Chapter Three

A loud and familiar chirp startled Royal from the sleep of the dead. His head shot up. He glanced around. Knight slept peacefully on his stomach beside him. The chirp came again. Royal snatched his phone from the bedside table and silenced it before it woke Knight. For a moment, he settled back down and watched Knight sleep. Even after a night of sex, he looked hot as hell. The phone he had set on his chest vibrated. Royal blew out a silent sigh. There was no rest for the wicked. He unlocked the device.

X: Club Fitness on Duluth Street. Locker 18.

He stared at the instructions for a moment before typing a short reply.

Royal: My fee is double for pulling me from a very willing bed.

He waited. Royal knew he would get his way. He always did. The phone shook again.

X : Understood. Wire transfer set up with payment pending upon completion.

Royal: On my way.

After sending the message, Royal went back to staring at Knight. He supposed he would never see him like this again. His chest tightened unexpectedly. Royal tried rubbing away the unusual sensation. Giving up, he rolled from the bed and found some clothes in the dark. Knight never budged, even as Royal found his stash of weapons and go-bag. He wanted to kiss him awake, but he didn't want to scare him. Royal was in work mode now. There was someone who needed killing and Royal didn't ask questions. Maybe they wanted it to look like an accident, or maybe it would be bloody. It made no difference to him. He doubted Knight would like that about him. Knight might be retired from special forces, but he also saw the world in black and white. Good and evil. Royal didn't. Everyone was evil to some extent.

With his things gathered, Royal again fought the urge to kiss Knight goodbye. Instead, he hardened his heart and slipped from the room. Every step he took away from Knight left him feeling heavy. He had to shake it off. The house was silent as he made his way to the garage. Pink's husband, Adam, no longer paced the halls at night now that Pink shared his bed. That made his job a lot easier. It didn't take him as long these days since he was no longer sneaking around anyone. He didn't care what anyone thought about his middle-of-the-night trips. Royal just didn't want to chitchat. He wasn't much of a talker.

Royal jumped into his black Jeep and headed for the gym. The lockers always changed locations, keeping things unpredictable and ensuring there was no trail. The place was nearly empty at three in the morning. Royal found the locker and the envelope inside. He didn't open it until he was safely back inside his Jeep. Inside, there was only a name and location. Royal groaned. They were in Texas. He wouldn't be home before Knight awoke. He would be lucky to be home before Monday. There was some research involved in murder. It wasn't as easy as pulling a trigger. Royal swallowed his aggravation and started the vehicle. The quicker he got started, the faster he would be home. Hopefully, Knight wasn't too pissed about being abandoned. If so, Royal would make it up to him. Royal shook his head. He couldn't think like that. They weren't a couple and never would be. It had been sex and nothing more. He needed to remember that and move on. Someone out there needed to die. Royal didn't have time to play.

It felt odd as hell to be driving himself places again, especially alone. He supposed Royal was done with him now. Knight had known the score going in. He wasn't surprised, really. More disappointed. He had awoken alone and hadn't set eyes on Royal since. The whole weekend had passed in silence. Pink and Adam were in Italy. Royal had fallen off the face of the planet. Knight had kept to himself, reading in his bedroom.

The hickeys Royal had left were mostly faded. It was like their night together had never happened now. He'd had too much time to think. It occurred to him maybe the reason he had stayed so long with Quentin had more to do with Royal rather than any true danger. That was why he decided to quietly return home.

Walking into his house felt a lot like walking into a stranger's home. He had only been gone around six weeks. In that time, Royal had brought him by several times to gather mail and water plants. Still, somehow, the place no longer felt like his. He wandered from room to room. The house felt devoid of life. He had gotten used to turning the corner and finding someone there. Now he felt very alone. With a shake of his head, Knight returned to his truck and finished bringing his things inside. With his bags taken care of, he set to putting everything where it went. His mind stayed blank. Knight focused on his task and nothing else. He tried so hard not to think that when the doorbell rang, he nearly jumped out of his skin. The moment his heart calmed, his blood froze. It seemed awfully damn convenient to get a visit immediately after returning home. Almost like someone had been watching him.

