Chapter 92 THE RESCUE
Julian and Anton moved like ninjas when they stepped back into the farmhouse.
No words, no hesitation, just purpose.
The night air felt colder now, heavier, like the night itself knew what they were about to do.
Anton closed the door behind them softly, his gun already raised, eyes scanning every corner. Julian walked straight to the room where he had seen the men disappear earlier.
“There,” Julian whispered.
Anton nodded once, shifting his stance to cover the hallway. “Do it.”
Julian crouched in front of the door. It looked normal, like it's just an old wooden door. But the lock was different.
He slipped a small pin out of his pocket, fingers steady despite everything burning inside him.
Anton stood behind him, gun aimed, eyes sharp. Watching and listening for company.
“Anytime tonight,” Anton murmured under his breath.
Julian didn’t respond. He tilted his head slightly, listening to the lock. His fingers moved with precision.
A soft click, and the door opened.
Julian pushed it slowly, revealing a long stairway that sank deep into darkness.
A faint smell hit them.
Anton exhaled. “Lovely place.”
Julian stepped in first. Anton followed right behind him, closing the door quietly.
They moved down the stairs slowly, each step controlled and careful.
The deeper they went, the louder the silence became.
Then—
Voices.
Julian didn't plan on stopping but Anton’s hand came up slightly, signaling him to stop.
They paused and listened.
—“You pity him? Why? If I had a father like boss, I wouldn’t be that ungrateful.”
Julian’s jaw clenched.
His hand moved toward his pocket, pulling out his combat knife.
He was about to move—
Anton grabbed him, and wrapped his arm around Julian’s waist, pulling him back into his chest.
“Calm down,” Anton whispered against his ear. “Let them talk. Loose mouths are useful.” His breath brushed Julian’s neck and Julian stilled.
—“Julian Thorne is more wealthy and powerful. I can’t blame him for wanting to be with such a man.”
—“Are you gay?”
—“No, but for a man like Julian Thorne, I’d be gay without a second thought.”
Anton huffed quietly. “Charming.”
Julian didn’t react.
—“You’re so crazy for money.”
—“But boss is too harsh on his son. I really pity the boy.”
Julian’s grip tightened on the knife.
—“Boss is a strict man but he wants the best for his son.”
—“The best? That doctor is a criminal. He’s just extorting money from boss and giving the boss’ son fake medicine.”
Anton’s eyes flicked to Julian.
—“Why do you think it’s fake?”
—“Because there’s no medicine for gay. Being gay is not a sickness.”
Anton leaned in slightly. “You can kill the idiot. Leave the other one.”
Julian didn’t hesitate, he moved and Anton followed.
—“You are defending it with so much passion, are you gay?”
Julian was already behind them, but the men didn’t even notice.
—“I’m not gay, I’m just saying it’s not a sickness.”
—“Crazy idiot. Being gay is a serious sickness, a disease, and boss is right for trying to cure his son of such dis—”
The sentence never finished. Julian’s hand shot out, he covered the man’s mouth, and his blade flashed in a clean and brutal motion slitting the man's throat.
The man’s body jerked once before going limp, blood spilling fast.
Anton had already grabbed the second man from behind, his gun pressed to the man’s head, his hand clamped over his mouth.
“Be quiet,” Anton whispered, voice low and dangerous. “Be obedient, and you live.”
The man nodded frantically, shaking.
Anton eased his hand slightly. “Good. Now… where is he?”
The man lifted a trembling hand and pointed down the corridor.
Anton nodded. “Walk.”
They moved.
Anton kept the gun pressed against the man’s head, guiding him forward. Julian followed close behind, silent and lethal.
They reached a wider space… a hall that looked like a sitting area.
Voices echoed again.
Julian pulled Anton back, and they both slipped behind a large pillar.
They watched as Henry walked past, with him was a man holding a briefcase.
“Doctor,” Henry said, voice sharp. “Are you sure he doesn’t need another dose?”
The man adjusted his glasses. “No. I’ve already given him too much and he didn’t eat his food, more will hurt him.”
Henry clicked his tongue. “Fine. I’ll wait.”
The doctor hesitated. “How do you plan to test if it worked?”
A cold smile tugged at Henry's face. “I’ll have one of my men touch him. If he reacts… then it didn’t work. But if it does work, I'll pay you even more.”
Anton’s jaw tightened, he muttered curses under his breath.
Julian didn’t move.
Didn’t blink.
The doctor nodded. “It will work. Don’t worry so much. Let’s have a drink.”
They walked toward a small indoor bar area and sat down.
The dim lighting worked in Julian and Anton’s favor.
Anton leaned in slightly. “Now.”
They moved again, fast, yet silent.
They slipped past the bar, the sound of glasses and low conversation masking their steps.
The man Anton held pointed again, this time, at a door.
Julian didn’t wait, his patience had already run thin, he grabbed the knob and twisted it open.
The door creaked slightly, and inside, right in the middle of the room, is Eli. Tied to a chair, his head hanging.
Eli was still, in a way that made Julian’s heart stop for a second. Fear gripped Julian like he'd never felt before. He moved across the room with heavy steps.
“Eli—”
He dropped to his knees in front of him, hands already working, cutting through the ropes with his knife.
“Eli, wake up, I'm here— I'm sorry for coming so late.” Julian said, voice tight as he tried his best to sound like the fear in him at that moment.
The ropes fell, and Eli’s body slumped forward. Julian caught him immediately, holding him in place.
He lifted him slightly. “Eli, hey… can you hear me?”
Eli’s head moved weakly.
His eyes fluttered open, unfocused. Everything blurred together.
But then, he leaned forward and pressed his face into Julian’s chest, breathing in the scent.
That scent… it's familiar… It's safe.
“Julian…?” his voice came out broken, barely there.
Julian’s chest tightened.
“Yes,” he said softly, pulling him closer. “I’m here, baby. You’re safe. Let’s go home.”
For a moment, everything felt still.
Then—
“Home?”
The voice came from the doorway. Cold and mocking.
“I don’t think so.”
Julian’s body went rigid.
Anton turned first, gun already raised. Julian followed, pulling Eli protectively against him.
Henry stood at the door, with four men behind him. All armed. All aiming… at Julian.
Henry smiled slowly. “Family reunion… how touching.”