Interview with Danger

Simon Alarie, a sharp-tongued, high-maintenance French-Brit, endures a bizarre job interview in a former police station, now a shadowy corporate lair. The process is more interrogation than onboarding, and Simon's wit is his only shield. When a mysterious, leather-gloved man enters—Wolfgang, exuding danger and allure—Simon's world tilts. Their banter is electric, laced with dark humor and sexual tension. Simon, desperate to escape his disappointing American life, is offered a lucrative position as an assistant to the enigmatic "Mr. S." The job promises escape, adventure, and, perhaps, a brush with the criminal underworld. Simon's irreverence and Wolfgang's predatory calm set the stage for a collision of obsession, secrets, and the intoxicating pull of the forbidden.

The Hand of Death

Wolfgang Suarez, known as The Hand of Death, observes Simon's interview, torn between duty and desire. Tasked with tracking his missing sister, Violentia, Wolfgang needs an assistant with a fresh perspective—Simon fits the bill. Yet, Wolfgang's lethal touch means intimacy is impossible; anyone he touches dies. Despite this, he's drawn to Simon's audacity and vulnerability. Family as Both Haven and Hell loyalty and the weight of his parents' villainous legacy haunt him. Wolfgang's internal struggle is palpable: he must protect his family, find his sister, and resist the dangerous attraction to a man he can never safely touch. The stage is set for a journey where obsession and self-denial war with the need for connection.

Departure and Temptation

Simon, ever the flirt, is collected by Wolfgang for an international assignment. Their chemistry is immediate, with Simon's playful provocations clashing against Wolfgang's stoic professionalism. Wolfgang insists Simon ride in the back, maintaining a physical barrier, but the emotional one is already crumbling. As they board a private jet to Tokyo, Simon's excitement is tinged with curiosity about his employer's true nature. Wolfgang, meanwhile, is tormented by the proximity of temptation and the impossibility of touch. The journey promises luxury, danger, and the slow unraveling of secrets as both men test the limits of their roles and desires.

Secrets in the Skies

Aboard the jet, Simon and Wolfgang's banter turns intimate. Simon's boldness—making coffee, teasing, and flirting—pushes Wolfgang to the edge. The two share a movie, playful bets, and a growing sense of mutual obsession. Wolfgang's family group chat provides comic relief and insight into the Suarez clan's dynamics, while Simon's vulnerability peeks through his bravado. The tension between them is palpable, both sexual and emotional, as they navigate the boundaries of professionalism and longing. The flight becomes a crucible, forging a connection that neither can ignore, even as Wolfgang's deadly secret looms.

Obsession Takes Hold

Simon awakens mid-flight, observing Wolfgang's intensity and feeling the weight of their unspoken attraction. Wolfgang, lost in thought, is both protector and predator, struggling with his feelings and the curse of his touch. Their conversation reveals shared loneliness and the ache of wanting what they cannot have. Simon's irreverence masks a deep need for acceptance, while Wolfgang's control is fraying. The journey to Tokyo is not just physical but emotional, as both men inch closer to the precipice of obsession, each haunted by the possibility—and peril—of intimacy.

Blood in Tokyo

In Tokyo, Wolfgang's search for Violentia leads to betrayal and bloodshed. Ambushed by yakuza, Wolfgang's lethal powers are unleashed, leaving a trail of bodies and a ruined suit. Simon, left behind in luxury, oscillates between boredom and concern for his enigmatic boss. When Wolfgang returns, bloodied and aroused, the boundaries between violence and desire blur. Simon's acceptance of Wolfgang's darkness—and his own fascination with it—deepens their bond. The city's neon lights cast long shadows, and both men realize that survival in this world requires trust, cunning, and a willingness to embrace the monstrous within.

Sushi and Strategy

After the carnage, Simon and Wolfgang share a meal, their dynamic shifting from employer-employee to something more intimate. Simon's intelligence and strategic mind impress Wolfgang, who begins to rely on his assistant's insights. Together, they plot their next moves, navigating the treacherous world of international villainy. Simon's comfort with violence and Wolfgang's vulnerability create a partnership built on mutual respect and growing affection. The search for Violentia becomes a shared mission, and the lines between professional and personal blur as they learn to trust—and need—each other.

