Page 59 of Zeus

Although the soft amber glow of the light isn't as startling as an LED bulb's, the sudden flash makes us all blink as our eyes adjust.

The men in the bed already look traumatized as they blink in our direction, their brains fighting to come back online after being woken this way.

"This is actually better," Scott says, both hands now back on his rifle as he inches toward the men who are trying to create as much distance between the two of them as possible.

It's clear they're concerned about their safety and fearful that they've been discovered doing something they've probably been hiding from others in their lives.

"Better?" Zayne asks, a look of disgust on his face as he glares at the men.

If I didn't know him, I'd think he was just as repulsed at the sight of two men in bed together as Scott seems to be.

"How is finding two men in bed together better? I could puke at the sight of them. It's a fucking abomination."

"In my experience," Scott says as he looks around the room. "Men with something to hide always buy the best and most expensive shit to make it look like they're actually doing what they tell their wives they're doing when they leave for the weekend to fuck another guy in the ass."

I chance a look around the room, risking shit turning sideways in a second to notice the expensive gun cases leaning up against the far wall. They look brand new, as if they've never been unzipped while out on a trail.

Heartache and sorrow for these two swirl through me, making my stomach turn at the idea that society still isn't ready to accept them for who they are, and at the fact that they have to lie just to behave in a way that feels right to them.

"I bet your bitches at home don't have a clue, do they?" Scott snaps, inching so close to the man on the outside of the bed that the tip of his rifle jabs the man in his cheek.

Tears stream down his cheeks as he pulls in a ragged breath.

"Where's your phone?" Scott growls, jabbing the man with the muzzle of his weapon once again. "Maybe we should give them a call?"

Surprisingly, the man looks more terrified of that than he does of getting shot, and I can't help but think that's the saddest thing I've ever seen.

The second man, the one closest to the wall, narrows his eyes, and I know there's a real possibility that this robbery can quickly turn into a double homicide if he challenges Scott.

"You got this?" Scott asks Zayne.

When my partner nods, never taking his eyes off the men, Scott turns his attention back to the room, looking around as if seeking something specific.

Zayne keeps his eyes on the men, and I keep my eyes on Scott, knowing he's the real threat in the room. I spot the broom the exact second he does, and my blood runs cold.

I shift my weight from one foot to the other, drawing Zayne's attention to Scott as he crosses the room, his long, skinny fingers wrapping around the broom handle.

Zayne becomes aware just as quickly how things have shifted in Scott's mind. He no longer cares about procuring the weapons. The man has something to prove, and I'll burn this mission before I stand back and watch as he assaults these men with that fucking thing.

I take a step closer to him, causing Zayne to move as well, putting himself between Scott and me. With a gentle shake of his head, he issues me a warning, but the man has to know that there are certain things I won't fucking stand for. It makes me question just how focused he is on the final goal of our mission to sit back and watch what we both clearly know is going to take place.

"Get the guns," Zayne tells me before turning his attention to Scott.

"Wanna have a little fun?" the man asks, his voice sinister as he walks forward with the broom in his hand.

One man on the bed begins to sob, but I don't look in his direction.

"We don't have time for that shit," Zayne growls.

"You got a problem with it?" Scott snarls as he steps up, chest nearly rubbing against Zayne's in a challenge.

"These two disgusting men getting exactly what they deserve?" Zayne asks in a tone that, if he hadn't had my cock in his hand earlier in the day, I'd believe he was just as sickened as Scott at what we've found in this cabin. "No, but we passed another cabin on the way up here. Think about it. Would our guy back home be more proud that we scored double in one night or that we taught these two a lesson?"

Scott pulls his eyes from Zayne, looking over my partner's shoulder at the two men. I can see the struggle in his eyes, and then his demeanor shifts just a fraction. A hint of relief clouds his eyes as he takes half a step back, his grip on the broom loosening.

I'm not a fucking mental health professional, but I've experienced enough in wartime to understand the man was going to do what he thought was expected of him in this situation, even if it was something he didn't want to do.

It's not enough to make me believe we may have an ally on our side, but it's enough of an opening to prevent some very awful shit from happening here tonight.