GIOVANNI'S POVThe sight of Tristan, just as I had envisioned him countless times, sent a wave of satisfaction crashing over me. Naked. Bound. Blindfolded. Utterly at my mercy. It was a sight I had meticulously crafted in my mind, a vision fueled by a potent blend of desire and dominance. Seeing it realized, however, was intoxicating in a way I hadn’t anticipated.What amused me most was Tristan's defiance. Anyone else in his position would have been groveling, begging for a mere sliver of my attention. The women, the whores, they'd practically dislocate their jaws trying to swallow me whole, hoping for a taste of paradise, a fleeting moment of my favor. And the men... they'd offer up their holes, their fortunes, their reputations, loyalty, anything to be acknowledged.Had anyone else dared to challenge my authority so brazenly, particularly in front of an audience, they'd be decorating the bottom of the ocean or fertilizing the soil six feet under. But Tristan... Tristan was differ
TRISTAN'S POVThe dismissal notice felt like a punch to the gut, the air immediately sucked out of my lungs. The crisp white paper, stamped with the university seal, mocked me with its cold, unfeeling authority. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring the already harsh words. Dismissal of Scholarship. It was more than just a piece of paper; it was the rug being yanked out from under my already precarious existence.Residency as a trauma surgeon was brutal. Sleepless nights, the constant pressure of life and death decisions. As an orphan, I had no safety net, no parents to fall back on. This scholarship was everything.I swallowed my pride and marched to the scholarship committee, a knot of anxiety twisting in my stomach. "Please," I pleaded with Mrs. Wilson, the head of the committee and a staunch supporter of mine. "There must be some mistake. My grades are impeccable. I'm the top performing scholar."Her face was etched with regret. "Tristan, I'm so sorry. Believe me, I
TRISTAN'S POV I stood outside Club Inferno. Cheers and shouts, fueled by who-knows-what, spilled out into the night. This was it. I took a deep breath, adjusted the black sleeveless hoodie I wore over simple black pants, and pushed towards the entrance.Two gorillas in black suits blocked my path. They were all muscle and suspicion. I reached into my pocket, pulling out the card Trevor had given me. The light glinted off Trevor’s number scrawled on the back. The guards exchanged a look, their eyes raking me from head to toe. It wasn’t a friendly gaze. I felt exposed. My palms started to sweat. I just needed to get through this.After what felt like an eternity, they finally stepped aside, the taller one giving a curt nod. I pushed through the heavy doors and stumbled into a sensory overload.The air was thick with sweat, cheap perfume, and something vaguely metallic. The music was deafening. Everywhere I looked, there was exposed flesh. Male strippers dominated the scene. Some writh
GIOVANNI'S POVThe bass throbbed through my chest, each beat a dull echo of the dread building inside me. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, my last hurrah before I traded my freedom for a strategic alliance. My bachelor party. Surrounded by the gaudy excess of the VIP section, overlooking the sweating masses on the dance floor, I felt anything but celebratory.Sergei, ever the jovial idiot, clapped me on the shoulder. "Last night of freedom, Giovanni! After tomorrow, you're officially a Conti man. You'll be eating pasta and speaking Italian before you know it!"Alexei, leaning back on the plush velvet couch, smirked. "No more late nights with anonymous blondes, eh, Gio? You'll be singing a different tune when Julianna has you chained to the bed."My father, Viktor, his face flushed with drink and anticipation, raised his glass. "I'm proud of you, son. Finally, you've listened to reason. A marriage to the Conti family... it's the best thing for us."I cut him off, the words sha
TRISTAN'S POV Tonight, it felt like a countdown. Tonight, I wasn't Tristan, an aspiring trauma surgeon trying to make ends meet. Tonight, I was Titan, the hottest male companion and dancer in the city, my last dance before I traded the thong and chains for scalpel and surgery tools. Tonight was Titan's swan song. Six months of chains, masks, and carefully curated anonymity had lined my pockets, but it was time to hang up the red robe.I glanced at the address card again, its embossed lettering mocking my apprehension. A secluded Conti villa. Mafia bachelorette party. Wild doesn't even begin to describe what I expect.The cab pulled up to impose wrought iron gates. I paid the driver, the villa looming before me, a fortress of privilege and secrets. After being cleared by security, I was led to a guest room, the air thick with the scent of rich mahogany and anticipation.My costume was laid out: the mask, the chains, the boxer briefs. A red robe with a hood completed the ensemble. I ma
GIOVANNI'S POVThe black wool felt like a second skin, impeccably tailored to the contours of my frame. In the full-length mirror, I was a silhouette of power, a stark contrast to the opulent gold-leafed wallpaper of the Empire Hotel's event hall. This was it. Tonight, I was to solidify my position, not just as a leader, but as the Pakhan. A marriage, a strategic alliance, a blood pact sealed with a kiss – simple, ruthless business."Looks like someone's having cold feet," Alexei's voice, laced with amusement, cut through the tense silence. Sergei snickered in agreement.I met their gaze in the mirror, a flicker of annoyance crossing my features. "I don't back down," I stated, my voice is a low growl. "Ever."They knew that. Everyone knew that. This wasn't about fear, it was about the…distaste. The charade. Julianna Conti, a beautiful, vapid creature, meant absolutely nothing to me. Our alliance, however, meant everything. It was a shield against the ambitions of the Kuznetsov clan, a