Tea and Confessions

A traditional tea ceremony in Tokyo becomes a moment of revelation. Simon, eager to impress, shares his knowledge and history, while Wolfgang opens up about his aversion to touch and the trauma of his powers. The ritual's quiet beauty contrasts with the violence of their world, offering a rare space for honesty. Both men confess their fears and desires, finding solace in each other's presence. The ceremony cements their bond, hinting at the possibility of healing and connection, even as danger lurks on the horizon.

Berlin's Dark Temptations

In Berlin, Simon and Wolfgang dive into the city's infamous nightlife, using the chaos of a club to gather intel on Violentia. Simon's provocative outfit and fearless attitude draw attention—and danger. Wolfgang's jealousy and protectiveness flare as Simon becomes bait for a sadistic villain. The club's hedonism mirrors the characters' internal struggles, as pleasure and pain, dominance and submission, intermingle. When Simon is attacked, Wolfgang's rage is unleashed, and the true depth of his feelings—and his capacity for violence—are revealed.

Club Benediktion

Simon falls victim to a villain's mind-control, paralyzed and assaulted in the club's shadows. Wolfgang, driven by possessive fury, intervenes with lethal force, maiming the attacker and claiming Simon as his own. The aftermath is raw: Simon is shaken but grateful, while Wolfgang is wracked with guilt and fear over his deadly touch. The incident exposes the dangers of their world and the risks of intimacy. Yet, it also solidifies their connection, as both men realize they are willing to kill—and die—for each other.

Betrayal in the Shadows

The fallout from the club attack forces Simon and Wolfgang to confront their secrets. Wolfgang's true identity as The Hand of Death is revealed, and Simon grapples with the reality of loving a man who can kill with a touch. Family betrayals come to light, as Violentia's motives and alliances are questioned. The couple's bond is tested by lies, guilt, and the ever-present threat of violence. Yet, through confession and forgiveness, they find a way forward, determined to face the dangers together.

The Inventus Revelation

A near-fatal accident reveals that Simon is immune to Wolfgang's deadly touch—a phenomenon linked to the legendary inventus bond, a soulmate connection among supes. This discovery upends everything: Simon is not just a normie, but something more, capable of sharing and amplifying Wolfgang's powers. The revelation brings hope and terror, as the couple navigates the implications of their bond. Family, enemies, and the supe world at large take notice, and the stakes of their relationship—and their survival—are raised to new heights.

Boundaries and Yearnings

Despite their newfound connection, Wolfgang struggles with self-loathing and fear of hurting Simon. He withdraws, erecting emotional and physical barriers, even as Simon yearns for closeness. Their nights are filled with dreams, nightmares, and the ache of unfulfilled desire. Simon's patience and persistence slowly wear down Wolfgang's defenses, and the two begin to explore the possibilities—and dangers—of touch, intimacy, and love. The journey is fraught with setbacks, but the promise of healing and wholeness glimmers on the horizon.

Mistress of Berlin

A confrontation with Mistress Noir-Rouge, a powerful supe and old family ally, tests Simon and Wolfgang's partnership. The meeting is a dance of dominance, secrets, and veiled threats, as the couple navigates the treacherous politics of the supe world. Simon's wit and courage earn respect, while Wolfgang's reputation as a ruthless leader is both a shield and a target. The encounter reveals new enemies, old grudges, and the precarious balance of power that governs their lives.

Family and Forgiveness

Family dynamics come to the fore as Simon and Wolfgang confront their respective parents and siblings. Old wounds are reopened, and the cost of loyalty, betrayal, and survival is laid bare. Simon's irreverence and Wolfgang's vulnerability create space for honesty and healing, as both men learn to forgive themselves and each other. The family's future hangs in the balance, and the couple must decide what—and who—they are willing to fight for.

Lavender Fields of Truth

A retreat to the lavender fields of Provence offers a respite from violence and intrigue. Surrounded by beauty and memory, Simon and Wolfgang confront their deepest fears and desires. The setting becomes a crucible for confession, as both men lay bare their souls and declare their love. The peace is fragile, threatened by the shadows of the past and the uncertainty of the future. Yet, in each other's arms, they find hope, purpose, and the courage to face whatever comes next.

