Page 22 of Unmatched Devil

“Yeah. What about you? What did Dad say to you?”

Rian couldn’t help the chuckle that rose in his throat. Bryson’s reaction reminded him of what Rian could only assume would have been his own father’s reaction. “He asked me to hold on while he put me on speaker so King could join us. Then they informed me together they knew exactly who I was and what I do. From there, they swore no one would find my body if I hurt you or got you hurt with my business dealings.”

Kylian groaned.

Rian kept going. “Then Bryson asked if I knew about your mother. I said I did. Bryson said he had ensured you had been treated gently your entire life after her bullshit, and he fully expected the same from me. He expects you to get treated like the treasure you are. I agreed. He also said he worried about my intentions since he had worked with Archer. I assured him that had nothing to do with you because it doesn’t.”

“You said you loved me.”

He had said that. Honestly, he didn’t know if that was true. He didn’t know if he was capable of any true emotions, but there was always something in his chest when it came to Kylian. There was a greediness he couldn’t shake. Kylian was his and only his. He needed Kylian to be safe, happy, and always within reach. Maybe that was love. Maybe it was just obsession. Either way, Kylian needed and deserved a gentle life and soft words. Rian would make sure Kylian got them.

“That’s because I do love you.”

A sweet kiss touched his chin, making Rian’s eyes fall closed. He ached for it to happen again. “I love you too.”

The beast inside him roared with greed when those words broke the air. Rian fought the urge to admit he would tear the world apart if anyone else ever heard those same words from Kylian. They belonged to him. He owned Kylian’s love. Instead, he kissed Kylian’s forehead and held him tighter.

“Let’s have a real wedding.” Even Rian was shocked as the words left his lips. He didn’t know where they came from, but the idea immediately grew on him. “Your dads and my brother should’ve gotten to be there. I just got carried away and was afraid of losing you.”

Kylian leaned away enough to meet Rian’s stare. He was smiling. “I love this idea. Maybe not right now, but maybe around Christmas or something, so we have time to plan.”

Rian nodded. “Agreed.” He couldn’t resist Kylian’s smile. Rian had to taste it. He touched his lips to Kylian’s mouth. Kylian shifted to his knees and took things farther by straddling Rian’s lap. He forgot he had a guard at the door for a second. When he remembered, Rian made a gesture for Anton to turn away. He didn’t look to see if he was obeyed. Rian knew he would be. He was completely enamored by his amazing husband. Everything else was just unimportant noise.

Chapter Eleven

Ultimately,Kyliandecidednotto take a full-time job with Scott, co-hosting his podcast. Instead, he appeared once a month for a catch-up session. Planning a huge wedding and being Rian’s husband was way more work than Kylian expected. Rian stayed busy, and he liked having Kylian with him, so that was what Kylian did. He stayed at Rian’s side.

They had been lazy today, sleeping in until ten. Rian had confessed his father had always forced him up before sunrise. Kylian had done his best to break that cycle. He swore Rian’s shoulders relaxed a little more every day. Kylian knew Rian would never be soft, and that was okay. He had fallen in love with a hard man. Kylian wouldn’t take back a thing.

They sat next to each other at the kitchen table and ate their lunch. Their feet toyed with each other under the table. Kylian kept casting quick glances Rian’s way and catching him smiling each time their feet fought for dominance where no one else could see. He fought a laugh when Rian gently stamped his foot, as if trying to make it be still. Kylian loved these moments together.

Warden burst into the room, looking hard. He circled the table and spoke closely to Rian’s ear. Kylian strained, but he couldn’t hear what was said. He knew immediately it was business and he should stay out of it, but—sometimes—curiosity beat him when it came to Rian’s work. Everything was so secretive. There were times he resented being in the dark.

Rian shot to his feet. “Cancel my appointments for the day.” He bent and kissed Kylian’s cheek. “I’m sorry, baby. This can’t wait.”

“Okay.” Kylian accepted his kiss and tried hiding his disappointment. Kylian hadn’t looked forward to killing time while Rian attended today’s meetings. They were supposed to spend the night in the city, shopping for Christmas presents and having a nice dinner. It seemed that would have to wait. Rian was gone before Kylian had a chance to ask a single question—like how long this would take. Kylian had never seen him move so fast.

He stabbed at his food, trying to keep his mind blank. Someone moved into the room, catching his attention. Kylian lifted his chin. A smile exploded across his face. He hadn’t seen Sean in six months. Sean hadn’t been there when Kylian had gone home for Thanksgiving. He had been disappointed, but he hadn’t asked why he wasn’t there. Kylian assumed it wasn’t his business.

Kylian pushed to his feet so he could rush to hug him. “Oh, my gosh. It’s been forever.”

Sean hugged him back. “Hey, angel. I was afraid you wouldn’t want to see me.”

Kylian pulled away, confused. “Holy cow. Is that your real voice? How have you been pulling off an American accent so flawlessly?” He sounded exactly like Rian, with a heavy brogue. Kylian didn’t wait for an answer. “And why wouldn’t I want to see you? I’ve missed you so much.”

Sean’s smile faltered. “Because I lied to you, I guess, and yeah. This is my real voice.”

Kylian’s brow furrowed. “How did you lie to me?”

“Rian is my brother.”

“You never said he wasn’t.”

Sean shook his head. “You let me off too easy.”

Kylian shook his head. “That’s not true. You’re my friend, and as far as I know, you never actually lied.” Two guards rushed past the door, pulling Kylian’s gaze in that direction. Kylian saw his chance. “Don’t start with the lies today. Tell me what’s going on?”

To his surprise, Sean didn’t hesitate. “Warden caught Archer.”

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