TRISTAN'S POVThe antiseptic scent was gone after the shower, a stubborn ghost of the hospital I was finally leaving behind. Six years. Six years of hell, disguised as higher education. Ironic, considering I just scrubbed away the last vestiges of my stint as "Titan." One week. It had been one week since the bachelorette party, one week since I raked in a cool five million dollars shaking my… assets… at a bunch of screaming women. And tonight? Tonight was my last night as a resident.I toweled off, catching my reflection in the fogged-up mirror. My body, honed by years of disciplined training and rigorous… extracurricular activities, was the only thing that hadn't completely withered during my residency. I couldn’t help but acknowledge the sculpted physique. All those late-night gym sessions, fuelled by stress and desperation, had paid off. They certainly helped me float through the last six months, the double life compartmentalized with alarming ease.A sudden shriek pierced the qui
TRISTAN'S POV The figure stepped closer, resolving into the form of a man. He was tall and lean, his face hidden in shadow. He wore a dark suit, impeccably tailored. He exuded an air of quiet menace."Tristan Hayes," he said, his voice low and smooth. "Or should I say, Titan?"My blood ran cold. He knew."Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady. "What do you want?"The man chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "What do I want? That's a very good question, Tristan. Let's just say I'm interested in your… unique skill set.""I don't know what you're talking about," I lied, my mind racing. "I'm a surgeon. I don't have any skills that would be of interest to you."The man smiled, a cruel, predatory grin that sent a shiver down my spine. "Don't play coy with me, Tristan. I know all about Titan. I know all about the bachelorette party."Bachelorette party... Could it be? Giovanni fucking Sokolov appeared in front of me, his eyes filled with anger, hatred and something else...
GIOVANNI'S POVThe sight of Tristan, just as I had envisioned him countless times, sent a wave of satisfaction crashing over me. Naked. Bound. Blindfolded. Utterly at my mercy. It was a sight I had meticulously crafted in my mind, a vision fueled by a potent blend of desire and dominance. Seeing it realized, however, was intoxicating in a way I hadn’t anticipated.What amused me most was Tristan's defiance. Anyone else in his position would have been groveling, begging for a mere sliver of my attention. The women, the whores, they'd practically dislocate their jaws trying to swallow me whole, hoping for a taste of paradise, a fleeting moment of my favor. And the men... they'd offer up their holes, their fortunes, their reputations, loyalty, anything to be acknowledged.Had anyone else dared to challenge my authority so brazenly, particularly in front of an audience, they'd be decorating the bottom of the ocean or fertilizing the soil six feet under. But Tristan... Tristan was differ
TRISTAN'S POV"Tristan, you're here. I finally found you. Have you enjoyed your little tour with him... your new friend?"My blood ran cold. Giovanni. He was here. The casual, almost conversational tone was more terrifying than any shout could ever be. I slowly lowered my hand, my eyes adjusting to the harsh glare of the headlights. Giovanni stood by the open car door, his face obscured by the shadows, but his presence was undeniable.Beside me, Andy stiffened, his arm dropping from my shoulder as if it had been burned. He took a hesitant step back, his eyes wide with fear."Giovanni…" I started, trying to sound casual, trying to diffuse the tension that was so thick it felt like I could choke on it. "We were just exploring. Andy was showing me around."Giovanni chuckled, a low, unsettling sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Exploring? How… quaint. And you're Andy?, how… obliging of you to entertain and touch my subject."Andy didn’t speak. He just stared at the ground, his thin f
TRISTAN'S POVGiovanni's words echoed in my mind as he left the room. Before he strode out of the door, he looked back, "By the way, you can go outside this room now. You can roam around the estate but don't you dare make anything funny. Tristan, don't do anything that will make me angry. Understand?"Finally, something good to hear, so I obediently answered back, "Yes, yes, Giovanni, I'll behave well."The moment he disappeared from view, I immediately leaped out of bed. I don't know how long I cowered there.I joyfully turned the doorknob and found it was really unlocked. Since I knew that I couldn't leave the estate easily, might as well check it out and try to enjoy my stay here.As soon as I exited Giovanni's room... which had become my temporary prison cell for hours, I breathed a sigh of relief.I walked towards one of the guards standing in the corridor and greeted him cheerfully. I patted his shoulder to get his attention."Hello, can I ask the way out here? I want to go to t
