Prologue:
Pavel Hart stuck close to the wall, shrouded in darkness as he watched the scene unfolding before him. Two men were in the midst of an argument, their words carrying across the underground parking lot just loudly enough he could make out everything they were saying even from his current distance.
Usually he made a better effort to resist temptation, but he’d found himself on his hoverbike headed toward the hotel before he’d even realized his intentions.
“Fuck you, Zane!” a pissed off Kazimir Ambrose, the righthand to the Dominus of the Brumal mafia, swore. His irritation had been growing for the past ten minutes, ever since he’d stepped out of his car and spotted Zane exiting the building where Kaz lived.
It wasn’t the first time Zane had arrived unannounced, hell, the guy even had a key, so the fight wasn’t about his unexpected visit. It was aboutwhohe’d come here to visit. Something that, admittedly, confused even Pavel a bit.
“My guess is that’s off the table from here on out,” Zane said in that cool tone of his, the one that always sent waves of pleasure zipping down Pavel’s spine straight to his toes.
The sensation was so visceral, he almost didn’t catch the meaning in Zane’s words.
Was it happening? Was Zane finally going to stop wasting his time on Kazimir?
The two almost never argued, and only interacted when they were amongst the rest of the Devils of Vitality, the group both the Satellite and the Retinue were a part of, though they were technically two separate organizations. The Satellite protected the leader of the Brumal mafia, whereas the Retinue defended the Imperial Prince. Not that either leader truly needed any sort of backup when it came to strength or ability.
“You really did all of this just because you were mad I invited Lyra into the bedroom that day?” Kazimir sounded confused, and Pavel couldn’t blame him.
“It’s like I said,” Zane shrugged like this was all no big deal. “I was simply paying you back. No matter what happens from here on out, you and I are even.”
As far as Pavel understood things, Zane was sleeping with both Kaz and Lyra, and none of them had cared about that arrangement. It was just sex, after all, a way to blow off steam. Zane needed that in order to keep focused on his studies. It sounded cliché, but Pavel had realized it went deeper than that.
Sex was a means to achieve connection, even if fleeting. For Zane, it was a way to prove his worth and probably ease some of those pesky insecurities floating around in his head. Of course, this was all supposition, since Pavel had yet to actually discuss the matter with the other man.
Pavel shamelessly eavesdropped on the rest of their conversation, feeding that spark of anticipation in his gut when it became clear that it really was over between the two men. He’d spent years waiting for his chance, knowing that he couldn’t risk interfering if Zane was involved with another Devil.
But now…
Now he was ripe for the taking, and Pavel was in the mood for a hunt.
His addiction to Zane had started so long ago, it was a wonder he hadn’t acted on it sooner, despite all of the dangers and risks. Truthfully, he should be praised for his self-control. For his patience. Members of his species usually didn’t have a good grasp on either, and yet here he was, waiting and watching like the perfect mate.
The heated discussion came to an end and Kazimir shoved Zane, practically sprinting toward the hotel entrance. Yet, even after he’d gone, Zane didn’t budge.
It was quiet in the underground parking garage, not all that surprising considering it was pretty late at night. Pavel kept his place, curiously wondering what the other man was doing and why he’d yet to leave.
Did he think there was a chance Kaz would come back? Or was he waiting for Kaz’s boyfriend, Nate Narek, to storm out?
Was he interested in Nate now?
Pavel’s mood soured and he felt a twist of something ugly in his gut. Fortunately for all of them, he didn’t get the opportunity to act on it.
In the next instant, Zane pulled the star crystal blade he was known to carry from its hidden sheath and stared at it for a moment. He’d gifted the weapon’s twin to Kazimir recently, something that irked Pavel to no end.
Was that why he was looking at it so intensely?
Was he—
Quick as a flash, the weapon sailed through the air, headed directly for Pavel’s head. He had just enough time to twist out of the way, the blade embedding itself deep into the brick wall he’d been standing against. Bits of stone crumbled and clattered to the ground.
“Come out,” Zane remained where he was, the warning clear in his tone. Even in the midst of an argument, the one he’d used with Kazimir had been casual, almost friendly, but now…
Pavel stepped out from the shadows, hands sliding into the front pockets of his black silk pants. He stopped as soon as the light hit him, tipping his head when Zane’s eyes widened a second before the man got a hold of his surprise.
“What are you doing here?” Zane glanced over his shoulder toward the door where Kazimir had just disappeared.
“Your hair is wet.” He banked down the flurry of rage that ignited in his gut, sure to keep his composure in front of the Prince of Medicine. The nickname had been given by the students at their university, but it was fitting.
