“Get your damn hands off me, or you’ll be hearing from my team of lawyers.”

I felt the weight of the guard’s body press against me as he threw my body onto the pavement of the jail cell. As he closed the cell door, I tried to hold back my aggression. I had all the money a man could ask for plus a couple hundred grand. They couldn’t lock me up, even if they tried.

Once I get my attorney on the phone, I’ll slap on a lawsuit and get these thugs to apologize.

Then again, this wasn’t my first rodeo. They knew who I was, and I bet they were figuring a way to spin this to their chief.

“Shut your mouth and behave,” the guard said.

I made sure he knew I wasn’t playing around. “Or what?”

The guard stared at me severely. “Or we take you out back. Now, shut the hell up.”

As the short and stout prison guard walked away, I took a deep breath and held my face in the palms of my hand. It was a wild night to remember, but I had come out empty handed, and expectations were at an all-time low for me.

I tried to remember the entirety of the night, but it was all such a blur. First, I went out to the bars in SOHO with my cousin, Jordan. Four drinks later, and I found myself walking down Times Square smiling from the cold weather. Next thing I knew, I saw him.

Normally, I wouldn’t play favorites, but he was beautiful and kindhearted—you could see it in his eyes. His cheeks and lips were soft and sweet with cherry blossom tones, all in the right areas. I felt my alpha urges kick into overdrive. He was the one, the perfect pet to take care of.

But his friend had to get in the way and blow my chances. I couldn’t believe the mess I made.

I shook my head. That wasn’t my first fight, and I was sure it wouldn’t be my last. What was I supposed to do, play nice?

I could deal with punches all day—business was business. But when a man stepped in front of something I had my eyes on, I couldn’t let it slide.

At the end of the day, everyone has a price. And I made my offer known. I could have had that sweet and gentle twink in my bed before last call if it wasn’t for his loudmouth group of friends.

“You know, they’ll stop bothering you if you just learn to keep to yourself.”

The familiar voice came from a young man in the jail cell next to me. I lifted my head and gazed at the guy sprawled out on the bed in the corner.

Flinching, I recognized his delicate features—his long, honeyed hair, like a grunge rocker from the 90’s. His soft lips. He was the guy I embarrassingly propositioned.

“Oh. It’s you,” I said.

He nodded back. “Guess they got us both.”

“I threw a punch at one of the cops,” I said, laughing weakly. “Oops.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t offer to buy him,” he said.

“Who said that I didn’t?” I asked.

The guy wasn’t frowning, but I could see the faint outlines where his tears had dried up. Getting thrown in jail wasn’t easy for him—I could tell. I didn’t know him well, but it broke my heart to see the sadness in his eyes.

A sliver of a smile escaped my lips. I found my antics earlier entertaining, but to him, I was the catalyst for a terrible night. I wanted to make it up to him, but I couldn’t inside that jail cell.

I stood up and ambled toward the bars connecting our cells. “Are you still sour about my proposal?”

The young man shrugged and stood up to face me. I placed my hands on the bars, waiting for an answer. An unsatisfied, yet slightly amused look took over his expression as he wiped the side of his eyes.

“That depends. How much do you think I’m worth?” he asked.

I knew it wasn’t a real question, but I gave it some serious thought. “Hypothetically speaking?” I asked.

He took another step and placed his hands on the bars below mine, resting his chin above, near my lips. “Hypothetically. Realistically. Whatever floats your boat. None of this is real, right?”

He dared me to act with his eyes, and under normal circumstances, I would have taken him halfway around the world and back. I would have shown him what I was really made of. But tonight, I was worn out and wounded.

Besides, I couldn’t keep putting myself in situations risky to my heart. I was out here to finish a project, and now was not the time to fuck up my whole enterprise. Maybe my cousin Jordan was right. It was time to focus on the things that mattered.

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t entertain the idea of a little fun, did it?

“I think you’re worth a lot of money,” I admitted. “I don’t think you shouldn’t ever accept an offer that’s less than deserving.”

Briefly closing my eyes, I inhaled the sweet and warm scent of the omega in front of me. I didn’t know a thing about him except that I wanted him more than I could handle. It had been a long night, but for me, the fun didn’t have to end so soon.

I opened my eyes and saw the playful stare of a man who looked ready to get into anything and everything. I swallowed and took a step back to catch my breath.

“Sorry. It’s been a long night,” I admitted. “Ignore my comments. I’m usually better at first impressions. My name is Hunter Underwood.”

“Well, I figured you were joking,” he said.

How I was feeling was no one’s business, but my own. However, the pressure from the project had apparently taken a lot out of me.

A few days ago, I was told I had one single week to figure out a way to acquiesce the city block my team had their eyes on. I was stressed, and I wasn’t thinking straight anymore.

“Plus, my friend did drunkenly plow into you,” he added.

I couldn’t hold my tongue. “It’s not the first time someone’s drunkenly plowed into me.”

He playfully ran his tongue against the roof of his mouth, sending shivers down to my cock. “Oh yeah? Do you drunkenly plow often?” he asked.

Biting the edge of my lip, I looked him dead in the eyes. “I don’t plow often, but when I do, I make sure the other guy remembers it.”

