Page 27
Silence ticked.
Then he straightened slightly, composure sliding back into place, and smiled at Daven. “Anyway. Kylix is waiting. He wants to know when our new boy is fit for answers. Have you told him yet that he’s going home with you?”
Daven’s lips curled at the memory of Ryneth’s fury when he’d told him his life belonged to him now. “He’s awake. Furious. Didn’t take the news well, and he’s not ready for Kylix yet.”
Milanov’s lip twitched. “And let me guess, you told him he was going home with you anyway?”
“I did.”
“How did he take that?”
“By trying to fry the monitor.”
Milanov smirked. “That’s because he doesn’t know what he is. Not to worry, nephew. Kylix has sent Vandor to take care of business. The work contract will be formally deleted and Ryneth will be struck from the employee registry.”
“And then he belongs to me.” Daven’s hand shook as he lifted the glass. The faint humming under his skin returned. The thought of Ryneth erased from every record, existing only for him, was intoxicating.
The whole world had always bent for him. Doors opened. Heads bowed. People gave him what he wanted before he had to ask.
But he’d never wanted anything—or anyone—as much as he wanted Ryneth. At the thought, air caressed the insides of his fisted hands and slid up past his arms to his throat, leaving goosebumps and arousal in its wake.
He wanted the friction. The battle. Then the yielding. Good Light, he wanted it badly. And more than that, he wanted the moment Ryneth stopped fighting and knew exactly who had won.
“He’s one of us, Daven,” Milanov warned. “Not a toy you can break.”
“I won’t.”
But Daven wasn’t sure he believed himself. He was even less sure he cared where the line was, as long as Ryneth kept fighting him all the way to it.
“Look who’s already here.” Moargan’s eyes slid over Daven when he made his way inside his father’s office, holding open the door for his younger brother Helianth. “How does it feel having a pretty little problem of your own?”
Daven groaned and looked at the Imperial. “Why did you tell him?”
Milanov smiled. “Because they’re my sons and your cousins. Because we don’t keep secrets in this family.” He winked at Daven. “And perhaps because that way it’s clear Ryneth is not… available to others.”
Something hot and primal twisted low in Daven’s gut.
Ryneth was off-limits to everyone but him.
Helianth lit a red-cinder cigarette and checked his multi-slate. “Vandor just confirmed the labor contract is canceled. He’s officially out of the registry.”
“Trapped,” Moargan mouthed, smoke leaving his lips in circles.
“Protected,” Milanov corrected.
The door opened again and Kylix walked in, followed by Aviel. “Has he woken up yet?”
“Hello to you too.” Daven rolled his eyes. “I didn’t know it was going to be a family reunion.”
Kylix ignored him. “I need answers from him.”
“Then you’ll have to wait.” Moargan tapped his hand against the back of the couch where he’d slumped, wide-legged. “We’ve come to see Daven’s man before you interrogate him. Have some fun first.”
Kylix bristled. “This isn’t a game.”
“It is,” Moargan replied lightly. “And don’t we enjoy cheating.” His gaze slid past them. “Speaking of…”
They all watched as Aviel walked Theo to the wall and chained him with fine gold to the stones by his throat.
