“Sounds nice.” Shadow was definitely more asleep than awake. His words were slurred and barely audible.
Ridge kissed the top of his head. “Go to sleep, beautiful. I have you.” He always would and it was fucking killing him.
Shadow always pretended to be asleep each time Ridge slipped from the bed. Then he moved into the spot where he had lain and savored the wisps of his scent on the sheets. They were both so fucked up. At least Shadow was self-aware. One of these days, Ridge would find someone worthy of him.Shadow would continue on in silent agony. It was like they had this pact they didn’t speak about.
Shadow checked the clock. It was one a.m. He had plenty of time. After crawling from the bed, he found the clothes he needed and quickly dressed. He sneaked from the room. Since he was a shadow, it was easy. No one ever saw him unless he let them. Once he made it to the garage, he was home free. He jumped into his black MX-5 and was gone. The roads were deader than usual. Most sane people were sleeping. No one had ever accused Shadow of being anything less than unhinged. The tightness in his chest wound tighter as Club Affinity came into view. Really, only the upper foyer was visible. The no-holds-barred sex club was underground. Acts so nasty it would make aheathen clutch their pearls took place right beneath him. Zeus had designed the place to be invisible to any prying eyes. It seemed he had visited a club in Vegas with the same setup and mimicked it. Shadow didn’t know why he always came back. That wasn’t true. Affinity had one thing he needed: Master Zeus.
Everyone fought to have him. He was a six-foot-six biker Adonis with blond hair and steely gray eyes so light, they penetrated the soul. What no one knew except Shadow was Zeus was also a deprogrammer of former spies. Shadow didn’t need to be deprogrammed. He needed everything else Zeus had to offer.
Shadow parked as close as possible to the door. The night air slapped him in the face as he stepped from the car. Itnever got incredibly cold here, but there was no doubt winter had arrived. Shadow could take it. Russia had been damn cold.
He nodded at the bouncer posted outside. Shadow knew his name, but couldn’t recall it. He would make sure he remembered next time. This time around, he was too tired to think clearly. The guy opened the door for Shadow, welcoming him inside. “Have a good time, Mr. Agafonov.”
Shadow flashed him a smile and headed in. There were probably people out there who would be ashamed to hear those words. No one inside this club, though. He was only halfway down the stairs before the distinct sounds of sexual pleasure caressed his ears. Shadow had a destination in mindas he reached the long hallway at the bottom. He didn’t look right or left as he made his way down the hall. Each room he passed had a different kink on display. Shadow would know. He had been there too. His goal was the doorway at the end of the hall. He pushed, and the sound of loud music poured out. Fog filled the air from fog machines. Different-colored lights bounced in every direction, making everything look slightly psychedelic. Bodies filled the dance floor, grinding against each other. A girl was getting eaten out in the corner while people watched. Typical night at Club Affinity.
Shadow’s gaze slid around the room. Zeus was taller than everyone else. Shadow’s throat swelled. Where was he? It was very possible Zeus was in one of the many rooms he passed. Shadow couldn’t entertain that right now. Hehad killed too many people tonight. His chest hurt too badly from the invisible weight that never lifted.
Fingers encircled his throat. A hard body pressed against his back. He knew it was Zeus simply by the way he felt hovered over—like a tiny mouse in the clutches of a cat.
“You didn’t make an appointment.”
Shadow’s heartbeat already thumped in his ears. “Do I need one?”
Zeus kissed the shell of his ear. His hot breath had chill bumps dancing on Shadow’s skin. “You? Never. But you do have a tendency to assume I’m free.”
Irritation stirred inside Shadow. He didn’t need this shit. Shadow could go back to his cold bed. He wouldsurvive. Shadow took a step away. The hold on his throat tightened.
“Nu-uh. You’re in my grasp now.”
A soft laugh that sounded evil even to his ears left Shadow’s lips. “Don’t ever assume you’re in control of me.”
Firm, warm, and full lips touched his neck. “Stay. Dance with me.”
