Uncaged (No Rival Book 7)

by Charity Parkerson

  Dmitry sucked in a deep breath, hoping to combat the wave of lust that overcame him at Jozsua’s taunt. He ran his tongue over his teeth, trying to hold back the demons. Dmitry could hurt Jozsua. Get his attention. Keep it focused on him. “It’s been a very long time since you truly submitted to me.” Dmitry heard the growl in his voice. He couldn’t stop it from happening. Even when chained, Jozsua was the one who held all the power in their relationship. He wondered what would happen if Jozsua ever realized it.

  Jozsua’s gaze flashed with hunger. “You haven’t asked me to.”

  Dmitry tilted his chin up and stared at the ceiling, hoping to hide his longing. Fuck it. “I’ll find a tape measure and we’ll figure out how long these chains need to be.” Jozsua’s laughter followed Dmitry from the room. He didn’t realize he was smiling until his face smoothed of all emotion at the sound of the doorbell. No one came here. Not ever. Moving quietly, Dmitry checked the peephole. He bit back a growl at the sight of Gio Conti on the other side. What the fuck was he doing here? The last thing Dmitry needed was a Vegas crime boss in his house, especially with Jozsua right upstairs, showing his one weakness in the world.

  While doing his best to keep his emotions hidden, Dmitry answered the door. The man’s dark hair was styled to perfection, but his suit was cheap and his smile was fake. Dmitry didn’t feel anything at all. He could kill the man right then and get back to his husband.

  “Gio. This is a surprise.”

  “I’m sure it is,” Gio said, tempting fate with his rude answer. He glanced over his shoulder as if checking for prying eyes. “May I come in and chat for a minute, Mr. Salko?”

  Dmitry took a step back, silently inviting him inside. He motioned Gio toward his office. There were at least three guns in there. Damn. Jozsua was upstairs. He needed to play nice. “What brings you by today?” Dmitry asked the moment Gio’s ass hit one of Jozsua’s nana’s chairs.

  “Rumor has it, you’ve been at Warehouse the past two weekends in a row. Understandably, that makes my people nervous,” Gio said, coming straight to the point and easing Dmitry’s annoyance a hair. Naturally, the man would wonder over Dmitry’s presence inside his fight club. People in Gio’s business didn’t see people in Dmitry’s line of work unless business was bad for everyone.

  A flash of blue caught Dmitry’s eye before he could respond. Jozsua bounded down the stairs. Dmitry quickly moved to the doorway while trying not to draw attention to his actions. He met Jozsua’s stare.

  “Hey, did I hear the doorbell?”

  Dmitry warned Jozsua with his gaze to be quiet before closing the door in his face.

  “Was that Josh Salko?” Gio dragged out Jozsua’s last name, as if all the clues he needed clicked together in his mind. “Sorry, Mr. Salko, I didn’t realize Josh was a relation of yours. If I had, we could’ve been doing business.”

  Dmitry claimed the seat across from Gio. “He is my husband. No one does business with him but me.” He knew he was talking double-speak, and he hoped Gio now thought Jozsua was in the same business as Dmitry.

  A line appeared between Gio’s dark eyes. “I thought you’d married Danshov’s brother.”

  “Yes.”

  The line deepened. “There haven’t been any rumors of the Danshovs setting up shop in Vegas since Konstantin’s deportation. This is disturbing news.”

  Dmitry mentally calculated the distance to his gun. He’d hate to ruin the carpet in his office… and Nana’s chair. “There are no Danshovs left on US soil. Jozsua is a Salko. There’s no business here but ours.” With each word Dmitry spoke, his face hardened a hair more. “If we’re no longer welcome at Warehouse District, we’ll accept your decision, of course. I recognize it’s Conti territory.”

  Gio shifted in his seat and his gaze nervously shot around the room. “No, Mr. Salko, that wasn’t my intention. Of course, you’re welcome there. However…”

  Fuck.

  “… as much I’d like to believe you, we both know Boris Danshov ran the underground bouts in your country. I can’t risk Danshovs moving into my area. We’d feel better if Josh would agree to fight under contract with us if he plans to enter any matches in the future. Underground Vegas is—as you said—Conti territory, after all.”

  Ice filled Dmitry’s veins. His voice showed it. “Jozsua belongs to me. He contracts with no one.” As the words passed his lips, Dmitry caught sight of a lit green light on the intercom system. Jozsua was listening to every word. Dmitry’s stomach churned.

