The sun filtered in gently through the heavy blackout curtains that lined the windows of Alessio Romano's penthouse. It was one of the rare Sundays when he didn't have to slice a throat or sign a contract. Alessio lay sprawled across the massive black velvet bed, naked, half-covered by silk sheets that tangled around his lean, powerful frame.
Meanwhile, in the guest room down the hall, Noah was already up.
He was buzzing with nervous excitement. Today's the day, he told himself, eyes wide and sparkling. It had been years since he'd bought clothes for himself. His mind wandered to memories of shopping with his mom and dad—his small hand in his mother's, the warmth of his father's laugh. A flash of sadness tugged at his heart, but he swallowed it down and stood tall. No more tears. Not now.
He stomped down the hallway and into Alessio's room without knocking. Again.
"Wakeeee upppp!" Noah shouted gleefully, throwing open the curtains and letting sunlight blast through the room like a cannon.
Alessio groaned and stirred. "You have a death wish, don't you?" he muttered darkly.
The silk sheet slid down his hips.
Noah's voice caught. His eyes went wide as saucers. "AH!" he squealed, quickly covering his face with both hands. "Pervert!"
"You walked into my room," Alessio growled, sitting up slightly. The corner of his mouth twitched in amusement. "You gonna peek or keep screaming?"
"I didn't mean to see anything!" Noah's voice was muffled behind his palms.
Alessio leaned back lazily, the sheet slipping further, exposing more skin. "Pass me that towel near the wardrobe."
Noah, who was standing right in front of it, peeked between his fingers. "No! Get it yourself, you—naked beast!"
Alessio's gaze sharpened, and his voice dropped a notch darker. "Aren't you getting a little too comfortable? Talking back now? Don't you fear me, piccolo gattino?"
Noah don't pay attention to the nickname Alessio just give him not does Alessio realize.
Noah's hands dropped from his face as he crossed his arms defiantly. "No!"
Wrong move.
Alessio stood in one fluid motion, tall and terrifyingly bare. He walked toward Noah, each step slow and deliberate. Noah backed into the wardrobe, heart thundering.
"Eyes shut, still?" Alessio murmured, his voice like silk wrapped in steel.
Noah nodded.
"Say sorry," Alessio ordered.
Noah clenched his jaw. He had his pride. Even if he was sold off like property, he wasn't going to beg.
"I said, say sorry."
"I won't," Noah muttered, flinching as Alessio boxed him in between his arms.
With a sudden motion, Alessio gripped Noah's wrists and pulled his hands down. "Look at me."
Their eyes locked.
Noah blinked, stunned by the intense, hungry glint in Alessio's gaze. He'd expected fury. Not this… dangerous interest.
Then Alessio did something insane.
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on Noah's forehead.
"Cute," Alessio muttered before snatching the towel from behind Noah. He turned away like nothing had happened and walked into the shower.
Noah stood frozen. What the hell just happened?
A few minutes later, Theo and Enzo walked in uninvited, as usual.
"Let's go, lovebirds," Theo grinned.
obviously Alessio always inform these two idiots even though he's cold freak Enzo and Theo will always be his best buddies
Enzo added, "Shopping day, baby! We're coming with you."
Noah scowled. "Ugh! Are you his wives or something? Don't you two have your own houses? Or jobs?"
Noah cross his arms to his chest.
Alessio appeared from the hallway, hair wet, shirt half-buttoned. His eyes narrowed.
"Don't talk to them like that." His tone was calm, but dangerous.
Noah sulked. "Fine."
Alessio looked to his friends. "I'll take him myself."
Enzo blinked. "What?"
Theo raised a brow. "You sure?"
Alessio's gaze was final. "I don't need company."
Enzo threw a dramatic tantrum. "You scold him and still listen to him! Bro! What is this favoritism?"
Noah turned red. "I didn't ask him to! Hmph."
They left the penthouse together, Theo and Enzo dramatically slinking out like rejected wives. In the car, Noah bounced slightly in his seat, wearing a crisp white shirt that was obviously Alessio's and boxer-briefs that were also definitely Alessio's.
His legs barely peeked out from under the long hem.
"You know," Alessio murmured as they drove, "you're wearing my underwear again."
"I'm forced to!" Noah huffed. "You still haven't bought me clothes! Look at this—this shirt is like a dress!"
Alessio looked him up and down slowly, a sinful smirk forming. "I like you in my clothes."
Noah blinked, his cheeks turning a shade of red that would make tomatoes jealous.
"I-I don't!" he shot back.
"Too bad."
Their banter was interrupted by the quiet hum of music playing in the car. Alessio rarely played music. But something about Noah made the atmosphere feel less like a prison and more like a… home?
Noah peeked at Alessio from the corner of his eye. He still didn't like him. At least that's what he told himself. But the way Alessio had stood in front of him in the bathroom, the way he scolded Theo and Enzo—for him—made his chest feel funny.
Why is this dangerous man starting to feel like the safest person I've known in years?
The car pulled up to an exclusive boutique tailor shop guarded by two men in suits. One look at Alessio, and the doors were opened instantly.
As they stepped inside, Noah's eyes widened. It was like stepping into a different world—elegant chandeliers, mahogany counters, and rows of fine fabrics.
The head tailor bowed. "Mr. Romano, we've been expecting you."
Alessio gestured to Noah. "Fit him. He's picky."
Noah turned to Alessio. "I am not picky—"
"Make sure the trousers don't fall off his hips again," Alessio added with a smirk.
The tailor chuckled. "Understood."
As Noah was led behind the curtain, Alessio sat on a leather couch, crossing one leg over the other.
Enzo's words echoed in his mind. "You're scolding him but still protecting him."
Damn right I am, Alessio thought. Because whether Noah liked it or not… he was his now.
Forever, or until the contract ends.
Whichever came first.