Kip didn’t open the bag. She simply kept stroking it lovingly as she spoke. “Dmitry waited patiently while I read Kon’s letter. Afterward, I didn’t react as I might have if I hadn’t had quite so many drugs running through my system. But still, I cried and ranted. I may’ve even punched Dmitry a few times, but that part is mostly a blur. Dmitry took everything I threw at him. When the storm passed, he told me everything—Kon’s thoughts, his last words. I cried some more.”
Kip’s eyes were red and filled with tears. Her gaze shifted over his shoulder as if she couldn’t stand looking at anyone as she continued. “I fell asleep crying while Dmitry held me. The next morning, everything looked different. I hadn’t realized how much my imagination was killing me—the idea of him on his knees in an alley, scared. It didn’t matter if that’s how it happened. Every time I closed my eyes, that’s what I saw. That image ripped at my soul, Josh.”
Kip sucked in a deep breath. It sounded ragged, pulling at Josh’s heartstrings. “But he wasn’t alone.” A tear slipped down Kip’s cheek. “If it had been anyone else other than Dmitry, Kon’s last moments would’ve been different.” Kip met Josh’s stare. She looked more intense than he’d ever seen her. “Dmitry cared.” More tears fell, but Kip didn’t let them stop her. “Knowing Dmitry was there and Kon died on his own terms; those pieces of knowledge saved my sanity. He wasn’t scared,” Kip repeated, as if that fact meant more than any other. “Dmitry gave me that. I don’t envy your position—between your husband and your brother. You’re so much like Kon, funny and loyal. But just like Kon, you can also be stubborn and unforgiving. If you don’t love Dmitry any longer, let him go. Set both of you free. Otherwise, you need to hang on to him with both hands and never let go. You only get so long on this earth.”
Kip lifted the bag to her chest and hugged it. “You don’t want to wake up one day and realize you lost your chance to have just one more day.” After shifting to her feet, Kip shoved the bag back inside the hidden compartment and replaced the floorboards.
“What about Cameron?”
At his question, Kip flashed him a smile. “I’ll punch you in your dick, Jozsua Salko, if you ever tell my husband you married a hitman.”
A roar of laughter escaped Josh at the threat. There was the woman who’d captured his brother’s heart. With a loud sigh, Josh swiped at his eyes. “Oh God, Kip. I don’t know what to do.”
Kip chewed her bottom lip for a moment as if thinking the problem over or biting back words. Josh wasn’t sure which. Finally, she focused on him. “What did Kon tell you to do?” He understood now. She hadn’t wanted to ask.
“Forgive him.”
She gave him a decisive nod. “Then you should, even if only to set yourself free.”
Free. Josh wasn’t sure if he truly knew the meaning of the word.
* * *
The tearing of skin as his opponent’s fist hit its mark barely registered. Josh was used to pain. Equally, the sensation of blood running down his cheek didn’t penetrate his adrenaline-fueled mind. Yet Josh knew exactly where Dmitry stood in the crowd. He was the only person not moving at all. Josh had spotted him the second he’d ducked inside the cage. Dmitry was such a strong force of nature; an empty circle surrounded him that people veered around as if he had a force field stopping them from getting too close. Dmitry had some silent power that went against nature. It had always been that way.
Sweat rolled down his back as he connected with the bag. Right punch. Left kick. Repeat. Left punch. Right kick. Repeat. He’d been at it for hours, trying to burn off the restless energy that had been building inside him for weeks. Josh couldn’t explain it. He imagined it had something to do with eyes so light in coloration they were almost gray.
“Konstantin said you were some sort of professional fighter.”
A chill raced over Josh’s skin at the sound of Dmitry’s voice. He grabbed the bag, stopping its swinging. “Years ago,” Josh said, admitting something he rarely spoke of these days. “I was one challenge away from Heavyweight champ. Now, I fight underground.”
A sexy set of light eyes fixed upon him, making Josh want more than he should or could ever have. “Why did you stop?”
Josh shrugged. He wished he hadn’t confessed so much. “Heavyweight champ is a lot of publicity. I’m supposed to stay anonymous. So, here I am, back to being no one.”
Dmitry’s gaze dropped to Josh’s bare feet before slowly lifting his chin and openly inspecting every inch of Josh’s body. Every place his gaze landed felt scorched. “I meant, why did you stop your workout? I was enjoying the view.”
