Luka looked at him, contemptuous. He could still remember the voice of that man whose name he still didn't know. Leandro's face was complicated when he saw him. Luka knew why his gaze held so much reproach; after all, it was because of him that a business deal hadn't gone through, and even though it had been months ago, he still held a grudge. However, he didn't regret the decision he made that night. He wasn't going to sell himself or sleep with someone for the economic benefit of another person.

With documents in hand, he approached and placed them on the desk. Now he was nothing more than a mere secretary. The occasional kisses and flirtations, as well as the intentional touches, were over. Remembering Leandro's words, surely his interest in him had passed. Of course, he wasn't disappointed or surprised, he knew the life Leandro led, and if he were ever to be surprised, it would be because Leandro had left his lovers and focused on one person. But that would be like asking for pears from an elm tree.

After looking over the papers, Leandro signed them and handed them back. They didn't talk much these days, and he was grateful for it. He was focused on his studies so he could get into college. He didn't even have time to think about those stupid feelings he had.

Leandro had gone back to the way he was before. He went out almost every night with a different person, of course, he was the one who had to arrange those dates.

"Luka." Leandro called from the doorway. Luka, who had a desk to the side of that office, looked up and met his gaze. "Call Dylan, we'll meet at the same place tonight."

Luka nodded, without a trace of sadness on his face. Dylan Maxwell was an American boy Leandro had met while on a business trip. He was blond with dark green eyes, with little freckles adorning his face and curly eyelashes. Undoubtedly, someone beautiful to admire.

Leandro didn't talk much about his lovers, to him, they were simply passing through, however, when he met Dylan Maxwell again, he seemed to have changed. Maybe, even among lovers, there were levels. Luka didn't understand much about it, nor did he want to. He realized that he was, in fact, a one hundred percent monogamous person, and could never go back and forth with anyone. But that rule didn't apply to his boss.

He had heard, from Leandro himself, that he had met Dylan years ago. After leaving the United States, he had not been in contact with him again until he ran into him at a bar a couple of weeks ago. They had met, and he thought it would end there. To his surprise, today he had asked for a new meeting.

Leandro stood there, waiting for news from Dylan. Luka, with his boss's gaze upon him, dialed the number and waited a moment before it connected. Upon stating his name and position, as well as the reason for the call, a shriek of excitement from the other side deafened him, even causing him to pull the phone away from his ear for a few seconds. Afterward, the call ended.

"Well?" Leandro tilted his head as he waited for a response.

"He'll go," he said. "He sounds very excited," Luka replied.

The mobster stared at the boy for a minute. Luka could only feign a smile, wishing he would leave. Who knows what he expected, but after another half a minute, Leandro turned and snorted in frustration before entering his office. Only then could Luka mutter curses under his breath.

...----------------...

Luka gazed at the massive building that towered before his eyes. It was the most famous five-star hotel in the city. He had booked the suite with the hot tub and jacuzzi. He ordered the best champagne, had them put sunflower petals everywhere (they were Dylan's favorite).

"Impressed?" Leandro's voice sent shivers down his spine. He moved a few steps away from him. He had been avoiding him for days, and it seemed that Leandro no longer had the same intentions with him, although from time to time, the man got closer than usual.

"A little," he replied.

Leandro examined him with those sharp eyes that Luka liked so much. His gaze traveled from head to toe over the boy, but he couldn't notice anything strange about him. After looking at him for half a minute, his eyes settled on his pink lips. The perfect width and an enviable shape. The desire to kiss them and bite them until they bled, flared up like a small flame that grew the more he watched. He had to look away, or the next second he would have been kissing him.

Without a word, he began to walk towards the imposing hotel. Luka followed him at a safe distance, the least he wanted to cause was misunderstandings between Dylan Maxwell and Leandro.

He could still remember the pain in his cheek the first time they met.

On that occasion (which was just after the reunion between his boss and the American), Luka was arranging some papers at Leandro's house. He, as personal secretary, was obliged to go when requested. That day, like many others, Leandro asked him to come over to go over some business matters. Luka arrived early and began reviewing the casino's accounts, supposedly the manager was embezzling funds.

