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Pavel Hart stuck close to the wall, shrouded in darkness as he watched the scene unfolding before him. Two men were in the midst of an argument, their words carrying across the underground parking lot just loudly enough he could make out everything they were saying even from his current distance.

Usually he made a better effort to resist temptation, but he’d found himself on his hoverbike headed toward the hotel before he’d even realized his intentions.

“Fuck you, Zane!” a pissed off Kazimir Ambrose, the righthand to the Dominus of the Brumal mafia, swore. His irritation had been growing for the past ten minutes, ever since he’d stepped out of his car and spotted Zane exiting the building where Kaz lived.

It wasn’t the first time Zane had arrived unannounced, hell, the guy even had a key, so the fight wasn’t about his unexpected visit. It was about who he’d come here to visit. Something that, admittedly, confused even Pavel a bit.

“My guess is that’s off the table from here on out,” Zane said in that cool tone of his, the one that always sent waves of pleasure zipping down Pavel’s spine straight to his toes.

The sensation was so visceral, he almost didn’t catch the meaning in Zane’s words.

Was it happening? Was Zane finally going to stop wasting his time on Kazimir?

The two almost never argued, and only interacted when they were amongst the rest of the Devils of Vitality, the group both the Satellite and the Retinue were a part of, though they were technically two separate organizations. The Satellite protected the leader of the Brumal mafia, whereas the Retinue defended the Imperial Prince. Not that either leader truly needed any sort of backup when it came to strength or ability.

“You really did all of this just because you were mad I invited Lyra into the bedroom that day?” Kazimir sounded confused, and Pavel couldn’t blame him.

“It’s like I said,” Zane shrugged like this was all no big deal. “I was simply paying you back. No matter what happens from here on out, you and I are even.”

As far as Pavel understood things, Zane was sleeping with both Kaz and Lyra, and none of them had cared about that arrangement. It was just sex, after all, a way to blow off steam. Zane needed that in order to keep focused on his studies. It sounded cliché, but Pavel had realized it went deeper than that.

Sex was a means to achieve connection, even if fleeting. For Zane, it was a way to prove his worth and probably ease some of those pesky insecurities floating around in his head. Of course, this was all supposition, since Pavel had yet to actually discuss the matter with the other man.

Pavel shamelessly eavesdropped on the rest of their conversation, feeding that spark of anticipation in his gut when it became clear that it really was over between the two men. He’d spent years waiting for his chance, knowing that he couldn’t risk interfering if Zane was involved with another Devil.

But now…

Now he was ripe for the taking, and Pavel was in the mood for a hunt.

His addiction to Zane had started so long ago, it was a wonder he hadn’t acted on it sooner, despite all of the dangers and risks. Truthfully, he should be praised for his self-control. For his patience. Members of his species usually didn’t have a good grasp on either, and yet here he was, waiting and watching like the perfect mate.

The heated discussion came to an end and Kazimir shoved Zane, practically sprinting toward the hotel entrance. Yet, even after he’d gone, Zane didn’t budge.

It was quiet in the underground parking garage, not all that surprising considering it was pretty late at night. Pavel kept his place, curiously wondering what the other man was doing and why he’d yet to leave.

Did he think there was a chance Kaz would come back? Or was he waiting for Kaz’s boyfriend, Nate Narek, to storm out?

Was he interested in Nate now?

Pavel’s mood soured and he felt a twist of something ugly in his gut. Fortunately for all of them, he didn’t get the opportunity to act on it.

In the next instant, Zane pulled the star crystal blade he was known to carry from its hidden sheath and stared at it for a moment. He’d gifted the weapon’s twin to Kazimir recently, something that irked Pavel to no end.

Was that why he was looking at it so intensely?

Was he—

Quick as a flash, the weapon sailed through the air, headed directly for Pavel’s head. He had just enough time to twist out of the way, the blade embedding itself deep into the brick wall he’d been standing against. Bits of stone crumbled and clattered to the ground.

