im and pointed at the couch in his study room, his voice low, alm

ould see the sharpness in his eyes, the way

nking he could own him like some sort of prized possession. He could already feel the manipulation in

val" Nico said sharply.

to the point. I'm offering you more money than you've ever made. More than that bar could

king for Giovanni, of selling his soul for money and fame, made his stomach c

said coldly. "And I don't want

for his harsh aura t

in his eyes-Giovanni had expected the rejection. The offer hadn't been about mon

ke a purr. "You think you're too good to work for someone like me. But I've seen you play

about Marco's bar, like it was beneath him, like it di

y. "I don't need your money, and I don't need yo

leaned in, lowering his voice in a tone that was both enticing and dangerous. "You say that now, but you'll come

back down. He couldn't. Not after everything Giovann

he dropped a bombshell. "Marco will st

a second, and a wave of confusion and relief washed over him. "

made sure of that." His smile widened as if he knew exactly how much the news would affect Nico. "I like having him a

picture. He wasn't completely crushed by Giovanni. Marco was still at the bar, still keeping

't doing this out of kindness. He was doing it because he liked the control it gave h

ger under control. "You don't get to control Marco'

ling him. I'm giving him a chance to stay involved. To keep doing what he love

er. He didn't want to admit it, but there was part of him that was tempted-tempted by the promise of something more, of escaping

ly, forcing the words past the lump in his thro

n his eyes. "Take your time, Nico. But don'

d come here to resist Giovanni's grip, but now, it felt

or, Giovanni's voice s

s breath caught

ou care about... will disappear." Giovanni's voice was low, b

wn his spine. He wasn't sure i

o was left standing in the dark hallway,