Page 37 of Devilish

I wasn’t sure if he would answer, or if that was all he wanted to say on the matter. But I had to ask. I needed to know what had molded the brave boy beside me, and I wanted him to feel safe telling me—even the hard, ugly parts.

“I ran.” Kai swallowed. “I ran and never looked back. I had no idea where I was going—all I knew was that I couldn’t go home.”

“What about friends? Other family?”

“Had none of those. The kids at school treated me like a freak, ostracized me, and we had no family living nearby that I knew of—those first few weeks were the hardest. Trying tofind somewhere safe to sleep. I was always so worried someone would—” He shook his head. “I didn’t get much sleep. I don’t think I’ve had a really good night’s sleep until your place.”

I swallowed back a growl, and thank God Kai wasn’t looking at me, as there was no telling what my expression would’ve relayed. It didn’t take a genius to guess why someone like Kai hadn’t felt comfortable falling asleep in the streets. Young, beautiful, and alone? He would’ve been the perfect target for predators. I wanted to take him in my arms and promise he’d never have to feel any of those things again.

He’d been through more than most would in their life, and yet come out on the other side of it in one piece. I still didn’t know how he’d ended up with Rupert, but that was a question for another night. Kai’s current silence was a good indication that he was done talking for now.

“You willalwayshave a safe place to sleep at my house. No matter what. Do you hear me?”

Kai glanced over at me, his cheek wet from a lone tear that had fallen. “I hear you.”

“Good.” I reached out and brushed my thumb over his damp skin. “Thank you for sharing your story with me.”

“Thank you for reminding me how to smile again.”

I wasn’t sure how long I lay there watching him after that, but as Kai’s eyes drifted shut and his breathing evened out, I pulled a blanket over him and made a promise to myself.

No matter where I was or what I was doing, I would make sure Kai Daniels smiled at least once a day for the rest of his life.

14

LUCIEN

THE MORNING BROUGHT a sweet surprise in the form of Kai curled into me on the daybed. His head rested in the crook of my shoulder, his fingers clutched at my shirt, and his left leg was intertwined with mine.

Not that I was any better. My arms were firmly wrapped around him, holding him tight to me.Somehow, we’d started out on opposite sides only to find our way to each other during the night.

An unexpected sense of rightness filled me as I took in the moment. It wasn’t just waking up to such a beautiful view—blue skies, the sun sparkling off the water, and a perfect breeze blowing. It was the trust I’d gained from the beautiful soul I held in my arms, who subconsciously wanted me close. Who’d opened up to me last night, let me safeguard his secrets.

I wanted to give him the world. To make up for lost time and show him there was more good out there, more to enjoy and experience than the struggles he’d been through in his young life. And while I told myself I’d do it for anyone, I knew that wasn’t true. Kai was different. Special. I knew it the moment I saw him.

As a warm breeze swept across us, Kai’s soft strands tickled at my neck, and I closed my eyes and took full advantage of this peaceful moment while I could.

I’d lived a privileged life, a wild and exciting existence where I couldn’t even imagine, only empathize with, what Kai had experienced. I had secrets of my own I couldn’t necessarily share, not without revealing the extent to which the Kings and I wheeled and dealed behind the scenes. As it was, he already knew more about Libertine, having been there, than he should. I’d never brought anyone else into my private world, but I found that with Kai, I was willing to share. Especially when he continued to open up to me.

His fingers tightened in my shirt and then slowly relaxed. I pressed a kiss to his forehead, hoping to ease any bad dreams he might be having, but it had the opposite effect, and Kai’s eyes fluttered open.

Watching him sleep was an appealing sight, but it was nothing compared to the way he looked when his eyes were on me.

He gave a contented smile—first smile of the day complete—but it only lasted a heartbeat before his entire body went rigid. My arms were still around him, and I rubbed his back in a soothing motion to show him this was okay, but apologies were already flying off his tongue.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to?—”

“Kai, don’t apologize.”

He tried to lift himself up, but I held his chin between my thumb and forefinger so he had to look at me. I wanted him to hear me and know I meant it when I said this.

“I want you here.”

“You…you do?” Kai bit the inside of his cheek, a habit he seemed to have when he was nervous…or trying to hide a smile. In this case, it was the latter.

He lay back down, relaxing into me with his head against my shoulder, and for a long time we stayed just like that, listening to the birds chirping overhead and letting the sun bathe us in its golden light. All the while, I breathed him in, content to lie here just like this without wanting more. Even though my morning wood ached at having him this close, there was no need to rush anything, not until—or if—he ever wanted to take things further. If he wanted to be mine.

And if he didn’t? This moment was still fucking perfect.

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