Cut and Run 5 - Armed and Dangerous

the blade. Sparks flew, and he could feel the current running through the straws.
    “Holy shit!” Zane cried, as if he hadn’t really thought it would work.
    “You’re not helping!” Ty told him, his voice wavering.
    “That was incredible!”
    “Zane!”
    “I’m sorry, that was just really… I’m sorry.”
    “Can we bask in its glory after we dismantle it?” Deuce growled as he dialed Livi’s number again. “It’s going straight to voice mail.”
    “I….” Ty winced as he pulled the oven mitts on.
    “Ty! You’re about to electrocute my girlfriend!”
    They heard keys jingle outside the door.
    “Livi, don’t touch the door!” Deuce called.
    “Deacon?” a dainty voice said on the other side of the door.
    “Answer your goddamn phone! Ty, cut it.”
    The hair on Ty’s arms rose as he held the scissors up to the straws. “Oh, God, this is gonna hurt.”
    “What is going on in there?” Livi asked, and the keys jangled again.
    Out of the corner of his eye, Ty saw Cameron dart through the kitchen to the coffee maker on the counter. He reached behind it and yanked the plug out of the wall. The buzzing sensation on Ty’s arms ceased, and then he heard Livi’s key slide into the lock on the other side.
    Nothing happened.
    “Oh, well, that would have been easier. Well done, Cam,” Julian said in a pleased voice.
    The door opened before Ty could scramble away, smacking him square in the cheek and sending him sprawling backward.
    He lay on the tile floor, holding his face as Livi walked into the condo. “Oh my goodness, Ty! I’m so sorry!” the woman said as she put both hands to her mouth and bent over him. Livi was a beautiful girl, possibly less so just then since Ty could see two of her. She had intelligent robin’s-egg-blue eyes and hair so blonde it seemed white when the sun hit it. She was lithe and athletic, everything Ty thought a yoga instructor would probably be. She also led with her shoulder when she opened a door.
    Zane took his arm and hefted him to his feet. Ty shook his head to clear the gauze. “So nice to see you again,” he muttered to her. She still had her fingers over her lips, staring at him with big blue eyes.
    She turned and looked at Deuce, giving him a helpless gesture. “What the hell is going on?”
    “Livi, you remember my brother, Ty. This is his partner, Zane Garrett.”
    “Hi,” Zane offered in a low voice that sent a shiver up Ty’s spine.
    “And these are their… friends, Julian and Cameron,” Deuce said as he waved at the other two men.
    “Nice to meet you,” Cameron mumbled.
    She greeted them each, overwhelmed by the surprise, then looked at the doorknob and the string of straws, shaking her head. “What is all this?”
    “It was a security measure. We’re running from the CIA,” Ty told her, not even attempting to spare her. “They’re trying to kill us.”
    “Well, kill him, specifically,” Zane added as he pointed at Julian.
    “I sell antiques,” Julian said, monotone.
    She narrowed her eyes, looking amongst them and then at Deuce. “Is this some sort of boys’ weekend that I’m not supposed to intrude on? Because I can totally leave before they hurt themselves trying to lie convincingly.”
    Deuce gave her a warm smile and shook his head. “I think the only one lying is him,” he said, pointing at Julian.

    “S O , I’ M … I’m sorry, tell me again?” Livi stuttered as they all sat in the living room of Deuce’s condo.
    “We’re serious,” Ty told her. “The CIA is trying to kill us.”
    “Him,” Zane muttered.
    “Would you stop that? Come on!”
    “It’s more accurate to say they’re trying to kill him.”
    “Zane!”
    Julian rolled his eyes. “I believe what Agent Garrett is trying to point out is that you are likely in no danger because of our presence here.”
    Livi nodded, looking at him dubiously.
    “They’re lying,” Cameron said, his voice remarkably offhand. “You are in danger because we’re here, they’re trying to protect you so you won’t worry. They do that.”
    “Cam!” Julian said, stunned into gaping at his lover.
    Ty smacked his forehead and covered his face with his hand.
    “Wow, you guys are… I could make a mint off your therapy,” Deuce muttered.
    “I’m sorry—I really am—I’m just tired of this macho bullshit!” Cameron said as he waved a hand at them. He turned to Julian. “Can you honestly look at me and tell me you’re not scared?”
    Julian tried to