Rody Lamoree leaned back in his leather chair, the city's lights casting a muted glow across his office. The skyline was a jagged outline against the night sky, as sharp and unforgiving as the man himself. His empire had been built on the bones of his competitors, and tonight, another rival had been removed from the board.
Across from him, Vincent Charbonneau stood with the same composed demeanor he always carried. To the outside world, he was merely Rody's butler, the man who attended to his every need. But in reality, Vincent was so much more-his confidant, his enforcer, his lover.
Vincent's black eyes were cold as he adjusted his immaculate white gloves, the picture of composure. Rody watched him with a small, private smile. It was hard to believe that once, those hands had trembled after their first kill. Now, they moved with the precision of a surgeon, as steady and unyielding as Vincent's love for Rody.
"Is it done?" Rody's voice was smooth, casual, as if asking about the weather rather than a murder.
Vincent nodded, stepping closer to Rody's desk. "Yes, it's done."
Rody's eyes softened as they took in the man before him. He had seen Vincent transform over the years, from the frightened boy he had taken in to the deadly, efficient man who stood before him now. But despite everything Vincent had become, Rody knew the depth of his affection had never changed.
"Come here," Rody said, his voice low and inviting.
Vincent obeyed, moving to stand between Rody's legs as he sat back in his chair. Rody reached out, brushing his fingers through Vincent's dark hair. "You're perfect, you know that?"
Vincent's lips quirked up in a faint smile, the coldness in his eyes softening just for Rody. "If I am, it's because of you."
Rody let out a quiet laugh, tugging Vincent down until he was seated on Rody's lap. It was a familiar position, one they had taken many times over the years. "You give me too much credit, Vincent."
Vincent leaned in, his lips brushing Rody's ear. "I give you exactly what you deserve."
Rody's grip on Vincent's waist tightened, his thumb brushing over his lover's hip. "And what do I deserve?" he murmured.
Vincent's breath ghosted over Rody's skin, sending a shiver down his spine. "Everything. Anything you want. You know I'd do anything for you."
Rody tilted his head back, capturing Vincent's lips in a slow, deliberate kiss. It was a kiss full of years of shared secrets, of bloodshed and passion, of a bond forged in the fires of their dangerous lives.
When they finally pulled apart, Rody rested his forehead against Vincent's, their breaths mingling in the quiet of the office. "I know you would," Rody said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "And I would do the same for you."
Vincent's eyes darkened with something intense, something that had always simmered just beneath the surface of their relationship. "You already do. You've given me a purpose, Rody. A reason to live."
"And I'll keep giving you that," Rody promised, his voice rough with emotion. "For as long as you want it."
Vincent's lips curved into a rare, genuine smile, and he leaned in to kiss Rody again, this time softer, gentler. "I'll always want it," he whispered against Rody's lips. "I'll always want you."
Rody's heart swelled at the confession, even though he'd heard it a thousand times before. It never lost its impact. He pulled Vincent closer, their bodies pressed tightly together, and kissed him with all the love and desire he felt.
They stayed like that for a long moment, wrapped in each other, the rest of the world fading away. In this moment, there were no rivals to eliminate, no deals to close, no threats lurking in the shadows. There was only Vincent, the man who had become Rody's entire world.