A blush tried crawling up Josh’s neck. He stopped it cold by force of will alone. Dmitry’s claim was the last thing he’d ever expected the man to say. “I’d hate to bore you.”
Dmitry’s mouth lifted in one corner as if amused by Josh’s comment. “Would you like a sparring partner?”
Josh eyed Dmitry’s ridiculously expensive business suit. “You’re not dressed for rolling around on the floor.”
The small smirk exploded into the sexiest smile Josh had ever seen. He couldn’t look away. “Have dinner with me tonight.”
Josh blinked at the question. He wasn’t sure if he’d misheard. He definitely didn’t want to misunderstand. “I wouldn’t want to take you away from Kon.”
Dmitry’s face screwed up in confusion. Even that was hot. “What is it you think I do for Konstantin?”
Josh shrugged. “He said hiring you would keep him safe and you seem…” Deadly, Josh thought but was incapable of saying it. “I just assumed you were some sort of guard. You’re always here, after all.” Watching me, Josh silently added.
A low chuckle filled the space between them, quickening Josh’s breath. “I am no guard. Much the opposite, in fact. Maybe you should ask your brother what it is I do before you consider my dinner offer.”
Josh licked his parched lips. He couldn’t let Dmitry get away. “I’ll go to dinner with you tonight if you’ll spar with me tomorrow.”
Humor flashed in Dmitry’s gaze. “If you still want to go with me after talking to your brother, I’ll be here tomorrow dressed to fight.”
“Deal.”
The bell rang. Josh’s opponent came out dancing in circles for another round. Josh was tired of playing. Snagging the man’s arms, Josh yanked him forward. Using all his strength, he leaned back before propelling his head forward, cracking the man across the bridge of his nose with his forehead. He went down. Josh stood over him, barely hanging on to his patience as he waited through the count. The idea that he’d known exactly where Dmitry was at all times wouldn’t leave Josh. Kip was right. He needed to hold on with both hands because he was never going to shake Dmitry.
*
Waiting for Jozsua was the hardest part of the night. Seeing him get hit in the face and killing no one came in second. Rather than forcing Jozsua to search for him in the crowd, or giving the man an excuse to leave without seeing him, Dmitry chose to wait for Jozsua by his truck when his fight ended. By the time he spotted Jozsua weaving his way through the parked cars, Dmitry was grinding his back teeth with impatience. When he caught sight of Jozsua’s face, every ounce of discontent slipped away. He recognized that determined expression. Dmitry could still remember the first time he’d seen it.
“Thank you for dinner.”
Dmitry ignored his thanks. “Did you ask your brother what my position is with him?”
Jozsua’s mouth quirked. “The weather was quite nice.”
Dmitry bit back a laugh as he realized Jozsua’s game. He wouldn’t be ignored. “Gratitude is best saved for someone who wants nothing from you.”
“My brother says you’re a contracted insurance adjuster. My guess is that means you kill people for the right price. What is it you want from me?”
Without thought, Dmitry moved closer. Jozsua fascinated him. “You don’t seem concerned by what I do. I want you in my bed.”
Jozsua’s gaze dropped to Dmitry’s mouth before r
eturning to his eyes. “Everyone I know kills people. Prepare to be disappointed. It takes more than dinner to lure me to bed.” As if lending power to his claim, Jozsua turned away, heading for the stairs. “Good night, Dmitry.”
“Does dinner buy me nothing at all?” Dmitry called at his back, hearing the laughter in his voice and incapable of stopping. “The night is young. I could take you to the movies as well.”
Jozsua turned. His smile gave away his fight not to laugh. “What type of people do you normally date?”
No one. Dmitry had never been on a date in his life. He fucked people. That was it. “The kind of people who would at least kiss me,” Dmitry said, because the truth was too crass for Jozsua’s gorgeous ears.
Before Dmitry absorbed his intentions, Jozsua closed the gap between them and captured his lips. The overflow of emotion welling inside him rendered Dmitry momentarily useless. He was a puppet. Jozsua pulled the strings. When Jozsua urged his lips open, Dmitry meekly obeyed. As their tongues met, a whimper escaped him. No one had ever caused Dmitry to make that sound. Desire. Lust. Need. Longing. None of those words were strong enough. If he’d ever wanted anyone else or anything else in his life, Dmitry couldn’t remember doing so in the face of Jozsua. His kiss was gentle—like he savored Dmitry. The idea was more intoxicating than anything Dmitry had ever experienced. This man would belong to him. He couldn’t accept anything less.
