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  Jeff looked him over, his eyes scathing. “Tell me you aren’t stupid enough to throw yourself at Devil.”

  “You lost the right to have a say in my private life,” Ryan blurted out as he clenched his hands into fists at his sides.

  Jeff moved closer, his lip once again curling. His eyes blazed as he stood over Ryan. “There’re things about him you don’t know, Ryan. Things you need to stay away from. Getting involved with him could be detrimental to your health.”

  Did that pique his curiosity? Big-time. But Ryan refused to ask Jeff to stop being a secretive prick and tell him what he meant. “Get out, and stay the hell out of my life.”

  He hadn’t noticed Henry in the doorway. He was gripping his bottle of beer like he was about to turn it into a weapon. He’d known Henry since they were kids, and his best friend would wild out in a heartbeat. He was a short shit, but a beast when pissed.

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  “Not like I wanted to come here,” Jeff said with attitude.

  “Isn’t it time you picked Terry up from daycare?” Ryan stormed from the bedroom, hating the fact that his feelings were still raw where Jeff was concerned. He should hate the bastard, and he did, but there was still a spark of pain at what his ex had done to him.

  “Keep the jokes up.” Jeff followed behind him, then stopped at the front door. “Terry isn’t an infant, and he’s a way better lover than you ever were.”

  Ryan snatched the bottle out of Henry’s hand and threw it at Jeff’s head. Jeff ducked in time and the glass shattered against the wall by the door. He scowled at Ryan before he walked out, slamming the door behind him.

  “You want me to go after Jerk?” Henry asked. “I’ll go after him and make him fall down the elevator shaft. Just say the word.”

  Ryan was pissed. No, he was beyond pissed as the beer slowly trailed down the wall. His anger only escalated when he realized he’d have to clean up the mess. His apartment smelled like a bar now.

  “No, he’ll get what’s coming to him.” Ryan believed in karma. He just hoped he was around when karma kicked Jeff’s ass.

  He snatched the door open when a knock sounded. The door swung backward so hard it smacked into the wall and rebounded, knocking into Ryan. “I swear, if you—” He caught the rest of his threat when he saw Devil standing there.

  Devil looked around, sniffed the air, then narrowed his eyes.

  “What’s going on here?”

  “Ryan’s douche ex just came by,” Henry said from behind Ryan.

  “He was an ass and Ryan tried to crack his skull with a beer bottle. He missed.”

  There was a little too much humor in Henry’s voice, like he thoroughly enjoyed telling Devil what happened.

  Devil turned and walked away. Ryan didn’t understand why. He closed the door and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Stop blabbering my business,” he said when he turned to Henry.

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  “What?” Henry’s eyes widened slightly as he shrugged. “It was the truth, and tell me you don’t want Devil to beat the hell out of him.”

  “I just want Jeff to leave me alone, not get murdered.” Why had Ryan thought of that? Devil wouldn’t kill Jeff because of him. They weren’t tight like that. He might give Jeff a warning, but that was all.

  “Stop being a drama queen.”

  “I do love drama,” Henry admitted. “Just as long as I’m not involved.”

  “Shut up and get me a towel to clean up this mess.” Ryan grabbed the small wastebasket by the bookshelf and picked up the pieces of broken glass. Henry returned with a wet towel and wiped down the wall, but the place still smelled like beer.

  As soon as they had the mess cleaned up, Devil walked into Ryan’s apartment without knocking. Ryan was too frustrated and exhausted to care.

  “Did you reach down his throat and rip his tiny balls out?” Henry tossed the towel into the wastebasket. He looked at Devil with pure lust, and something inside Ryan growled with jealousy.

  Devil pulled Ryan close and tilted his head back and forth. “Did he hurt you?”

  “Aw,” Henry said, “how sweet. I think I might’ve gotten a splash of beer on me. You wanna check?”

  Ryan pulled back and glared at Henry before he turned to Devil.

  “He didn’t lay a hand on me.”

  Ryan shuddered when Devil’s thumb caressed his cheek. It was a purely innocent move, but Ryan’s cock didn’t know that. It perked right up, begging for more.

  “I hate tender moments when I’m not involved,” Henry grumbled.

