Just a Bit Ruthless (Straight Guys 6)

Daddy.

He had called Roman daddy. Luke hadn’t even known he was into that sort of thing. But then again, he’d never before been with someone as assertive and mature as Roman. He’d never felt so naturally submissive with any of his partners. He’d never before felt this constant urge to please any other man. He’d never dared to show his camp, flamboyant side to any of his sex partners. With Roman, he felt cared for, like a pet that wanted to be cherished by his owner. By his daddy. By his Dom.

And it was fucking insane.

He was insane.

Yes, he was a pet all right, a pet in a golden cage. Roman didn’t cherish him. Roman was just using him. Roman had plans concerning him—plans he certainly wasn’t sharing with Luke. Roman was the worst man he could have possibly chosen for that particular kink. Because trusting and wanting to please a man whose heart was cold and whose every action was calculated was a recipe for disaster. Luke might be a hopeless romantic and optimist, but he was neither stupid nor naive. This was bad. This was terrible, because this thing between him and Roman had an expiration date. Sooner rather than later, Roman would use him against his father, and, regardless of the outcome, they would go their own separate ways. The sex was too intense already. He didn’t need a kink that might leave him emotionally vulnerable on top of that.

A noise at the door startled him out of his thoughts.

Luke turned his head toward it.

The door opened slightly and Vlad’s head appeared in the gap. Vlad jerked his head, looking pale and grim.

Luke frowned, staring at him.

Vlad jerked his head again.

Did he want to talk?

Glancing at the sleeping man beside him, Luke got out of the bed silently and padded toward the door. Vlad handed him a folded sheet of paper, sweat gleaming on his forehead as he kept looking nervously over Luke’s shoulder at Roman.

Frowning, Luke took the note and read it.

Dear Luke,

My brother will probably kill me for this when he finds out (and he always does), but I can’t in good conscience ignore your situation after I found out who you are from Vlad (he could never resist my eyes).

I’m not naive. I know my brother is far from a harmless businessman. I know he does things he doesn’t tell us, his family. Most of the time, I’m fine with it. Maybe it’s cowardly, but sometimes ignorance is bliss. To be totally honest, I would have preferred to remain ignorant in this case, too, because it’s honestly terrifying to go against Roma. I know he loves us, but you probably noticed that he can be pretty scary. Sometimes my brother can get carried away and doesn’t understand or care about hurting other people. I can’t agree with him on that.

Tomorrow is my wedding day, and I want it to be a perfect day, not just for me but for everyone. I’d like to think I’m a good person. I want to have a free conscience when I say my wedding vows in front of God and people.

Yes, that’s right: you’ll be free tomorrow. I have managed to persuade Vlad to help you escape and make it look like you escaped with someone else’s help. It was surprisingly easy, actually. For some reason, Vlad was almost eager to get rid of you.

Vlad will get you out at around 11 in the morning while Roman is gone and most of the security guards are at my wedding. You’ll have almost twelve hours to get to safety. I only ask you not to tell anyone that my brother was involved in your kidnapping. He’s not a monster, you know. Yes, he can be harsh, and he can be an overbearing ass, but he’s the best big brother I could have asked for. Even when he’s a dick, he usually has reasons for it. I’m not entirely sure what his plans are concerning you, but he has reasons to want revenge against your father. He probably hasn’t told you, but one of the men who died on that train was Roman’s childhood friend, Michail. He was a good man. My brother may not be a very good man, but he has a quality not every man possesses: he’s unwaveringly loyal to those important to him, and would do anything to keep them out of harm’s way.

Best of luck,

Anastasia

Luke stared at the note before slowly lifting his gaze to Vlad. The guy’s paleness and nervousness made an awful amount of sense now.

Vlad nodded jerkily, grabbed Anastasia’s letter from his hand, and shut the door again.

A numb feeling spreading through his chest, Luke walked back to the bed and slipped between the sheets. It took a conscious effort not to look at the man sleeping inches away from him.