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“Give the money to our friend,” I say, nodding back in the direction of the homeless man as he circles warily in the semi-distance. “Tell him to spread the word… a devil was here tonight, and he left with two treacherous, foolish souls to his name.”

Mackensie nods and we head back toward the SUV via a quick detour to the homeless man.

It’s well beyond midnight now.

But as far as the Lucci family are concerned, I won’t be losing any sleep over them. My plans for that particular family can wait until morning…

“That will be all, Hardy,” I say, nodding my appreciation as my butler Hardy hands me a steaming hot espresso.

“As you wish, sir,” Hardy replies, dutifully nodding his head in return and turning to walk out of the bedroom. “Shall I prepare a car for you?”

“No,” I reply. “No, thank you. As soon as I’m ready, I’ll walk. There’s nothing like a crisp winter’s morning.”

“Quite,” Hardy answers, his crisp English accent echoing around the walls and tall ceiling of my penthouse bedroom. “If you require anything in the meantime, please do let me know.”

I watch as Hardy walks across the room’s soft carpet and exits, the heavy door shutting quietly behind him.

As I sip on my espresso, I look out across the city. It looks different in the morning to how it does at night, that’s for sure…

Commuters hustling and bustling their way to their nine to five jobs.

Taxis and delivery trucks weaving and stop-starting their way through the traffic.

The occasional sound of a police siren making its way up towards me, barely audible but clear enough for a trained ear like mine.

I live in one of the city’s grandest old apartment buildings. We’re talking the true old money of the city here. My neighbors are made up of families who came to this country on the Mayflower, made their fortunes, and gave birth to children who are gifted the most extravagant and bottomless trust funds known to man.

Oh, and there are a few Hollywood actors too. Plus a high profile late night talk show host. And a certain less than honorable politician who has his sights firmly set on going to the highest of high powers in the nation.

My presence though? I would doubt that any of them know I am here.

Before moving in, I made sure to buy not only the penthouse, but each of the apartments that are on the floor underneath it. And in each one of those apartments, the walls have been reinforced, traps have been laid, and a complex system of surveillance tech installed.

This might be my home, but it’s also a fortress.

And Hardy is much more than my butler. He is also my head of home security.

All this means is that while my life outside might be fraught with all the risk that comes with being a Pakhan, I know that as soon as I’m home… I’m safe.

Somehow, this comforts me and allows me to push things even harder on the outside. There is no man I won’t confront, no rival I won’t back down from. Just like the incident last night, I’ll take a life when that’s what is required and I won’t think twice about it.

Mercy is for the weak.

Forgiveness is a sin.

And a finished espresso calls for another.

I’m about to call Hardy but decide that instead, I’ll fetch my own drink. So with that in mind, I walk over toward the heavy black robe hanging by my bed and slip myself inside.

The soft, heavy material over my naked body feels good. Sensual. As the soft faux-fur brushes against my ass cheeks, I feel my cock stir. That espresso can wait…

I put my finished cup down on the sideboard and walk back towards the panoramic window that looks down on the city. With each step, my cock thickens and hardens.

“Your mine,” I growl, gripping my shaft at the base and squeezing. “On your knees for me.”

I could be talking to the entire city, but in my mind all I can see is the image of a boy…

I’ve never met him before.