“What does that even mean?”
“You’ll find out.”
“Pavel, I saved your life back there, I think you owe me more than cryptic threats.”
“It wasn’t a threat,” he corrected sweetly, “it was a promise. But you’re right. You could have let Aodhan take me out. It would have solved your stalker problem. So, why didn’t you?”
Zane could tell him it was because he was Retinue, but they were past the point of lies like that working. “You followed me.”
“You’re just taking responsibility, that it?”
“No, I mean, you still chose to come after me, even when—”
“Are you talking about Great, gorgeous?” Pavel’s tone darkened. “Don’t think I’m not going to punish you for that, or for the stunt you pulled with Kazimir Ambrose at the Velvet Brew. Was it fun at least, teasing me? Making me go crazy for you?”
“Clearly not crazy enough,” he mumbled, not really meaning to. He grimaced as soon as the words were out, realizing Pavel would have definitely heard him.
Sure enough, the man at his side perked up.
“Youaremad,” Pavel surmised.
“No, I—”
“Were you trying to force me to break my end of the deal?” Pavel chuckled. “I would never do that. I gave you my word. I respect you too much to go back on it.”
“Respect?” This time it was Zane’s turn to laugh. “Please. Where was that respect when you were forcing yourself on me?”
“I never told you I wouldn’t do those things,” he replied. “In fact, I distinctly recall the opposite. I’ve always been true to my word when it comes to you. That’s respect in my book. That’s why I won’t ever make you promises I don’t think I’ll be able to keep. Hunting you through the woods? Forcing your head underwater while you take my cock? Those things will most likely happen again. And you’ll enjoy them every bit as much as you did the first time.”
The problem was, hehadenjoyed them. He’d enjoyed this game of theirs this past month as well. He’d liked trying to push Pavel past his limits, but he had also been testing him in a way. Trying to get the other man to snap and prove how badly he supposedly wanted him.
“If you have that much self-control, enough to watch me have coffee with my ex and go on a romantic dinner date, I don’t think you like me nearly as much as you claim.” It was a stupid thing to say, a challenging thing, but Zane said it anyway, keeping his eyes on the road and his hands steady on the wheel as though he wasn’t affected.
As though he wasn’t currently holding his breath, waiting for Pavel’s response.
“You were needy as a child too,” Pavel drawled. “Always so greedy for my affection. Clingy. I didn’t mind though, back then we’d agreed to be each other’s family in a world where no one else wanted us. You could still remember your birth mother’s face, recall the day she left you at the orphanage. All you’ve ever wanted was for someone to need you badly enoughthey couldn’t leave you, ever. If not for Aodhan, you wouldn’t be struggling now. You would know that that’s me.”
That last statement was too heavy to touch, so he focused on the other important part instead.
“Don’t go after my brother,” Zane warned.
“Because you’re worried I’ll hurt him, or because you’re worried he’ll hurt me?” When he didn’t get a response, Pavel sighed. “Or are you just afraid of disappointing Mr. and Mrs. Solace?”
“Hart,” he’d seemed to like being called that back at the warehouse, and Zane wasn’t above using it now to glean favorable results, “Promise me.”
Pavel considered it and then offered, “I’ll trade you.”
“What do you want?”
“Don’t go to the Little Palace.” Pavel eased closer, dropping his head to Zane’s shoulder. “I want to go home.”
It wouldn’t be too big of a deal to skip it, but… “My things.”
“I have everything you need.”
Zane didn’t really see a reason to argue. “All right.”
He passed the exit that would have taken them to the Little Palace and headed for Concealed instead. It felt strange, driving the other man’s car, taking him home. It would have been funny if not for the circumstances.
