5

Adriano

The world bowed to me, whether it realized it or not.

From my office high above the city, I watched the traffic below, cars moving like ants and people scurrying like insects.

Pathetic. Predictable. Easy to control. Just the way I liked it. Power wasn’t simply something I possessed; it was implanted in my being.

My coffee sat untouched on the desk, steam rising like smoke from a fire. Behind me, the sound of the Rion empire echoed through every screen, every call, every secret message on my private network.

This was my world. My rules. A kingdom built on blood and fear.

“South American contracts closed this morning, sir,” Matteo said from across the room, flicking through his tablet. “The offshore accounts are holding steady. No signs of movement.”

“Good,” I said without bothering to look at him. My gaze remained fixed on the city below—my city. “What about the Portofino shipment?”

“Already en route. No red flags.”

Perfect.

Order. Precision. Control.

These were the foundations of everything I’d built from nothing. I didn’t leave room for chaos in my empire. I was the chaos others feared, but only when I allowed that darkness to surface.

The power of choice to destroy was the most intoxicating drug I’d ever known.

Behind me, the door clicked open.

She walked in without saying a word, her perfume filling the room before she did. Mary. I looked over my shoulder, my eyes trailing down her body before stopping at her chest.

Her hot, alluring body was sculpted to perfection and maintained to my exacting standards. We were a perfect match in bed, though she was ultimately replaceable. Everyone was.

“Didn’t expect you to still be working,” she murmured seductively. “Sir.”

“Oh, you didn’t,” I uttered, a hint of dangerous amusement threading through my words.

She purred like a well-trained pet, her eyes glinting with lust. “Yes, sir.”

“Not when there’s an empire to maintain.”

“I know, sir,” she whispered, taking a step closer. “Do you need any help?”

“Out,” I ordered, my voice cold as winter steel. Mary flinched visibly, her body reacting instinctively to the danger in my tone.

I smirked, relishing the moment her confidence crumbled. I could smell her fear. Fear was the foundation of respect in my world.

Matteo stared at me before looking at Mary. “Please go out,” he said to her, already moving toward the door.

Without speaking, Mary turned her back to leave when my voice stopped her in her tracks.

“Not her,” I spoke with deadly clarity. “I am talking to you, Matteo.”

“Me?” he asked, pointing at himself.

“Who else?” I hissed, irritation coiling inside me.

I hated unnecessary words. I loved it when people obeyed instantly instead of questioning what should be obvious.

Questions were weaknesses—hesitations that could get a person killed in my world.

He nodded quickly. “I’ll be right outside, sir. Call me when you’re done.”

I watched him with predatory focus as he left, noting the slight tremor in his hands as he closed the door.

Once the door closed, I turned my attention back to Mary. “What are you still waiting for? Come here.”

Mary walked toward me, each step she took purposely seductive, her hips swaying in a way she knew I usually appreciated.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked, raising my brow, a dangerous edge in my voice. “Should I teach you what to do?”

“No, sir,” she responded immediately, stopping in her tracks. She understood the shift in my mood, reading the warning signs in my expression. Without further prompting, she began stripping her dress.

I remained motionless, watching her strip until she stood bare before me. Her body was flawless—designed for my pleasure.

My rod twitched in my pants despite my cold assessment of her performance as I took in her body.

Accidenti, sembra così sexy. (Damn, that looks so sexy.) My lips curved into a smile that held no warmth.

“Come here,” I commanded.

She approached before going to her knees. Without using her hands, she unzipped my pants with just her teeth.

She freed my erection, her eyes widening slightly—whether genuine or performance, I didn’t care.

“So big,” she muttered, taking the tip between her lips. “I can never get enough of this.”

“Abbastanza (Enough),” I roared, grabbing her head and thrusting brutally down her throat.

She gasped, choking slightly. I could feel her hot tears against my skin, a sensation that only heightened my pleasure.

Her choking gasps only fueled my desire to dominate, to claim her in the way that only I could.

The power to strip someone of their identity, to reduce them to nothing, was intoxicating.

“Don’t spoil the fun, or you will face the consequences.”

She nodded as best she could, unable to speak with her mouth full.

“Urggh!” I groaned as I began thrusting deeper. Waves of pleasure radiated through me, building with each movement.

Mary moaned around me as I gripped her head tighter, forcing her to remain still while I took what I wanted.

My body tensed as I approached climax, my pace increasing until I finally released, emptying myself down her throat.

“Don’t spill anything,” I growled, pushing her away. “Swallow every damn thing.”

She coughed violently, but I didn’t care.