Page 24 of Unmatched Devil

Rian held Archer’s stare as he leaned forward with the point of his knife facing Archer. “See? That’s what should’ve been your first move before even thinking of building on my land.”

Archer dipped his chin, acknowledging his words. “In my defense, after your father passed, no one knew exactly where to find you. You’ve become a ghost.”

But Kylian had found him. Kylian had stalked him, ruined his tires, and slipped shit into his drink. Yet Archer fucking Woods couldn’t? “My address never changed. I think you could’ve tried harder.”

They sat in silence, measuring each other. Neither of them blinked.

Finally, a slow smile stretched Archer’s lips. “Possibly.”

Rian gave him a sharp nod. “So, negotiate.”

“Sixty/forty of any profits that run through my warehouses.”

Rian snorted. “Fifty-five/forty-five and maybe I won’t burn them to the ground along with your entire organization.”

“Fifty/fifty split.”

Rian drew a slow, steady breath. “I still think I should kill you. That would be easier, but if we do this, this is still my turf. My town. My rules. No synthetic drugs or trafficking comes through here. My people will do a forensic audit of every dime. We bury the hatchet. This is the end of it on both sides. But know, if you step one toe out of line, this deal is done. You’ll be right back in that chair, and no one can save you.”

“That’s best for everyone,” Archer agreed. At Rian’s nod, Warden cut Archer’s hands free, and they shook on the deal. As their hands met, Archer’s gaze moved to some place over Rian’s shoulder. Rian knew without looking, Kylian was there. “Is it okay if I speak with Kylian?”

Rian motioned and Kylian moved to stand at his side. Warden flanked Kylian’s other side, as if ready to pounce if Archer made a move.

Archer didn’t seem to notice or care. His gaze never wavered from Kylian. “Hey, kid.”

“Hi. How’s Angel?”

A small smile touched Archer’s lips at the mention of his husband. That one gesture made Rian glad he hadn’t killed him. He saw their common ground. The one soft spot they both had. “He’s good. I imagine he’ll be better when I make it back unharmed. It’s no wonder King fell so hard for your dad and you. You two have a kindness people like us,” he said, motioning around the room, “were never afforded. Thank you.”

Rian wrapped his arm around Kylian’s waist and urged him onto his lap. He felt doubly protective of his treasure.

Kylian perched on Rian’s knee but kept up his end of the conversation. “Angel would’ve been devastated if you didn’t make it back and all of this could’ve caused a divide that doesn’t benefit any of us. Peace is always the better option.”

Archer smiled. “Peace isn’t the go-to for people like us, so I guess it’s a good thing we have smart spouses.”

Rian was done with this. He was still pissed and wanted Archer out of his sight. “Anton will drop you off at your hotel. I’ll have an accountant at the warehouse tomorrow morning.”

Archer gave a sharp nod and stood. He focused on Kylian again. “See ya, kid. Tell King I said hi.”

Kylian nodded.

Rian urged him to his feet. Without looking his way, Rian took Kylian’s hand and headed for the door. “Keep a tail on Archer. Don’t disturb us.”

“Rian—” When Sean said his name, obviously intending to intervene on Kylian’s behalf, Rian shot him a look that immediately shut things down. Warden set his hand on Sean’s shoulder. Sean snapped his teeth closed. A muscle jumped in his jaw. Rian swept Kylian into the house and slammed the door behind him. Kylian jumped at the sound, but he didn’t pull away. Rian kept going until they were closed inside their bedroom. Only then did Kylian pull his hand away. He wrung his hands, looking two steps beyond nervous.

“I’m so sorry, Rian. I shouldn’t have gotten into your business.” There was something in Kylian’s eyes. Rian remembered too late that Kylian had been severely abused as a child. That was what he saw now. Kylian fully expected to be punished.

Rian crossed his arms and leaned back against the closed door, doing his best to relax his pose and appear less threatening. “While I understand why you did what you did today, I can’t have that happening in the future. These men follow me and obey me because they fear me.”

Kylian balled his hands into fists and visibly forced them to his sides, as if determined not to show weakness. “No.” His chin jutted out in defiance. “These men follow you because they love you. Everyone here cares about you. You know I can’t live anywhere I don’t talk to everyone. That’s just who I am. I know every one of these guys by name and their backgrounds. I’ve made friends here and they don’t stay out of fear.”

Fuck. He was so insolent and wild and incredible. Rian had never stood a chance against him. “You have to stay away from this, baby. For me. You have to. What you said earlier is completely valid. Someone might very well take you if they think it would kill me, and it would. You have to keep yourself separate from this. Please. I need you to be my haven from this life.”

Kylian immediately closed the distance between them. He stroked Rian’s chest and waist, as if he needed to touch him. “I’m sorry. I promise I’ll try harder in the future. This one time, it mattered to me. I don’t know anything about Archer. Maybe he’s an awful person, but his husband isn’t and that says something about him. Angel fell in love with something about him. Just like I fell in love with something special about you. This one time, I had to say something. If anything happened to you, I pray there would be someone who would beg on my behalf too. I can’t lose you.” He kissed Rian’s chin and whispered, “It would kill me.” His lips skimmed Rian’s. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

Rian let Kylian coax him from his dark mood. Their lips met. Kylian opened for him. Their tongues stroked. Rian lifted Kylian from the floor and headed for the bed. “You terrify me,” Rian whispered between kisses. “You’re so fucking fierce—like you can’t be hurt.” He stole another deep kiss as he came down on top of Kylian on the bed. “The people I deal with would hurt you.” He stole Kylian’s shirt. “That’s the only thing I can’t live with.” He kissed the skin he bared until he licked Kylian’s abs as he went to work on Kylian’s jeans. Kylian was hard for him. He hoped that meant today hadn’t ruined anything.

Kylian pushed at his chest.

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