46

"Do they know you're here?" Matias asked, handing me a bottle of water as he sat beside me.

"No, but they must have already missed me," I replied, scanning the apartment. Nothing had changed, but the atmosphere was different due to the things I had to replace after destroying them. "Don't be surprised if they show up knocking your door down again," I declared, taking a sip of water to moisten my dry throat.

"Do you remember that?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"You weren't well. I didn't think you were aware of everything that was happening," he said, lost in thought.

"Oh, I remember everything," I confessed, ignoring the chill that ran up my spine as I recalled that dark night, kneeling in the middle of the deserted street. "How are things going?" I asked, observing his profile.

"A big mess," he confessed, slipping down on the couch. He stretched his legs and rested his head against the backrest.

"I saw the news. Your mom must be freaking out," I agreed, trying not to smile. "I think they'll think twice before messing with me again," I commented, resting my feet on the coffee table. I waited for Matias to scold me, but nothing happened.

"And your eye? How are you?" he asked, glancing at the eyepatch.

"It's not as bad as you think," I warned, shrugging.

"That doesn't answer my question," he retorted seriously.

"The doctor said I'll be fine. I just need time," I lied without thinking twice, sending him a smile before sitting on his lap, making him tense. "Don't I look okay to you?" I asked.

Matias lowered his gaze down my shirt, and I stayed quiet as I felt his hand touch my waist, sliding underneath my shirt. My eyes stayed focused on his face, on his perfect mouth and long lashes.

"Your father knows about us," he said, changing the subject.

"He knows, but nothing will change," I reassured him, catching his gaze.

"How is that possible, Ryuuji? Do you know what my mom would do if she knew?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Even if you were a girl, things wouldn't end well," he explained, growing nervous.

"Don't act surprised. You knew what could happen if they found out," I reminded him, still very aware of his thumb caressing my skin. "Are you scared?" I asked, leaning toward him, resting my arms on the backrest as I watched his beautiful face.

"I'm not afraid of your father."

"Well, you shouldn't be," I agreed, brushing my lips against his temple. His hand squeezed me gently. "He would never touch anything that belongs to me," I commented, trailing down to his jaw. Matias closed his eyes when I gently nibbled on his skin before moving to his slightly parted lips. "And don't even try to run away from me," I warned, making him open his eyes.

"Do I look like I'm going to run away from you?" he critiqued, his eyes cloudy. "Do I look like I'm going to let them take you from me, too?" he asked in a hoarse, deep voice.

The snakes intertwined again, I felt my heart race in my ears and the heat settling in my groin. My body vibrated when I felt his hard cock pressing against mine. I stared into his brown eyes full of desire and kissed him, longing to feel him everywhere.

I buried my fingers in his hair and bit his lower lip, making him part his mouth for my tongue. However, I was forced to stop when I heard a knock at the door. Matias looked at me, panting, his lips swollen, and then glanced toward the door.

We knew who it could be, but I didn't want to get up. I didn't want to stop kissing him, and I really wanted to be inside him.

There was another knock on the door. Matias moved, forcing me to get off his lap. Still sitting, I stole his unfinished beer and took a long sip, listening to him open the door.

"Ryuuji," Shin called from the hallway.

I turned and found him with Kenji, both wearing loose, dark clothes. Kenji had a beanie on, and Shin wore a cap. Matias stayed silent, leaning on the doorknob, pretending that having two grumpy Hebi at his door was nothing.

I got up and left the beer behind, walking toward the door as I felt the three of them assessing me.

"I'll see you tonight," I warned Matias. He didn't stop me from giving him a quick, simple kiss.

Kenji cleared his throat, embarrassed, and Shin remained quiet, staring at us without reacting. I left the apartment, and we walked down the hallway toward the elevator. No one said anything, but the tension was suffocating and unbearable.

"They could have given me more time," I said when the doors closed.

"It's not like we wanted to be here," Shin shot back without looking at me.

"Your dad sent us. You shouldn't have gone out alone," Kenji replied, trying to keep his voice from sounding too harsh.

"I want coffee. Let's stop somewhere on the way," I asked, changing the subject and ignoring the discomfort under my jeans and the heat still dominating my skin.

They both stayed silent, and I bit my lip, knowing it would be hard to get them to forgive me for lying for so long.

***

After dinner, all the Hebi went to the lounge. No one commented on my eye, and they just said they were happy to have me back.

Sitting in the comfortable armchair, I took my medication and watched Artemis explaining about the meeting later. We would go to the deserted road on the outskirts of the city, a place many locals used to hike or take their kids to swim in the nearby lake. It was an isolated trail, far from curious eyes and the police. But I ended up ignoring the entire explanation. My mind was elsewhere, and I focused on Shin sitting in the corner, drinking and reading a book.

He ignored me throughout dinner and refused to even look at me.

"What do you want?" I asked softly, trying not to draw attention.

"Nothing," he replied, turning the page of the book without looking at me.

"Shin..." I started, but he stood up and left the room.

Artemis discreetly watched her boyfriend disappear, and with an uncertain look, I went after the angry boy.

"Hey, Shin!" I hurried to catch up with him and grabbed his hand.

"Don't touch me!" he snapped, pulling his arm away, but I held on tighter and pushed him against the hallway wall.

"Don't ignore me," I said, holding him in place. "Yell, insult me, hit me, but damn it, don't pretend I don't exist. You know I hate it when you do that," I grumbled, clenching my jaw.

"More than 10 years together and you still lie to me! You can still lie to me! Even after everything we've been through," he scolded, shaking his head. "How can you love him too?" he asked, his voice almost gone, his eyes full of hurt and disappointment.

"I can..."

"You can't love two people. That doesn't exist," he cut me off, trying to pull away, but I stayed firm, still locked in his gaze.

"I love him, Shin, but differently. I can love two people," I replied gently. "And I will never stop loving you, no matter what happens or how much I fight it. I belong to you, and you belong to me. Never doubt that," I declared, watching him falter. Slowly, I found my forehead against his, feeling his warmth and his faint scent. "But Matias also belongs to me, and I to him," I confessed, pulling away and releasing him.

Shin swallowed hard and ran a hand through his disheveled hair, evaluating my words.

"Tell me what I need to do for you to forgive me," I almost whispered. "I'll do it..."

My words died when I felt his hand against my face. The strong slap made me flinch, and a loud sound echoed through the empty hallway. Feeling my skin burn and throb, I brought my hand to my face in surprise before meeting the boy's heavy breathing in front of me.

"If you lie to me again, I will never forgive you."

"Fair enough," I agreed, watching his chest rise and fall heavily. His cheeks were slightly flushed. "Can we hug now?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Okay," he accepted, looking away.

I hugged him gently, feeling our bodies fit together. Shin relaxed in my arms, hiding his face against my neck. My heart warmed, and a small smile took over me.

"I love you too," he whispered against my skin.

"I know."