Exposure and Surrender

Wolfgang, for the first time, surrenders control to Simon, allowing himself to be touched, loved, and claimed. The act is transformative, breaking the chains of trauma and self-loathing that have bound him. Simon's dominance is tender and fierce, offering Wolfgang the safety and acceptance he has always craved. Their lovemaking is both a battle and a balm, a celebration of trust and the power of letting go. Together, they redefine the boundaries of pleasure, pain, and love.

The Mother's Warning

A surprise visit from Simon's mother, Bunny, brings both comic relief and a sobering reminder of the dangers that surround them. Bunny's approval is conditional, her warnings sharp, but her love for Simon is clear. The encounter forces Wolfgang to confront his own fears of inadequacy and the possibility of losing Simon. Family, in all its messy, complicated glory, becomes both a source of strength and a crucible for growth.

Ultimatums and Departures

Tensions reach a breaking point as Simon and Wolfgang argue over secrets, boundaries, and the future. Misunderstandings and pride threaten to tear them apart, and Wolfgang's self-sacrificing instincts lead him to consider leaving for Simon's safety. The pain of separation is acute, and both men are forced to reckon with what they truly want—and what they are willing to risk—for love.

Touch of Death

A moment of vulnerability turns deadly when Simon, seeking comfort, is nearly killed by Wolfgang's touch. The incident is a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in their relationship and the limits of even the inventus bond. Wolfgang is consumed by guilt and fear, while Simon, ever resilient, refuses to let tragedy define them. Together, they must find a way to reconcile love and danger, trust and caution, in a world where death is always close at hand.

Resurrection and Realization

Simon's miraculous recovery brings relief and new questions. Family members—both supe and normie—rally around the couple, offering support, advice, and comic chaos. The inventus bond is tested and affirmed, as Simon and Wolfgang realize that their connection is both unique and unbreakable. Together, they face the future with renewed determination, ready to confront whatever challenges—and enemies—await.

Reunion and Release

After a period of separation and soul-searching, Simon and Wolfgang reunite, their love stronger for having survived the crucible of pain and loss. Old wounds are healed, new promises made, and the couple embraces the messy, beautiful reality of their bond. Family, friends, and lovers gather to celebrate, and the future, once uncertain, now glows with possibility.

Claiming and Consummation

Simon and Wolfgang finally consummate their relationship in every sense, exploring the depths of their desires and the heights of their love. The act is both primal and sacred, a claiming and a surrender, a celebration of everything they have survived and everything they have become. In each other, they find home, purpose, and the promise of forever.

Dinner with a Villain

A dinner date becomes a stage for public and private revelations. Simon and Wolfgang navigate the expectations of the supe world, the politics of power, and the meaning of heroism and villainy. Their love is both a shield and a weapon, a challenge to the status quo and a beacon of hope. Together, they redefine what it means to be a villain—and a hero—in a world that demands easy answers.

The Hunt in Villefranche

A game of cat and mouse in the streets of Villefranche becomes a metaphor for Simon and Wolfgang's relationship. Desire, danger, and dominance intertwine as they chase and claim each other, reveling in the thrill of the hunt and the joy of surrender. The city's beauty and shadows mirror their own, and the night becomes a playground for love, lust, and the promise of forever.

Nightmares and Promises

Haunted by nightmares and the ghosts of the past, Simon and Wolfgang make new promises to each other. The vow to protect, to cherish, and to never let go becomes their anchor in a world of uncertainty. Together, they face the darkness, knowing that as long as they have each other, they can survive anything.

Family Business

With the immediate threats vanquished, Simon and Wolfgang turn their attention to the future. Family roles are redefined, responsibilities shared, and old wounds healed. The couple's love becomes the foundation for a new era, one built on trust, respect, and the willingness to embrace both the light and the darkness within. Together, they build a legacy that honors the past and looks boldly to the future.

Origins in the Jungle

A journey to Argentina uncovers the origins of supe powers and the truth of Simon's heritage. Cave paintings and anthropological research reveal a history of conquest, evolution, and the blending of species. Simon's identity as a mimic, a being capable of absorbing and reflecting power, is both a gift and a curse. The revelation challenges everything they thought they knew about themselves, their world, and the meaning of family.

