He's not completely wrong; there's surely an element of that here. Jean-Claude's freedom to be his own authority within his territory is completely dependent on his capability in defending it. Collecting powerful individuals and creatures is a habit of his kind for a reason. But it takes more than just power, or being someone he can manipulate, for Jean-Claude to give his personal attention to someone.

Because his personal attention doesn't fade with time. It is a long game. Seduction and skillful sex are all about patience, and Jean-Claude is a master. For example: leading Jonathan to ask this himself, to lay it out there in the open as a participant, rather than a recipient.

"Of course," he replies, not too fast, not too eager. A shade of warmth to his tone. Jean-Claude can hear his heartbeat, and he is enough of a predator to find it enticing, a promise of something delicious. "Whether in this city or here in the Circus. You may have my protection if you follow my rules - the same as every other preternatural who reside in my territory."