Chapter Nine

Knight paced his bedroom, worrying himself sick. He hadn't heard from Pink since he left two hours ago. It wasn't like Knight knew what he expected to hear. He just hated Pink going back into that house. When Pink had come to live with him, Knight had watched the rigidness leave Pink's shoulders a little more every day. His pain turned to smiles. Now Pink had left him to go back to the same man who destroyed him. It was enraging. Knight had kept him safe. He had kept Pink from facing the firing squad. Knight was the one who cared.

A loud crash from the kitchen had Knight freezing. More noises moved through the house. Knight's training kicked in. Without having to think, he quietly opened the bedroom door. If it was Pink, Knight didn't want to scare him by pulling a gun on him. Knight didn't need a weapon to protect himself.

With his back pressed against the wall, Knight silently made his way down the hall. Whoever was in his house didn't try to be quiet. Knight followed the noises. He peeked into the kitchen. Royal stood in the center of the room with a broom. With an annoyed huff, Knight stepped into sight.

"What are you doing?"

Royal glanced up from his task. "I broke your…" He made a gesture as if he didn't know what it was called.

Knight inspected the mess. It was a glass jar that stayed on the counter. "Cookie jar."

Royal eyed the mess closer. "Who has a cookie jar with no cookies?"

Knight rolled his eyes. "Why are you in my house?"

"I knocked. No one answered. Your car is here, so I tried the knob. It was unlocked." Royal glanced up from his chore. "I wanted to make sure you're okay."

Despite himself, Knight was touched. He never expected anyone would check on him after Pink left. Knight definitely never expected Royal. "I appreciate that. I'm okay."

"Good. Pack a bag." Royal made the demand while scooping the mess into the dustpan. When Knight didn't respond, Royal looked up. "Please."

"Why?"

"You're not safe."

Knight snorted. "I can take care of myself."

Royal sighed. "I'm asking, but I'm not really asking, you know?"

"So I'm being politely kidnapped?"

Royal dumped the broken glass in the trash. He didn't look Knight's way. "Would you rather I impolitely kidnap you?"

That rose Knight's hackles. "I don't think you know who you're dealing with. You won't drag me anywhere against my will."

Eerie gray eyes met and held his stare. "I know exactly what you're capable of, Mr. Retired Special Forces. But you don't know what I can and have done, so I suggest you pack a fucking bag."

Knight wasn't scared. Something entirely different and unexpected stirred inside him. "Where would we be going if I do?"

"You took Pink in, and we're returning the favor. You'll stay with us until it's understood you're under Quentin's protection."

"How long will that take?"

Before he saw it coming, Royal was across the room. Knight's back was against the wall with Royal pinning him in place. "I'm not here to play twenty questions. You're a loose end. Pink is a softie. I know damn well he told you all about us, thinking you're his friend. But I know you'll turn on us the second you think your skin is on the line. I won't watch Quentin—the man who saved me—go to prison so you can keep yourself out of it. Pack a fucking bag."

The insinuation he would turn on Pink, giving up the secrets they shared, crawled all the way beneath Knight's skin. He leaned in, going nose to nose with Royal. "I'm nowhere near as weak as you seem to think. So fucking make me."

Knight's head hit the wall as Royal's mouth collided with his with enough force Knight tasted blood. Then Royal's tongue was in his mouth and Knight's entire body responded like an inferno. Royal was everywhere. He kneaded Knight's ass, pulling his hips closer, making sure Knight felt his erection. Knight had never been so instantly aroused in his life. He wanted to crawl beneath Royal's skin. Knight wanted to claw and bite. He was so fucking turned on, he ached.

Royal pulled away. His cheeks were flushed. Arousal lit his eyes. He stared at Knight's mouth like he craved it. "Pack a bag."

Fuck. Royal won this round.