  Gio stood. “I just stopped by to make sure we’re good. Now that I know you were only visiting Warehouse to watch your husband fight, I can reassure my family of their safety. I can reassure them, right?”

  “Of course,” Dmitry said, attempting to hang on to a cordial tone. “Otherwise, you never would’ve known I was there,” Dmitry added, in case Gio thought to approach Jozsua with his offer. Gio shifted nervously at the truth and threat in Dmitry’s words. “I’ll show you out.”

  The light on the intercom flashed red. Dmitry motioned Gio toward the door. It was impressive the way Gio managed to find the door and keep one eye locked on Dmitry at all times. Dmitry didn’t draw another easy breath until Gio was gone. The instant he let down his guard, the pain sank in. Loving Jozsua did nothing for the man except steal everything Jozsua cared about. First Konstantin and now Jozsua’s fighting career. When he’d married Jozsua, he’d yearned to give the man the world. Instead, he’d stolen Jozsua’s life—one brick at a time.

  He found Jozsua in the living room, staring into space. Without a qualm, Dmitry went down onto his knees between Jozsua’s. Jozsua’s eyes seemed to snap back into focus as his gaze locked on Dmitry. A sad smile touched Jozsua’s lips.

  “You’re so fucking sexy on your knees. It’s even hotter because I know you’d never get down on them for anyone else.”

  Instead of responding, Dmitry brought Jozsua’s hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the center of Jozsua’s palm. His eyes fell closed as the weight of his failures settled on his shoulders. “The day I asked you to marry me, I had all these plans to make your every dream come true. I just didn’t realize it would be your every nightmare.”

  Something dark flashed in Jozsua’s eyes. “Is that what you think?”

  Dmitry didn’t respond.

  Jozsua sat forward and kept coming, leaving Dmitry no choice but to sprawl out onto the floor. Jozsua snagged the front of Dmitry’s shirt, easing him down, and keeping him from getting hurt in the fall. Not that Dmitry cared about his well-being. The way Jozsua watched him as he covered Dmitry’s body with his own kept Dmitry captivated.

  “Before you, there was nothing,” Jozsua said, losing none of his intensity. “Konstantin kept me so hidden from the world, some days I wondered if I really didn’t exist. Fighting was all I had. Then you came along, and everything was different. Colors seemed brighter. Food tasted better. After you were gone, the world plunged back into a dull haze. Everything is less without you.”

  “I didn’t want to stay away,” Dmitry said, confessing something he should have before now. “You hated me, and every day I died a little more because of it. Now, because of me—”

  Jozsua captured Dmitry’s lips, cutting off his words. Between Jozsua’s massive weight and all-consuming kiss, Dmitry could barely draw a breath. His head spun. He no longer knew if it was due to lack of oxygen or love. Dmitry didn’t care. He’d never feared death. Dying this way would be a beautiful thing. Jozsua’s mouth moved to Dmitry’s jaw and air came rushing back to him. He sucked in a deep breath as Jozsua’s teeth scraped down the cords of his neck. Dmitry tilted his chin up, giving Jozsua better access to his throat. The man’s biting kisses bordered on painful as he slid down Dmitry’s body. Dmitry’s dick had never been harder. With a twist and swipe, Jozsua ripped every button from Dmitry’s shirt, tearing it open. The show of strength had Dmitry struggling to breathe once more.

  Countless times Jozsua had tongued the tattoo of his name permanently inked o
n Dmitry’s side. He did it again now. Jozsua’s soft hair twisted between Dmitry’s fingers as he tried holding on. A rumble of laughter vibrated against his skin as Jozsua easily slipped from his hold. Soft lips brushed his navel. Dmitry’s back arched in response. The front of his pants opened. Jozsua’s hand dove inside, freeing Dmitry’s erection. His touch was gentle in comparison to his kiss. The memory of their first kiss drifted through Dmitry’s mind again, just as it had a million times before. He’d been so surprised by how sweetly Jozsua kissed. His crazy-colored hair and rough and tumble ways had given Dmitry the expectation of coarse treatment. Instead, Jozsua was a worshipper. It was so goddamn hot, Dmitry always expected his skin to melt. Jozsua sucked dick the same way he kissed—soft and sweet. It always made Dmitry think his mind would snap. The gentle lapping of Jozsua tongue teased at pleasure. There was no recreating the sensation. Without Jozsua in his life, there had only been the gnawing memory of his touch, slowly eating at the last dregs of Dmitry’s sanity.