The impact of my words caused him to stumble backward. “Jesus!” he burst out, cupping his hand over his mouth.

“Hey, you’re the one that asked,” I said, grinning.

He reached into my cell and held out his hand. “I’m Matthew Mckinnon.”

As soon as I felt the gentleness of his palms, my mind started racing toward all of the naughty things we could get into together. I hadn’t been with a guy in months, and the hunger I felt at the time was undeniably strong.

I held onto his hand and squeezed. I wanted him to remember me, but only for the qualities that mattered. I needed him to know that, money and business aside, I was a guy who could make him feel safe.

“Nice to meet you, Matthew. Really nice,” I said.

Blushing, Matthew quickly turned around and sat back down on his cot. Some time passed with a heavy silence, but he kept looking at me, and I felt the weight of his gaze pull me back in.

“I just don’t understand it,” he said.

I knew exactly what he was talking about, but I wanted to hear him say it. “Understand what?” I asked him.

The more we talked, the higher the chance he’d swallow my cock later. Matthew looked down, embarrassed but determined to get to the bottom of what happened. “Look. You know what I’m talking about. The offer.”

I watched his Adam’s apple roll up the center of his throat as he swallowed down the last of his pride. Running his hand up his sleeve to his shoulder blade, I eyed his body and felt my cock grow hard. Was I really going to do this? Was I going to… buy him?

As soon as the thought felt like a realistic enterprise, I felt my heart rush. It was an insane idea, but it enticed me, nonetheless.

The idea was too tempting. At the end of the day, what was really holding me back?

Every second that passed, I felt drawn to him like a moth under a bright spotlight. I wasn’t used to feeling this out of control, and it only strengthened my desire for his supple body.

“If you agree to this, there’s no going back,” I said.

Matthew stayed silent. Finally, a chuckle escaped his lips. He sat up, listening.

“What are you suggesting?”

I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn’t get too excited thinking about the possibility of him on all fours, begging for my seed. “You’d have to do what I say. You’ll be mine.”

Matthew didn’t flinch or move away, which was a good sign. “In exchange for what?” he asked.

“You know what,” I said.

Matthew nodded. “I do. But what else?”

“I just want you to feel cared for. Treasured,” I said, staring at his plump lips.

“Like an escort,” he said.

I shook my head. “No. The real deal. I’d take care of you,” I said. “Plenty goes with that level of responsibility.”

“Like a sugar daddy,” he said.

“You’ll get more from me than that.”

Again, Matthew laughed, but I wasn’t smiling anymore.

“You’re joking,” he said.

I shook my head and sat down. “Over the last twenty years, I’ve secured a lot of capital,” I said.

“And this is what you do with it? You offer to buy every cute guy you see?”

“I’ve never done this before. This is a whim deal. Take it or leave it.”

Now that we had gone this far, I needed an answer. “We have different needs,” I said. “You want someone to take care of you. I want someone to take care of. It’s very straightforward. I’ll be your daddy if you promise to behave.”

“But why? You still haven’t told me,” he said. “You just picked me at random, didn’t you?”

I stood back up but quickly heard the heavy footsteps of the guard coming back to check on us. No, Matthew wasn’t a random choice. As soon as I saw him, I knew. He was my guy.

“Not many guys catch my attention. This feels somehow important,” I said.

I couldn’t believe I was admitting that so soon, but it felt urgent.

The guard presented himself by taking off his cap and unlocked the cell. “Mr. Underwood. Allow me to give my utmost apology,” he said with a solid frown on his face. “The chief has instructed me to remit the charges. This mistake won’t happen again.”

I turned away from the guard and stared at Matthew’s glimmering eyes. “This is your chance,” I said.

Matthew looked at the ground, thinking. “You’re asking for a lot right now,” he said.

I felt my heart racing inside of my chest. Frantically, I tried to make my case. “If you don’t want to do this, I’ll leave, but know this: I’m your genie in the fucking bottle, baby. Gifts, nights out at the best restaurants New York has to offer, and anything else you ask for. It’s all in the palms of your hand,” I said.

Matthew waved my ear over and lowered his voice. “Give me your number, daddy. I’ll think about it.”

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a business card. The guard shook his head and turned around. I handed the card to Matthew, lightly grabbing his hand to kiss the rounded edges of his knuckles. “Call me. There’s so much fun we could have together.”

Matthew swallowed, but he stayed silent. There was a lot to think about on his end, and he’d need some time. I was aware of what he was going through, but I was sure he’d accept the offer. Who wouldn’t?

My cousin Jordan was waiting for me outside the hallway. He was also my attorney, and a real pain in the ass.

As soon as I stepped into sight, he stood up, beaming at me. “Hey, asshole. Nice job,” he said.

I did my best to ignore my jerkoff cousin, and I signed the forms to leave. Before I exited, the guard put out his hand. I slammed two hundred dollar bills into his closing palm.

“Do me a favor, will ya?”

The guard looked uncomfortable. “What is it now?”

“Treat the kid in the cell next to mine with respect,” I said.

The guard laughed, but when I didn’t smile back, he shut the hell up. “Just leave.”

