Victim (Damaged Devils #16)

Chapter Six

Fuck. That was all Cannon thought each time he looked at Xan. Just, fuck. That intensity. Wow! That use of body control. Goddamn. Cannon wasn’t sure he would ever be the same again. He didn’t think he could touch anyone else and not see the way Xan’s body had moved while taking him. That experience had been… fuck. It was no wonder Knight would overlook anything for Royal. If Royal had the same intensity, and the guy certainly looked as if he did, then damn. Cannon couldn’t blame the guy for looking right through Cannon now. Cannon couldn’t compete.

Xan sat across from him, eating the breakfast Cannon made in a borrowed pair of Cannon’s workout shorts. Cannon had to force himself to not stare at the guy with stars in his eyes. The problem was, Cannon knew how Xan had ended up so focused and skilled. It hurt his chest, and that one thought led to a thousand more.

“Is Knight in danger? Does he need to worry men like that will come for Royal and him?”

Xan stopped with a bite of eggs halfway to his mouth. His expression changed to unreadable. He set his fork down. “No. Your precious Knight is perfectly safe.” Xan stood and carried his plate to the sink. “I need to figure out a way home.”

Cannon scrambled to fix things. “That’s not what I meant.” He shot to his feet and overcame Xan. His lips automatically touched a deep scar beneath Xan’s nape. “I’m trying to understand. That’s all. This isn’t about Knight. I’m trying to see what you see when it comes to this entire situation. How is Royal safe, but you’re not? You said none of you were free. Help me understand.”

Xan’s muscles relaxed. He turned in Cannon’s arms and kissed his forehead. His arms stayed locked around Cannon’s waist as he leaned back against the counter. “Royal and I aren’t the same. Quentin purchased Royal and then set him free. In the eyes of the society, he belongs to Quentin. He’s literally Quentin’s property.”

“You said Quentin saved you too.”

Xan nodded. “He did. I was loaned to a man in the U.S. for a hit job. Afterward, I was supposed to go straight back to Russia and await my next job or for someone to buy me.” Xan lifted his arm and showed the back of it to Cannon. There was a small but ragged scar, as if the injury had been deep and hadn’t been stitched. “They had me chipped. I dug it out and ran. Along the way, I met this guy who I had known from my days with the Society. He said there was a man who helped people like me start new lives.” Xan made a gesture as if searching for a way to explain. “Think of Quentin’s place like the Underground Railroad. He takes in not only people he’s saved, but people who are running, and people who are brought to him after rescue. If he has room, he’ll take them. If he can’t, he helps financially. He’s a good man,” Xan stressed. Cannon was starting to see that. Xan kept going. “Anyhow, I showed up at his door. We spoke, and he gave me a room. He helped me set up a new identity, get therapy, and called in some favors to get me a good job. Quentin is the reason I’m still here. He saved me, but I’m not the same as the guys he’s bought. Those people are as free now as people like us can be. The Russian Society was never paid for me. They want that money. The government doesn’t negotiate, but they do protect. Most of the time, they see me as untouchable. I guess being alone in the woods with you was too much temptation. There was no way they could know that was a safe house. I’m never far from help. But yeah, that’s how Royal is different.”

Goddamn it. Xan was right. Knight too. This issue wasn’t black and white. Quentin was doing what even the United States government wouldn’t, and Cannon had helped shut him down. While Quentin hadn’t been and wouldn’t be arrested, he couldn’t help anyone else. He would have to stay squeaky clean for the rest of his life to avoid another investigation. Quentin was on law enforcement’s radar now, and it was partially Cannon’s fault. Fuck. Just once, he wanted to be on the side of good.

Cannon kissed Xan’s chest. “I can take you home. If you still want to go?”

Xan buried his fingers in Cannon’s hair and tugged, forcing Cannon to meet his stare. “That’s not what I want, but it’s what I have to do.” He bit Cannon’s bottom lip, weakening his knees. “I have to check in with work.”

Cannon fought a whimper. His dick was hard again, but his ass was sore. Truthfully, no one had been inside him in years. He hadn’t complained about the lack of preparation, and he wouldn’t. Cannon recognized a good thing when it came his way.

He stole a kiss. “Let me find us a couple of shirts and I’ll drive you. I’ll call Gable along the way and find out where your things are.”

Xan grabbed his ass and hauled him forward. Their lower bodies met. Xan was hard for him too. “Just so you know, we’re not finished. We both need to deal with work, but this isn’t over.”