He spent half a day with his eyes glued to the computer and sheets with endless rows of numbers. His head ached and his eyes were tired. Even the glasses were useless to him. He felt that at any moment he would throw everything away and run out of there.

"So?" Leandro sat down next to him and grabbed one of the sheets. Luka leaned back on his knees and let out a long, heavy sigh.

"This is a mess," he said, sat up and grabbed the computer and began to slide his finger to show him the accounts. "How long has it been since you supervised this?"

"I don't know. I have so many businesses, and money involved, that I can't personally take care of everything." Luka didn't know if he was complaining or bragging. He rolled his eyes and continued to show him the accounts. Although he didn't have a college degree, he was always good at his studies, and even better at math.

Since he started working with David, he started to learn about administration and accounting, which made his work easier. He continued working under Leandro's watchful eye. Although he didn't care much anymore, he still felt uncomfortable. He decided to concentrate on the numbers and ignore his boss's not-so-subtle gaze.

"Are you hungry? You've been working for more than half a day." Leandro stood up and grabbed his cell phone. "I'm going to order something, what do you want?"

"Whatever is fine," he replied without looking up from the computer.

Leandro smiled. The blue light from the computer was reflected in Luka's eyes and the glasses gave him a handsome look. It was a shame he couldn't get close to him anymore.

Half an hour passed and the doorbell of the apartment rang twice. Luka glanced sideways at his boss, Leandro was away on a call. The doorbell rang again and he had to get up. He walked reluctantly to the door, however, he was not met by the delivery man.

"Who are you?" The boy's arrogant voice and contemptuous look made him raise his eyebrows.

"That's what I was going to ask you, you're not a delivery boy." Luka crossed his arms and bent one knee.

"What are you doing here? This is my boyfriend's apartment, Leandro Bernocchi." Luka tasted bitterness in his mouth. He had met countless partners of Leandro's. He had a list of each and every person who passed through his boss's bed, one for every day of the year, but none had dared to go there.

"Boyfriend?" Luka almost laughed. "All of Leandro's lovers are just that, bed lovers, one or two nights, you won't get past that. You're just like everyone else."

He didn't even see him coming, but by the time he realized it, the boy's palm had slammed into his face. The slap was so strong that it managed to draw a trickle of blood. Luka clenched his fists, and just as he was about to return the blow, his hand was grabbed from behind.

"Let go of me!" he shouted angrily. His eyes were bloodshot with rage, but Leandro didn't care in the least.

"Go away, Luka." His cold voice chilled his blood.

"But he..."

"I said go away," Leandro interrupted instantly. Still holding Luka's wrist, he dragged him to collect his things and then led him outside, without waiting for Luka to say anything, he slammed the door in his face.

Just remembering that made his skin crawl. Dylan seemed to be very important to Leandro, it was best to stay away from that jerk, or he would end up breaking his face.

"Are you okay?" Leandro stopped and turned to him. Luka, who was distracted, bumped into his chest. Leandro's hands were on his waist, a little tight. Luka took three steps back.

"Yes, I'm fine," he said. He cleared his throat and pointed to the elevator. "You better go up, they're waiting for you." Leandro raised an eyebrow and nodded. "I'll be here if you need anything."

Luka waited for the elevator doors to close before returning to the lobby.

An hour passed and he was bored. He looked at his cell phone, but there wasn't much news. He looked at his social media and came across a photograph of Andrea, with a guy he had never seen before. Andrea looked happy, with a smile that lit up every corner of the bar where they were. However, the other person didn't look as smiley and happy as his friend, but he did have a dangerous look in his eyes that he didn't like at all, so he decided to call him.

"Hey, how are you?" he said, barely connecting the call with Andrea. Andrea said a few words, but he couldn't hear anything because of the noise. "Go somewhere private." A few seconds passed before he could finally hear his voice clearly.

[Can you hear me now? —Andrea's scream almost deafened him]

"Yes, yes, keep your voice down."

[Great, now yes, were you saying something?]

"How are you? I saw your photo online, who is he?" Luka leaned back on the back of the couch for comfort.