  “By the way”—he opened the door, but stopped and turned to Devil, a sly smirk on his face—“Ryan has the hots for you. Tell me you’re gay.”

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  “Henry!” Ryan wanted to sink into the floor. Heat scorched his skin as he went after his best friend, but Henry chuckled and raced down the hallway.

  He only lived one floor up from Ryan.

  Devil closed the door. Ryan’s heart raced, his muscles cramped, and he broke out in a heavy sweat. The room went out of focus as Ryan prayed he really did sink into the floor. “He-he was just kidding.

  Henry has a warped sense of humor.”

  Jeff’s warning echoed in Ryan’s head. Did Devil lead a dangerous life, or was Jeff being a hater? Ryan didn’t know what to think. Devil did look like he could put a hurtin’ on someone if he were truly pissed. But a lot of people were capable of doing crazy things when angry.

  Devil stood there staring at the door before he turned to Ryan. His blue eyes slightly glowed. No, that was Ryan’s imagination. His fear was making him see things. “Devil?”

  In one fluid motion, Devil grabbed Ryan’s nape and yanked him close. Their bodies aligned as Devil’s lips descended on Ryan’s, eating him up as his tongue shot into Ryan’s mouth.

  The kiss totally threw Ryan, then he hooked his legs around Devil’s waist as he grabbed fistfuls of dirty-blond hair, knocking his baseball cap off his head. Devil growled into Ryan’s mouth as he walked them to the bedroom.

  When Devil tried to lay him down, Ryan unwrapped his legs and wiggled free. “Just wait.” He was panting, trying to string two thoughts together. Devil McKellen was putting the moves on him.

  Mind blown.

  “When the hell did you turn gay?” The room spun as Ryan tried to knock his brain back into a functional mode instead of just staring at Devil’s lips and wanting to forget the conversation.

  “Turn?” Devil shook his head, his brows furrowed.

  “Yes, turn,” Ryan said. “I’ve seen you flirting with women.”

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  As Devil pulled his shirt off—good fucking Lord. The guy was tatted on both arms and his right shoulder. That was the sexiest thing ever—

  “I like what I like. I don’t put labels on shit.”

  “So you’re bi.”

  “Why do you insist on labels?”

  “Just say it.” Now it was a challenge to Ryan, though he couldn’t stop drooling over Devil’s tattoos. Or his ripped chest, six-pack abdomen, or the V-shape indentations on the sides of his hips. He had a body Ryan wanted to taste every inch of.

  Devil grabbed the hem of Ryan’s shirt and nearly tore it off. It floated to the floor to join Devil’s.

  “Will you stop trying to get me naked and answer me?” Ryan couldn’t believe he was saying that. How many times had Devil starred in his fantasies, been on his mind while he was sitting at his desk? Too many, and now he was delaying things because his stupid ego wanted Devil to say he was bisexual?

  Devil sat on the bed and removed his shoes. He set them aside, then stood and unsnapped his pants. His movements as he lowered his zipper were slow and deliberate. Ryan bit his lower lip as he stared at the top of Devil’s black boxer briefs. A wet spot was forming, and the bulge made Ryan’s hole clench. He couldn’t look away from what Devil was doing. His strong fingers tucked into
the waistband, then stopped, as though Devil had changed his mind about stripping.

  Please don’t let him change his mind.

  Ryan tore his gaze away from Devil’s fingers and stared up at the beautiful man. Devil smirked, like he knew the effect he had on Ryan.

  His fingers danced around his waistband for a few more moments, torturing Ryan before he slid his jeans and underwear off.

  But he wasn’t done teasing Ryan. Devil ran his hand over his chest, down his ripped stomach, and palmed his cock, giving the hard, succulent flesh a few strokes before he released himself and sat on Ryan’s bed.

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  Ryan stood there with his jogging pants tenting, a wet spot appearing on the fabric.

  When Devil leaned back onto his elbows, Ryan was ready to jump on his lap. “Come here.”

  As if his body had a mind of its own, Ryan moved forward.

  “Take those pants off.”

  Ryan’s hands moved before his brain knew what they were doing.

  He stopped, then cocked his head to the side. “This is just sex, right? I mean, you’re not looking for anything more permanent, are you?”