Cave of Hands

The Cave of Hands becomes a crucible for understanding the past and shaping the future. Simon and Wolfgang confront the reality of their origins, the dangers of power, and the responsibilities of leadership. The past is both a warning and a guide, and together, they vow to use their knowledge—and their love—to build a better world.

The Final Confrontation

The final battle with Glacial Girl and Violentia tests the limits of loyalty, power, and forgiveness. Family secrets are revealed, alliances shift, and the cost of survival is laid bare. Simon and Wolfgang, united by love and the inventus bond, face their enemies with courage and cunning. In the end, it is not power, but love, that triumphs, forging a new path for the family and the world.

Epilogue: The Mafia Queen

Simon, now the self-proclaimed Mafia Queen, reflects on the journey from irreverent assistant to co-leader of the most powerful supe clan. Family, love, and legacy intertwine as the couple builds a new life together, delegating responsibilities, healing old wounds, and planning a future filled with joy, adventure, and the occasional bout of villainy. The story ends not with an ending, but with the promise of more: more love, more chaos, and the certainty that, together, they can face anything.

Characters

Simon Alarie

Simon is the heart and chaos of the story—a French-British "normie" with a razor wit, a taste for luxury, and a penchant for trouble. Beneath his irreverence lies deep vulnerability and a desperate need for acceptance. Simon's journey is one of self-discovery: from outsider to indispensable partner, from assistant to Mafia Queen. His relationship with Wolfgang is a dance of dominance and submission, humor and heartbreak, lust and love. Simon's mimic powers and immunity to Wolfgang's deadly touch make him unique, but it is his courage, loyalty, and capacity for love that truly set him apart. He is both the boss and the brat, the savior and the saved, and his arc is one of transformation, healing, and the triumph of love over fear.

Wolfgang Suarez (The Hand of Death)

Wolfgang is the archetypal antihero: a supervillain with a deadly touch, a tragic past, and a heart starved for love. Raised in a family where power and violence were currency, Wolfgang's life is defined by duty, sacrifice, and the burden of leadership. His attraction to Simon is both a salvation and a torment, forcing him to confront his deepest fears and desires. Wolfgang's journey is one of learning to trust, to let go, and to accept love—not as a weakness, but as the ultimate strength. His development from isolated weapon to devoted partner is the emotional core of the novel, and his willingness to surrender control is both his greatest risk and his greatest reward.

Violentia Suarez

Violentia is Wolfgang's sister and former partner in villainy, a powerful supe with a berserker's rage and a tragic vulnerability to manipulation. Her disappearance and betrayal drive much of the plot, and her eventual return is fraught with guilt, anger, and the longing for forgiveness. Violentia's arc is one of redemption: she must confront the consequences of her choices, reclaim her agency, and fight for the family she once abandoned. Her relationship with Wolfgang is complex—marked by rivalry, loyalty, and the shared scars of their upbringing.

Glacial Girl (Wolfgang's Mother)

Glacial Girl is the story's primary antagonist, a supervillain whose love is conditional and whose ambition knows no bounds. She is both the architect of Wolfgang's trauma and the final obstacle to his happiness. Her worldview—family as tools, power as the only currency—stands in stark contrast to the values Simon and Wolfgang build together. Her eventual defeat is not just a victory over an enemy, but a symbolic breaking of generational cycles of abuse.

Baltasar Suarez (Baby Hulk)

Baltasar, the "Dumb One," is both a source of humor and unexpected wisdom. His transformation into Blunt Force provides muscle when needed, but his true value lies in his loyalty and willingness to follow Simon's lead. Baltasar's journey is one of learning, growing, and finding his place in a family that often underestimates him.

Xander Suarez (Doctor Antihero)

Xander is the family's mad scientist, a supe whose intelligence and wit are matched only by his capacity for chaos. His inventus bond with Butch provides a model for Simon and Wolfgang, and his scientific curiosity drives much of the plot's exploration of supe origins. Xander's relationship with his siblings is both antagonistic and affectionate, and his arc is one of embracing both his power and his vulnerability.