[Nobody important. We met at the bar a week ago, we had a good time and that's it, I haven't seen him since, why? —Andrea's voice sounded happy, it seemed he was thinking things over]

"I wanted a conversation topic, but you already killed it," he said with a smile on his lips. He wasn't about to tell him that he was worried about him, or Andrea would make fun of him for the rest of the year.

[Is something wrong? You sound a little down, is it your boss? or work? You told me you liked what you did and that the pay was very good, what happened?]

"The job is fine, and the pay is good, the boss not so much, but bearable." Luka leaned his head back and stretched his legs carelessly. Just one bump and thud was all it took for Luka to jump to his feet. "Shit," he muttered.

[Did something happen? Are you okay? —he asked, worried]

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, I'll call you later." Luka hung up the phone, put his cell phone in his pants pocket and approached the guy who was lying on the floor. "Are you okay?"

"My glasses," he said, getting down on his knees on the floor and beginning to feel around with his hands.

"Oh, yes, yes." Luka began to look everywhere. He searched with his eyes for the glasses, until he saw them under an armchair. "Here you go."

"Thank you very much." The boy put on his glasses, then picked up his backpack and stood up.

"You can say that again, you fell because of me," he said a little embarrassed.

"No, no, I wasn't looking where I was going." The boy seemed a little embarrassed. When he looked at him more closely, Luka realized that, although he had a large body, he had an innocent look. He had his hair combed down and bright honey-colored eyes, reminding him of his new friend.

"Well, are you okay? Does anything hurt?" Luka looked him up and down to make sure he was physically okay.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine, are you okay? You didn't step on me, did you? I'm a little heavy." The boy took a step closer to Luka, but his legs were long and he stood very close.

"Yes, fine," he said, stammering a little. "Do you need anything?"

"Oh, no, no, nothing... just that..."

"Is something going on?" Leandro's voice made both people turn to look back.

"Nothing's going on," Luka replied. Leandro frowned at how close they were, however, Luka cut him off before he could say anything. "Are you done? Where's young Dylan?"

"He's coming." Leandro focused his cold gaze on the young man. "And you? Aren't you leaving?"

"Yes, yes, excuse me." He gave Luka one last look and then left.

"Who was that?" Leandro looked seriously at Luka. "I don't like you talking to strangers."

"What do you mean I wasn't talking to strangers? Go to hell, okay? There comes your boyfriend, I'll wait for you in the car."

"Luka, Luka," Leandro spoke louder and louder, but Luka didn't even look back, "Damn it, Luka! Get over here!"

"Hey, hey, what's going on?" Dylan, who had reached his side, looked at him with a frown, "Are you guys fighting? Did he do something wrong on the job?"

"No, no, nothing like that." Leandro turned his gaze to him and grabbed him by the waist, pulling him close. "Honey, how about you go home and draw a bath?" He took the keys out of his pocket and put them in Dylan's hand. "Here, go and get some rest for today."

"Okay." Dylan put the key in his pocket and kissed Leandro on the cheek. "Talk to him, he's an employee, he should act like one."

After speaking, he turned and left. Leandro furrowed his brow and walked out the opposite exit.

Luka was standing outside the car, he opened the back door as soon as he saw his boss coming towards him.

"And young Dylan?" he asked, looking behind Leandro.

"He went to my house," he said. "Luka, you're on company time, you can't be flirting with kids."

"All right." Luka had a forced smile on his face. It was useless trying to explain anything to him. Leandro was one of those people who, once he had something in his head, it was impossible to get it out, even if he was wrong.

"All right?" Leandro took a step closer to him and cornered him against the black Mercedes. "Is that all you have to say? Aren't you even going to deny it?"

"No, I'm not going to deny it. Mr. Leandro, my personal life, who I date or try to date, is my business, not yours, okay?" Luka patted him twice on the shoulder. "And I apologize for flirting with that boy, it won't happen again."

"You're not going to deny it?" Leandro's eyebrows drew closer together. His furtive eyes scanned Luka's face, but there was no trace of a lie.

"Why would I deny something that's real?" questioned Luka, raising an eyebrow and smiling sarcastically. The veins in Leandro's temple jumped. His jaw tightened, but he said nothing.

