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)
Taking Dev’s hand, Kai pulled him along the alley, moving away from the three men who were picking themselves up. He could only assume that the other two would help the one with the knife in his gut. Sadly, Dev didn’t feel bad for him. They’d all wielded weapons while Kai had entered the fight with only a trash can lid.
“Are you okay?” Dev asked in a low voice when they were on the sidewalk and supposedly away from other people who might be listening in.
Kai sent him a small smile and nodded. “I’m okay. A little battered and bruised, but that’s all.”
They were walking at a normal pace, but Dev was still aware of Kai checking their surroundings as they moved. Dev at least tried to keep up the appearance of them being out for a normal walk that evening as the sun started to sink toward the distant horizon, but he was sure their sweaty faces and damp hair were a dead giveaway that something was seriously wrong.
“Should I grab a taxi to the hotel? I don’t want to leave you, but I don’t want to cause you more problems.”
Kai’s hand instantly tightened on his as if the man expected him to pull away and disappear that second. “No. I’ll keep you safe.”
Dev squeezed his hand and leaned in a little closer. “It’s not about keeping me safe. It’s about not creating more problems for you. I don’t want you hurt.”
Kai’s grip relaxed and he brushed his thumb across Dev’s knuckles, sending the most wonderful chill up his arm. They were walking in San Francisco in the early evening and holding hands. It was one of the most romantic and weirdest nights of his life. He had a feeling any time he spent with Kai in the future would be described using those two words, and strangely, he didn’t mind.
“I promise, anything that happens tonight has nothing to do with you. This is my past.” He paused and released a sigh. “This is my family.”
A hundred questions instantly popped into Dev’s head, but he stomped them down and shoved them away. Now wasn’t the time. Especially when Kai looked so utterly uncomfortable and embarrassed. If he were lucky enough to have Kai share any personal information with him, it would be when Kai was ready. Not a moment sooner.
“I’m here for you. Whatever you need. Even if you need me to leave.”
Kai’s smile was easier this time. He lifted their hands to his lips and brushed a kiss across Dev’s fingers. “I prefer to have you where I can see you.”
Dev smirked at him. “Then I’ll try hard not to listen.”
He wished he could give Kai privacy to deal with whatever family shit he needed to face. While he was incredibly curious about the man, he didn’t want to learn Kai’s secrets this way, when the man had no choice.
They walked along toward Golden Gate Park, passing other couples and joggers out enjoying the evening. Dev ran a hand through his sweaty hair, trying to straighten it a little, and then over his clothes. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much he could do about his bedraggled appearance. Kai looked rumpled, but there was something still lethal and edgy about him that made his rumpled style very sexy.
Or maybe Dev just needed to get laid. Really, there was no hope for him.
Dev frowned as they moved through the park. How were they supposed to know where to meet the woman? The appointed time was nearly upon them, and Kai was ambling slowly along the path as if they weren’t on a schedule.
Just as he was about to ask, he spotted the same woman in the distance. Her straight black hair ruffled in the breeze. She was on the phone, her expression slightly pinched as she spoke. But the moment she spotted Kai, she ended the call and frowned at them.
“Kairi,” Kai greeted solemnly, giving only the tiniest bow of his head to her.
“Kai,” she returned. Her voice was as brittle as her smile. “I want to keep this meeting as brief as possible. Why are you here?”
“Someone is killing people linked to past contracts I’ve taken and leaving the bodies where he can find them,” he said, gesturing one hand toward Devlin.
Kairi turned her attention to him, her expression disapproving. “And who is he? Another one of your lovers?”
“He is of no concern to the family, but no, he is not a lover.”
Of course, that statement might have been more convincing if Kai hadn’t been holding his hand at that moment. Kairi clearly thought the same thing since her eyes dropped to their hands and smirked. And still, Kai didn’t release him. In fact, his fingers tightened and trembled just slightly, as if Dev were Kai’s only tie to safety.
“Well, I need to know who he is, don’t I?”