“When I accept a contract, I follow through,” Gabriele replied, giving him a pointed look.

  “Come on, man.” Dev threw his arms up. “One time. I’ve never been in breach of contract before, and you know it.”

  “Not my problem. Listen,” Gabriele said, taking a step closer, the shadows playing across his chiseled features. The guy was intimidating and not just because of his looks. “Why prolong the inevitable? We both know you can’t keep him in there forever. Banetti is willing to forgive this indiscretion if you hand him over.”

  “He’s a good guy, Gabriele. An innocent man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  Gabriele sighed. “Again. Not my problem. When did you grow a conscience?”

  When Remy Corbin jumped into my car.

  “Sorry,” Dev replied. “Not happening.”

  Gabriele pursed his lips and nodded. “Okay. I’m sorry to hear that. Just know, this brings me no pleasure.” He seemed to think about it. “Well, maybe a little.” With a wide grin, he took a step back.

  What was he up to?

  Something moved behind him, and Dev whirled around just in time to see half a dozen guys charge him. He managed to swipe one of his guns from its holster and fire, taking down two guys before he was tackled and slammed to the ground. His gun was kicked out of his hand just as a blow landed across his jaw.

  Taking a swing, his fist connected with one asshole’s jaw, but his victory was short-lived when someone kicked him in his side, stealing the breath from his lungs. Another kick landed, and Dev cried out. Pissed, he grabbed the guy’s ankle before he could get kicked again and punched the guy on the side of the knee with all his strength. The guy’s pained bellow echoed through the empty park as he hit the ground.

  Scrambling to his feet, he ducked under a right hook and delivered his own to the guy’s rib cage. He swiped the remaining Glock from his shoulder holster and fired at another guy’s kneecap. Spinning on his heels, he aimed when a shot rang out.

  Fiery heat exploded through his side, and he dropped his gaze to the red stain spreading across his white shirt. He turned, glaring at Gabriele.

  “What the hell, man?”

  “Don’t worry. It’s not going to kill you.” Gabriele fired again, and Dev gasped. The gun fell from his hand as he focused on trying to stop the blood from pooling out of him. Dev gasped for breath, pain shooting through him. Gritting his teeth, he made to pick up his gun when his leg was kicked out from under him.

  The beating that followed could have killed him, but Gabriele made sure it didn’t. He lay face down in the grass as Gabriele crouched beside him.

  “Nothing personal, Dev.”

  “Fuck you,” Dev spat out. Why did they always say that? It was pretty fucking personal to him. The darkness threatened to overtake Dev, but he couldn’t let that happen. He had to get back to Remy, had to keep him safe.

  “Come now. Don’t be that way. So he’s a good guy. What’s it to you? Why risk everything for a man you barely know?” Gabriele hummed. “Don’t tell me you’re a romantic. Did your little black heart beat faster when you saw him? Did you get butterflies in your stomach? That’s so cute!”

  Dev growled but said nothing. Mostly he was too busy trying to stay conscious.

  “Ah, love. The most dangerous of all weapons. Or so I’ve been told. I’m incapable, so I don’t have that worry.”

  Dev grinned. “Which is why it’s going to find you, and when it does, it will hit you so fucking hard you’ll want to put a bullet in your head.”

  “Shut up,” Gabriele said through clenched teeth.

  “What’s the matter, tough guy? You scared? Well, you fucking should be. Your days are numbered. The universe is going to take care of that for you.”

  The butt of Gabriele’s gun striking Dev’s head had him seeing stars and feeling sick to his stomach. Even then, he couldn’t help his grin.

  “Asshole,” Gabriele said, standing. “Let’s get out of here. We’ll have the fucker soon enough.”

  Dev was left bleeding on the grass. His head was spinning, his stomach recoiling, but he pushed himself to his hands and knees. Taking a deep breath, he gritted his teeth against the pain and forced himself to his feet. He grabbed onto his side and turned toward the hotel.

  “Remy,” Dev muttered. The darkness appeared around him once more, spreading, growing closer. No. He needed to get to Remy. Shouting, he struggled to move forward, his body working against him. No.

