2

CONSTANTINE

"Another scotch?"

I nod, accepting the drink from my older brother, Gianluca. "Thanks. I appreciate it."

Gianluca wipes down the counter. "It's the brand-new case from Scotland Dad ordered last month. Let me know what you think."

I take a sip and let the cool taste wash over my tongue. I clink the ice cubes around the glass and scoot back in my chair, observing the scene.

We're at the Little Bunny Club—the premier membership-only BDSM club in New York City—that my brothers Gianluca and Benedetto founded last year. We cater to high-flying Wall Street traders, investment bank executives, and tech titans from around the world. Mob bosses, like the men in my family, are welcome, but we don't advertise this.

I don't usually come to the Little Bunny Club on weekends. But I was at my country club in the Hamptons at a business meeting, and something in my gut prompted me to leave. I don't know what it was. I bid farewell to the French billionaire I'd contracted to dig up dirt on the Diavolo brothers, my family's mortal enemies, and exited in my limousine.

As a Mafia hitman, I never sacrifice business meetings for play. Boys are a distraction, thank you very much. All an enemy must do is catch wind of your obsession and poof, you're done. They'll track you down and put a bullet in your head. And fuck knows what they'll do to your boy.

Chopping him into pieces and sending him to your doorstep is only the mild end of the spectrum. I've seen men mutilate boys, cut off their heads, throw them in the Hudson, and worse.

But I couldn't stay at my country club.

Something felt…off.

A breath escapes me as I look at the Daddies and boys having fun. It's newcomer Saturday munch night, and I should be having a blast. It wouldn't be hard to find a sweet couple to cuddle with tonight. I'd speak to the Daddy, let him know I'd like to tap in, and play with his boy.

That's what I do when work overwhelms me. As the youngest son of the Ferrari family, my job is beyond stressful. I protect my family's interests and kill malefactors who get in our way. Work is stressful enough, so I relax at the Little Bunny Club for exclusive entertainment.

I never commit. Joining the occasional couple for a threesome or a play session is one thing.

But having a boy of my own? Not in the cards.

Not after last time.

A sigh escapes me. I check my watch and grit my teeth. It's the one-year anniversary of the night my garbage ex-boyfriend, Carlos, cheated on me. The night he blindsided me and broke my heart.

I was flabbergasted. I couldn't believe he slept with another Daddy. I mean, seriously. Who does that?

I gave him everything—onesies, pacifiers, trips to the zoo. I poured my heart into that relationship and he trampled on me.

"You're too soft with me, Constantine. I need a Daddy to treat me rough."

That stung. Badly.

Even though I'm a hitman, my Daddy side is loving and gentle. I've never been into rough impact play or whips, it doesn't turn me on. Cuddling, kissing, and snuggle forts speak to me on a much deeper level. This balances out the brutality of my profession that I deal with every day.

My good-for-nothing ex didn't appreciate that. Carlos wanted someone rough and dominant, someone who could hurt him and make him cry. He liked pain.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love spanking boys. I love fucking them, too. Fuck knows I go crazy in the bedroom, rutting my angels, making them moan.

But spanking as a punishment? No, thanks. The corner is better. A timeout where my boy only gets to watch the first half of an animated movie instead of the whole thing. I'd rather cut my heart out than make my boy cry.

Gianluca swipes my empty glass. "How's the scotch?"

I turn to face my brother. In his black, fitted suit, his muscles bulge with intensity. His chiseled jaw is covered in scruff, sharp enough to cut glass.

"Great." I wipe a bead of scotch from my lower lip. "Better than the Brazilian shit last week."

Gianluca nods. "Remind me to write a note to our father that we only buy rum from Brazil. Save the scotch for European producers."