Cannon nodded. His mind might be fuzzy with lust, but he wasn’t stupid. This one hundred percent wasn’t finished. Cannon was an obsessive bastard and his heart had found its next target.

Sex had definitely changed something between them. Xan went through his day, trying to think about anything else. Except the sweet way they had kissed before Cannon had left him wouldn’t purge from his mind. Again, new kindness kink unlocked. After tons of therapy and even some in-patient psychological help, when Xan had finally reached the point where he was even the slightest bit willing to have sex again, he hadn’t made love to anyone. He hadn’t connected with anyone. The act had been just that: an act. Not with Cannon. Yeah, Xan had fucked him, but something else happened too. He wanted to do it again before he put a label on things.

Gable stuck his head in Xan’s office. “Some updates for you.”

Xan pulled his mind from its fantasies to focus on the FBI agent who had been assigned to move between his alphabet branch and the CIA to keep Xan informed about every move Cannon made. He was exactly that: a loose cannon. Xan didn’t think he had a full grip on him yet .

“What’s up?”

“He tried to question the suspects from the warehouse. Jake informed him they’d been scooped up by Homeland.”

“So he’s back to work, then?”

Gable nodded. “That was my second update. He didn’t exactly apologize to Jake, but Jake didn’t figure he would.”

Despite himself, Xan laughed. “No. He’s not the type.”

A hint of worry pinched Gable’s features. His dark green gaze slid away.

Xan nearly groaned. “What else?”

Gable winced. “He’s just arrived at Royal’s place.”

Xan ground his back teeth so hard his jaw popped. “I see. Do we still have audio?”

Gable nodded. “That’s why I rushed to get you.”

Xan pushed to his feet and circled his desk. He tried not to look as pissed off as he was, but the way the dark-haired agent scrambled out of his way said he must not have done a good job. Xan made his way to the surveillance room.

“Cut the recording. Everyone out.”

Buttons were flipped, and people scattered. Once he was alone, Xan grabbed the closest set of headphones. He got there just in time to see Cannon waiting on Knight and Royal’s porch. His eye twitched. Apparently, today, it wasn’t even good enough for Cannon to silently stalk. Cannon had to see Knight. The rage was thick. He couldn’t believe Cannon could kiss him the way he had and then run to Knight. The audacity was unbelievable.

Knight’s front door opened with the force of anger Xan would expect at Cannon’s unwelcome appearance.

Knight stood in the doorway. He looked as enraged as Xan felt. When he spoke, he sounded tired. “What now?”

Cannon held up his hands, as if showing his surrender. “It’s nothing like you think. Is Royal home too? I’d like to talk to you both.”

Royal appeared at Knight’s side, as if he had lingered just out of sight in case he was needed.

Cannon nodded. “Good. I’d like to get this out in one spiel.” He took an audible breath. “I’m sorry for any way I might have upset either of you. Things in my life have been a bit of a mess for a long time, but that’s neither here nor there, I guess. I’m happy for you.” He focused on Knight. “I truly am happy for you. We used to be friends, and I never meant to do anything to hurt you. I know you love Royal.” To Xan’s shock, Cannon focused on Royal. “And I know you deserve to be loved by someone as amazing as Knight. You don’t have to worry about seeing me again. Obviously, I know you were never really worried about me, but you get what I mean. I’ve lost my friend, and that’s my fault. I hope you two have an amazing life together.”

Xan’s spine collapsed against the chair. He didn’t know what to think. For sure, he hadn’t expected this, though .

Cannon obviously didn’t intend to stick around to see how his apology was received. He turned and jogged down the porch steps. Xan watched Knight and Royal exchange a glance. Royal gave a small nod and Knight went after him. They moved from camera range and Xan couldn’t hear what was said or see what happened. But Royal moved to the steps and sat, watching. Xan knew nothing would happen under Royal’s supervision. For a moment, Xan stared at nothing in shock. Why had Cannon done this?

Xan stood. He had to see Cannon again. Unfortunately, he couldn’t ask about the visit without tipping his hand too far. But still, Xan had to see him. He opened the door and found Gable waiting.

Xan met his gaze. “Keep the cameras two more weeks. If Cannon doesn’t turn up again, I think we’re safe to pull surveillance.”

Gable dipped his chin, acknowledging the order. Things felt like they were finally settling down for Royal and Knight. Xan had a feeling things were just getting started for him.