Chapter 23

"Artemis just handed me over."

My father's voice on the other end of the line was dense. I stared at the empty street, and the nearby shops were closed.

"Great, it was easy to get those things," I said, gripping the steering wheel. Thanks to Gabriela's arrogance, the cabin had been running nonstop for over 2 years with a selective group that helped produce the drugs. Half of them were just chemists desperate for money and without self-defense knowledge. It was very easy to get in unnoticed.

"Did you have fun?" he asked, and I imagined him smiling.

"Yes."

"You did a good job," he praised before ending the call.

I tossed my phone onto the passenger seat and got out of the car into the stifling night air that still reeked of smoke. With silent steps, I entered the building and climbed the stairs. When I stopped in front of the door, I didn’t need to knock to open it; it was already unlocked.

I entered the dimly lit apartment. The TV was on, tuned to the local news. I took off my dirt-covered shoes and the bloodstained jacket, leaving them on the floor, and approached the living room, finding Matias on the couch drinking beer. His brown eyes met mine, but all I did was walk around the coffee table and sit on the soft couch. I grabbed a beer and relaxed in front of his gaze.

"The firefighters are trying to contain the fire that spread through the southern forest at the city limits. The fire started a few hours ago, and everything indicates it began in a private hunting cabin. We have no information on what happened, but anonymous sources have linked the recent fires with local gangs. We’re still waiting for a statement from the sheriff regarding..."

"Was that you?" Matias asked without taking his eyes off the TV.

I took a sip of beer, watching the firefighters trying to put out the uncontrollable fire.

"Was that you?" I shot back, thinking about the burning building.

"It was," he answered without hesitation. The low, raspy sound of his voice made something stir inside me.

"I did too," I confessed without needing to look at him.

"I have more news, Dom, it seems that eight bodies were found tied to a tree near the road at the city limits. Unfortunately, they were all dead when the ambulances arrived, and so far, no one has been identified. We don’t know if this atrocity is related to the fires..."

"And that was your mother," I said, moistening my lips.

Matias was consumed by silence, and we continued sitting there, watching the news while the smell of smoke, blood, and beer increasingly dominated the room.

"What happens now?" he asked, drinking his beer.

"Now, well... I really need a cold shower, and then I hope to find you in bed," I confessed, getting up from the couch, staring at his serious, handsome face.

Matias lifted his head, meeting my gaze, and I waited patiently for his response. I stood still when he turned off the TV, letting the darkness swallow us.

"First bed, then you take a shower," he declared, stealing a smile from me, full of malice.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I stretched my free arm in his direction.

"Whatever you want," I agreed, feeling that intense, uncontrollable sensation take over every fiber of my body.

Without hesitation, Matias took my hand.

***

I woke up to the pleasant smell of bacon and eggs. I opened my eyes, feeling sore from sleeping on the couch. It might be soft, but for hours of sleep, it was something else. As I sat up, I stretched my neck and followed the low sound coming from the kitchen. I was surprised to see Matias at the stove.

"Do you cook?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

Matias poured the eggs onto a plate and placed it on the marble countertop.

"You don't have to look so surprised," he said, opening the fridge.

"Impossible," I declared, sitting on the stool. I inhaled the delicious smell of the food and waited for an invitation to start eating.

Matias served two glasses of orange juice before sitting beside me and eating the eggs in silence.

"It's not bad," I commented, my mouth full, "but you need to improve a lot," I joked, taking a sip of juice. "Shut up," he commanded, focused on the bacon.

I analyzed him carefully. His brown hair was tidy, and he wore gray shorts and a tank top, allowing me to see the small bites on the curve of his beautiful neck. I stretched my hand in his direction and gently touched the marks. Matias stopped chewing and lifted his gaze.

"No," he said seriously.

I huffed, reluctantly pulling my hand away.

"No touching while you're eating," I reminded, rolling my eyes. "I did everything you wanted last night, how about being less demanding with me?" I asked, returning to my breakfast.

"You talk like you didn’t enjoy it, but I remember very well you coming first every time," he retorted, stealing my words.

I bit my tongue, feeling my face burn.

"Shut up," I murmured, filling my mouth with food. "It was cruel of you not to let me sleep in your bed last night. I woke up all sore," I criticized, catching his gaze.

"We agreed on just fucking, not sleeping together," he replied as he stood up. "When you're done, wash the dishes," he ordered, taking the rest of the juice.

"I don't know how to do that," I said, frowning, watching him leave the dishes in the sink.

"Figure it out," he grumbled, heading to the bathroom.

