Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(70)

He let out a sigh and rubbed his temple. He’d been the one to push them away; maybe he should make the first move. It had been much easier to avoid them, losing himself in the excitement of battling the bad guys, than reaching out.

Before he could decide, Gabe limped into the house. “You’ve got some ’splaining to do, my brother.”

The rest of the Montgomerys filed in after Gabe. “Damn straight,” Nick grumbled, tugging at the US Marshal badge clipped to his jeans.

“Kid,” Zach murmured and ruffled Sam’s hair. The boy sidled up next to Zach, complete trust in his eyes.

Jenna placed a plate in front of her son, then Zach. “Chili and cheese?” she asked.

“Yes, yes, yes,” Sam hooted.

“You heard him,” Zach said, thankful for the distraction. Anything not to look at the row of condemnation—too much like his father.

She ladled chili over the hot dog and sprinkled cheese on top. Sam eyed Zach and took a bite exactly when Zach did.

He groaned at the heaven hitting his tongue. “Jenna, you are magic in the kitchen.”

Gabe’s throat cleared.

Zach wiped his mouth and finally chanced a view of his five brothers. Gabe and Nick scowled. Caleb looked puzzled. Luke’s and Seth’s gazes had narrowed in speculation.

“What?”

“You’re unbelievable,” Luke said. “Fine, you want to play it this way, I’ll start,” He picked up a chair, turned it around, and straddled it. “Those moves weren’t movie research. I recognize the training.”

“And you all are just learning this?” Jenna broke in.

“Jenna—” Zach began.

“I’ve known you for three days, and I figured out you’re some kind of secret agent guy. Even Sam knows. Why don’t they?”

Zach glared at her. “Junior Avenger and I are eating. You need to eat, too. As for the rest of you,” he stared down his family, “either join us or go into the other room to speculate, but quit hovering.”

Sam glowered at them.

Luke raised his hands in surrender. “I’d love a hot dog.”

The oven chimed. Jenna pulled a tray of hot slices of thick potato still in the skins. Cheese bubbled and bacon bits decorated the tempting morsels.

“Count me in. I’ve died and gone to heaven,” Caleb said. He took a seat next to Zach and grabbed a plate.

One by one, the Montgomery brothers joined Zach at the table and shoveled down everything Jenna could put in front of them.

That hadn’t been the plan.

He frowned at all of them as they ate, and Sam imitated his look. Luke choked on a bite of hot dog. “The kid could be your twin. We can’t introduce him to Joy or we’ll be ruled by two kids under the age of six.”

All of the brothers stared between him and Jenna, then focused more intently on Sam.

“No,” Zach said, his voice low. He couldn’t keep the slight tinge of regret from his voice. He wished they belonged to him.

Caleb’s phone broke the uncomfortable silence. “Doctor Montgomery.” His face paled. “They’re stable?”

As Caleb listened, his frown deepened. “I’ll be right there. Have security call Detective Neil Wexler. He’s in charge of the case.”

He pocketed the phone. Silence held the room, a cricket from outside the only noise. Even Sam seemed to know this was no time to talk.

“What happened?” Zach asked through gritted teeth.

“They almost lost John. Someone dressed as a doctor put a stimulant in his IV and sent him into V-fib.”

“English, please,” Nick begged.

“His heart went crazy fast,” Caleb said. “They were able to stabilize him because not enough drugs made their way into John’s system.” Caleb rubbed his beard. “Mom pulled out his IV just in time. She saved his life.”

“What was she doing out of her room?” Zach jumped out of his seat. “When I left her she was zoned out on morphine.”

“Obviously she woke up. She sneaked down the hall to see him and interrupted the killer.”

The men rose as one, a wall of strength. This was what he’d missed. Being part of not just any family—but his family.

“She’s all right?” Gabe bit out.

“Whoever tried to kill John shoved her down. She hit her head against the bed. She’s still unconscious.”

Zach paced the kitchen, his mind whirling. “It doesn’t make any sense. Why John?”

Jenna cleared her throat and tugged at a nodding-off Sam. “Now’s a good time for this guy to go to bed,” she said, sending Zach a warning message. “Where should I put him?”

“Second door on the right,” Gabe said. “Bathroom’s across the hall. And Jenna, thanks for dinner. You rock,” he added, wiping his mouth. “If you ever want a job—”

“She won’t be calling you,” Zach muttered.

Jenna took Sam’s hand, but he jerked away. He ran to Zach and hugged his legs. “Will the bad men come back, Dark Avenger?”

Zach knelt down. “No one will get you, Sam. I promise.”

“Not even Daddy?”

“Not even your daddy.” Zach ruffled Sam’s hair. “See those guys—all of them will help protect you.”