  Why the fuck am I thinking right now? Stop talking and have sex before Devil changes his mind.

  Devil smirked again, and Ryan’s cock pulsed. “You ask way too many damn questions. Just get naked so I can fuck you the way you deserve to be fucked.”

  A sly smile curved Ryan’s lips as his heart sped even faster. “You take them off.”

  That was a challenge he shouldn’t have issued. But was glad he had, because Devil coiled his arm out like a striking snake and grabbed Ryan, pulling him down on the bed.

  With one good yank, his jogging pants were gone. That yank must have torn away his inhibitions, too, because Ryan was ready for anything Devil wanted to do to him.

  He lay spread out on the bed. “I’m all yours.”

  “Ryan.” Devil whispered his name like a lover’s caress before he turned over and crawled up Ryan’s body. The intense look in his eyes made Ryan shiver. The blue was so dark, they almost looked black as his dirty-blond hair fell over his eyes. He looked like his name—dark, foreboding, and a sinfully wicked devil out to steal Ryan’s very soul.

  “Yes.” Devil kissed Ryan’s stomach. “You’re all mine.” His lips glided over Ryan’s stomach, and his fingers clutched at Ryan’s thighs. He moved up just a bit, latching those soft, wet lips on Ryan’s nipple, teasing the other between his fingers. Ryan gasped, bucked, and moaned as Devil kissed his way back down Ryan’s body.

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  The head of his cock tapped Devil’s jaw. The fucking tease. Devil knew he was driving Ryan nuts, yet he took his sweet time, paying attention to Ryan’s belly and neglecting his raging hard-on.

  But Ryan’s barely-there patience was rewarded when Devil moved slightly back and licked along the slit, lapping up the pre-cum as he massaged Ryan’s balls.

  “No, no, no!” Ryan cried out when he came. That had been too damn fast, and unexpected. He normally could go a long time, but Devil was just…damn, his killer looks and his musky scent had driven Ryan right over the edge.

  Devil grinned at him as he licked up Ryan’s mess, his tongue sliding over Ryan’s chest in such a seductive way, Ryan was getting hard again.

  “Sorry.” Ryan threw an arm over his face, unable to look at Devil any longer.

  “You’re sorry because I made you come with a few licks?”

  Devil’s chuckle was deep and made Ryan pull his arm away. “I think that’s the hottest fucking compliment you could have given me.”

  Talk about being thrilled. Ryan wiggled from under Devil and got to his hands and knees. “Then let me compliment you again by letting you fuck me.”

  Devil’s laugh deepened. Then he dipped his head and bathed Ryan’s ass with his mouth and tongue. Ryan’s jaw went slack as his eyes rolled back, the lower half of his body still sensitive from his orgasm. “Oh, crap, Devil. Don’t stop. Don’t you dare fucking stop.”

  Not only did Devil keep going, but he inserted a finger into Ryan’s ass.

  “Oh, ow, hold on.” Ryan leaned toward his nightstand and pulled a bottle of lube free. He tossed it behind him. “Try that instead of your spit.”

  The sound of the cap opening made Ryan’s hole pulse. A moment later, Devil was back to licking, pressing his finger back inside Ryan and adding another.

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  Thank you for letting Devil be gay, Ryan thought. I’m the luckiest man on the planet right now. In an hour, he’d kick Devil out, though.

  Ryan didn’t want his feelings to get involved. He wouldn’t be able to stand another heartbreak.

  And Devil looked like he broke a lot of hearts.

  Until then, Ryan planned on enjoying every single second with him.

  “Citrus,” Devil murmured. Ryan had no idea what he was talking about.

  Was that some chick’s name?

  “Uh, no, Ryan.”

  Devil reared back, but his fingers remained embedded in Ryan’s ass as Ryan looked over his shoulder. “I wasn’t saying someone else’s name.” Devil winked at him. “You smell like citrus.”

  That was…odd. “Whatever flips your skirt up.”

  “This does.” Devil removed his fingers, lubed his cock, then moved closer until the head was kissing Ryan’s hole.