  “Hey, it’s okay. Dev? It’s me.”

  Dev slowly opened his eyes, and it took him a heartbeat to realize he was back at the hotel. The beeping of a heart monitor got his attention, and he looked around. Cat. She must have called in reinforcements.

  Turning his head, he sighed with relief. Remy was at his side, watching him worriedly.

  “You’re okay now,” Remy said. “Well, not completely okay because you were shot and beat up, but you’re safe.”

  Dev hoarsely shushed him.

  “Sorry,” Remy whispered, his eyes welling.

  “What—No.” Dev shook his head and hissed at the pain. Nope. He was not doing that again. “What are you doin’? No waterworks.”

  Remy sniffed. “Sorry. I—This is all my fault.”

  “It is.”

  Remy blinked at him, and Dev couldn’t help his smile. At least, he thought he was smiling. It was hard to tell. He was still foggy. Meds, maybe? “I’m glad you got in my car, though.”

  “You are?”

  “Yeah. Banetti would have killed you otherwise.”

  “And you don’t want that?”

  Of course, he didn’t. “Wouldn’t have driven off with you if I had.”

  Remy gently moved Dev’s hair away from his brow, his fingers brushing Dev’s skin. It felt good. He’d like more of that, please.

  “I thought you just wanted to keep them from shooting your car.”

  “Mm, that too,” Dev said, closing his eyes. “But mostly you.” He didn’t know what it was about Remy that made him want to protect him so badly. Well, he kind of knew. Remy was a beacon of light in the dark, like the lantern on his arm, guiding him.

  “Thanks,” Remy said softly, running his fingers through Dev’s hair.

  Dev hummed. “S’okay.”

  “You’re loopy.”

  “I am.” They’d pumped him full of the good stuff. He barely felt a thing except for Remy’s hands on him, and he was so very thankful for that.

  “You should rest.”

  “You should kiss me.” Shit. Had he said that out loud?

  “Okay.”

  Dev opened his eyes and turned his head to stare at Remy. “Yeah?”

  Remy smiled and leaned in, hesitating for a heartbeat before his lips touched Dev’s, and suddenly everything seemed to click into place. If he thought about it too long, it would sound ridiculous to his own ears, so he didn’t overthink it. Not everything had to be analyzed to death.

  Maybe…maybe this time, he should just trust his heart and accept that not everything had to have a rational explanation. Remy parted his soft, warm lips, and Dev welcomed his tongue, loving his taste and wanting more. Damn it, why did he have to be out of commission? Didn’t matter. This here, this was enough.

  Dev slipped a hand around to the back of Remy’s neck, holding him close as they kissed. Man, he smelled good. Like he’d just showered. If he wasn’t beaten all to hell and high on painkillers, he would so be all over Remy right now. What would it feel like to have that big, strong body under him?

  Their kiss deepened but remained slow, the heat between them chasing off the bone-deep cold that had settled into Dev’s bones. Remy rubbed his thumb over Dev’s cheek as he moved his lips and pressed kisses along Dev’s jaw.

  Dev hummed. “That’s nice.”

  “Nice.” Remy laughed softly.

  “Really nice?”

  “Um, sure.”

  “Hot. I’d have a boner if I wasn’t so high.”

  Remy laughed louder this time. “Better.” He moved away, and Dev groaned, not liking Remy taking his lips with him as he sat up. “I was so scared I’d never see you again. I take it things didn’t go well?”

  “They did not,” Dev replied, finding Remy’s hand and lacing their fingers together. “Gabriele couldn’t be convinced. Not that I thought he would be, but I needed to try.”

  “You risked your life for me. Why?”

  Good question. Dev frowned as he stared at nothing in particular. “I…I don’t know. You seemed worth saving.”

  “I’m not sure what to say to that.”

  “The majority of people in this city aren’t worth saving.” He’d been here long enough to know that for a fact.

  “You don’t mean that.”

  Dev met his gaze. “I do. They’re monsters, Remy. Myself included.”

  “No, you’re not.” Remy frowned, turning so he faced Dev. “A monster wouldn’t have gone out there to face a killer to plead for another man’s life.”

