Asahina_Minamoto

Heartstrings and Handcuffs

Ethan Hayes thought fleeing Atlanta would be the hard part. Escaping relentless loan sharks and a crippling gambling addiction, he lands in Las Vegas with nothing but a bag of cash and a desperate hope for a fresh start. But Sin City has other plans. After stumbling upon so many misfortunes and getting his drink spiked, Ethan wakes up in a lavish penthouse he doesn't recognize. Surrounding him are marble floors, gold-trimmed ceilings, and a view of the city that only the elite can afford. Enter Dante Blackwood—the mysterious and dangerously charismatic billionaire who's face never fail to miss a page of the daily news articles. Dante, the prodigal son who built his own empire from his family's fortune, rules the city's underworld drug trade and production with a cunning smile and an iron fist. Second only to Victor Moretti, the notorious crime lord who controls Vegas's darkest vices, Dante is determined to take the throne and be number One. Seeing something useful in Ethan, Dante makes an offer: infiltrate Victor Moretti's inner circle and gather the intel needed to bring him down. In return, Ethan gets a roof over his head and protection from the demons chasing him. Desperate and out of options, Ethan accepts, plunging headfirst into a world of deceit, danger, and seductive power plays. As Ethan navigates the treacherous landscape of Victor's operation, where every glance is a test and every word could be his last, he finds himself drawn closer to Dante. The lines between duty and desire blur, and Ethan must decide how far he's willing to go and who he can truly trust. In a city built on illusions and ambition, Ethan discovers that the biggest gamble isn't risking his life—it's risking his heart. Warning: Story may contain sensitive themes and strong language. Readers discretion is advised.