Butch Hawthorne (Captain Masculine)

Butch is the archetypal hero, but his journey is one of breaking free from manipulation and learning to define heroism on his own terms. His relationship with Xander is a source of strength and healing, and his willingness to support Simon and Wolfgang marks him as a true ally. Butch's arc is about finding balance between duty and desire, and learning that true strength lies in compassion.

The Twins (Gabe and Dre)

Gabe and Dre, known as Shock and Awe, are the family's youngest and most mysterious members. Their telepathic bond and artistic talents set them apart, and their role in the family is both supportive and subversive. The twins' arc is one of coming into their own, using their powers for both creation and protection, and helping to uncover the family's origins.

Bunny Alarie (Simon's Mother)

Bunny is both comic relief and a source of unexpected wisdom. Her many marriages, love of luxury, and sharp tongue mask a deep love for Simon and a willingness to do whatever it takes to protect him. Bunny's approval is hard-won, but her support is unwavering once given. Her relationship with Wolfgang is fraught with suspicion and eventual respect.

Dr. Lorenzo Torres-Maldonado

Lorenzo is the key to uncovering the origins of supe powers and Simon's true nature. His research into the Cave of Hands and the history of supe-human evolution provides the scientific and mythological backbone of the story. Lorenzo's role is that of guide and revealer, helping the characters—and the reader—understand the stakes of their world and the meaning of their powers.

Plot Devices

Dual POV and Unreliable Narration

The novel's dual point of view—alternating between Simon and Wolfgang—creates intimacy and tension, allowing readers to experience both the irreverent humor of Simon and the haunted introspection of Wolfgang. This structure also enables dramatic irony, as each character withholds or misinterprets information, heightening suspense and emotional stakes.

The Inventus Bond

The inventus bond is both a plot device and a metaphor for intimacy, trust, and the risks of love. It allows for power-sharing, amplifies abilities, and marks the couple as both unique and targeted. The bond's mysterious origins and unpredictable effects drive much of the plot's conflict and resolution, serving as both blessing and curse.

Family as Both Haven and Hell

Family dynamics—rivalries, betrayals, and alliances—are central to the narrative. The Suarez clan is both a source of strength and a crucible of pain, and the characters' journeys are defined by their efforts to break free from, or redeem, their family legacies. The interplay of love, duty, and resentment is explored through both plot and character development.

Power, Consent, and the Dance of Dominance

The novel uses BDSM dynamics, power exchange, and explicit negotiation to explore themes of trust, vulnerability, and the joy of surrender. Consent is foregrounded, and the characters' exploration of dominance and submission mirrors their emotional journeys. The interplay of pleasure and pain, control and release, is both literal and symbolic.

Foreshadowing and Symbolism

Recurring symbols—Simon's Venus flytrap, Wolfgang's gloves, the scent of lavender—foreshadow key plot points and emotional beats. The flytrap represents both danger and care, the gloves symbolize the barrier of trauma and the possibility of healing, and lavender evokes both memory and hope. These motifs tie the narrative together and deepen its emotional resonance.

International Settings and Cultural Rituals

The story's international scope—Paris, Tokyo, Berlin, Provence, Argentina, Iceland—mirrors the characters' internal journeys. Cultural rituals (tea ceremonies, family meals, clubbing) serve as moments of connection and revelation, grounding the fantastical elements in real human experience.

Analysis

Gentlemen Prefer Villains is a subversive, darkly comic, and deeply romantic exploration of power, trauma, and the redemptive possibilities of love. At its core, the novel interrogates the boundaries between heroism and villainy, dominance and submission, and the masks we wear to survive. Through the lens of a queer, kink-positive romance, the story dismantles traditional binaries—good/evil, strong/weak, human/supe—and replaces them with a celebration of complexity, vulnerability, and chosen family. The inventus bond, with its risks and rewards, becomes a metaphor for the courage required to love and be loved, to surrender control, and to trust another with one's life and soul. The novel's humor, explicit sexuality, and irreverent voice are not mere window dressing, but essential tools for survival and healing in a world that punishes difference. Ultimately, Gentlemen Prefer Villains argues that true strength lies not in the ability to kill or dominate, but in the willingness to forgive, to connect, and to build something new from the ashes of the past. It is a story for anyone who has ever felt like an outsider, a monster, or a villain—and who dares to hope for a happy ending anyway.

Last updated: September 21, 2025