  Dev wasn’t going to argue. It was nice Remy thought he wasn’t like the rest of the human garbage in this city. The beauty, prestige, and glitz were all a façade, hiding the ugly truth underneath. Remy was wrong about Dev, but it was still nice.

  “How did you end up here, anyway?” Remy asked.

  “Someone killed me and dumped my body in the river. I washed up here.”

  Remy stared at him. “But…you’re alive.”

  “Obviously, yes. They thought they’d killed me. Hell, I thought they’d killed me.” He parted the hair on the back of his head near his ear to reveal the scar. “The bullet grazed me, but when I fell, I hit my head and knocked myself out. Head wounds produce a lot of blood, so they thought I was dead and dumped me. I woke up in Old Defiance and started a new life.”

  “Why did they try to kill you?” Remy looked worried. Was it because he realized Dev was as bad as advertised, or was he concerned about Dev?

  Might as well rip the Band-Aid off now. It wasn’t like he and Remy had a future together, so what did it matter?

  “When I got back from Iraq, I was a mess. I was struggling to make ends meet, desperate for cash, and when I was at my lowest, a friend of a friend knew a guy who knew a guy. You know how it goes. Anyway, they were looking for someone with defensive driving skills. I didn’t ask questions; I just took the job. Turned out to be a group of professional thieves that needed a new getaway driver. Even after several heists, I didn’t ask questions. I just drove. I was finally getting paid.”

  Dev sighed and lifted his gaze to the ceiling. “One day, they were a man short but went through with the heist anyway. Things got out of hand. They shot a security guard, and then some poor girl showed up. I tried to stop them but didn’t get there in time. She was just a kid. Wrong place, wrong time. I told them I was out when we returned to their hideout at the docks. Guess we had different definitions of out.”

  “I’m so sorry.”

  Dev shrugged. “That’s how those kinds of things go. I knew what I was getting myself into. After a few weeks in Old Defiance, of seeing what kind of place this was, I decided I would start over. This time, I’d call the shots. So, I made myself indispensable. It’s been working out pretty damn well.”

  “Until now,” Remy murmured.

  “Until now.” Dev couldn’t help his smile at Remy’s pout. It was kind of cute. “That’s not a bad thing, Remy.”

  “Really? Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like a bad thing.”

  “How about you come here and kiss me some more? Let’s turn this into a good thing.”

  SIX

  Remy almost forgot they wanted him dead.

  Almost.

  The days passed quickly despite them being holed up in the hotel suite. Even if they’d wanted to leave, Dev was still recovering. Cat had returned from her reconnaissance. She’d been gathering intel on Banetti and why he wanted to eliminate Remy. Apparently, seeing someone get killed wasn’t as big of a deal in this city as it was in most places. Killing, in general, didn’t seem to be a big deal, so Cat found it odd that Banetti wanted Remy dead.

  “Something isn’t right here,” Cat said as she tapped away on her laptop at the dinner table. “I can’t find any information on the guy Banetti killed. No paper trail, nothing digital. It’s like the guy doesn’t exist.”

  “Do you think Banetti hired someone to make him disappear? That’s kind of what he does,” Dev said.

  “When Banetti makes someone disappear, they’re never really gone. Eventually, a body turns up somewhere. He’s good at covering his tracks, but there’s always something on the victim. Always.” Cat sighed, frustrated. “This makes no sense.”

  Remy sat up, his fingers laced between his knees. Whoever that guy was, there was a reason Banetti wanted him dead so badly. Unfortunately, they had nothing.

  “You need to keep digging,” Dev told Cat.

  “There’s nothing left to dig through,” Cat replied.

  “There has to be!”

  “Whoa, hey.” Remy stood and walked over to Dev. “Cat’s doing the best she can.”

  Dev closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Cat.” He turned to face her. “What else have we got?”

  Cat worried her bottom lip. Her expression didn’t bode well. “What if we look at this like a job?” Dev arched an eyebrow at her, and she quickly held a hand up. “Hear me out. We get Remy the usual, everything he needs to start a new life somewhere else, and you do what you do best. Get him there.”

  Remy’s chest tightened. “Wait, what?”