"So that's your type of man, a kid who probably doesn't even have any money, what a shitty taste." His mocking tone made the sarcastic smile on Luka's face widen even more.

"I told you a while ago that I don't like older people. He has a good body and an attractive face, plus he's a college kid with a future ahead of him, what does it matter if he doesn't have money now? That doesn't mean he won't have a fortune in the future.

Luka looked very sure of his words and his eyes did not lie, he really liked that boy.

"Would you really go out with a college student?" Leandro lowered his head, coming within inches of Luka's perfect face. Luka, who knew perfectly how his boss played, put both hands on Leandro's face. "You have a man with money right in front of you, why would you choose him?"

"Mr. Leandro, you are much too old for me, I prefer younger men." Luka stroked Leandro's bushy beard. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't like beards." Luka lowered his hands and crossed his arms. "I saw the boy recently, not a hair on his face, that's how I like them." Luka patted his chest. "So, stop interfering in my private life, I don't interfere in yours."

Luka stepped out of the corner where he was and got into the car. Leonardo swallowed his words and got into the back of the car.

"To your apartment?" Leandro looked at him in the rearview mirror.

"No, we're going to my house, Dylan is waiting for me."

Luka nodded and started driving. Leandro wanted to see some sign of anything that told him Luka was still interested in him, but all he could see was a cold, expressionless face.

"Dylan's birthday is coming soon," Leandro said suddenly, breaking the silence that had formed. Luka didn't say anything. "Do you know anything I could give him?"

"No, sir," he replied. "Mr. Dylan is your partner, if you don't know, I certainly don't."

Leandro looked at him in frustration. Luka's face showed no fluctuation. He clicked his tongue, irritated. "You're right."

Leandro turned his gaze to the side. He looked through the glass at the bustling city. He glanced at Luka's reflection in the rearview mirror. Those blue eyes were beautifully lit by the car and building lights. They had a beautiful glow. He remembered that night. Luka seemed willing to be with him. His kisses were intense and his hands caressed his back, but he was a bastard and wanted to have a threesome with one of his partners.

Actually, it wasn't that he wanted to. The man had noticed Luka, but he knew Luka had never been with anyone, so a threesome was his solution. Of course, he was somewhat reluctant to share him with someone. Luka was a person he wanted to keep to himself. Even if he continued to see other people, he wanted Leandro to be the only one for Luka.

But the deal was too fruitful to pass up. It would be useless to lose millions in profits to protect one person's chastity. He was not willing to lose so much money, but in his stupidity, he had lost any chance of having sex with Luka.

His business and Luka, both went to shit.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Leandro grabbed his cheek, which was burning and stinging. Luka had arrived a few seconds ago and had punched him directly in the face.

"Let that be the last time you try to prostitute me, or I'll kill you," Luka said, hatred reflected in his gaze. Leandro could barely open his lips, but he said nothing; by the time he realized what had happened, Luka was gone.

He remembered that blow as if it had been yesterday. From that moment on, Luka had drawn a line between them. He was aware of his bad decision, so he decided not to insist anymore; after all, Luka was no different from the other lovers he had. He could still find anyone else to replace him. So when he met Dylan again, and remembered the good times in the United States, he decided to make him his lover for the time being.

Dylan, in his time, made him have the same desire for possession that he had felt with Luka. At that time, he was with him for several months until his father, a powerful mobster from that country, intervened in their relationship. After that, he had to return in silence and did not contact that person again. But Dylan was back and, according to what he told him, his father had died of cancer a year ago. Nothing could separate them now.

Dylan was valuable, and not only for the good sex he provided, but also because with him, his business in the Americas could go swimmingly. Now that the Mancini and Di Marco families were united, they were losing ground and, therefore, losing money. Alessandro didn't want to fight with those two families (out of respect for the affection he had for Elio), and although he was unhappy, he respected his brother's decision. That's why he started expanding much more abroad, and Dylan was a perfect ladder.

"Sir, we've arrived," Luka snapped him out of his thoughts. Leandro saw the house in front of him. The structure was modern, in gray and white colors. A house that denoted elegance everywhere. He looked up at the master bedroom; the dim lights were on, Dylan was probably there.