Knight creeped toward the door and quietly checked the peephole. An old special forces buddy stood on the other side. Since Cannon had been the one to warn Knight about Quentin and his family being under investigation, it seemed Knight had been right about being watched. For a moment, he chewed his bottom lip, trying to decide what to do. Cannon was his friend, but Cannon worked for the FBI now. His job would ultimately come before their friendship.

The doorbell rang again, and Cannon immediately knocked. "Come on, Knight. I can practically hear you breathing through the door."

Knight squared his shoulders and opened the door.

Cannon's amber eyes danced with laughter. "You really were breathing on the door."

The tightness in Knight's chest eased. This was his friend. A few times, they had been more. He was paranoid for no reason. Knight stepped aside, inviting Cannon inside. "Yeah. I wondered who that fat fuck was on my porch."

Cannon roared with laughter. He knew Knight didn't mean it. "Asshole."

"Prick," Knight shot back as he closed the door.

Cannon eyed the half-unpacked suitcases scattered around the room. "So you've finally left the criminal family behind."

With an eye roll, Knight went back to unpacking. "We'll never see eye to eye on this one. So pick a different topic."

Cannon's disapproving gaze landed on Knight. "No. I don't think I can. I care about you, and these people are dangerous."

Knight didn't bother holding Cannon's stare. "Some people could say the same of me."

"It's not the same and you know it."

Knight looked up from his task and focused on Cannon. He was still the six-foot guy with dark hair and tanned skin that Knight had met more than a decade ago. But they were different now in some fundamental way Knight couldn't explain. "I don't think it's different at all. Everything we did in the name of our country is suspect at best. It was just sanctioned. Quentin actually helps people, and everyone under that roof are just victims trying to heal. They deserve the peace and space to do so. I'd say Quentin providing that is a hell of a lot more noble than anything we did in the name of duty."

Cannon sat on the arm of the couch. "You don't sound like the guy I fell in love with back in the day. That guy believed in justice."

Knight snorted so hard, it hurt. "Don't give me that shit. You never loved me. The way I remember it, you couldn't wait to get back to a place in life where you felt straight." Knight made sure to add air quotes to "straight."

Cannon looked genuinely hurt. "That was a low blow. I've been trying to help you. It was one thing when you were giving Pink a place to live. He's a sweet guy in a bad spot. But staying with Quentin is a different story, Knight. If they decide to haul you in for questioning, there's nothing I can do. I tried to warn you. That put my job on the line."

He understood that. Knight didn't fully understand why he was angry with Cannon. It wasn't Cannon's fault Knight had gotten involved. He could have walked away the moment Pink confessed his past. That wasn't Knight. He didn't turn his back on good people in need and he wouldn't sell out Quentin.

"I appreciate everything you've done." There. He didn't sound quite as ungrateful.

Something familiar lit in Cannon's eyes. Knight bit back a groan. He knew that look. Cannon enjoyed skipping into his life every few years, using Knight to break free of the closet for a couple of weeks before running for his safe, straight life again. It was always the same pattern. Knight wasn't interested.

"Have dinner with me."

Knight gathered his thoughts. He didn't want to sound bitter, but he was.

"There you are." Knight startled as Royal's arms encircled him from behind. He kissed the side of Knight's neck. "I thought we had dinner plans."

Cannon's expression made Royal's breaking and entering worthwhile. He was visibly enraged. Cannon stood. "I see you're determined to be your own worst enemy. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Royal slipped beneath Knight's arm. His innocent act could steal the stage. "Warn you about what?"

Cannon snorted. "Don't give me that shit." Cannon focused on Knight. "This guy is dangerous."

Knight's temper spiked.

Royal didn't whither. "Me? You don't even know me. I have a feeling your jealousy is showing."

"Oh, I know you, Royal Bane. In fact, I know you too well. Knight might be oblivious to your work, but I'm not." His gaze flickered Knight's way. "At least I hope you're oblivious. I hate to think you've changed so much you'd willingly fuck a coldhearted killer."

