabe. The man gripped his brother’s collar. “You gotta hide me, Gabe. I got nowhere to go.”

“He went this way,” a deep voice yelled.

Pounding footsteps grew louder. Zach handed off Sam to Jenna. “Get inside the house. Now,” he ordered.

For once she didn’t argue or question. She carried Sam into Gabe’s small house and slammed the door closed behind her.

Arms crossed, Gabe faced the mouse of a man. “You led them here, Ernie. I should beat the crap out of you. Get behind the truck. Stay out of sight.” He glanced at Zach. “Follow your girlfriend in. I’ll take care of this.”

“The hell you will. Not alone.”

Gabe shot Zach a deadly glare. “I can still take care of these yahoos—” Gabe’s voice trailed off.

A man of at least six foot six thundered around the corner, his face red and twisted. Unfortunately, the giant’s three buddies, who obviously spent most of their time in the gym as opposed to porking on pizza and beer, raced behind him.

“Shit,” Gabe cursed under his breath.

“Ya think?” Zach muttered.

The giant stopped and folded his arms. “Lookie what we got here, boys. The gimp cop who’s trying to horn in on the boss’s business and a banged-up pretty boy. We get a three-for,” the man snickered. “If you don’t want to get really hurt really fast, send out the sniveling snitch and forget you ever saw him.”

Ernie scrambled farther under Gabe’s SUV and peered out, eyes wide, hands trembling. At least the man was out of harm’s way. Zach edged slightly to one side to improve his angle. Even with his arm in the sling, he could take the three pretty quickly. They might be able to hold their own on the streets of Denver, but Zach had a few moves he doubted they’d seen.

Zach glanced at Gabe. His brother’s knee remained an unknown. He’d never admit it, but that knife had done a real job on the muscles. No way could Gabe move like he had before the injury. Zach refused to see his little brother hurt.

“If you’re smart, you’ll mind your own business and let me take care of Ernie.” The guy flicked open his knife.

Gabe chuckled. “You should’ve at least brought a gun, Tiny.”

“Don’t like guns. And I get my way just fine with this.” He lunged forward.

With a quick step left, Gabe avoided Tiny, and Zach took his opportunity to take out Tiny’s goons. He jumped in front of Gabe, swept a leg around, and shoved his foot square into the first goon’s chest. One kick and the man crumpled. In a smooth move with no hesitation, Zach shifted and blasted his fist into the second guy’s nose. He fell to the ground. Before the final man had even pulled back for a punch, Zach cut the guy at the knees, grabbed his hair, and slammed his forehead into the asphalt.

All three men lay at his feet. Unconscious.

Gabe’s mouth gaped open.

Tiny took a step back.

Footsteps thundered toward them. Four Montgomery brothers raced out of the house to help. Tiny took one look at the Montgomery brothers and broke off running into the distance.

Ernie ran in the opposite direction.

“So much for gratitude,” Zach groused.

His brothers skidded to a stop.

“What the hell?” Nick muttered.

“Ask Gabe.” Zach frowned. “He’s the one running a halfway house for petty criminals.”

“I don’t think Nick was talking about Gabe, big brother.” Seth crossed his arms and eyed the three bodies still lying in the parking lot.

Zach shrugged. “I learned a bit of self-defense on set.” He turned and strode to the screen door of Gabe’s house. He didn’t need the Montgomery family inquisition. Why couldn’t they leave him alone?

Sam stood just inside the door, his eyes wide, his mouth gaping in awe. “You scared them away, Dark Avenger. Just like before.”

Jenna placed her hands on Sam’s shoulders. Her eyes twinkled with a secret knowledge. “How about something to eat?” She stared pointedly over his shoulder.

Zach turned around. His five brothers stood shoulder-to-shoulder, open-mouthed. Great. Just great.

He pushed into Gabe’s kitchen. “I’d love something to eat.”

“How’s the shoulder?” she asked.

Zach shifted his arm. “Let’s just say my little exercise class didn’t help the healing process.” He dug into his pocket and popped the last of the ibuprofen.

Jenna shook her head. “Men.”

She opened the refrigerator and emerged with an armload of ingredients. Within minutes she’d dumped them into a skillet. Soon a whiff of amazing scents permeated the room and had Zach salivating. Bacon and spices wafted at him. His stomach rumbled. If only he could have a meal with Jenna and Sam and then hold her in his arms tonight and not talk. Just be. With no one after them, no knives or guns or explosions.

He sat down at the kitchen table facing the door, preparing himself for an onslaught, expecting any second his brothers to shove their way in. They didn’t. “What do you think they’re doing out there?” he asked Jenna.

“Talking,” she said. “Wondering who you are, and if they’re anything like you, trying to figure out the answers before they ask the questions.” She bent to check the oven, then wiped her hands on a dish towel. “Why don’t you go to them?”