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think I’m your mirror image.” He held Daniel’s gaze. “Like knows like, yes?” Stavros licked his chapped lips. “The monster in you recognizes the monster in me,” he whispered. “And it wants to play.”
Stavros snorted. “No, you should be on notice. Because this? Me as your captive? It is only foreplay for the inevitable main course, where I plan on feasting on you until I’m well sated.”
He’d thought he wanted a weak and vulnerable captive. But right now, Daniel preferred this one. He preferred the fight and the word play.
“Foreplay,” Stavros whispered. He held Daniel’s gaze as he slid his tongue over the knife again. “Fuck, but you’re exceptional at it.”
“That heat in your belly,” Stavros spoke, head tilted back, lashes lowered as he gazed up at Daniel as if he wasn’t the one shackled to the cold floor. “That’s for me.” His teeth caught his bottom lip then released it. “And it’s because of me.”
“Thank you for the knee,” Stavros called after him. “I always appreciate a man who kneels.”
He knew that man, knew even in his lost, fevered state to be wary of him. But he represented something Stavros desperately wanted. Something he wasn’t brave enough to take. Yet.
He’d been dead for years, and this man brought him back to life. His voice. His blood. His eyes. They brought Daniel back to life.
Pressed it against him. “You’re alive because you’re mine. Your blood. Your life. Your death. Mine.”
The monster in you recognizes the monster in me.
Syren laughed, loud and long, in his face. “Never took you for the delusional type, but hey…” He shrugged. “Good for you.” Daniel frowned. “What does that mean?” “It means you’re gonna learn today.”
Rational thought didn’t reside in this space where he craved his captor’s touch.
“In this war between you and him, someone must lose. But if you’re fighting for the right thing, the same thing, losing can be a different, sweeter kind of victory.”
“It can’t all be about anger, because those things fizzle out after a while, and you’ll be emptier than you’ve ever been. I understand allegiance and loyalty, but you’re not dead. You’re not unfeeling, and even though you hate it, he’s the reason.”
“I can leave,” Daniel whispered at his ear. “But it doesn’t matter how far or how fast I run.” The truth roughened his already destroyed voice. “I’ll always come back.”
One taste hooked him, kept him leashed and dependent like an addict.
How all this happened, he still didn’t know. He questioned it. How could he not? But he wasn’t running from it. Wasn’t lying about it.
But he was here now, surrounded by Stavros. In Stavros’ embrace he found himself again. In his presence he found calm and peace. Understanding, too.
“My mother didn’t like foul language, so…” He shrugged. “I think it’s sweet.” Stavros chuckled as he stroked a finger down Daniel’s cheek. “Big bad cartel boss who can’t say fuck.”
“Because I’m afraid that what I feel for him might burn brighter, hotter, than what I felt for her.”
Ice gripped his chest, the cold shocking a gasp from him. This was loss, shaking his body and rattling his teeth. This was heartbreak, the searing pain that made his entire being curl in on itself. This was pain. Daniel Nieto had finally broken him.
“Stay and fight for what you want.” Christophe’s words echoed in his head, back then and now. “Fight for it. Earn it. And keep it,”
“You fucked up by walking away from me,” Stavros told him.
“Yo soy tuyo y tú eres mío.” I am yours and you are mine.
“He can hurt you even more…” He smiled, but it could just as easily have been a grimace. “And I think you’d let him.”
Under Daniel’s touch. He’d almost martyred them.
didn’t know then how much she meant to you.” His eyes glittered as he stared at Daniel, hands fisted atop his thighs. “I didn’t know how precious it was.” His throat worked. “I’m sorry.”
“I forgave you the first time I kissed you.” Stavros’ chin quivered. “You had my forgiveness—” Daniel gripped him tighter, speaking more forcefully. “With our first caress.”
Stavros fisted his hands. “I’ve never been tethered,” he said in a hoarse voice. “I’m forty-two years old, and I’ve never had someone feel for me what I feel for them. I’ve never been someone’s anchor, never had someone be that for me.” He spun then, found Daniel a touch away and nearly reached for him.
didn’t know what it meant,” he confessed. Inside his chest, his heartbeat thundered, echoing. Surely Daniel heard it? Boom. Boom. “Not until Felipe threatened you. Not until he threatened to take what kept me tethered.”
So take what’s yours.
“My favorite thing is when you smile,” he whispered. “My second favorite is knowing I made you smile.”
“Expect.” Stavros grabbed Daniel’s hand, bringing it to the middle of his chest. Holding him there in the tightest grip. “You brought me here. You let me see you. You damn well better expect things from me,” he said fiercely, gaze hot and heavy as the midday sun. “Expect things from me.” “Diablo.” “Expect me to love you like you love me.” He shifted closer, settling between Daniel’s legs. “Expect me to respect you enough to do right by you,” he said hoarsely. “For once, fucking expect me to take care of your heart.”
“I expect you to love me like I love you,” he whispered into that kiss. “I expect you to do right by me, because I will do right by you.” Stavros shuddered. His grip on Daniel faltered. “I expect you to take care of my heart, diablo, because I will take care of yours.”
“She can’t have you. I need you—” His voice broke. “I need you more.” Head bowed, he slid his fingers over Daniel’s. “I need you more.”
“But I know what you’re going through. And you can’t just go wreck shit in his name.” Stavros grinned at him slowly. “Watch me. Keep your fucking eyes on me.”
