Alex was awake early, after going to the bathroom, he returned and stood in the grey half light and watched Yassen sleep. Strange to think that Yassen Gregorovich was comfortable enough in his presence, not to wake. Alex then returned to bed and the sleeping form curled closer around him. Finally after weeks of being alone and on tenderhooks Alex could relax again. Safe in an assassin's bed. Alex smiled thinking of Yassen's promise to fuck him again and again and he felt himself hardening at the thought. Yassen then shifted and his morning erection brushed Alex's arse. Alex started to masturbate unable to contain himself any longer.

"Stop!" came the order. "That and your release belongs to me."

Alex immediately stopped and groaned wanting friction and the slow built to orgasm.

Yassen sat up and opened the bedside drawer, then retrieved several items. "Give me your wrists." Alex obeyed as handcuffs encircled his wrists, which were then attached to the headboard. Yassen then moved to Alex's erection. All thoughts of release were stopped when Yassen placed a cock ring around his penis and balls. Alex whimpered and Yassen kissed him. Alex leaned into the kiss, wanting any contact with his lover. Yassen then moved Alex onto his stomach. Cool moist fingers circled Alex's anus. Yassen slowly prepared Alex for intercourse then an object, cold, blunt and wide was pushed into the young man. "Now, Alex you are truly beautiful" Yassen hissed as he kissed Alex's neck and shoulders while playing with the butt plug.

Alex moaned "Please!"

"All in good time, beloved. All in good time."

Alex was too tired to move let alone talk. Yassen was snoring softly beside him. Alex thought it had been a perfect day. Fuck and sleep, repeated four times. It had been slow and sensuous torture and each orgasm had been exquisitely drawn out. Now he was sated and ravenously hungry. After a monumental effort, Alex stood and made his way to the kitchen. A pizza delivery with side orders was a perfect solution. Phone call made. Food would arrive in 20 minutes. Just enough time to shower and put on some loose clothes.

Alex went to wake his lover after the food arrived. Eating in silence, both men were famished. Alex wiped his chin and decided to speak.

"Are we resting for a few days?"

"Yes. We will lay low. Tomorrow we will spar and train."

Alex was unsure how to proceed with his uncertaintites and worries. He looked at his plate and decided to bite the bullet "I don't think I'm cut out to be an assassin. I think you know that as well. You've been sheltering me. Protecting me."

"Alex, you have killed successfully in the past. To survive. I do much more than just eliminate targets. My work for Scorpia involved procurement, logistics and protection. You have already undertaken these skills for MI6, for ASIS, for the CIA, for Scorpia, for Dimitri and myself" Yassen then ate another slice of pizza. "I guess if any of the agents or thugs in Berlin had threatened you would have removed the threat as efficiently as I would do."

Alex pondered this. "I do not think I am not ready for solo work, yet." Alex took a deep drink of cold coca cola. "Surely there are plenty of ex-Scorpia employees freelancing now?"

Yassen laughed. "You would think so. I'm afraid when Scorpia fell, the loss of the committee meant most were left to fend for themselves. The training made many too arrogant and sure of themselves. They did not integrate with mafia or criminals. Most met with violent ends. You are unusual Alex. You sit, observe and don't rock the boat. You show just enough skills to get by. Dima knows you are a skilled marksman, a fine combatant and you know how to underplay yourself. You could fit in as a toy, an enforcer or as a negotiator. You Little Alex are a chameleon."

Alex looked at Yassen and furrowed his brow. "Do you blend into the background as well?"

"That fool Sayle dismissed me as a go between. I was his handler and he thought he was in charge. Never underestimate your colleagues or your opponents. A simple mistake that could be your last."

Alex mused on this. "Even people like Rogan?"

"John introduced me to Rogan. Working for Mossad pays well but never think that they would not stab you in the back. Rogan is a fanatic. All fanatics are dangerous."

"Are all Mossad operatives fanatics?"

"Some. Rogan is a loner. A true assassin. They have search and destroy teams in place all over the globe. Since the 1970's they have been active removing threats to themselves. Working for them has earned me lots of money. I have also worked for the American's and the British. Do not think in black and white. Working for some groups gets you noticed in a bad way. You must pick your jobs, some are too dangerous, even obscene amounts of money are not enough. You can always sell the information to others."

"Would you sell me?"

Yassen looked at Alex. "No. I might tell you to work for someone or to take a job but I would not betray you."

Alex was not going to let this go "Even if I was a danger to you."

Yassen smiled a hard, cold smile. "You are more a danger to yourself than to me."

Alex could not relax. "I like being yours. I have felt more comfortable with you." Alex did not say the words on the tip of his tongue. Love.. Was it love? or just some strange survival instinct. "Are you training me to be as dangerous as you?"

"Ian trained you to be a perfect operative. You just keep collecting skills. A month ago you spoke no Russian, now we converse in it. I will teach you Arabic and Hebrew. Maybe Mandarin. I think we will work together for a while yet"

Alex breathed a bit easier. "Do you think we will stay lovers, even after I take on freelance work?"

"Maybe. I would like to think so." Yassen understood than Alex needed some stability at the moment. In a week, he would contact Dima. A week to enjoy Alex.