Chapter 4

The music in the main bar area thudded and thumped. The lights flashed and the hordes of clientele laughed and plotted together. Balthazar Bar hadn’t changed much in the two decades that Antonio had been visiting the place. But perhaps tonight did represent a first for him.

Antonio couldn’t remember having to step in to protect a boy before. Normally, everyone in Balthazar was more than capable of holding their own. In fact, Antonio could think of several occasions where a certain kind of stabby boy would be the one causing mayhem and carnage. Typically, the Doms were the ones looking to enjoy a quiet drink and relax in a respectful and drama free environment.

But not on this night.

Antonio had seen it all play out from a distance. The boy, dressed all in black but looking conspicuous in his mannerisms and unease at being by himself was a red flag. As was the sight of a notorious bully and wannabe Dom making a beeline to hassle the boy.

Antonio knew he had a moral duty to step in. But it was more than that. Something about the boy had captivated him. It was more than his slender body and peachy butt. Every inch of Antonio’s instincts were telling him that he simply had to know who the kid was, and precisely what he was doing in Balthazar Bar.

It didn’t take long for Antonio to scare the creep away from the boy. His reputation was enough to make the bully practically run for his life. But now it was just Antonio and the boy…

The boy looked scared, terrified even. But if Antonio knew one thing better than most, it was that appearances can sometimes be deceptive. Yes, the young man may have had the expression of a petrified bunny rabbit, but there was definitely a whole lot more going on with him than met the eye.

Forget the fact he’s cute.

This isn’t about a smile or a peachy butt.

The boy was up to something…

Having dispatched of the low-level thug who appeared determined to accost the boy to within an inch of his life, Antonio decided to wait before speaking. This was a mafia technique that Antonio had honed over the years. Typically, Antonio found that the longer the silence, the bigger the reveal would be at the end of it.

As Antonio waited for the boy to crack and start talking, he couldn’t help but notice how cute he was. Suddenly, Antonio became conscious that he was giving off signals to the boy. Certainly, the way that Antonio’s cock was hardening inside his Versace briefs meant it was soon going to be obvious to the boy…

He’s not that fucking cute, man.

He’s… fine.

Fuck. Who am I kidding?

Antonio couldn’t deny it. The boy was smoking hot. He looked young, and despite the fact he was dressed all in black, Antonio’s senses were telling him that this was one submissive fish out of water.

And as it turned out, Antonio wouldn’t have to wait too much longer to find out for sure…

‘I… I… thank you?’ the boy said, his voice still quivering. ‘My name is… Pete.’

‘Nope. Not going to cut it,’ Antonio laughed, his mafia training coming to the fore. ‘I can spot a lie from a New York City block away. What’s your real name?’

‘Lyle,’ Lyle said, sighing. ‘But I wasn’t lying when I said thank you. I mean that. I was really scared something bad might happen.’

Antonio felt his cock throb inside his briefs. Lyle was so cute, vulnerable, but sexy too. There was something captivating about his hazel eyes – somehow, they managed to be both innocent and very sultry at the same time.

‘You don’t need to worry about that piece of shit again,’ Antonio said, nodding over toward the bar area as the creep headed toward the exit. ‘But a boy like you needs to be careful. Balthazar Bar isn’t for tourists. This is a serious place. But you knew that didn’t you?’

Antonio watched and took in every nuance of Lyle’s body language. From the way Lyle’s left eyebrow arched up to the cute dimples flashing up on his cheeks, Antonio was determined to not miss a single thing.

‘I just wanted to come and have a drink,’ Lyle said, trying his best to seem innocent but only succeeding in making Antonio more suspicious.

‘Well if that’s the case, follow me,’ Antonio said, offering his hand and pointing toward a private booth over on the other side of the bar. ‘Take my hand. I’ll walk you over and keep you nice and safe. I have table service, so no need for pesky trips to the bar. Come on. Let’s go.’

Antonio felt a surge of adrenalin as Lyle followed his orders and took his hand. Antonio’s Dom energy was bubbling up to the surface and although he knew that he shouldn’t be entertaining such thoughts, Antonio couldn’t help but imagine what Lyle would look like stripped down to nothing but a tiny little thong.

Antonio had a thing for skimpy thongs on slender, toned boys. There was something super-sensual and erotic about seeing nearly everything, but not quite the full prize. Then of course, there was the added bonus of being able to deliver a hard spanking or paddling on the perfectly parted butt cheeks that only a thong could provide.

In fact, Antonio suddenly found himself unusually lost for words as the pair of them took a seat at the private booth…

Mind on the game.