"See you tomorrow," Leandro said in a low tone that made Luka feel strange. He never said goodbye, let alone with that timbre in his voice. It was as if he had some feeling of sadness.

Luka watched him enter and returned to his own house.

...----------------...

Leandro entered, the sound of the door closing behind his back echoed through the lonely hall. The details of the house were dark and elegant; with a double height and walls covered in granite.

"Leandro," Dylan's sweet voice, with that strange American accent, was heard from the stairs.

"Down here," he replied, with little enthusiasm. Dylan's footsteps sounded hurried. Leandro went to the stairs and waited for the boy to come down. Dylan, two steps away, threw himself at him.

"I thought you were going to be longer," he said, his tone a little cloying. He kissed Leandro's cheek and then lowered his feet. "Did you fire that disrespectful bastard?" Leandro's eyebrows furrowed at the words.

"Dylan, Luka is my employee, I forbid you to call him a bastard, okay?" He didn't even give him time to answer; by the time Dylan was going to say something, Leandro was already on his way to the bar they had in the basement.

Dylan puffed out his cheeks and went after him. He wasn't stupid; he saw the way Leandro looked at that secretary, and vice versa. Leandro hadn't said anything to him, but he knew that there was, or had been, something between them. He was not willing to lose to someone as insignificant as Luka.

"Are you mad?" Dylan hugged him from behind and rested his chin on his strong shoulder. He felt Leandro's hands on his, stroking him carefully. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend him, I didn't know that employee was so important to you."

"He's not important." Leandro turned to look at him, grabbed him by the waist and lifted him onto the bar. He kissed his neck and bit his collarbone. Luka was not an important person. He was a boy he could replace at any moment.

"Really? Your face changed when I called him a bastard." However, Dylan didn't believe his words, nor was he willing to let the subject drop. He knew Leandro, and if he kept pressing him, he would fire Luka, just to show him how insignificant he was to him, even though it wasn't true.

"Luka is a valuable employee, but only that, haven't I already shown you?" he questioned, running his hands under Dylan's blue silk shirt. "If he were an important person, I would have defended him the day you hit him."

Dylan was silent for a moment. He looked into the other person's eyes, searching for some indication that he was lying; unfortunately, Leandro had always been good at lying.

"That's true." Dylan gave him a short kiss and got off the bar. "Come on, let's sleep."

The two went upstairs to the master bedroom to rest. Leandro took a shower before getting into bed. Dylan, who wasn't asleep, hugged him as soon as he lay down. Leandro pulled him close and ran one of his hands down his back.

"Rest," Dylan whispered, before falling sound asleep. Leandro didn't answer, he just kissed him on the forehead.

Half an hour passed, but he couldn't even get a wink of sleep. His mind, as if it were a bad joke, insisted on reminding him of the image of Luka talking to that college student. His words also echoed in his busy head. Consciously or unconsciously, he touched the neatly trimmed, bushy beard on his face.

He was no older than thirty-eight, although his face looked it. And although Luka wasn't particularly young either, he looked much younger. He had a white, youthful face; anyone would be attracted to him. Luka liked younger people, there was no impediment to keep him single, and he couldn't stop him from having a relationship, but if he could at least have one night of sex with him, after that, he could go with anyone.

Early in the morning, even before Dylan got up, Leandro had finished shaving his face. The black beard made him look four or five years older than he was; once he got rid of it, he could see his face a little more youthful. Even he was surprised.

"Good morning, sir, I brought you breakfast. I don't know what young Dylan likes, so..."

Luka's words caught in his throat. From the moment Leandro opened the door he kept his head down, checking to make sure the coffee hadn't spilled. Once his beautiful eyes met Leandro's clean-shaven face, they widened in surprise. The change in Leandro was extreme. Without a beard, besides looking years younger, he could even see traces of kindness in him.

He was definitely a different person.

He opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. The words wouldn't come out, even though he wanted to say something. Finally, he closed his lips and entered. Leandro saw his surprised face and smiled. Luka's expression was so genuine and funny that he would have liked to take a picture.