A review by haloblues
Just a Bit Ruthless by Alessandra Hazard

4.5

Actually pretty close to a 5.

Details: Alternating POVs, third-person, past tense
Favourite character: Both
Happy ending?: Yes
Other content warnings: CNC (roleplayed non-con), brief M/F scenes

Favourite quotes:
He leaned to Luke’s ear, his warm breath tickling him, and murmured, “You don’t have to be manly with me, you know. You don’t have to be anything. You can let go, sweetheart. Anything that happens here, stays here.”


“I don’t know why I told you all of this,” Luke said with a small laugh. “I don’t know what I’m doing in your lap. Please do something evil soon. It’s freaking me out how nice this feels.”

Roman chuckled. “Maybe that’s my evil plan,” he said.


“Go brush your teeth. I want to kiss your pretty mouth.”

“Your morning breath doesn’t exactly smell like roses, either,” Luke grumbled, though Roman’s morning breath was fine.

“Evil men get leeway,” Roman said, his face dead serious. “It’s in the ‘How to Be Evil For Dummies.’ Latest edition.”


There was knowing, and then there was knowing.


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.


When his head cleared a little, Roman found that he had the boy cradled against his chest, his fingers carding through the moist curls. Luke was nuzzling into his collarbone, all but purring. He really was such a kitten.


Luke half-groaned, half-laughed. “You’re impossible!”

No, you’re impossible, Roman thought, looking down at Luke’s grinning face. What are you doing with me, letting my tainted hands touch you?

He didn’t say it aloud. He never claimed to be a good man.


“I love you, love you, love you!” he said breathlessly between kisses. Luke froze, flushing, and laughed awkwardly. “You don’t have to say it back. I just wanted you to know.”

“You’re an idiot,” Roman said and Luke’s face turned adorably confused and a little hurt. Like a kitten. A little kitten with his claws sunk right into him.

“I love you, too, you silly boy,” Roman said, his voice gruff. When Luke’s eyes widened, Roman’s lips twisted. “I wish I didn’t. They say love brings out the worst in a man. I’m almost scared of what I’m capable of if anyone tries to take you away from me.” He stroked Luke’s cheek with his knuckles, holding Luke’s unblinking, misty-eyed gaze. “You should have told me to leave while you still could, sweetheart. I’m not a good man. Not good enough for someone like you.”

Luke shook his head slowly. “You’re good to me. Is it bad that’s all I care about?”

Roman chuckled. “You’re asking the wrong person, love.”


Roman wondered when this soft-hearted, bright-eyed human being had become his home, his safe place. He didn’t know. What he knew was that he would do just about anything to keep his safe place safe.

“You know what I want right now?” Luke said with a small, happy smile. “I want to have slow, sappy vanilla sex for a change.”

“I think it’s called making love,” Roman said, nudging Luke’s nose with his own.

“Yeah,” Luke murmured, grinning against Roman’s lips. “Let’s make love.”

“Let’s,” Roman said and kissed his sweet lips, greedy and possessive. No one will take you away from me. No one.

Let them try.
 
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