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  If Christian wanted him to dance with a group of polar bears right now, Devil would have to do it. He hated that anyone had that kind of power over him. But he’d been desperate at the time and had gladly signed away his very fucking freedom.

  Devil now regretted the decision.

  But if he hadn’t come here, he never would have met Ryan. Just thinking about his mate made Devil’s chest ache. He’d never fallen in love before, and if what he felt was the real deal, Devil had finally experienced it.

  He couldn’t imagine a day without Ryan in it—smiling at him, kissing him like Devil mattered, and his sweet, cock-stirring laughter.

  His mate had become Devil’s entire world.

  Or what was left of it if Christian wanted to be a prick and keep Devil in his servitude, or worse, end him for backing out of their oath.

  “I remember,” Devil said, looking Christian in the eye. “One doesn’t forget something like that so easily.”

  “Wolves,” Christian said with a tight growl. “I’ll never understand your kind. I’m offering you a fortune and you still want to turn me down.”

  “But you do understand mates,” Devil pointed out. Christian had two of them and he cherished them dearly. The vampire should be able to relate to Devil’s dilemma.

  Christian, in his pricey and well-cut suit, backed away and headed toward his desk. “That I do understand. The things we do to please our mates.”

  “Mate,” Devil corrected, unsure why he needed to point that fact out. “Singular for me.”

  Christian smirked. “Singular for you.”

  Devil stood there waiting for the vampire’s decision. Time ticked by slowly, and the office was so quiet the absence of noise disturbed Devil.

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  “You’ll have to give up the ‘gift’ I gave you.”

  Devil had to be careful how he replied. To receive Christian’s

  “gift” was an honor, and to readily give it back was an insult. But Devil didn’t care about the power that flowed through him. Christian could have it back if it meant Devil would be free of his obligation.

  He searched his mind for the right answer, a proper and ass-kissing reply that wouldn’t offend the ancient bastard. He wasn’t much of an ass-kisser to begin with, but he did have a modest supply of self-preservation. “I’m totally not trying to offend you, Christian.

  You know that. I respect you at the highest level, but Ryan comes first, always.”

  Christian’s features grew dark, reminding Devil once again what he stood in front of. One badass son of a bitch.

  “Right answer.” Christian’s face softened. He even gave a slight chuckle, and oddly enough, it didn’t sound creepy like a vampire should. The laugh sounded natural, even nice.

  Two thousand years of practice.

  Christian once again approached him, and Devil refused to shrink back when the vampire lifted his hand. His nails grew in length, and Devil seriously feared for his chest.

  Then Christian sliced Devil’s wrist and brought it to his mouth.

  The sucking sensation felt…weird, and oddly erotic. No, Devil was not going to get a boner from whatever Christian was doing.

  When he felt the power Christian had given him drain away, Devil knew exactly what Christian had done. He’d taken his “gift” back. He sealed the wound with a swipe of his tongue, then straightened.

  “You are free from your oath.”

  Devil furrowed his brows. “That easy?”

  Christian twisted his lips to the side. “Were you expecting some kind of ritual that included chicken bones and me chanting in a different language?”

  The reversal had been kinda anticlimactic.

  Devil’s Desires

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  “Well, maybe.” Devil ran his hand over the wrist the vampire had just snacked on.

  “Don’t sound so disappointed.” Christian moved back to his desk for the second time. He took a seat and steepled his fingers. “Well, why are you still here?”

  Devil had no idea. “Thanks.” Why the fuck did he suddenly feel so bashful? “For everything.”

  “You are quite welcome.” Christian looked down at his laptop, no longer seeming the scary and dark beast from moments before. He looked like a businessman trying to get his work done, and Devil knew a dismissal when he saw one.

  He let himself out, hurrying through Christian’s club and out the front door. He was back at Krave in less than twenty minutes—

  because he’d made sure the location of his club was on the opposite side of the city as The Manacle. No need to piss Christian off with competition.

  When Devil stepped inside, he felt like a free man, able to breathe easier as he searched the crowd for his newest employee.

  He spotted Ryan behind the counter talking with Joque. Devil’s heart lit up as he stared at his mate’s smiling profile. Then, as if Ryan felt his presence, he turned and looked right at Devil, and his smile spread across his face.

  Devil cut through the crowd like a man on a mission and chuckled when Joque lifted Ryan and set him on the counter. Ryan slid between the stools, then rushed forward.

  They stopped a foot apart and stared into each other’s eyes before Ryan flung himself into Devil’s arms. “I take it your meeting went well?”

  “I’m not dead, if that’s what you mean.” Devil pulled Ryan impossibly closer, brushing his lips over his mate’s smooth jaw. “And yes, it went well. I’ve been released from my oath.”

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  Ryan leaned back and smacked Devil’s chest. “And don’t ever make that kind of suicidal deal again. You can’t have me falling in love with you then taking risks like that!”

  Devil nuzzled Ryan’s neck. He couldn’t get enough of his mate’s scent. “Yes, sir.”

  “Uh, Devil?” Ryan sounded unsure as he pulled away. “I think you have company.”

  Devil turned and saw the Dark Knights entire his club. Kivani, Raven, Declan, and Bayne. Where was Nyx?

  “Impressive.” Ryan seemed to breathe the word.

  Devil had to admit, the four men were damn impressive. Broad, mean expressions on their faces, and a wild look in their eyes. If Devil hadn’t found his mate, he might have been at their sides looking just as menacing.

  But Ryan had changed all that for him and made Devil want to be a better man—despite his name—and Devil would spend the rest of his unnaturally long life showing Ryan just how much he cherished him.

  THE END

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