CHAPTER ONE

Kain, AKA Ice, moved through the Friday night crowd on the dance floor of Night Moves, a trendy upscale bar. For VIPs, the club had a decadent, kinky side. The second level was members only and membership was awarded on the basis of money, power, and prestige.

The second level was where other jaded predators like Kain roamed. The bottom level—the dance floor—was where the fresh meat was kept. After all, every predator needed prey.

Kain avoided the teasing hands that reached for him. No one caught his eye, but the night was young. He nodded to the bouncer guarding the secured entrance to the second level.

Of course he wasn't stopped.

He was well known at the club. Across the way, he saw his childhood friends sitting at their usual table and made his way to them. Throwing his leather jacket on the back of his chair, he picked up the drink they had waiting for him.

"Sorry I'm late. The old man was on my ass again."

"What about this time?"

Jordan asked.

"Some kid yelling I hit his car on the way home a couple of nights ago. He threatened to call the cops—claimed I left the scene of the accident."

Kain shrugged as his eyes scanned the dance floor. "More like a mercy killing. My damn watch costs more than that heap he was driving, but he carried on like a bitch in heat over it. The old man calmed him down, as always."

"Meaning your dad had his lawyer pay him off."

Allen rolled his eyes. "What's someone like that doing over here in our part of town?"

"Looking for a way to make easy money, what else?"

Hugh sighed. "Those kinds of people shouldn't be allowed over here."

"I never said it happened on our turf. I was slumming."

Kain turned back to the group with a cold, emotionless grin. Actually, he'd been mindlessly screwing some nameless guy in the hopes of losing himself, if only for a little while. "If you know what I mean."

"Well, you know what they say. If you lie down with dogs…"

Hugh shrugged. "On another note, boys, you owe me five thousand apiece. That sweet little thing, Chris? Yeah, I popped his cherry last night. Told you I would. Only took me two weeks, too, to convince him that we were meant to be."

"You have the devil's own luck,"

Jordan groaned. "Actually, that's Kain. I'm still behind him by two virgins."

"How do you find these guys?"

Allen complained. "I've only managed to find two!"

"Oh shut up. You're one ahead of me."

Jordan rolled his eyes.

"Back on subject, fellows. Did I mention how sweetly he cried?"

Hugh smirked. "And get this. He thinks I'm going to keep calling him now, be his boyfriend. Seems like he was waiting for that special someone, the love of his life."

"Yeah, right. What a loser."

Allen sneered. "How often did you have to tell him you loved him?"

"Too many times."

Hugh's disgust was clear as he raised his glass and winked. "Like I'd be caught dead outside of a bedroom with someone like that."

"Goes without saying."

Kain sprawled in his chair. "So, how's it looking down there? Fill me in."

"Jordan and I have a bet going about who's going to do that redhead on the dance floor first,"

Allen said. "He's the one with the green shirt, there in the middle."

"Why not do him together?"

Hugh asked.

"We plan to."

Allen winked. "I said I'd do him first. We'll tag team him later. Been a while since Jordan and I got to do a double penetration."

Kain's hearty laugh boomed out, drawing attention from those around them. "I almost feel sorry for the guy."

Kain glanced around the group. Several pairs of disbelieving eyes stared back at him. "Okay, no I don't."

"The legendary Ice feels sorry?"

Hugh's lips twisted. "That'll be a cold day in hell."

"Hell wouldn't have me."

"Oh yes it would. Personally, I think we'd end up ruling hell."

Allen smirked at Kain.

"Someone has that position, remember?"

Jordan shrugged. "We could be kings or lords."

"There's supposed to be seven princes of hell. One for each deadly sin."

Hugh rolled his eyes as his friends stared at him. "What?"

"You must have too much free time on your hands."

Kain grumbled. "Entirely too much free time. And don't start on that stupid paranormal, or religious, or what the hell ever you call it kick, either. I'm not in the mood to listen to you spout off about vampires, demons, and such."

"There are more things in heaven and earth—"

"Ah shit, now he's quoting Shakespeare. We need more alcohol, apparently."

Kain frowned at Hugh. "You're a sick puppy, know that?"