With one final stroke of tongue on tongue, Jozsua captured Dmitry’s bottom lip. Dmitry’s lids felt too heavy as he savored the lingering flavor of Jozsua’s mint on his tongue. Jozsua lightly sucked. Dmitry stiffened his knees as they weakened.
“This still doesn’t make me like anyone else you’ve ever dated,” Jozsua whispered before turning away. “Good night, Dmitry,” he said over his shoulder. All Dmitry could do was watch as Jozsua headed upstairs. Jozsua was more right than he knew. He was unique in every way to Dmitry.
Without breaking stride, Jozsua tossed his bag in the back of the truck before overcoming Dmitry. “Get in the truck,” Jozsua said before capturing Dmitry’s lips. It was a short but powerful kiss. It got Dmitry moving. He didn’t understand Jozsua’s mood, but he wouldn’t miss his chance to have any part of Jozsua the man would allow. He jumped into the passenger seat.
“Where are you staying?”
Dmitry rattled off his address as his heart raced. Jozsua was intense tonight. The man had made up his mind. Now, all Dmitry could do was wait to learn his fate. Either Jozsua intended to ruin him for all others, which he’d already done, or kill him. Dmitry felt oddly accepting of either fate. He held still for the ride, refusing to fidget or give in to nervous chatter. God knows he wanted to. Dmitry craved the sound of Jozsua’s voice. Not the fake and careful American accent he’d tried cultivating, but the real Jozsua. He wanted to hear about every second of every day he’d missed since Jozsua left him. Dmitry longed for past days when he would come home after a weekend of working and Jozsua would follow him from room to room, telling him everything he’d missed while he was away. Goddamn. Dmitry wanted his life back. His husband back. His whole life had been nothing but a series of pointless and unremarkable days while his years with Jozsua stood out in blinding flashes of color and light. Everything ached from missing those moments.
The drive to his cookie cutter, like every other house on the street, home was blessedly short. Dmitry had purposely stayed close to the places Jozsua visited most.
As Jozsua put the truck in park, he eyed the outside of the upper middle class brick home. “How long have you been right here within reach?”
“Always,” Dmitry said as he slid from the truck. He pulled his keys from his pocket as he went, pressing a button on his key ring to disengage the security system. Before he could open the front door, Jozsua overcame him. For a moment, his chest hit the door and Jozsua’s mouth opened over the cords of his neck, sucking lightly. The world spun and Dmitry found his back against the door.
Their bodies and their mouths collided. The back of Dmitry’s head hit the wooden surface behind him in the assault. Jozsua’s large frame ground against him. Dmitry struggled to suck air and kiss Jozsua at the same time. The man’s erection dug into Dmitry’s hip. Dmitry’s dick begged for attention. Jozsua’s hand moved from where he clasped at Dmitry’s clothes to between their bodies. His fingers shaped Dmitry’s erection through his pants.
Jozsua rubbed his cheek against Dmitry’s chin as if trying to give himself a beard burn rather than waiting for it to happen.
“Let me in, Dmitry. No one’s touched me in so fucking long. I need you to touch me.”
Nothing Jozsua said could’ve gotten Dmitry moving faster. He knew no one had touched what belonged to him. No doubt Jozsua knew allowing anyone to do so would be signing their death certificate. With him, that wasn’t just talk. He nearly ripped off the doorknob trying to get inside. The second the door closed behind them, Dmitry hit the button on his keys a second time, reengaging the alarm before tossing the keys to the floor and dragging Jozsua down the hall.
He didn’t bother with the lights when they reached the bedroom. Jozsua was already stripping off his clothes and Dmitry didn’t want to stop to do a goddamn thing but Jozsua. Snagging the back of Jozsua’s neck, he pulled the man forward before pushing him face down on the bed. He dropped to his knees at the edge of the bed, spread Jozsua’s cheeks wide, and dove in face first. It was almost funny how he’d never had an ounce of interest in using his tongue on any man in any way before Jozsua. After the first time sucking this man’s dick, Dmitry couldn’t stop doing everything in his power to make him moan. The guttural sounds coming from the back of Jozsua’s throat drove Dmitry to make it continue. He needed that sound. He tugged at his pants, releasing his erection as he ate at Jozsua’s ass. Other than his spit, he had no way to ease this experience for his man. Just as Jozsua touched no one, Dmitry would never forsake a vow. No matter the lies he’d told, he’d meant every fucking word he’d said the day he married Jozsua.