  He held his breath, waiting for Jozsua to take him between his lips, giving him back those sensations he’d craved. Jozsua took his time, dragging out the anticipation. He’d forgotten that part too—the way Jozsua teased, toying with him for minutes, the man made it feel like hours. His nose touched Dmitry’s crown. Dmitry’s hips left the floor. His body pled for mercy. Jozsua moved lower, placing light kisses down Dmitry’s length. Dmitry’s dick leaked. A drop of pre-cum escaped. Jozsua captured it on his tongue. Dmitry watched it happen. He couldn’t tear his gaze away from Jozsua’s every move. The man’s expression didn’t match his touch. He looked hard, as if barely keeping his lust in check. The knowledge soothed some of Dmitry’s impatience.

  Jozsua dragged his tongue up Dmitry’s length while holding his gaze. “Tell me what you want, Dmitry.”

  In spite of his breathless state, Dmitry didn’t hesitate. “I want your brand of persecution.”

  A low-sounding chuckle vibrated against Dmitry’s cock, making him pant. He kissed Dmitry’s hip. “No. I don’t think I will.” Dmitry spread his arms wide in surrender while staring at the ceiling. A bark of laughter escaped him. Even to his ears it sounded crazy. Jozsua got him fucking high with his fearless behavior. His body screamed for release, but his mind was in hyper-drive. When he was alone, Dmitry felt nothing at all. With Jozsua around, Dmitry felt everything all at once. “Never mind,” Jozsua said with laughter sounding heavy in his voice. “This is too good to pass up,” Jozsua added before swallowing Dmitry’s dick.

  It was everything Dmitry remembered and more. The torturous gentle lapping of Jozsua’s tongue. The light suction, barely teasing at full-blown pleasure. Just when he thought Jozsua had finally fallen into a pattern he could follow to explosion, Jozsua changed angles and lightened his touch, nearly causing Dmitry to scream and curse.

  Jozsua pulled away and gently brushed his lips to Dmitry’s crown. “Tell me you love me.”

  “I love you,” Dmitry dutifully said, because it was true and Jozsua wanted it.

  The man’s tongue teased Dmitry’s slit, making Dmitry whimper. “Tell me how you’ll make me pay for this.”

  At Jozsua’s demand, Dmitry ran down a list of sexual torture even he couldn’t remember once it left his lips. When he reached a bit about hours of edging with little to no direct contact with Jozsua’s cock, the man’s throat finally squeezed Dmitry’s dick and finger curled inside Dmitry’s ass, pressing hard on his prostate. The pressure that had beating down Dmitry’s crown exploded into a blinding orgasm, filling Jozsua’s mouth with hot cum. Jozsua didn’t let up. He sucked every last wave of ecstasy from Dmitry and then kept going for good measure. If he took a single breath, Dmitry didn’t remember doing so. All he could think about was the heat surrounding his cock. Jozsua had no idea how patient Dmitry could be. If he’d decided to shut Dmitry out of his life for fifty years, it would’ve changed nothing. Dmitry would’ve still been right here waiting for Jozsua to notice he hadn’t gone anywhere. Jozsua could walk away and find someone else to love him, but he’d never find anyone who matched Dmitry’s sick and twisted level of fixation. Love can fade. Crazy obsession is to the grave.

  *

  Having Dmitry spent and limp beneath him was a power trip Josh couldn’t describe. Josh was the only person who ever saw Dmitry in this state. It went beyond all description, knowing he could do anything to him in that moment, and Dmitry would let it happen. Because he needed Dmitry’s bare skin against his own, Josh pulled Dmitry to his feet and stripped all remnants of clothing from his body before leading him down the hall to bed. He pulled back the covers and urged Dmitry onto his back. Josh slowly stripped while Dmitry stared at him with a heated gaze.

  Josh knew it said crazy things about him that it made him twice as horny, knowing Dmitry had already gotten off. He climbed on top of the man he loved, letting his erection brush Dmitry’s overheated skin as he went. A hiss left Dmitry’s lips. Josh’s dick leaked at the sound. Neither of them were right in the head. Crazed-sounding laughter escaped Josh at the thought. Dmitry eyed him as if he knew exactly what Josh was thinking.

  “You’re savoring the thought of coating my body in cum, aren’t you?” Dmitry asked, proving Josh right.