"No more so than you, my friend."

"You have a point."

Kain glanced across the room. The middle was open so people on the second level could see down to the dance floor. A railing ran around the opening to keep people safe, and numerous tables were scattered around.

Everywhere he looked he saw more of the same. Young professional men and women with perfect sculpted bodies, perfect faces that only the best plastic surgeons could give, and more money than they knew what to do with in one lifetime.

Every last one of them was jaded, spoiled, and bored out of their minds. Himself included. He turned back to look at his friends, ones he'd known since childhood—all their parents were best friends too.

Kain's gaze landed on Jordan and Allen, who were brothers. Their dad owned several world-famous high-end department stores. Jordan, the oldest, was COO, and Allen was CFO. Both had business degrees from Harvard.

They had dark, sable brown hair with caramel highlights. Jordan's eyes were hazel, and Allen's deep chocolate brown. Allen had dimples that Kain would kill for, and Jordan had a dent in his chin that drove guys wild. Both had an obsession with redheads that Kain couldn't fathom.

He shuddered slightly—all those freckles.

Hugh was a natural blond with big, bright, blue eyes. He had a cute, boyish face that belied the shark within. He was slightly taller than the rest of them, a little over six feet, and sported a bigger build. His obsession was smaller, thin guys. Hugh had a law degree and worked for his dad.

Kain's dad owned a chain of high-end hotels located throughout the world, and his degree was in business. Each young man had been groomed to take over his family business one day and produce an heir.

After that, he could do what he wanted with the noose around his neck called a wife. Kain planned to ship his off to some small villa he owned far, far away, so he could pursue what really interested him—meaningless man sex.

What was his obsession? Long, black hair.

"Okay, unless one of you wants to bottom for me, I guess I'm heading downstairs."

Kain took a last sip of his drink.

"Not in this life or the next,"

Allen and Jordan answered together as they stood.

"Not unless you bottom for me first,"

Hugh said, winking.

"Yeah, right. I don't bottom, ever. Damned if I'll ever be someone's bitch."

Kain slapped Hugh on the back. "But nice try."

Hugh snorted. "Okay, gentlemen, game on. Bet is five thousand Allen gets that redhead's ass first."

"You're going to regret that,"

Jordan said as they walked downstairs. "Allen's getting sloppy seconds, you watch."

"By the way, if you two don't score, you owe Kain and me five thousand apiece."

"Bastard."

Jordan rolled his eyes good-naturedly at Hugh. "Deal."

Kain laughed outright. In their circles, five thousand was pocket change. Suddenly, the flashing lights from the club highlighted someone sitting across from them, catching Kain's attention.

Cold ebony eyes stared back at Kain from a deadly pale face. Wavy, jet-black hair fell in a silken waterfall to broad shoulders, and a nice five o'clock shadow graced a strong jaw.

A short-sleeved charcoal silk shirt caressed a smooth, muscular chest. From what little he could see, the shirt was tucked into tight-fitting stonewashed Levis. Black motorcycle boots finished off an outfit that shouted mysterious and sexy with a hint of dangerous.

Kain's breath caught in his chest as desire slammed into him. For a moment their gazes locked, and the primitive side of his nature, long buried, shuddered awake with a screech.

Danger!

Reality warped and time halted as they stared at one another. For a split second Kain swore he saw flames dance near the man and unearthly wails, screams of pleasure denied, surrounded him.

Run! Hide! Deadly!

Then the room around him snapped back. Chills raced over Kain's body even as the more rational side of his mind scoffed.

"Fuck,"

Kain whispered as desire, and a small thrill of excitement, raced through him.

What the hell was that? Had the club done something new with the lights? Whatever it was bordered on creepy, but hell, he hadn't been this wound up in a long while.

Beware.

Kain shivered as the voice in his head warned him again. Beware what? Kain rolled his eyes. Him? His family was one of the richest in the world, had connections and power others couldn't comprehend. They had more money than the devil. He was untouchable. Beware?

"Fuck that, others should beware of me. I'm not afraid of anyone."

Kain meant every word. He was above the laws of man.

