chapter 1

Chapter 1

The bullet shattered the glass right next to Alessio Rossi's head.

Leo ducked behind the VIP table as screams filled the club. People ran in every direction. Another shot hit the wall above him and sent pieces of plaster raining down on his expensive shirt. His heart pounded hard. This was not how his night was supposed to end.

"Stay down." A deep voice cut through the chaos.

A big hand grabbed the back of Leo's neck and pushed him lower. The man who spoke was built like a tank. Tall, wide shoulders, dark hair cut short, and eyes that looked like they had seen too much death. He pulled out a gun and fired back toward the upper balcony where the shooter was hiding. Two quick shots. A body fell from above and crashed onto a table.

Leo stared at the dead man. Blood spread across the white tablecloth.

"Move." The stranger yanked Leo to his feet and dragged him through the back exit. They ran down a narrow hallway that smelled like piss and cheap perfume. The man kicked open a door and pushed Leo into a black SUV waiting in the alley.

"Drive," he ordered the man behind the wheel.

The SUV sped off before Leo could even catch his breath. He turned to the stranger sitting next to him. "Who the fuck are you?"

"Kai Nakamura. Your father hired me this morning. I am your new bodyguard."

Leo laughed even though nothing was funny. "I don't need a fucking babysitter."

"You almost died thirty seconds ago. So yeah, you do."

Leo wiped blood from a small cut on his cheek. His hands were still shaking but he refused to show it. He looked Kai up and down. The man was wearing all black. His shirt stretched tight across his chest. There were scars on his knuckles and one across his jaw. He looked exactly like the type of man Leo liked to break in bed. Or maybe the type who would try to break him.

"I was having a good night," Leo said. "I had two guys ready to suck me off in the bathroom. You ruined it."

Kai did not even look at him. "Your father wants you alive. My job is to make that happen. Nothing else."

The car drove for almost an hour. They left the city lights behind and headed toward one of the family's safe houses upstate. Leo kept stealing glances at Kai. The man sat like a statue. No emotion. No fear. Just pure control.

When they finally stopped at the big house hidden behind trees, Kai checked every room before he let Leo inside. Leo walked straight to the bar and poured himself a large glass of whiskey.

"You want one?" Leo asked.

"No."

"Of course not. Mr. Perfect Bodyguard does not drink on the job."

Kai locked the front door and set the alarm. "You are not leaving this house until we know who ordered the hit."

Leo took a long drink and laughed. "You think you can keep me here? I do what I want."

He walked closer to Kai until they were almost chest to chest. Leo was shorter but he carried himself like he owned the world. Because he did. He reached out and grabbed Kai's tie, pulling him down a little.

"You work for me now," Leo said softly. "That means when I tell you to get on your knees, you get on your fucking knees."

Kai's hand shot up and caught Leo's wrist in a tight grip. "I work for your father. Not you. And if you keep acting like a spoiled brat, I will tie you to a chair until you learn how to behave."

The air between them got thick. Leo could feel heat coming off Kai's body. He smirked and pressed closer, letting his thigh brush against Kai's.

"You talk big for someone who just met me."

Kai did not let go of his wrist. His eyes finally met Leo's. There was something dangerous in them. Something hungry.

"You are going to get yourself killed one day," Kai said.

"Maybe. But at least I will have fun first."

Leo pulled his wrist free and walked toward the bedroom. He left the door open on purpose. He could hear Kai following him. Good. Let the big man watch.

Inside the bedroom Leo stripped off his bloody shirt and threw it on the floor. His body was lean and toned from years of gym sessions and late nights. He knew he looked good. He turned around slowly so Kai could see everything.

"Like what you see?" Leo asked.

Kai stood in the doorway. His jaw was tight. "Get some sleep. I will be right outside."

Leo stepped closer again. This time he put his hand on Kai's chest. He could feel how hard the muscle was under the shirt.

"I do not sleep alone," Leo whispered. "Especially not after someone tries to put a bullet in my head. I need something to take the edge off."

Kai grabbed Leo's hand again but this time he did not push it away. He held it there against his chest.

"You are trouble," Kai said.

"You have no idea."

For a second they just stood there staring at each other. Then Kai moved. He pushed Leo back against the wall hard. Not enough to hurt but enough to show who was stronger. Leo's back hit the wall with a thud.

"You think you can play games with me?" Kai growled.

Leo smiled. His cock was already getting hard in his pants. "I think you want to play too."

Kai kissed him. It was not soft. It was rough and angry. Teeth and tongue and pure need. Leo kissed him back just as hard. He bit Kai's bottom lip and tasted blood.

They moved toward the bed without breaking the kiss. Kai shoved Leo down on his back and climbed on top of him. His weight felt perfect. Heavy. Controlling.

Leo reached down and grabbed Kai's belt. "Take this off."

Kai caught both of Leo's wrists and pinned them above his head with one hand. "You do not give orders here."

He used his other hand to open Leo's pants and pull them down. Leo's cock sprang free, already leaking. Kai wrapped his big hand around it and stroked once. Leo groaned.

"Fuck," Leo breathed.

Kai stroked him again, slower this time. Teasing. "You talk so much shit but look at you. Already dripping for me."

Leo tried to free his hands but Kai was too strong. He bucked his hips instead, fucking into Kai's fist.

"More," Leo demanded.

Kai let go of his cock and flipped him over onto his stomach. He pulled Leo's pants all the way off and spread his legs. Leo felt exposed. He loved it.

Kai leaned down and bit the back of Leo's neck. "You want this?"

"Yes."

"Say it properly."

"I want your cock in me."

Kai made a low sound and reached for something in his pocket. Lube. Smart man. He had come prepared. He slicked his fingers and pushed one inside Leo without warning.

Leo moaned into the pillow. "Fuck yes."

Kai added a second finger fast. He worked them in and out, stretching him open. Leo pushed back against his hand, greedy for more.

"Impatient brat," Kai said.

He pulled his fingers out and Leo heard the sound of Kai opening his own pants. Then the blunt head of Kai's cock pressed against his hole. It was thick. Really thick.

Kai pushed in slowly at first. Inch by inch. Leo felt every bit of it. The burn. The stretch. The fullness.

When Kai bottomed out he stayed still for a second, letting Leo adjust. Then he started moving. Hard. Deep. Each thrust pushed Leo further into the mattress.

Leo gripped the sheets tight. "Harder."

Kai gave it to him harder. The sound of skin slapping skin filled the room. Leo moaned loud with every thrust. Kai reached around and stroked Leo's cock in time with his hips.

"You feel so fucking good," Kai growled against his ear.

Leo came first. He spilled over Kai's hand and onto the sheets with a shout. His body shook. Kai fucked him through it, chasing his own release. A few more rough thrusts and Kai came deep inside him, groaning low.

They stayed like that for a minute, breathing hard. Kai finally pulled out and rolled off him. Leo turned over and looked at the ceiling. His body felt used in the best way.

Kai got up and fixed his clothes. He looked calm again. Like nothing had happened.

"This does not change anything," Kai said. "My job is still to protect you."

Leo laughed softly. "Sure. Whatever you say."

He watched Kai walk out of the room. The door closed behind him.

Leo touched the bite mark on his neck and smiled.

This was going to be interesting.

But outside, another car was coming up the long driveway. Headlights cut through the trees. Someone had found the safe house already.

The real trouble was just starting.