Page 15 of Unmatched Devil

Now that Kylian knew Warden was the man Sean loved, he was doubly curious about the guy. Rian had left early in the morning with four men for a meeting. Warden brought Kylian lunch, and they ate in silence. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was different. Kylian didn’t feel free to talk to Warden the way he did Sean, but Kylian desperately wanted to ask a million questions about their relationship. Instead, he sneaked glances at Warden on the sly as they sat across from each other at the dining room table, wondering what Sean saw in the guy. He was huge, solid muscle. Otherwise, he didn’t seem appealing to Kylian. His dark hair was buzz cut and his ears were too big. He had a short-cropped dark beard and looked every bit of his thirty-eight years. There was a scar through his eyebrow. Kylian didn’t know if his nose looked like it had been broken before Kylian broke it, but it was slightly off centered. His eyes weren’t bad. They were dark green and seemed friendly enough. Kylian fought the urge to call Sean and outright ask what it was about Warden.

Warden held up his egg roll. “How do you make an egg roll?” Warden’s question came out of the blue, catching Kylian off guard.

“I don’t know. I’d have to Google it.”

Warden smiled. “No. You push it.”

A snort burst from Kylian so hard, he hurt himself. He laughed. “Was that a dad joke?”

Warden’s smile grew and he shrugged. “Just trying to break the ice. I guess we don’t have much to talk about.”

“I guess not,” Kylian admitted. “Every conversation starter I can think of right now seems like prying. I’m not very good at making small talk.”

Warden nodded, looking understanding. “Why do cows wear bells?”

Kylian couldn’t stop smiling. “Why?”

“Because their horns don’t work.” Warden’s deadpan delivery truly sold the corny joke.

Kylian swiped at his eyes as he laughed. Things were getting clearer. He glimpsed what Sean saw in him.

“Is that laughter I hear? I like the sound of that.” Rian kissed the top of Kylian’s head.

Kylian looked behind him. “Warden was—is that blood?”

Rian glanced down at his blood-soaked dress shirt. “Don’t worry. It isn’t mine.” Rian shed his tie and unbuttoned his sleeves. “What’s for lunch?”

Kylian stared at Rian, blinking, as he peeled off the bloody shirt. It seemed as if he should feel some certain way about what he witnessed. He felt nothing but a disconnect. Maybe he was his father’s son in every way.

“Go wash up. I left your food on warm in the kitchen.”

At Warden’s claim, Rian nodded. “Great. I’ll be right back.” He kissed Kylian’s cheek before tossing his stained clothes toward a nearby guard. As Rian disappeared inside the kitchen, Warden eyed Kylian, as if searching for a reaction.

“What’s the difference between a poorly dressed man on a unicycle and a richly dressed man on a bicycle?”

A bright smile snapped to Warden’s lips at Kylian’s question. “What?”

“Attire.”

Warden roared with laughter.

Rian reappeared shirtless with a plate and drink. “What did I miss?”

“Your man is funny.”

Kylian beamed at the compliment.

Rian set his things on the table and pulled the chair next to Kylian even closer. He draped his arm across the back of Kylian’s chair. “I know. What have you two been doing today?”

“I’ve been looking at all your baby pictures.”

Rian chuckled. The sound caused goosebumps to rise on Kylian’s skin. “That sounds boring.”

“Not at all. I’m used to entertaining myself. After all, I’m an only child.”

“Well, I’m home now. What would you like to do?”

Warden stood. “I’ve got some things to do. Have fun, guys.”

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