  “Remy, your life here is over,” Cat said gently. “Banetti wants you dead, and he won’t stop until it happens. You have one choice, and that’s to disappear.”

  Disappear? He’d never see Dev again, never know what could have been. Remy moved his gaze to Dev, who ran a hand through his hair.

  “Getting him out of the hotel will require calling in some major favors, but we can pull it off. The hard part will be getting out of the city.” Cat stood and closed her laptop. “It might be our only option. Think about it.” She headed for the door. “I don’t know about you two, but I need a drink.” With a wave, she left, closing the door behind her.

  The tension radiated off Dev, and no matter what Remy and Cat said, Remy knew he was responsible for all this. He climbed onto the bed and wrapped his arms around Dev, taking comfort in his strength, ignoring how quickly everything seemed to be happening between them. Sometimes things just were what they were, so why question it?

  “Hey,” Remy said, brushing his fingers down Dev’s jaw.

  Dev wrapped his arms around Remy’s waist, his smile soft. “Hey.” He sighed. “I wish things were different.”

  “What if they could be,” Remy replied. “What if…you came with me?”

  “What?”

  “What if you left all this and came with me? We could start somewhere new together.” His heart skipped a beat, hopeful for the briefest moment before Dev shook his head.

  “I’ve built a life here, Remy. One I’ve worked hard for. Where I’m in control, and yeah, I’ve done bad things. I’ve delivered the dead. But I’ve also done good. I give people new lives, another chance somewhere else. And if it means you not dying, I’ll do the same for you.”

  Remy wanted to protest, but he didn’t. “Let’s not argue. We don’t have a lot of time together.”

  “What do you want to do then?”

  Remy smiled. “I have an idea or two. If you’re….” He dropped his gaze to Dev’s crotch. “Up for it.”

  “Damn.” Dev nodded fervently, making Remy laugh. “I’m up for it. Definitely up for it.” An idea seemed to occur to him. “How about we relieve a little stress downstairs?” He slipped his leg between Remy’s, their bodies pressed together, and lips almost touching. “Let’s go downstairs, grab a drink, and have some fun in one of the private rooms.”

  “I thought the club was exclusive?”

  “It is. I’m permitted a guest on occasion.”

  Dev laced his fingers with Remy’s as they left the room. The rode the elevator down to the lobby, confusing Remy. He’d been told The Anonymous was on the two lower floors.

  “We have to see the concierge first.”

  They met with the concierge. Dev whispered something to her, and she nodded. She held a hand out toward the elevator. Turning, they headed back.

  “What was that?”

  “Members have a code that gets them access. I also explained I had a guest, which has a different meaning here.”

  Remy didn’t ask questions. This was a whole other world he knew next to nothing about. They entered the elevator and greeted the operator, who took them down to The Anonymous.

  The doors opened, and Remy couldn’t help but gape. “Holy crap. This place is…incredible.” He’d never seen anything like it. It was busy but quiet, with people in expensive-looking suits and cocktail attire sitting, talking, and drinking. It would be easy to forget the kind of place this was.

  If he weren’t with Dev, he would never have set foot in this place knowing what he did. Most people here were either killers, criminals, or associated with the worst the city had to offer.

  “Are you sure they can’t kill me in here?” Remy whispered as they headed for the bar, and several eyes turned to them.

  “Positive.”

  “Okay.”

  Dev stilled, and Remy followed his line of sight. A big, bearded guy in a black suit sat in one of the leather armchairs. He held his glass up in salute, a crooked smile on his face before he took a drink.

  “Do you know him?”

  “That’s Gabriele.”

  Remy gasped and quickly stepped back, hating that it made the asshole laugh.

  “It’s okay. As I said. He can’t lay a hand on you here.”

  That was…comforting? Then he remembered Gabriele had been the one to shoot Dev. Hands balled into fists, Remy marched over to the guy, ignoring Dev as he hurried after him.

  “What are you doing? Remy, stop.” Dev grabbed Remy’s arm and spun him around to face him. “There’s no violence allowed in here, not even heated arguments. It doesn’t matter who it’s coming from.”