Page 23 of Unmatched Devil

Kylian’s gaze snapped to Sean. “What?”

Sean nodded. “They have him.”

Kylian’s heart tried climbing into his throat. “How?”

Sean shrugged. “He was out alone. It seems he was in town and sneaked away to buy Christmas gifts for his husband. Someone alerted Warden, and he snagged him.”

“No.” Horror raced through Kylian. His stomach churned. He knew Archer. They had met when Kylian’s dads married. More than that, Kylian had met Archer’s husband, a sweet bear named Angel. “What do they plan to do with him?”

Sean’s expression changed. He turned cagey. “I guess that depends on a lot of variables.”

Kylian growled. “Don’t blow smoke up my ass.”

Sean’s shoulders fell. “Likely, Rian will kill him. Archer disrespected the family and Rian’s authority. He can’t let that stand or it’ll send a message that he’s soft and anyone might move in next.”

Kylian thought he might be sick. “Where? Show me.”

“Kylian…”

“I’m serious, Sean.”

Reluctantly, Sean waved for Kylian to follow. They headed in the same direction the guards had rushed toward earlier. The door to the garage stood open. Sean pointed that way. Kylian peeked inside. Sheets of plastic covered the floor. Archer sat tied on a metal folding chair. He looked unharmed and completely calm, except for his eyes. There was something there Kylian never wanted to see again. Kylian’s blood ran cold. He watched Rian pace while tapping a knife against his palm. Archer’s gaze locked on Kylian and didn’t move. Rian spoke, but Kylian couldn’t hear the words. His pulse pounded in his ears. As Rian paced, Kylian started doing the same outside the door. He had to do something. Kylian couldn’t live with this. In theory, he knew Rian likely killed people all the time. He had blocked that from his mind. This was real, though. Kylian knew Archer. He had a husband and a life. If Rian did this, Kylian didn’t know if he could block it out and pretend. He didn’t know if he would feel the same about Rian when it was done.

As he paced, he kept his gaze locked on the scene. He didn’t know how long he had or what he would do. Any second, Rian would strike and Kylian would play witness to something horrible. Something he couldn’t erase. Christmas was next week. Poor Angel. He couldn’t let this happen.

“Whatever you’re thinking, don’t.”

Kylian ignored Sean. He couldn’t stay out of this. Rian moved behind Archer. He pressed the knife to Archer’s throat. Kylian froze. Rian’s expression was terrifying. He was a different person. Rian was the monster his father had raised in that moment. Kylian stepped into the garage.

“Rian. Can I speak to you for a moment?”

Rian’s gaze shot his way. His expression changed. He immediately hid his knife, as if there was a chance Kylian wouldn’t know what he was about to do.

“Of course.” Rian headed his way.

Kylian held his breath and did his best not to look Archer’s way. He took Rian’s hand and led him into the house. Sean darted into the garage and closed the door, as if getting out of the way before catching Rian’s fury for this.

The moment they were alone, Kylian jumped in with both feet. “Please don’t do this.”

Rian’s features softened even more. “Baby, please don’t get involved.” He stroked Kylian’s hair. “This is business. Nothing more. Please go back to eating lunch, and—in a couple of hours—I swear we’ll get back to our plans.”

Kylian shook his head. Desperation ate at his insides. “I know that man’s husband. He is the nicest, sweetest guy I’ve ever met. He’s probably pacing the floor right now, tearing his hair out and wondering where his husband is. What if that was me? What if Archer had taken you instead? It would slaughter me if anyone hurt you. Please don’t do that to someone else’s husband. He was out buying Angel a Christmas gift.” Tears pricked Kylian’s eyes. “Please don’t do this.”

The longer Kylian spoke, the more Rian’s expression closed. He had lost. Kylian felt that in his soul. He clamped his teeth together to stop the flow of pleading. Kylian sniffed. He didn’t want to cry. It was too late. A tear rolled down his cheek.

Rian wiped it away. “You’d cry for this man?”

Kylian shook his head. “I’m crying for us. What happens if you kill Archer? Will his people stop? Maybe they take you next. Maybe they’ll take me. Why can’t there be a peaceful resolution? I love you, Rian. I can’t live with this.”

Rian’s eyes fell closed. He walked away, leaving the door open behind him. Kylian wiped his eyes and stared at nothing. He didn’t know what Rian would do. Worse than that, Kylian truly didn’t know if he could live with it. Maybe this was the end for them.

Rian’s emotions roiled. He had never expected Kylian to see him at work or imagined how Kylian would react if he did. For once, he didn’t know what to do. He had been waiting a long time to kill Archer Woods. The guy was a bastard. He had disrespected Rian. Rian couldn’t say he wouldn’t kill him. He honestly had no clue how this would end.

Rian motioned for Anton to bring him a chair. The large guard who had worked alongside Warden for his father had always been good at knowing exactly what Rian needed without him having to vocalize any requests. Anton brought a metal chair and unfolded it, facing Archer. They were inches apart. Close enough for Rian to strike. Close enough, Rian could look into Archer’s eyes as he slit his throat.

Rian sat. He leaned back, doing his best to make himself look larger the way his dad had taught him to do when facing an opponent. “Well, we have a bit of a conundrum, you and me. My husband just begged for your life. Apparently, he likes your husband and worries he’s at home, pacing the floor and panicking.” Rian blew out a loud breath. “I don’t like disappointing my husband. But the thing is, I can’t let your disrespect stand. What kind of message would that send to other people like you? So, you tell me. Put yourself in my shoes and tell me what you’d do if a man spit on your turf the way you’ve done mine?”

A muscle ticked in Archer’s jaw. “If it were me, I would kill him, but I’m hoping—for our husbands’ sake—that’s not what you choose. Maybe we can negotiate instead?”

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