Chapter 1:7 Contracts, By Vince 

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“Puppy will be here soon,” Rourke’s first words of the morning are absent and stiff. Continuing to run the spatula that might as well be a toy in his meat hook hands, over the bottom of the pan.

Considering Rourke can eat a dozen eggs on his own, and always starts the morning with a good breakfast, I’m not surprised the cast iron thing almost takes up two burners.

I nod rather than audibly respond because possible or not, the man has eyes in the back of his head. Kind of essential when someone is always trying to blow it off for one reason or other, I guess.

As much as we should talk, I know we won’t with the proverbial elephant in the room twisting herself up in the sheets.

The custom-made, larger than king mattress that could sleep twelve is on a platform under a row of windows up half a dozen stairs. Below that is the living area that rests between her and the kitchen we are in.

Center of Rourke’s loft may be all open concept, but there are suites on either side of it that Rourke and I stay in. Separately. Even if he and I were traditional lovers, which I’m certain we’ll never be, both of us prefer sleeping alone.

My twin Nico, on the other hand, is a huge snuggle fan.

Compartmentalizing is key for someone who runs a city, and as much as I want to talk it out, I know better than to push Rourke before he’s ready. After sixteen years of commitment, even I know when to leave him be.

The surly giant won’t admit what’s eating him until he has a clear-cut plan to fix it. Not verbally at least. His attitude, on the other hand, is more than transparent.

Now, I could be a dick and say that he wasn’t complaining about it a few hours ago, when we were double stuffing a random pussy and ass. I’m not though. Not when it comes to him.

Nico is another story........

It sucks that both of my brothers are throwing their own version of hissy fits, but neither of them can deny that my marrying Elena is the quickest and cleanest option of putting the reins on her father.

A Cartel Boss who is fucking up the natural order by flooding our streets with heroin.

Neither Rourke nor Nico take issue with the fact that we all do what we have to, to keep our streets clean and the people happy.

Just that I’m forcing them into a loveless marriage with a woman who can’t stand them. All for an alliance with a low level king pin who’s gaining more traction than we expected.

We’re not married, never will be, but are partners in all things. What’s mine is theirs and what’s theirs is mine. Period.

It’s one thing for schmucks who can afford drugs to ask for that kind of shit. It’s another to sell death to kids or levy entire families’ lives for someone getting hooked on smack they have no business dabbling in.

They both know I’ve tried and failed every avenue, other than wiping out the family entirely, to minimize the publicity we’re getting. The Muertos being relatively new to the upper levels, and likely unaware that the more attention we get, the more likely the Senate is to get involved.

Impossible for our overlords not to notice at this point, considering the last overdose was a godsdamned royal which Nico had to handle last week, and has barely spoken a word to me since.

Adding pressures to the negotiations on us cleaning this up fast.

My brothers are no fonder of the Cartel Princess than she is of them. It’s also this exact situation that had me limiting mine and Rourke’s extracurricular activities in the first place.

The titan has always wanted long term, full-time dynamics. It’s his nature as a Daddy Dom.

Rourke may look like a scarred, hard brute, but is nothing more than a giant teddy bear when it comes to women. Why I chose him in the first place.

Daddy doesn’t mean he’s into age play. DDLG, Daddy Dominant Little Girl, Is just a softer side of domination and submission that focuses more on the provider and caregiver essence of our natures.

A direct opposition to the ‘bleed or beg slave’ mentality, I have with men. I’ll never put my hands on a woman to harm her in any respect.

No matter the branch, all play is between parties who are aware of what they’re getting into, consenting, and age appropriate.

Rourke is patient, considerate, doting, and always looking for some poor soul to save. We balance each other in that way. Well, in most ways.

Nico is able to placate me as well as reign me in. Being a switch who plays both dominant and submissive roles gives him a unique perspective to know when and where to draw lines for me.

The things that I want. The things that we all crave, always have fully informed consent. Still, without subs signing on a dotted line in a fully binding legal agreement, it would make it too easy for someone looking for a quick payout to sue.

Nico’s even more allergic to commitment than I am, and his go tos are one-night stands. Rourke is the exact opposite. Feels like he can’t do what he does without familiarity and trust.

Problem is, the sweet and petite things that the giant has always taken to are generally terrified of him when it’s me they should be worried about.

Rourke is a complete push over, despite his appearance. I, on the other hand, am as unforgiving a Dom in the bedroom, as I am Don in the streets.

I say jump, you say how high, Sir?

As it stands, the longest Rourke and I keep a woman between us is three months, and I do that for his benefit. I’ve also offered to extend our contracts to six months, but like most things, those blue eyes see right through the ruse of my just trying to get him to admit what he isn’t ready to yet.

Women get the wrong idea when we keep them too long. It’s cruel to let them believe that they’re anything more than stress relief. Sex is sex, business is business.

Still, Rourke’s as meticulous as he is intimidating. Insistent on knowing someone’s quirks, habits, motivations, and everything else that lets him unlock the freak just waiting to be awakened.

Something I haven’t had since the attack that damn near took him from me a month back. Whether he admits it or not, dynamics are more emotional for him than physical.

Not in the I love you sort of way, but in the I need as much power as I do support and praise kind of way. Daddies like him need to be needed.

Masters like me need absolute obedience. To be praised if not worshiped.

You’d think that his current position was enough responsibility without one of the brat types he insists on having, but his actual position is pretty thankless.

I see the rewards on the little princess end for him, even if they’re not ones I care about having. I still care that my partner gets what he needs to continue doing the shit personally and professionally that no one else can.

I’d never put my neck on the line for anyone that isn’t my true family, but Rourke does it for everyone.

Any decent security agent has experienced more crap than thanks when it comes to doing their jobs, and doing them well. There’s nothing I wouldn’t give him if he just asked.

But this situation…..

It’s out of my hands.