  Ryan shouted when Devil drove into him, only stopping when he was balls-deep. He had a death grip on Ryan’s hips, panting like he’d just run a mile. Ryan wasn’t in any better shape. His entire body pulsed as he tried to breathe.

  Then Devil moved, his pace fast, intense, as Ryan’s toes curled and he clawed at the sheets. Devil pinned him down, covering Ryan’s back with his chest, clamping his teeth over Ryan’s shoulder.

  Fuck yeah! Ryan loved the dominant move, the commanding way Devil took charge, making him submit. He. Was. In. Heaven.

  “Devil!” Ryan writhed as Devil punched his hips faster and harder. Then he did the unexpected. Devil bit down into Ryan’s shoulder. If he hadn’t been totally lost in the electricity shooting through his body, launching him closer to another orgasm, Ryan would have freaked out. Biting and being bitten weren’t his kinks.

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  But Ryan changed his mind when he shattered, his body pulsing as he came. His second orgasm was more intense than his first. He skyrocketed higher and higher as Devil fucked him harder and deeper.

  Ryan slammed his fist into the bed, damn sure he was about to fall into a coma. No one could survive…this.

  Devil slowed, rocking inside Ryan as he licked at Ryan’s aching shoulder. Then he nuzzled Ryan’s neck.

  They collapsed onto the bed, Devil slightly rolling to the side so he didn’t crush Ryan. Devil pulled Ryan into his arms, curling around him like Ryan was his personal pillow. He touched where Devil had bitten him, and as soon as his fingers grazed over the wound, Ryan’s cock became semihard.

  No, they couldn’t do a repeat. As amazing as the sex had been, Ryan saw himself falling for Devil, and he couldn’t let that happen.

  But though Jeff might have jaded him, Ryan wasn’t quite ready to kick Devil out. Not yet. The cuddling was surprisingly nice and Ryan was getting sleepy.

  Maybe after he woke up he’d tell Devil to go.

  Maybe.

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  Chapter Five

  As much as Devil wanted to stay in bed with Ryan, he had to get started on the list. He’d told himself that he could knock out the names, get paid, and be done with it. But he was a realist, and knew it won’t be that easy.

  With Hephner dead, his Hunters were more than likely being cautious, hiding in the shadows, watching for a strike against them.

  After Devil made sure Ryan’s apartment was secure—he was glad Ryan had a lock that engaged when leaving the unit—Devil went to his Explorer, where he’d tuck
ed the list in the glove box.

  It was late, but there was still traffic on the street. The city never seemed to sleep, and Devil liked that. He wouldn’t have been able to settle in a small town where everyone was in bed by eight. He lived and breathed the nightlife, and now he would be a part of the shadows as he went after the first person on his list.

  When the paper had first spit from the printer, Devil had given the list only a cursory glance. Now that he was tucked in his Explorer, he pulled the list out and studied it. One name stood out so starkly that it felt like a punch to his gut.

  Jeffery Steinem.

  His name had an address and a short bio. There was no mistaking that this Jeff was Ryan’s ex.

  Devil set the list on the seat and stared out the window. Cars drove by and a handful of people walked down the street. Loud music thumped somewhere, more than likely from a car, but all of that faded as he thought about what he had to do.

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  For a month he’d stopped himself from killing Jeff because he was Ryan’s boyfriend. But the fact Jeff was a Hunter seriously blew his mind. How in the hell had he missed that?

  He had to carefully plan this, make it look like an accident. Jeff’s death could never be linked back to him. But maybe he could call one of the Dark Knights and trade one of their hits for Jeff’s.

  Devil picked the paper back up and studied the intel on Jeff. His crimes weren’t as heinous as others Hunters, but one preternatural death at a Hunter’s hands was one too many. Jeff had killed four of Devil’s kind, and he deserved to be put down.

  They shouldn’t be called Dark Knights. They should’ve been called Death Dealers or some shit like that because Devil was about to deal Jeff his fate for his involvement in the murders of innocent lives.

  He closed his eyes, letting everything around him bleed away.

  Only one thing remained inside his mind.

  The image of Jeff.

  He was mentally preparing himself for what he had to do when a knock sounded on his window. Devil’s eyes flew open and he yanked his gun from under the driver’s seat. When he looked at the passenger-side window, he froze.