“Come out,” Zane remained where he was, the warning clear in his tone. Even in the midst of an argument, the one he’d used with Kazimir had been casual, almost friendly, but now…

Pavel stepped out from the shadows, hands sliding into the front pockets of his black silk pants. He stopped as soon as the light hit him, tipping his head when Zane’s eyes widened a second before the man got a hold of his surprise.

“What are you doing here?” Zane glanced over his shoulder toward the door where Kazimir had just disappeared.

“Your hair is wet.” He banked down the flurry of rage that ignited in his gut, sure to keep his composure in front of the Prince of Medicine. The nickname had been given by the students at their university, but it was fitting.

Zane Solace might not be a true prince, but damn, did he sure look the part.

Especially right now, with his disheveled hair dripping water droplets down the side of his long neck and those intense almost charcoal eyes locked onto Pavel with suspicion. He was tall, only a quarter of an inch shorter than Pavel, in fact, with broad shoulders and a swimmer's build. He was clothed now, but picturing the ripple of lean muscle beneath the dark dress shirt was easy.

Too easy.

If Pavel wasn’t careful, he’d give himself away.

Still…

“Did you enjoy your shower?” He reminded himself that only Nate had been in Kaz’s apartment with Zane, not the other Devil of Vitality, and his momentary burst of jealousy was ill placed.

Zane would never fuck Nate Narek, not only because the guy wasn’t his type, but also because that little display of his with Kazimir earlier had all been an orchestrated stunt. A means to get underneath Kaz’s skin, so to speak.

The quiet, aloof Prince of Medicine was always doing that.

Getting under people’s skin.

“I’ll repeat the question since you didn’t seem to hear me,” Zane stated in a clipped tone. “What are you doing here, Pavel?” His gaze momentarily took in his outfit, but there wasn’t so much as a glimmer of attraction or interest reflected in his eyes. To him, Pavel had always just been another member of the Retinue. Another person he was duty-bound to interact and get along with, nothing more.

And Pavel hated it.

His hands fisted in his pockets but he placed a devilish smirk on his face and breezily replied, “Can’t a man go for a stroll in this city? Or is that not allowed, Doctor?”

“A man?” He clicked his tongue, unaffected by the nickname the same way he always was. “Sure. But you and I both know what you really are.”

“Oh, do we?”

Zane had no idea.

But Pavel was really looking forward to the day he could enlighten him.

“Did you need something from Kaz?” Zane motioned toward the building at his back. “He’s indisposed at the moment. You’ll have to come back another time.”

To anyone else, it might have sounded like a casual statement between friends, but Pavel knew what he was really doing. It was both a warning and an attempt to lead the conversation where Zane wanted it to go.

Too bad Pavel didn’t really feel like being cooperative.

“Just out for a walk,” he kept the friendly smile firmly in place when Zane scowled, “remember?”

“Last I checked,” Zane headed toward him as he spoke, long legs crossing the distance with ease, the heels of his black loafers carrying him almost silently closer and closer, “Concealed is an hour walk from here.”

Concealed was the restaurant/club that Pavel owned. The fact that Zane knew right away he’d come from there meant the other guy had paid more attention to him than Pavel had realized. It was probably the suit. He only wore the three-piece all black ensemble when he was working.

“Forty-seven minutes, actually.” He shrugged a single shoulder. “But who’s counting.”

Just as he was about to reach him, Zane turned, passing by him, his cologne, bergamot and sea salt with a hint of sandalwood, momentarily tickling at Pavel’s nose.

Zane went straight to the wall and gripped the handle of his blade, unaware that Pavel was watching the way his back muscles rippled as he yanked the weapon free. By the time he’d turned back, Pavel was already looking elsewhere.

“Are you over this time?” Pavel’s words were spoken low, monotone. When there didn’t come an immediate reply, he risked a glance back in Zane’s direction.

“Over what?”

“Let’s skip the part where you pretend not to know what I’m referring to.”

Zane bristled. “Last I checked, I don’t have to tell you anything.”

“That’s fair.” He left it at that, waiting.