Knight had no idea what that meant. Royal was right. He sounded jealous. "Okay. That's definitely far enough. I think you should leave."

Cannon looked a step beyond hurt and frustrated. "You'd put me out for a hired assassin? It's like I don't even know you."

Knight scrubbed at his forehead.

Royal headed for the door and opened it. "You heard Knight."

Cannon looked between them before leveling Knight with a beseeching stare. "Are you in danger? Are you scared for your life? If you're being held against your will, say so. You don't have to be afraid. I can drop this guy without missing a beat."

"Out," Royal repeated.

Knight shifted from foot to foot. He felt more than a little overwhelmed. Cannon's concern seemed pretty convincing.

Cannon stared at him for a minute. Then he shook his head and stormed toward the door. He stopped, going toe to toe with Royal. "If I find out you're keeping Knight from walking away, I'll personally come down on you so hard, you'll wish they killed you back in Greece."

Before Knight could put both feet in Cannon's ass over that statement, a smile so evil it took Knight's breath stretched Royal's lips. He was someone different. Gone was the unsure guy who needed guidance to make love to him. Knight stared at the killer Cannon accused him of being.

"I look forward to you trying."

Cannon shot him an I-told-you-so look before finally leaving. Royal closed the door behind him. He locked it before turning Knight's way.

He was back to the expressionless guy Knight was used to dealing with. "You left."

"You left first."

Royal nodded, as if Knight's words confirmed the thoughts in his head. "I didn't leave you. I had a job."

Knight hated the ideas Cannon had put in his head. "Is this the same job Cannon accused you of having?"

Royal crossed the room. He crowded Knight's space. "It sounds like you're changing the subject to avoid admitting you ran. Did things get a little too complicated for you?"

Knight's hackles rose over being accused of running away with his tail between his legs. "I'm no coward. It seemed pointless to stay. I have a house and a life here. I can't hide at Quentin's forever. You were gone. It seemed like a good time to come home."

A sexy smirk touched Royal's lips. His hands found Knight's hips. "So the only reason you were staying was for me?"

Goddamn it. That was exactly how it sounded, and Knight didn't think he wanted to deny it. "And if I was?"

Heat flashed in Royal's eyes. "Then come back for me. They're watching you. I need to know you're safe."

He hated Royal was right about that. "I'm already mostly unpacked." It was a weak excuse. Knight didn't want to give in too easily.

Royal's thumbs pushed beneath his shirt and stroked bare skin. "You're not out of my system."

Goddamn it. Knight would never change. Men using him would always be his weakness. He was a hopeless romantic. Knight never stopped dreaming he would get picked. Someone would see him for the good man he was and want to stay for once.

"I guess I'll have to try harder."

A smile exploded across Royal's face.

Knight blinked. He had never seen Royal smile for real—like he was happy and it wasn't an act. "Damn. You're beautiful."

Knight wished he hadn't said anything. Royal's smile disappeared. His face screwed up in confusion. "What?"

He scrambled to salvage the situation. Knight ran his hands up Royal's chest while shuffling closer. "It means exactly what I said. I think you're fucking sexy, and I love your smile. You should come to bed with me so I can see if I can make you do it again."

"People are watching us here."

"Let them watch."

At Knight's statement, Royal turned away and headed down the hall. Knight bit back a triumphant smile as he followed him. Royal stepped inside Knight's bedroom.

Knight's dick stirred. He crossed the threshold just in time to see Royal peel off his shirt. Knight overcame him. He spun Royal in his arms and took him down on the bed. Their mouths found each other the second they landed. They tore at each other's clothes. Royal obviously knew what he wanted this time.

The moment they were nude, Knight palmed Royal's erection. He didn't care what they did as long as they blew. Knight kissed a path down Royal's chest. His tongue circled Royal's nipple. He nibbled the hard bud.

Royal pulled his hair, forcing Knight to meet his stare. He stopped breathing at Royal's fierce expression. "I want you to fuck me."