Outside the hallway, I walked with Jordan, carrying a sudden annoyance. I knew what he was going to say, and just like clockwork, he let me have it.

“What were you thinking last night?”

“I wasn’t,” I said. “That’s what I pay you for. To think for me.”

I brushed past him and left the jail. Outside, the light was as bright as the rays of the sun. I blinked rapidly against the sudden stinging. When the pain subsided, Jordan clasped his hand around my arm and forced me to look at him.

“Come on, Jordan. What is it?”

Suddenly, my cousin didn’t look angry anymore. Instead, he looked concerned. That pissed me off more than it should have.

“You promised me,” he said.

There was no running away from his dissatisfaction. He was the only family I had left, and I kept letting him down. No surprise there.

“Not much I can do, Jordan. I’ve been trying. You know that.”

Jordan spat on the hot concrete. “You’re lying again,” he said.

I took a step forward and assured him that things would change. I had done this so many times before, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t telling the truth. “Besides, this is the last project I’m taking on,” I said.

Standing in the bright sunlight, Jordan didn’t look like a believer. “Is that what Jack Dobson told you?” he asked.

Jack Dobson was a New York developer with a knack for getting projects finished quick. I met him a month prior during a business trip in Chicago. That’s when I found out about his condominium development, located in the hip and bustling streets of Bed-Stuy, no less.

Jordan pulled the files on him and his associates. Sure, Jack was clean on the outside. But the people he worked for were highly recognized figures, and they weren’t always playing by the rules.

I wasn’t sure where I stood on the issue, but Jordan was. To me, he was just another developer willing to lend a helping hand. Of course, he was shady. Unfortunately, that was just the nature of this business.

“You’re in this, representing me. You can’t back out now,” I said.

“Never said I was going to cut ties,” Jordan muttered. “But we have a different mentality. You’re letting these people consume you.”

“I’m not going to face any charges because, as far as I know, Jack is doing everything by the books,” I said.

Jordan coughed. “Right. The blissfully unaware defense. You see? You don’t need me. When Jack finally gets caught for funneling the money, you’ll do great defending yourself in a court of law.”

I gave him a sidelong glance and paused, pulse starting to act up again. “He’s funneling the money?”

“His shell has been under investigation since 2016 and that, my cousin, is coming to a close sooner than you think. All of my colleagues are in agreement on this. You really fucked the dog on this one, Hunter,” he said.

“That all may be true, but did really you have to choose that analogy?” I asked.

“Look, at the end of the day, I’m just your attorney. You can do whatever you want to secure your portion of the world’s capital,” he said. “Be my fucking guest, Mr. Midas.”

“Come on. You’re my cousin. You know I love you,” I said.

“I’ll defend you in court if it comes down to it, but let’s not kid ourselves here. This is the end of your career. Why take the risk?”

“I haven’t done anything illegal,” I argued. But when he didn’t say anything back, I sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

Jordan relaxed his body and tried to believe me. “At any rate, you’re lucky your investors didn’t hear about last night,” he said, sighing. “That could have gummed up the works a bit.”

His voice trailed off, but I knew he was hinting at the trust fund package my parents gave me at a young age.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, but before I could answer it, I wanted Jordan to hear one last thing. “Their money allowed me to become the richest investor in the region. Without that money, I couldn’t pay you.”

Jordan closed his mouth, but that didn’t mean I was off the hook. I’d be hearing about the night’s antics all week. “Well, I’m not sure that this is such a good thing anymore.”

I frowned and glanced at my phone. “It’s something, Jordan. Anyway, I have to take this. It’s Jack.”

“Be careful. I’m telling you. I know these people. I’ll meet up with you later,” he said.

I hugged my cousin and told him that I was as honest as I could be, that things would turn around. Once they did, I’d get out of the business, and we could all be a family again.

As I watched Jordan get into a cab, I called Jack Dobson, the developer of the eleven-story condominium complex. Judging by his rapid-fire missed calls, he was worried about something.

“Jack, what is it? I don’t have time for this,” I said.

Jack’s dirty, crotchety voice coughed into the receiver. “Make time. There’s been a leak,” he said.

I stopped walking toward the busy intersection, hastily eying the stock prices on the buildings above. “Jack, what the hell are you talking about? That’s impossible.”

“Someone leaked it to the tenants. They’re threatening to organize to fight their closure,” Jack said.

“Fuck me,” I whispered.

That was just what I needed—a whole crew of workers fighting to get their fix at the end of this. No fucking way. Nobody was supposed to find out about our plans to shut the block down this early.

“Let them organize. What do I care? They’ll never get the repairs done in time. The block is littered with zoning violations,” I said.

I could hear Jack taking a long puff from his cigar and blow the smoke out into the rushing wind. “I’m having my guys look into those,” he said. “As long as we can work together on this, we’ll get it done.”

“I’ll do my best,” I assured him. “But nothing in life is guaranteed.”

His heavy laughter rocked my eardrum, forcing me to hold the phone away. “Look, I want to see you tomorrow about this. I need your word that you’ll have a plan. You hear me?”

I waved down a taxi and gritted my teeth. “Fine, Jack. Tomorrow.”