King leaned back in his chair, arms crossed as he watched his adopted son kneel before him, hands pressed together in a dramatic plea.

  “You just can’t get enough, can you?” King groaned, rubbing his temple. “Do you really need all those materialistic things?”

  The younger man sprang to his feet, striking a pyful pose with his hands on his hips. “Of course! How else am I supposed to seduce all your enemies? I’m even considering a gender change at this point—full commitment to the craft.”

  King scratched the back of his ear, visibly irritated. “Don’t test my patience. Did you forget I have actual children to take care of? I can’t keep throwing money at you.”

  The young man huffed, stomping his stiletto-cd foot against the floor. “Don’t forget—I’m your child too now. You took me from my family, remember?”

  King let out a low chuckle and sank deeper into his chair, smirking. “But you’re happy to be here, aren’t you?”

  Instead of answering, the young man sauntered over and settled onto King’s p, tracing his fingers along King’s jawline with a feigned tenderness. “So, when do I finally get to meet my family?” He pouted. “I’m tired of waiting.”

  King shook his head, sighing. “I’m giving Gun space. He needs time to process seeing me again after all these years.”

  The younger man pursed his lips, thinking for a moment before his expression darkened. “Jason and I are the same age, aren’t we?”

  King’s eyes narrowed immediately. “Whatever you’re thinking—don’t.”

  Scoffing, the young man slid off his p and strutted toward the door. “I’m going to practice my aim,” he tossed over his shoulder. “Don’t bme me when I try to kill you one day.”

  King smirked, watching him leave. “I’d like to see you try.”

  *

  Jason stood in the dim glow of his office, the space now his after taking over from Gun. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat seeping in from the club below. He could see them from the window—clubgoers swaying to a song he couldn’t hear, lost in their own fleeting highs.

  Gun was home, resting, cradling the life growing inside him. Things had been quiet, almost peaceful, especially with King disappearing into silence.

  But right now, none of that mattered.

  Jason’s grip on his phone tightened, his knuckles turning white. The screen cracked under the pressure, but he barely noticed. His eyes were glued to the video—his lover, wrapped around another man, their mouths locked in a drunken, careless kiss at some campus party.

  Bile rose in his throat.

  He had been away too long.

  A trusted friend had sent it to him, a loyal shadow at the university, someone Jason had instructed to watch over his lover while he was handling business. And yet, here was the truth, captured in shaky, damning footage.

  Jason exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay still even as his blood ran hot with fury.

  He thought about all the nights he had spent restraining himself—holding back the darkness that came so naturally, for them. He thought about the promises, the soft words, the lies.

  His thumb hovered over the py button, as if watching it again would change something. As if it would rewrite reality.

  But the damage was already done.

  A dangerous calm settled over him as his mind spun with possibilities. His lover didn’t know what he had given up by betraying him. Didn’t understand what it meant to be with him.

  But they would learn.

  Jason’s lips curled into a slow, humourless smile as he turned away from the window. He had always been a patient man.

  But patience had its limits.

  And tonight, Inferno would remind them of that.

  Gun sat comfortably on the floor of the living room, completely immersed in the drama pying on the screen. A half-eaten bag of chips rested in his p, while an assortment of snacks y scattered around him like a small feast. He was rexed, enjoying the quiet of the house—until the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang.

  Gun nearly choked on his snack, flinching as Jason stormed past without so much as a gnce.

  “The hell?” Gun muttered, watching his son disappear down the hallway.

  Something was definitely wrong.

  Sighing, Gun pushed himself up and padded after him. By the time he reached Jason’s room, the younger man was already tearing through his closet, throwing clothes into a duffel bag with wild, frantic energy.

  Gun leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. “Where the hell are you going?”

  Jason didn’t even pause. “Back to campus.”

  Gun frowned. “Why?”

  Jason’s jaw tightened as he shoved another shirt into the bag. “Because he’s cheating on me.”

  Gun blinked. “Who?”

  Jason shot him an irritated look. “Who do you think?”

  Gun tilted his head, processing the words. A moment passed before he let out a low chuckle. “Wait, seriously?”

  Jason froze mid-motion, turning to gre at him. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

  Gun shrugged. “I just didn’t know you two were in an actual retionship. I thought you were just… you know, messing around.”

  Jason’s expression darkened, his hands clenching into fists at his sides.

  Gun sighed, rubbing his temple. “Look, I’m not trying to be an ass, but you running over there all pissed off? Not a great idea. You’re gonna do something reckless.”

  Jason exhaled sharply through his nose, his shoulders rising and falling with barely contained anger. His mind was already made up, but Gun’s words lingered, poking at something raw inside him.

  Gun stepped forward, softer this time. “Just… take a breath, alright? What exactly are you pnning to do when you get there?”

  Jason didn’t answer. Because truthfully, he didn’t know.

  All he knew was that his blood was boiling, and he wasn’t sure he could stop himself once he saw him again.

  And maybe—just maybe—that was the point.