Sure enough, Zane only lasted thirty seconds before he blew out a breath. “Yes. Kazimir and I are over this time. What’s it to you?”

“Just curious.” Lie. Excitement and anticipation were bubbling up inside of him and it was all he could do to contain himself from letting it out.

“Since when were you interested in my sex life?”

Since literally always, but Pavel smartly kept his mouth shut.

Which annoyed Zane even more.

“Whatever.” The Prince of Medicine went to leave. “I should have known we couldn’t carry a conversation.”

The two of them rarely spoke, but that was by design. Pavel didn’t think he’d be able to hold himself back if they got closer to one another. Yet, something about the certainty in Zane’s voice irked him. As though the other man truly believed the two of them wouldn’t have anything in common.

“You should come,” Pavel called out, stopping him. “To the club.”

Zane shook his head. “I don’t—”

“If you’re about to say you don’t have time, that’s false. You had time to come here, didn’t you?” Pavel cocked his head. “If you’re about to say you don’t have any interest, I can assure you, that’ll also turn out to be a lie.”

“There’s something for everyone at Concealed, that it?” Zane grunted. “Spare me your business pitch. You aren’t lacking for customers.”

That was true. Pavel owned the most popular spot in the capital.

That’s not what he’d been getting at though.

“There’s something there for you,” he corrected, finally allowing some of the interest to slip into his tone. He noted the second Zane heard it, watching the confusion bloom anew over his beautiful face. “If things really are over between you and Kazimir Ambrosee, that means you’re in the market for a new distraction.”

“And you think your club could supply me with one?” Zane had gone still. On the outside, he didn’t appear to be any more interested in the proposal than he had a second ago, but Pavel knew him. Knew all the minutiae details of his face and his body language. He might seem unaffected, but internally his mind was racing through this new development, trying to figure out Pavel’s angle.

“You never gave two shits about Kazimir Ambrosee,” Pavel tested his luck and said. “So why mess with his new man?”

The change in topic didn’t trip him up at all. He’d made it seem like he didn’t want to talk about it, but he didn’t hold back this time. “Why do anything?” He tossed the knife into the air and caught it. “Boredom.”

“No,” he shook his head. “There’s more to it than that.”

“Think so?”

“Yes.” If there was one thing Pavel knew, it was Zane Solace. The fact that he was missing something, that he couldn’t quite sus out why he’d just done what he did, was infuriating. “Tell me what it is. Tell me what I’m missing.”

Zane blinked, but Pavel was too committed to uncovering the truth now to try and figure out where he might have slipped. Had it been his tone? A look on his face? The possessive way he’d taken a single step closer before catching himself? All of the above?

Zane was perceptive. Calculating. There wasn’t much that went over his head, which was why Pavel had purposefully kept his distance and stalked in the shadows.

He’d been biding his time. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to make himself known. This disgusting thing with Kazimir had gone on for far too long, and now that the prize was finally within reach, Pavel found his carefully coiled patience beginning to unravel.

“I’m petty,” Zane said, and for a charged moment, Pavel held his breath, afraid the Prince of Medicine would change his mind and stop talking. “Kazimir owed me something. Now we’re even.”

“Owed you what?”

“Fear.”

Pavel clenched his jaw.

“Why do you seem upset?” Zane asked. “I wasn’t aware you were capable of that emotion. Or, any emotion, really.”

“That’s because you’ve never really seen me.” Pavel took another step closer, but didn’t bridge the rest of the distance between them. “That’s about to change, Doctor.”

“Is it?” he seemed wholly unaffected, but admitted, “I can’t tell if that’s a threat or not.”

“You can take it however you want.” Soon, Pavel would be doing the same.

But not tonight.

Pointedly, he retreated. “Goodnight, Doctor Zane.”

The moment he turned his back, he could feel Zane’s frown following him into the shadows as he took his leave.

It felt good, finally having the other man’s eyes on him.

Yes. It was time. He was going to make Zane see him. And he was going to enjoy every single moment of it.