Jozsua humped the mattress, openly seeking relief. Dmitry shot to his feet. He used his fingers to stretch Jozsua’s asshole. The man was so fucking tight, he knew this would hurt him. As much as Dmitry didn’t want that, he couldn’t stop. His mind was too crazed.
“I’m sorry.” It was the only warning he gave before pushing his way inside. A cry tore from Jozsua, bouncing from the empty walls of the room. Dmitry ground his back teeth and held still. His stomach clenched with desire. He didn’t know how much longer he could hold back.
Jozsua pushed away from the mattress, holding himself up just far enough to jack his own cock. The move squeezed Dmitry’s dick to the point of near painful. He couldn’t move. Dmitry was already on the edge and the way Jozsua fucked his fist, milking Dmitry’s dick with every pivot of his hips, had Dmitry ready to fly apart. He’d never met anyone more sexual. Jozsua could pull off positions, using his strength, flexibility, and stamina to his advantage, making Dmitry useless. It was addicting. He’d so easily cast a spell over Dmitry. Tonight was no different. All Dmitry could do was stand still while Jozsua fucked him—his body and his mind. Sanity had never been his strongest asset. If Jozsua made love to him tonight and walked away, Dmitry feared for himself. It would unravel him. He was already barely tamed. Uncaged, he might do anything. They’d have to kill him, putting him down like a feral animal, to make him stop.
Dmitry stared down at where their bodies met. He couldn’t stop watching Jozsua’s ass flexing as he fucked his fist while impaling himself on Dmitry’s cock. His dick disappeared inside Jozsua’s ass before reappearing. On it went. Over and over. He massaged Jozsua’s lower back. His ass. Everything he could reach. His senses were on overload. Jozsua yelled his name and his ass locked tight on Dmitry’s dick before the spasms set in. His balls drew up tight a half second before the pressure transformed into a blinding orgasm that rocked him on his feet. Stars popped behind Dmitry’s closed lids. His mind was blank. There was nothing but silence and ecstasy. Wave afte
r wave of pleasure crashed over him as Dmitry filled Jozsua’s asshole with his seed. Even after collapsing into a heap, Dmitry couldn’t stop riding the man’s ass, dragging out every sensation. He could kill him right now and then no one else would ever have him. Dmitry shook off the crazed thought. He recognized it was just that. No way could he go on if anything ever happened to his love.
“You still have our bed.” The words sounded muffled with Jozsua’s face pressed into the mattress.
Dmitry rolled to the side. He sucked in a deep breath as his cock slipped from Jozsua’s ass. “I still have everything,” Dmitry admitted. “I could never willingly give up any part of us.”
Instead of responding with words, Jozsua lunged. Dmitry found himself tucked beneath Jozsua in a heartbeat. For a moment, Jozsua stared down at him. He looked determined. Then his eyes fell closed, and he dipped his head. When their lips met, the oxygen disappeared from the room. It was their first kiss all over again. Dmitry was the puppet. The sweet stroke of Jozsua’s tongue stole Dmitry’s heart. Even though he’d never let himself believe he wouldn’t have this again with Jozsua, he still couldn’t deny the man’s kiss soothed something inside him. Before Dmitry was ready to give him up, Jozsua rolled to his back, bringing Dmitry with him. Dmitry’s eyes fell closed as they immediately snuggled into their normal sleeping positions. With Jozsua’s heart beating against Dmitry’s ear, Dmitry had to take a deep breath to pull the edges of his frayed mind together as a few insane thoughts tried sneaking their way in. Thankfully, Jozsua spoke and kept Dmitry grounded.
“I used to stare at my phone for hours.” Even though Jozsua wasn’t speaking loudly, with his ear pressed to Jozsua’s chest, Dmitry heard every word clearly. “You said you were going after Kon, but I thought… I don’t know what I thought,” Jozsua said, sounding defeated.
Uncaged (No Rival Book 7) Page 6