Shadow squeezed his eyes closed. A fresh wave of self-hatred washed over him. There was no reason to go home. He turned, but Shadow didn’t meet Zeus’ stare. Shadow kept his face turned away as he stepped into Zeus’ hold. He didn’t want to look into the eyes of someone else he would never have. Sometimes, Shadow wondered if he was the only real thing in a world full of fake people. But when Zeus’ warmbody engulfed him, Shadow could close his eyes and dream he was… He locked down his mind.
“So, you couldn’t sleep again, huh?”
“It’s getting worse.” Shadow didn’t admit weaknesses to many people. Zeus was just one of those people. Shadow didn’t have to worry about Zeus’s feelings. The guy had none. He was the type of sexy that made the entire world his playground. Shadow didn’t matter to him. He could say anything. Likely, Zeus wasn’t even listening.
“Come on.” Zeus swept Shadow from his feet and headed for the back door. Envious eyes followed every step. The back door led into another hallway. The office was the door on the right. Zeus’ apartment was on the left. Heturned left.
Zeus barely had to shift Shadow to use his fingerprint to get inside. The lights were out. Zeus didn’t bother turning them on as he strode through the living room. Shadow had been there enough times to know exactly how the place looked. Not a single item was out of place anywhere except in the bedroom.
Zeus set him on the edge of his bed. The entire place smelled like his cologne. Shadow wanted to be a bitch and demand Zeus change the sheets, except he knew Zeus. Zeus didn’t bring people here. The last thing he wanted was anyone knowing where he lived. He was too in demand. People might do anything to get his attention. Shadow only had it because Zeus knew Shadow didn’t really want him. That novelty kept Zeus’ attention.””
Zeus took off Shadow’s shoes. He peeled off his shirt and took off his boots.
Shadow took the hint. He scooted beneath the covers, leaving room for Zeus to join him. Zeus crawled into the spot next to him and hauled Shadow into his arms. This time, when Shadow closed his eyes in the warmth of familiar arms, it took five seconds. He was out.
Chapter Two
TheweightonRidge’schest got heavier by the minute. Since he had woken to the news of Shadow sneaking away in the middle of the night, he had paced the floor. Begged Tracker to trace Shadow’s location. Paced some more. Still, Shadow didn’t come home. Two hours after nightfall, Ridge couldn’t take it any longer. He jumped into his SUV and headed out. Club Affinity always looked dead from the outside. Somehow, they were always still packed inside. He had no clue where all the regulars were parked. Ridge parked next to Shadow’s car. Ridge stormed the door, ready tobreak a bouncer’s neck if necessary. He didn’t have a membership. Ridge only knew the club’s location and schematics because he stalked the fuck out of Shadow. Plus, he wanted no stone unturned when it came to Zeus. No one came near his family without him knowing everything about them, down to their shoe size.
Ridge didn’t know what the guy saw in Ridge’s face, but he opened the door for him. He gave the guy a sharp nod as he passed. Ridge wouldn’t forget the kindness. Inside, he jogged down the steps. His gaze skimmed every room he passed, searching for an unmistakable blond who likely stood a head above everyone. While he saw a lot of things that had him ready to bleach his eyes, he didn’t see Zeus or Shadow. He ground his back teeth and pushed throughthe door at the end of the hall with all the rage in his heart. Ridge dove into the crowd. His head never stopped moving as he hunted his prey. If he had a way to get up high, Ridge would find his man immediately. Unfortunately, he couldn’t, and Shadow wasn’t his, goddamn it. Finally, he spotted a shirtless Zeus surrounded by men on their knees. Ridge’s gaze immediately dropped to eye each man. Shadow had better not be on his goddamn knees for this motherfucker. Thankfully, he wasn’t. Ridge would hate to kill Zeus… not really. He would kill the bastard in the blink of an eye if he thought it would make a bit of difference.
Ridge was used to hovering over everyone. It pissed him off to be eye to eye with Zeus.
Zeus didn’t look surprised to see him. He pulled the sucker from his mouth, somehow making the move look sultry as hell. Zeus smirked. “Look at you. Flashing eyes. Flared nostrils. Are we fighting or fucking?”
