Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81358 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“I’m so sorry,” Dev whispered roughly as he cuddled him close again.
“Thank you, but I was lucky that the physical violence was never directed at me. My father just let his overall disappointment cut me down.”
“Did you do it to get back into your family in San Francisco?”
“In a way. Scott was an excellent teacher, and I was a dedicated student. I remained in Chicago until I was eighteen, and then I returned to San Francisco, where I killed my father.”
“Whoa…”
“I thought…I thought it would make the pain and anger of rejection go away. I thought it would prove once and for all that I wasn’t weak. That I was stronger than he could ever be.” Kai sighed and gave a small shrug. “I was eighteen and angry at the world. We all do stupid things when we’re eighteen.”
Dev made a noise against his chest. “I think your stupid thing is a little more extreme than most people’s, but yeah, I understand. What about the rest of your family? Did they know you did it?”
“Yes. I was lucky in that my uncle was in the middle of attempting to seize control of the family. The assassination of my father was something of a lucky gift for him, but the family was also made to look bad because I managed to sneak past all their security to kill the head of the family.”
“So, you were exiled.”
Kai rubbed his hand down Dev’s back, smiling at how he instantly relaxed at his touch. “I was, which worked out for the best. I like being a freelancer much more than I ever would have liked working for the family.”
Dev snorted softly. “What’s not to like about freelancing? You make your own hours, no one to tell you what to do, and you get to pick which jobs you want to take.”
“Pretty much, though I couldn’t be too picky in the beginning. I had to build up my reputation.”
“But you did. You became one of the scariest assassins ever. You’ve also become one of the scariest protectors in the world.”
Kai bent his head and pressed a kiss to the top of Dev’s. “Anything for you.”
“What about your adoptive parents? Are they safe? Do you still see them?”
“Scott passed away a couple of years ago, but Pam and I talk at least once a month. I don’t see her in person. She understands. She just started dating a nice man last month and she’s taken up racquetball. She’s happy.”
“I’m glad.” Dev’s expression suddenly soured. “But what about Elijah? How did you meet him?”
“It was about seven years ago. I’d been in the business for about ten years and had established a solid reputation. I was in New York working a job, and I spotted this kid.” Kai shrugged and shook his head even though Dev couldn’t see it. “Maybe I was bored. Or he just reminded me of myself when I was young and starting out. I decided to give him a hand before he got himself killed. I gave him a few pointers and didn’t think much of it, but we ran into each other at the airport the next day. We were on the same flight to Miami. We talked. He was smart and eager.”
“And cute.”
“Yes, and cute.” There was no point in denying it. Elijah was cute. There was a sweetness to his face, something that made him look incredibly trustworthy. And yes, very fuckable. “While we were in Miami, I decided to sort of take him under my wing and give him some training that I was lucky enough to get.”
“You slept with him.”
Kai tilted his head so he could meet Dev’s gaze. His lips were pressed into a hard line, and his eyes were glaring at a point across the room. “I’ve told you that I chose to become an assassin, that I murdered my father, and you are upset that I’ve slept with someone else?”
“Yeah, apparently there’s something seriously wrong with my priorities, because I really don’t like the idea of you fucking anyone else,” Dev grumbled.
A surprised laugh jumped from Kai and he tackled Dev to the mattress. He leaned over him while pinning both of Dev’s wrists together over his head with one hand. “I thought you were fine with it. You said you didn’t mind Gabriel.”
Dev huffed. “Yes, but Gabriel is happy with Justin and not a complete psychopath. This Elijah was more than a one-time thing. Plus, you’re a gorgeous, amazing man. You could have anyone you want. Someone younger and adventurous.”
Kai captured Dev’s lips in a deep, possessive kiss. Beneath him, Dev’s body relaxed while happy little noises burbled up his throat. Kai broke off the kiss and nibbled along his jaw. “I want only you. From now until forever, you’re the only one I want in my life. The only one I ever want to make love to.”