Masimo's POV

It’s been a month since I last ate with Ian, and an unsettling guilt has settled deep in my chest. He’s alone, trapped in this gilded cage I’ve put him in—and I’m the only one he’s slightly comfortable with. My absence weighs on me, more than I care to admit. But business had to come first. Today, that changes. After today, I’ll be free to stay by his side, give him the attention he deserves. Today’s the last day, and once I finish what needs to be done, I can be with him always.

Since discovering Kagar’s hand in the shootout, I’ve been preparing. Planning. Kagar is going to feel the full weight of what he’s done, and I’ve waited too long. The damage he’s caused is unforgivable. He killed my men, my men and no one, no one, gets away with that. He thinks he’s untouchable, but he doesn’t know what’s coming.

Today, I’ll confront him. A full-scale shootout has been arranged. Kagar will be meeting a new gun supplier, one who, like a snake, slithered from my side to his. There’s nothing I hate more than betrayal, and today, both traitors will pay with their lives.

As for Ian, it’s Sunday, his usual day off, and he’s at home. I walk down the hall, ready to see him. It’s been too long since I’ve spent any real time with him, but that changes tomorrow. He’ll never be lonely again. I owe him that much.

When I reach his room, he’s sitting there, engrossed in a book titled "Fuck Everyone. P.S. Fuck Men Too." I chuckle to myself. Of course, Ian’s personality is as far from mine as night is from day. He’s stubborn, sure, but that’s about all we have in common. Where I wear suits, he prefers casuals. I thrive on coffee; he’s a fresh juice guy. The list of differences goes on, but somehow, despite them all, we’re bound together by circumstances neither of us fully control.

“Hey, it’s been a while,” I greet, stepping into the room. He immediately places the book aside, and for a second, his face lights up. But Ian, always guarded quickly schools his features into a mask of indifference.

“Yeah, hey,” he replies, his tone weary, though I can hear a slight softness beneath it.

I can’t help but grin. “So, did you miss me?”

“Nope,” he says almost too quickly. “I was way too busy to miss you.”

I laugh, knowing it’s a lie. His body language, the tension in his voice, all tell a different story. “Are you free? Let’s have breakfast together. I’ve got a busy day ahead, but from tomorrow, I’ll be here. No more being alone.”

He glances up at me, something unreadable in his eyes. “Yes, let’s have breakfast. I’m starving. And I’m not lonely, I enjoy my alone time.”

His words are sharp, but his eyes give him away. Ian may claim he doesn’t need company, but I can see the loneliness flickering behind that tough exterior.

“I’ve already ordered the chef to make all your favorites. He’ll be done in about 15 minutes,” I say, leaning against the doorframe. “You should take a shower. I’ll have one after you, or,” I add with a smirk, “we could shower together. Save time.”

His face flushes crimson. “I’ll be out in five minutes,” he snaps, avoiding eye contact. “Now, back off and sit down on the bed.”

I oblige, sitting down, but not before catching another glimpse of his red cheeks. It’s a good look on him, vulnerable and flustered, so unlike his usual guarded self.

He disappears into the bathroom, and I can hear the sound of water running. After about ten minutes, Ian steps out, shirtless, with a towel wrapped low around his waist. My eyes betray me as they linger on his body, his toned chest, those pink, erect nipples, his ass.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

My cock stirs in my pants, and I have to fight the urge to close the distance between us. It’s been months since we got married, and I haven’t touched another soul since. Not out of obligation, but because I can’t bring myself to. Ian deserves more respect than that. Even though he refuses to let me in, I’ve made a silent promise that if we’re ever going to sleep together, it’ll be him and only him. And when that day comes, I’ll make sure it’s unforgettable.

“Aren’t you going to have a shower?” he asks, his tone more composed now. “We only have five minutes, and you’ve got business to handle, right?”

I snap out of my thoughts. “Right, right,” I mutter, heading into the bathroom before I do something I might regret.

We both get dressed, and breakfast is served. The table is quiet as we eat in silence. Ian looks like he has a million thoughts swirling in his head, but he keeps them to himself. My phone buzzes just as I’m about to take the last bite of my waffle.

Mika’s voice comes through the speaker. “Everything’s set. We need to leave in the next 15 minutes. The car’s ready.”

“Understood,” I reply, hanging up.

“I’ve got to go,” I say to Ian, standing up from the table. “Big day. I’ll be back for dinner, though. Don’t leave the house, okay? If you need anything, ask the guards. They’ll get it for you.”

Ian waves me off, his expression unreadable as I head for the door.

---

When we arrive at the meeting site, everything is in place. Kagar stands a few feet away, shaking hands with the traitorous gun supplier. The moment the truck is unlocked, my men emerge, guns blazing. In the span of seconds, Kagar’s men are mowed down. Mika, myself, and a few others join the chaos, killing anyone in sight.

The plan was to spare only two, Kagar and the supplier. But things never go as planned. Amidst the bloodbath, Kagar somehow manages to slip away. I curse under my breath, but we catch the dealer. The bastard isn’t going anywhere.

Back at the mansion, I drag the supplier into the basement. It’s dark, cold, and the air reeks of fear. I circle the man, who’s bound to a chair, sweat dripping down his face as he trembles. He was someone I trusted once, someone who betrayed me for what? Money? Power?

I slam my fist into the wall, making him jump. “Why?” I demand, my voice low and deadly. “Why did you betray me?”

At first, he doesn’t answer. But after a few more rounds of persuasion, knuckles to his ribs, kicks to his shins, he breaks.

“It’s… it’s love,” he sobs, his voice shaking. “I love him… Kagar… I don’t know how it happened, but I fell for him. He’s everything to me. And I… I thought he loved me too.”

Mika and I exchange a glance, both of us silently judging the man. Love? Kagar doesn’t love anyone. He’s a snake, a manipulator. This fool was just another pawn in his game. It’s almost laughable.

The dealer continues, his voice hoarse from the pain. “He’ll come for me. He loves me, I swear! He’ll come and kill you all!”

I chuckle darkly. “No, he won’t.”

With a nod to Mika, we string the dealer up, binding his wrists and ankles in heavy chains. I contemplate shooting him then and there, but no. That would be too merciful. Instead, I’ll let him live with the knowledge that the man he loves doesn’t give a damn about him. That will hurt far worse than death.

---

The rest of the day is spent trying to track down Kagar. Mika leads the search while I return to the office to handle the fallout from the botched shootout. By the time I’m done, it’s past midnight, and my body aches with exhaustion. All I want is to collapse into bed.

But when I enter the bedroom, the bed is empty.

Panic hits me like a freight train. Ian isn’t there. He always stays at home. I call his phone, it’s off. I race through the mansion, searching every room, but he’s gone. I call the hospital, praying he’s gone there to work. But they tell me he took the day off.

My chest tightens. I knew something was wrong, but I tried to brush it off. Tried to pretend everything would be fine.

I storm toward the guard responsible for Ian’s security. “Where is he?” I snarl, grabbing him by the collar.

The guard stammers, eyes wide with fear. “He… he went out for a walk this morning around five. He does that sometimes. He said not to follow him, so I…”

“And you let him go?” My voice is venomous.

The guard swallows hard. “I… I thought he came back! I—I fell asleep and—"

I don’t let him finish. In a blind rage, I pull my gun from my back pocket and fire. The bullet hits him square between the eyes, and he crumples to the floor, dead before he even hits the ground.