GIOVANNI'S POVThe leather seat of my armored SUV felt too smooth against my skin. Usually, the weight of responsibility, the anticipation of strategy sessions with my Bratva brothers, filled my head. Today, however, my thoughts were a tangled mess, all revolving around Tristan.Damn him.Last night had been... a controlled demolition. I punished him, yes, for the transgression he committed – I couldn't even remember the exact slight, the justification felt flimsy even to me. But the punishment… it had been as much for me as it was for him. A release, a claiming. A twisted, possessive act of control.And the worst part? I craved it. I craved him.The memory of his soft skin beneath my hands, the way he trembled at my touch, the defiance that flickered in his eyes before being drowned out by... something else. Something that echoed the dark desire that churned within me. It was intoxicating. It was dangerous.I nearly lost control. I have been on the razor's edge of needing to possess
TRISTAN'S POVThe morning sunlight assaulted my eyes, spearing through the gap in the heavy drapes. My whole body screamed in protest, a chorus of throbbing aches and sharp stabs. "Arggggg," I groaned, the sound muffled by the unfamiliar silk sheets.Panic clawed at me. Where was I? The room was opulent, decorated in shades of grey and silver, a stark contrast to my cramped apartment. Then, like a brutal slap, memory flooded back. Giovanni.This was his room."Arggggg," I hissed again, involuntarily curling into myself. My fingers grazed the raw, tender skin of my back, mapping the landscape of bruises and cuts. Each one is a testament to Giovanni's brutal passion. Or was it just brutality? I couldn't tell anymore.The sound of rushing water filled the silence. Giovanni. My breath hitched. He was here. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. The shower stopped, and I braced myself, every muscle tense.The bathroom door opened, and there he was. Giovann
GIOVANNI'S POV "No! Giovanni, you have to believe me. I would never…" He choked on the words, tears welling in his eyes. "Never what, Tristan? Never betray me? Never whore yourself out to the first man who looks your way?" The venom in my voice was corrosive, and I saw him flinch. Good. He deserved it. "Look at me, Tristan. Tell me to my face that you didn't let him touch you. Tell me, and maybe… just maybe… I'll consider believing in you." "Please, I really didn't..." he pleaded. "Liar," I hissed, releasing his chin and standing up. I turned my back on him again, needing to control the urge to strike him. "You disgust me." I said with venom. I set the flogger aside as I crossed to my dresser, pulling open the top drawer. The leather whips lay coiled within, gleaming darkly in the dim light. I selected one, the thickest one, the one I rarely used. The one that left the most lasting impression. He gasped as I turned back to him, the whip held loosely in my hand. He knew what wa
GIOVANNI'S POV The front door opened, and Tristan stepped inside. He looked immaculate, innocent and pure contrary to disheveled state I imagined after his fuck session with Dmitri. He wears an all white outfit and clearly fresh from bath, his cheeks flushed. My blood simmered, a toxic brew of rage and raw jealousy. He looked like an angel, untouched, innocent. The contrast between that image and the lewd thoughts that instantly flooded my mind was almost unbearable. My cock throbbed, hard and insistent, a stark reminder of needs that two perfectly willing women a while ago had failed to even stir. Their hands on me, their whispers, had been nothing. But Tristan, just standing there, radiating a false purity, ignited me like a match to gasoline. A guttural sound escaped my throat, a sound that even startled me. "Tristan, thank you for that thing in your apartment. I enjoyed it." Fucking Dmitri said to Tristan. I'll settle my score on him next time. Tristan blinked, looking mo
GIOVANNI'S POV The plush velvet of the couch did little to comfort me. Two women were draped on either side, the weight of their touch, once a familiar comfort, felt like a foreign imposition. Their hands exploring paths they knew well – unbuttoning my shirt, caressing my chest, teasing at my crotch. Women I handpicked, women who, in the past, would have ignited a fire within me. Tonight, they felt like nothing. Less than nothing.It all started in the basement. Tristan. Gods, even his name sent a jolt through me. Ever since Tristan… something shifted. Down there, in my gut, in my head. The way he squirmed in my touch at the basement, the desperate gasps that escaped his lips as I pushed him closer and closer to the edge… the primal sound of his pleasure as I’d filled him. That was real. This… this felt like a performance.I glanced at my watch. An hour. An hour since I’d sent Dmitri to help Tristan pack his things – his things – from that pathetic little apartment he called home. Th
TRISTAN'S POV The leather seats of Dmitri’s car practically vibrated beneath me. My head was spinning, not from the speed, but from the sheer absurdity of my new reality. One minute I was scraping by in my little apartment, the next I was being chauffeured to a goddamn mansion."Do you have any suggestions on how I can survive living in the mansion?" I finally choked out, the question hanging in the tense air between us.Dmitri, barely glanced at me. "We survive by doing our job well. Avoid making mistakes. But you aren’t here to be a Soldato. You’re there to be Giovanni's… plaything. Your job is to keep the boss satisfied. Consider yourself lucky. Many men and women would kill to be in your position."Lucky? I scoffed inwardly. I was about as lucky as a lamb being led to slaughter. But I kept my mouth shut. Dmitri clearly wasn’t in the mood for my existential crisis."Does Giovanni ask all his… playthings… to live with him in the mansion?" The question slipped out before I could st