He shifted his focus back to the guy who'd drawn his attention. He had long black hair, and even better, was sitting on the second level. Only the wealthy could sit up there. This was someone more like him.

Kain craned his neck, trying to see the stranger. He'd picked his target. Now all he had to do was get the guy down to the dance floor so he could work his magic. His ass would be in Kain's bed before the night was done. Maybe this one could fill the void for a short while.

He winked at the stranger as he stood and headed for the dance floor. Then he grinned when his quarry stood as if to follow him. Perfect.

* * *

Asmodeus toyed with his straw as he glanced over the crowd on the dance floor. There were a few who caught his eye, but nothing got his blood pumping. His appearance not only fit in at Night Moves, but also called certain types to him, preferably men.

For the last hundred years he had taken to seducing the males of the human race.

"Mmm, there's something about taking a strong man and bending him to my will, having him first beg not to be fucked…"

He ran a hand down his chest, drawing several pairs of eyes, and shivered. "Then later beg to be fucked."

Frowning, he glanced over the dance floor again. He damn sure wasn't going to get lucky sitting on his ass up here. He smoothed his hair behind his ear and a brilliant, sizable ruby stub flashed, as did the ruby in his signet ring on his left hand.

He looked down at the tribal tattoo that started on his right wrist and extended up his arm. Thanks to the shirt, no one could see the tattoo snake over his shoulder and onto his neck.

It also meandered down from his shoulder and covered the right side of his chest, then continued to his groin. His dick was thick, but not overly long, and covered in small knots. There the tattoo crossed over his body and continued down his left ankle.

Those who saw the tattoo in its full glory were already doomed, although they didn't know it. Once they submitted to him, the end was never far behind. The fear in their eyes and the frightened begging that came from their lips as he drained them always excited him, made his orgasm much more intense.

The problem was that once he finished feeding the pleasure was gone, and loneliness bombarded him. Now the mindless pleasure, the thrill of the hunt, and their fear were no longer enough.

He wanted—Satan help him—he wanted a mate. Someone who would belong to him 'til the end of time. He'd made his wishes known to his lord and was granted the right to take a human, if he found one who fit his needs. So far no such human had been found, and he had looked. Extensively.

A perfectly shaped eyebrow raised above wickedly sinful eyes. Several men and women had played the game and fallen for his dark looks. They regretted it eternally.

He was no man to be played with… because he was no man.

Shifting in his chair, his eyes landed on a group of humans across the openness of the second floor. A new mortal joined them, another male. There was a restlessness that shimmered around him that snagged Asmodeus's attention.

This one appealed to him, very much so. Even with the noise of the crowds and the thumping bass of the music, he could hear them. The longer he listened to the one named Kain, the more his dick swelled.

"Oh, so delightfully cold, so wonderfully cruel and callous."

His body quivered. "And needful, but unaware of what is needed."

Had he found the one? Finally? There was something about the young male that called to his dark heart. "Hell will have you. I'll make sure of it—one way or the other."

Asmodeus studied the young man. The artfully streaked blond hair was longer on the top and shorter on the bottom. Large, sea-green eyes coolly assessed the crowd, looking for weakness. High cheekbones and a strong chin rounded out the face. His clothes spoke of wealth. Very professional, very put together—a very nice package deal.

"Ah, strictly a top, huh? Even better."

Hearing that was icing on the cake. As tempted as Asmodeus was to seduce the human and be done with it, he waited and watched as the group made its way to the dance floor.

He made eye contact with the one called Kain, and something moved between them. For an endless second, he'd seen a spark of fear that lightened Kain's eyes, only to be suppressed by the mortal's natural arrogance. But there'd been more than fear. There'd been lust and that need. His cock swelled. The glimpse of need intrigued him.

"Ahh, but I'm not just anybody, my lovely little arrogant one."

He snorted softly at Kain's boast of not being afraid of anyone.

By Satan, he hadn't been this moved by a human in several centuries. He wanted to see Kain in action, see if he was as devoid of basic human emotion as he appeared, or was there something more. A flush of energy spread through him as Kain winked at him.

Standing, he trailed after Kain, keeping to the shadows.