Matias closed the door, leaving me alone. When I finished breakfast, I approached the sink and calmly examined the place. I never had to do any housework; I always had nannies and servants who gave me everything I needed and did everything for me.

I was almost done cleaning when Matias came out of the bathroom. I felt strange and out of place; I was used to using my hands for more useful things.

"What are you going to do?" I asked, following him with my eyes.

"Train. You can leave when you're done," he said, running his fingers through his hair before hanging the punching bag on the stand near the door.

I ignored his usual bad mood and focused on the dishes, listening to him start his workout. The sound of punches and running water filled the loft. After what felt like centuries, I put the dry dishes in the cabinet and approached the guy. Matias was wearing a black shirt, sticking to his sweaty skin, and breathing heavily, but his punches were still powerful.

"I'll help you," I commented, grabbing the focus pads lying on the floor.

"You're still here?" he criticized, making me smile.

"I have free time," I replied. My gaze drifted from his neck to his shirt. "And training with others is much better. You know that. Let me help you with this," I said, easily pulling off his shirt without giving him time to react.

"Why?" he asked, frowning.

"So I can appreciate your body better," I said, finishing putting on the pads. Matias gave me an intense look, and before I could provoke him, he attacked. I kept my arms steady and moved through the room with Matias following me. His punches were powerful, but I focused on his firm abs, tensing, and the sweat running down his smooth skin. "This is really good," I complimented, feeling my body vibrate.

Matias kicked my knee, sending me to the floor. My heart raced when I felt him over me, his salty scent and firm thighs making me hot and hard.

"Are you serious?" he criticized.

"Violence turns me on."

"Pervert," he shot back, giving me a light punch.

Matias stood up, taking his warmth with him, and I watched him take off the gloves.

"Why do you live alone?" I asked finally, overcoming my curiosity.

"I already told you," he said without looking at me.

"Why would you risk living alone in the neutral zone? If it's for privacy, I'm sure Gabriela’s house is big enough that you two would never run into each other," I commented, taking off the gloves and sitting on the couch, still watching him with expectation.

"Why so curious?" he asked, turning towards me.

"I hate not knowing things."

"Let's do this," he said, wiping the damp hair from his forehead. "If you tell me what happened with Takashi, I'll tell you why I’m here alone. What do you think?" he suggested, making every muscle in my body tense.

I went silent, trapped in his light eyes, feeling my heart tighten and something bad twist in my stomach with force.

"You know what happened," I forced myself to say.

"I know the rumors and the statement you gave the police," he said, sitting on the armrest of the sofa. "They had a fight, he attacked you, and you defended yourself," he told me in such a calm voice it was almost monotone. "But what really happened? If he attacked you, why didn’t you immobilize him or knock him out?" he asked, making my heartbeats race.

The taste of blood flooded my mind, along with the scarlet color staining the river water and the sound the body made when it hit the stones... the boy crying behind me. The boy...

"Why?" I demanded, paralyzed on the couch.

"I also hate not knowing things," he repeated, taking his time.

I moistened my dry lips and forced a smile. My cheeks hurt from the gesture, and I forced myself to stand.

"Takashi was bad blood, and bad blood shouldn’t be mentioned," I declared, irritated, seeing Matias widen his eyes, surprised by my words.

I went to the kitchen but stopped when Matias grabbed my wrist. I met his gaze in silence.

"One hour, you're going to have to tell me," he warned seriously.

"Actually, I know why you live alone, I just wanted to hear you say it," I revealed, pulling my arm away.

I put on my shoes near the door, feeling Matias' gaze burning my skin, following my movements like a serpent ready to strike.

"No, you don’t," he retorted.

I put on my jacket and turned toward him, but I regretted that decision the instant I made it. He looked so attractive, sweaty and shirtless, that I felt my anger disappear quickly. The pulse under my pants helped a lot, too.

"Gabriela doesn’t know you're gay," I said without difficulty, opening the door, but Matias slammed it shut with a bang. Everything happened so fast and violently that my heart skipped a beat in surprise.

"Why did that sound like a threat, Ryuuji?" he asked, catching my gaze.

"It wasn’t," I assured, recovering from the shock, shrugging, my gaze fixed on his long, dark lashes. "I just wanted you to know that you can’t keep secrets from me," I said, sinking my hands into the pockets of my jacket.

"But can you do that to me?" he accused, still with his arm against the door.

"Yeah, I can," I agreed, lowering my gaze to his inviting lips.

"Be careful, Ryuuji," he warned in his hoarse voice. "You know I’m not very patient," he reminded me, pulling away and leaving me uneasy, with unwanted thoughts swirling in my mind.