Knight wasn't surprised. Last time, Royal hadn't been sure what he wanted. But the way Royal blew the first moment Knight touched his asshole told Knight all he needed to know. Without a word, Knight moved away and opened his bedside drawer. He pulled out the lube and a condom.

Knight handed the condom to Royal. "Open this."

With Royal distracted by the tiny plastic pouch, Knight wasted no time lubing his fingers. He settled between Royal's knees and went straight for the waiting rosebud before Royal had time to overthink and tense.

Royal jerked in surprise when Knight's finger slipped inside him. He went still. Knight worked a second finger inside. A low moan cut through the air. Knight kept his gaze locked on his task. He didn't want Royal to feel watched and uncomfortable. Knight slowly stretched Royal while getting him extra lubed. The last thing Knight wanted was to hurt Royal.

When Royal moved restlessly against his fingers, Knight reached for the condom. He quickly rolled it down his length. When he positioned his cock against the tight ring of muscles surrounding Royal's asshole, he finally met Royal's stare. Royal watched him with so much hunger, it tightened the muscles in his stomach. Knight thrust.

Royal's back bowed. He scratched at the comforter beneath him, looking for purchase. When he had two handfuls, Knight eased back a hair and rocked. He went slow. Not only did he want to give Royal time to adjust, Knight needed to stop himself from coming. Royal was so tight and responsive. Knight didn't think he had ever been truly wanted by anyone before that moment. He rocked at a few different angles, trying to find the one. When Royal's heated gray gaze focused on him with rage, Knight knew he had found it, and Royal didn't want to be teased.

"So sexy." Knight whispered the words as he slammed inside Royal for the first time. Royal made a sound that had Knight doing it again and again. "That's right. Take it. You're so fucking beautiful on the edge of orgasm."

Royal strained against him. He visibly fought to stay quiet. A horrible thought hit Knight from nowhere. Royal had taught himself to be quiet. Silence kept him from pain. Knight pulled out despite the murderous look Royal shot him.

"Roll over."

Royal looked confused. "Why?"

Knight pasted on a reassuring smile. "I want you to bury your face and just feel. No one's watching you. There's nothing but pleasure here."

With more than a little trepidation written on his face, Royal rolled. Knight kissed his spine and urged his hips up and back. He slipped inside Royal again. Knight had to lock his back teeth against the greedy way Royal's body accepted him. Again, he worked on his position until smothered moans reached his ears. Then Knight made love to Royal. He didn't rush. Knight kissed and gently bit Royal's back as he moved inside him. Before long, Royal pushed back, taking what he wanted. The sounds he made got louder. Knight fought against the pressure climbing his shaft. He would not come until Royal did.

"Oh, fuck. Just like that. Don't stop."

Royal's plea had Knight going blind with lust. He knew he was the only person to hear those words from Royal. It was like crack. Knight wanted more. He wanted all of Royal.

"Knight." The needy plea sent Knight over the edge. His gentle motions became a desperate pounding as his orgasm shook him to his core. He cried out and fought for every wave. A muffled cry sounded beneath him. Royal's body tightened almost painfully on Knight's dick as Knight pumped the condom full of cum. He open-mouth sucked air against Royal's back. His entire body shook. The world disappeared. Knight's only focus was the tight asshole stealing his soul.

"Goddamn, Royal." He wheezed and fought for breath. "Please tell me I'm still not out of your system. I'm not ready to give you up."

He felt Royal's laughter more than heard it. Knight groaned as his dick slipped from Royal's ass. He rolled to his side, freeing Royal from his weight. Royal's face turned his way. He was smiling. "Come back home. Stay with me until I shake you."

"Okay." Knight heard himself agree, knowing full well he was the biggest of fools. Royal genuinely intended to let Knight go someday. Knight wasn't blind to the fact Royal didn't want a relationship with him. This was just sex and Knight would get hurt. Yet he couldn't stop walking into the fire. There was a person screaming for help inside Royal. Knight wanted to be the one who rescued him. He was the dumbest of men.