  “Oh, yeah,” Josh said, breathing in the moment. “You belong to me, to do with as I please. Right now, I want you to watch me jacking off on your gorgeous body.”

  Dmitry linked his fingers behind his head and settled in for a show. “I’ve got nothing but time.”

  While straddling Dmitry’s body, Josh dragged his crown down the man’s sexy abs and line of hair leading to Dmitry’s dick. The way Dmitry chewed his bottom lip while he watched Josh’s every move was enough to fuck with any man’s mind. As much as Josh wanted to observe Dmitry’s every reaction, Josh needed to taste the man’s lips even more. He was already on the edge from teasing Dmitry. When their mouths clashed, Josh’s pumped faster. The flavor of Dmitry’s tongue coated Josh’s taste buds combined with every place their bodies met and the knowledge of everything Dmitry could do to his mind had Josh exploding before he was ready. Sounds he couldn’t control tore from his throat. Dmitry swallowed them. They were a mess, and it was beautiful.

  Balling up the sheet, Josh tried swiping away most of the mess before rolling to his side and taking Dmitry with him. He held the man tight, refusing to let any space come between them. There’d been too many nights he’d craved this man to let anything stand in his way now that he had Dmitry back in his arms. He knew Dmitry was angry over the Conti situation. Oddly, Josh was not. He’d been fighting his whole life. At first, it had been because it was expected of him. Then he’d fought because his anger needed an outlet. Now, he was simply tired and wanted to hold his husband.

  More than that, Josh wanted to soak up every second and hang on to all the things he’d been missing. Kon and Kip—they were right about everything. Dmitry was his other half. They would never be normal, so they needed to embrace what they had for the wonder it was. Even if Josh could ever find it in his heart to care for anyone else, he would always be missing this deep pit of infatuation he shared with Dmitry. No one else would ever fit either of them. So, no, he didn’t care if he ever fought again.

  “You realize this house is compromised,” Josh said, opening a discussion they needed to have.

  Dmitry’s hold tightened. “I’ll take care of everything. Don’t think about it.”

  “I want to, because we need a safe place to call home.”

  The soft brush of Dmitry’s fingers along Josh’s ribs stopped. Slowly, Dmitry shifted onto his elbow and met Josh’s stare. His face was devoid of all emotion. “Do you mean that?”

  Instead of answering, Josh finished his thoughts. “There’s this cabin, near the springs on our land, it’s really nothing more than a small hunting cabin. We’d be under each other’s feet all the time, and you’d definitely get sick of me, but no one would find us.” When Dmitry didn’t respond and only kept staring at him as if waiting for more, ne
rvous chatter set in. “We could help Kip raise my niece or travel. Maybe, for a little while, we could do nothing at all but be together. I guess it sounds mundane to you,” Josh said when Dmitry’s expression still didn’t change.

  “Is that really the life you want? Living in hiding? Pretending to be someone else?”

  In spite of the heavy topic, Josh smiled. “I won’t be pretending. No matter where we are, I’m always the same person—your husband. As long as I’m that, I’m not hiding or running. I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. Home.”

  *

  Home. Dmitry was speechless. In his head, he had a thousand things to say. He loved this man. Jozsua would never want for anything else so long as Dmitry lived. They would do everything Jozsua wanted whenever the man wanted for the rest of their lives. Raise Jade. Travel. What the fuck ever as long they were together, Dmitry didn’t care. There were so many thoughts in his head, they crowded in Dmitry’s throat and nothing happened. He kept staring at Jozsua, incapable of speech.

  His cell phone rang, startling him from his thoughts. Since there were only a handful of people who knew how to reach him, and it only happened in times of emergency, Dmitry shot from the bed and went in search of the device. It was on the bedroom floor. He honestly had no clue how it had ended up there. Kipley’s name showed on the face and Dmitry quickly pressed the phone to his ear.

  “What’s happened?”

  “This man called, and he said something about Jade and Josh, and he knew who we were. Oh my fucking God, Dmitry. I didn’t know who else to call. I pulled Jade out of school and came straight home, but now I’m afraid to ever take her back or leave the house. He knew us.”

  Every muscle in Dmitry’s body hardened, poising for attack. “Take a breath.” Dmitry waited until Kip did as he demanded. “Now, start over.”

  When Kip spoke again, it was slower. “I got a call from a guy named Gio. He said he wanted me to pass a message on to Josh.”

  At Gio’s name, Dmitry went from being the person who he was with Jozsua to work mode. “And this message?”