Dressed for the World

Sempre Mio. Always Mine.

Jason Clarke walked into this story sweating through his only decent shirt, wearing five-dollar county fair earrings, hoping he could afford a second round of drinks.

Chapter 9 of Hold Fast is what Rami does about that.

Friday starts at Cosimo Conti’s tailor shop, where Rami’s family has been getting fitted for decades — the man made suits for Rami’s grandfather. Cosimo takes one look at Jason, says il nuovo ragazzo, and gets to work. Deep gray suit, light silver shirt. Jason stands on the platform getting tucked and prodded while Rami drinks an espresso and thinks about how good this is going to look.

Next stop: Gino’s jewelry workshop. Gino has been making something special. Something that isn’t diamonds, isn’t a watch — something that required months of trust and one very specific question: è lui? Sei sicuro? It’s him? You’re sure?

Assolutamente sicuro.

What Gino has made is a collar. Titanium — strong, durable, doesn’t tarnish. Dark chain links, each one etched with the Moretti name. A special lock that only opens with one key, and Rami is the only one who has it.

Jason wipes away a tear. You own me, Sir. I will be honored to wear your collar.

In the alley outside, Rami pushes him up against the building and kisses him. Runs his fingers along the chain. Says the one word that explains everything.

Mine.

Then three hours at one of New York’s most exclusive salons — champagne, highlights, a cut so precise it changes the way Jason holds himself. Shoulders back. Chin up. The way you stand when someone has spent three hours making you feel worth looking at. He doesn’t realize he’s doing it.

Rami sees it the moment he walks in. Fuck. He kisses him right there in the photo booth like the world isn’t watching.

Back at the penthouse, stylist Elliot gets Jason into the suit while Rami gets dressed. When Jason walks into the living room, something in Rami’s chest explodes. The suit is perfect. The collar visible without being gaudy. Nearly perfect.

Nearly.

Rami walks to the cabinet. Pulls out a box. Inside: a Rolex Datejust 36 in Oystersteel, engraved on the back.

Sempre mio. Always mine.

Jason protests about the Tissot — the first watch Rami gave him. Rami is patient. Think of your watches like shoes. Each one has its place.

Jason leans in and kisses him. You make me feel like a million dollars, Sir.

Let’s go to dinner.

Chapter 9 is available now for subscribers at reamstories.com/romanhenrystories — get on the mailing list so you never miss a Thursday drop.