Strategy only.

No God damn thoughts of thongs.

Antonio shook his head and got himself back in a clear state of mind. Not wanting to show any weakness, he immediately decided to probe Lyle in an attempt to confirm his rising suspicions.

‘That man, the creep?’ Antonio said. ‘He spotted you a mile off. Just like me. That makes me think that you’ve never been here before. Correct?’

Lyle nodded.

‘And now I’m wondering why,’ Antonio continued. ‘I’m also beginning to wonder what you do for a living. It wouldn’t happen to be something to do with the media, would it?’

Suddenly, Lyle’s face looked as pale as a ghost. Antonio knew he had landed on the jackpot. The boy was a journalist. It was so obvious. And if Antonio had worked this out, he also wondered who else had come to that conclusion too.

‘P-p-p-p-please don’t hurt me, I’m working on a s-s-s-story,’ Lyle said, his bottom lip trembling. ‘I just…’

‘Hush, lower your voice right this second,’ Antonio said sternly. ‘You’re safe right now because you’re with me. But if people have got wind of the fact you’re a journalist, you’re dead meat.’

‘I should just leave,’ Lyle said, his eyes darting around at the masses of mafia men, thugs, career criminals, and killers around the bar. ‘This was a bad idea.’

‘That’s up to you,’ Antonio said. ‘You could take that chance. But your face has been seen. How long until people work out where you live? Where you work? Information can be bought, stolen, and you of all people should know that.’

Lyle put his head in his hands. He was upset. Antonio didn’t like to see such a sweet boy in pain, but on the other hand he knew that he could use this situation to his advantage. If the boy worked in the media then he would be potentially a great source of inside information.

Antonio knew that the police often briefed the media ahead of time, and any kind of advantage that Antonio could get in his impending war with Detective Sloane could prove to be invaluable.

‘What can I do?’ Lyle said, lifting up his sad hazel eyes and looking directly at Antonio. ‘I don’t want them to hurt me.’

‘There is one option,’ Antonio said, his voice low and serious. ‘But you might want to take a deep breath.’

‘What is it?’ Lyle said. ‘I’ll do anything!’

Antonio knew that what he was about to suggest would come as a shock to the boy. Hell, it was almost a shock to Antonio too – and it was his idea!

Before Antonio put the idea to Lyle, he cast his mind back to Gio, his sadly deceased former boy. Gio’s death had hurt so much. The pain was agonizing and nearly led to Antonio ruining his entire career and potentially losing his own life in the process.

This will have to stay professional.

I use the boy for information. I keep him under my command.

Discipline. Information. Nothing more.

Antonio knew it was now or never. He took a sip of his drink and began to explain his proposal…

‘Your cards have been marked,’ Antonio said. ‘But if you stay with me, you’ll be safe. No one will hurt you, I can assure you of that. You’ll live in my house, under my rules. I’ll expect you to be a good boy. You’ll answer to me, and in return I’ll make sure you are fully protected.’

Antonio could see that this was difficult for Lyle to take in.

Had Antonio pushed the boy too hard, too fast?

Would Lyle decide it was a better option to cut and run and go it alone?

‘I… I think I should take your offer,’ Lyle replied, his eyes wide with fear but the corners of his mouth turning up into the faintest of smiles. ‘But… I don’t know where you live? Or even who you are?’

Antonio nodded but didn’t give anything away. Antonio felt sure that Lyle did know who he was, and was even beginning to wonder whether Lyle had come to the bar with a very specific goal in mind.

Maybe it was his famous sixth sense for these kinds of things, but Antonio was feeling a connection to Lyle that went way beyond anything sexual. It almost felt like they were destined to meet. Whether Lyle had good intentions or not, Antonio knew that the closer he kept him, the better things would be – at least for now.

Antonio would keep things professional with Lyle. He would use Lyle for his inside knowledge, his media access, nothing sexual would happen. If Lyle stepped out of line, he would be punished. And just how hard he was punished would depend on precisely how naughty the boy was.

‘So, are we leaving or?’ Antonio said, leaving the sentence hanging in the air.

‘Yes,’ Lyle nodded, his cheeks flushing a red color as Antonio smiled back at him and rested his large hand on Lyle’s delicate fingers.

‘Well, what are we waiting for?’ Antonio barked. ‘It’s getting late, and I think you need a nice early night, boy.’

Even saying those words made Antonio’s Dom sense flare up. As much as he wanted to keep this strictly professional, Antonio knew that it would take a ton of his famous strategic thinking and calm approach to do so.