Adam's entire body ached with need. He had dreamed of falling asleep, holding Pink, more times than he could count. What he hadn't considered were the hours before they fell asleep, when Pink's nude body touched his bare skin. With Pink draped over him like a blanket, and Pink's tongue in his mouth, Adam thought his mind might snap. Pink had already put a condom on Adam. Adam had watched while Pink readied his asshole, but he still hadn't put Adam out of his misery. It was the sweetest hell. He was determined not to lose control the way he had last time. Adam needed Pink to be in control. He just wasn't sure how much more his sanity could take.

"I love you." Pink whispered the words between kisses, making Adam's eyes sting. He hadn't known this much happiness existed.

His hips lifted, unconsciously seeking more. Pink finally sank onto Adam's dick. Their shaky breaths cut through the air, proving how much they wanted each other. Adam let Pink be in charge. He wanted Pink to show him how he wanted Adam to make love to him. Plus, he ached to feel what it was like to be inside Pink when Pink came. Pink used Adam's chest as leverage as he rocked on Adam's cock. Adam couldn't look away. Pink's expression, the way his body moved, and the way his dick bounced in time with Pink's movements, held him captivated. He wanted to burn the image into his brain.

Adam touched Pink everywhere he could reach, while Pink used him. Pink tilted his chin up and sucked air. His muscles tensed. Adam held his breath. He was mesmerized by the sight of Pink on the edge of orgasm. It was beautiful.

Then Pink's body jerked. Adam's body jackknifed unexpectedly. He didn't expect the way Adam's body tried sucking him deeper. Adam gasped for air. His fingers dug into Pink's hips as he surged upward, fucking him. He couldn't resist the pull. Adam had to pump into it. He was too close to control himself. Adam could practically smell the edge. A loud and needy-sounding cry ripped from him as the first wave hit him. Noises he couldn't control fell from his lips as he thrust in time with the jets leaving his cock. He tried getting deeper. The need to fill Pink with cum was primal. It didn't matter there was a condom between them. All Adam knew in that moment was he was blowing inside Pink. The mixture of cries and whimpers escaping him didn't slow until the last wave died. Adam collapsed into a puddle of uselessness. His body ceased to function. It was like Pink had truly drained him.

Pink melted across his chest.

Adam mustered enough energy to lock his arms around Pink. "Holy shit."

Pink chuckled against his skin. "Agreed."

"That was…" Adam didn't have the words. If he had known it would be so mind-blowing to have Pink come while on his dick, he would've been a lot more patient earlier. He never wanted to beat Pink to the finish line again.

Pink kissed his chest.

The air slowly cooled their skin. He felt Pink shiver. Adam grabbed a handful of covers and tossed it over them. He knew a pool of cum squished between them, but he was in no hurry to get clean. His semi-hard cock was slowly slipping its way from Pink's asshole, and Adam couldn't focus on anything else. The moment was oddly hot as hell. Pink fucked with his mind. He made Adam insane with lust. Adam needed every sexy detail to fill the space where he had longed so hard for Pink. He had him now. Adam had to experience everything with him.

"Will you tell me who killed Nikola?"

It was the last thing Adam expected, especially at that moment. "If you truly want that, but I'd rather not."

"Was it you?"

"No. I was at the hospital all night with you the night he died."

Pink lifted his head and met Adam's stare. "Did you really stay all night? You never came in the room to see me."

"I sat outside your door. There was too much going on inside my head. I couldn't see you."

Pink settled back down, resting his head on Adam's chest. "Snow slept all night in my room."

Adam played with Pink's hair. "I'm aware."

He waited for Pink to deduce only one of them had left the hospital that night. Adam wasn't sure how Pink would react. Silence dragged on, fraying Adam's nerves. He kept expecting the worst. Then Pink made the most adorable sound and Adam realized he was asleep. A smile exploded across his face. He knew he would eventually have to wake Pink so they could get clean, but not now. For now, Adam held Pink and soaked up the love and happiness. His only dream had come true. He couldn't make his arms stop holding Pink. Adam was in no hurry to try.