After finalizing the arrangements with the others, Dean finally felt a sense of relief. Greg, Damon, Chen, and Shawn were all in agreement—his best course of action was to stay put at Robert’s villa and stay out of the situation with Vander. Each of them had their resources and connections, making their moves far more effective than if he went charging in alone.“Your only job right now is to sit tight,” Greg had said over the call. His tone was teasing, but there was no mistaking the firm resolve beneath it.“We’ll handle Vander,” Damon had added, calm and certain.Even Shawn had chimed in, backing them up. “Yeah, Dean. Just take it easy for once.”And so, with the four of them pressing him from all sides, Dean had no choice but to slip into an unfamiliar state—one of complete inaction.Lying on his bed, he stared up at the ceiling, fingers idly tapping against the edge of the mattress as he pondered what to do with himself. Having so much free time felt oddly unsettling. He was used
Damon chuckled softly, narrowing his eyes as he studied Dean. "Nothing special just wanted to see how you're doing."Dean was momentarily taken aback by the comment, then quickly shifted his gaze. "You are so boring."Damon's eyes wandered around the background of the video, and he noticed the scattered puzzle pieces on the table. He casually asked, "What are you working on?"Dean remembered what he had been doing and, with a shrug, pointed the camera down at the table to show Damon the partially completed image."A puzzle," he said, casually flipping over a piece. "This is what Greg left for me. I don’t even know what it’s supposed to look like when it’s finished."Damon’s eyes lingered on the incomplete smiling face for a moment, his expression subtly shifting."At this point, it’s hard to tell who it is. Could be that self-absorbed senior of mine," Dean muttered as he continued searching through the puzzle pieces.However, Damon fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his
When he finished washing up and returned to the room, Greg was sitting by the side, casually fiddling with his phone. When he saw Dean walk out, he asked offhandedly, "What’s so funny?"Dean cleared his throat, putting on a nonchalant expression. "Nothing."Greg narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously, but after a moment, he chose not to press further.Dean quickly changed the subject. "Last time, Damon mentioned we were supposed to track down Vander. Any updates on that?"At the mention of Vander, Greg’s expression tightened ever so slightly. He nodded. "We went... we reached his house."Dean immediately sensed something off in Greg's tone and furrowed his brow. "And no one was there?"Greg sighed softly, his voice tinged with a subtle resignation. "Nope, all we found was a note."Dean's brow deepened into a frown. "What did the note say?"Greg’s voice carried a strange undertone as if weighed by something unspoken. "It said, 'You don’t need to look for me. I’ll come to find you.'"A c
Joe Vander... Sally Vander...These were their real names—the true identities of these two devilish figures.Dean nodded ever so slightly, a faint smile on his lips, repeating their names with a calm, measured tone. "Alright, Sally, Joe."Suddenly, Joe took a step closer, narrowing his eyes as he appraised Dean with an almost predatory look. His voice was thick with meaning when he spoke, as though he were savoring every word. "I can’t help but feel... you don’t quite belong in a place like this, surrounded by all this... mafia business."Dean recognized the subtle jab—he was being mocked.Joe’s appearance here was far from a casual "visit." There was something more at play, some scheme unfolding beneath the surface. And that remark? It was a test. A way of gauging Dean’s reaction, of probing into his thoughts, as if seeking some kind of vulnerability.Dean responded without hesitation, his voice steady and confident. "I’m not part of the mafia, but they’re my friends—good friends."S
He spoke with an effortless ease as if he truly didn’t care about the doubts they had raised. But everyone present knew better—he was deliberately avoiding the issue.Before anyone could press him further, he smoothly steered the conversation in another direction. His gaze shifted toward Dean, and a faint, almost imperceptible smile played at the corner of his lips."It's rare for us to meet like this," he said lightly. "Why not make the most of it and get along? Besides—" He paused, his eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion. "I feel my wife finds Dean rather intriguing as well… Isn't that right, my dear?"Dean felt his stomach drop.Joe’s words sounded casual enough, yet something was unsettling about them, a hidden implication that made his skin crawl. And that uneasy feeling only deepened the moment Sally spoke."Hmm…" She let out a soft, lilting laugh, her voice smooth as silk. Absentmindedly twirling a lock of her curled hair between her fingers, she fixed Dean with a gaze t
He didn't merely kiss him; there was a darker intent in the way he sucked on Dean's skin. The pressure wasn't overwhelming, but it was enough to leave a faint mark behind. Damon lingered, savoring his work with a subtle satisfaction before continuing his relentless assault.Dean was already growing dizzy from the kisses.His breath quickened, his eyes unfocused, and his rational mind seemed to be slowly consumed by Damon. He tried to push him away, but those arms wrapped around him were like iron bands, unyielding and impossible to escape."Da...mon..."He gasped, calling out Damon’s name once more, only to be met with a low, amused chuckle from him."Mm?" Damon’s lips returned, this time shifting to the other side of Dean's neck, leaving yet another mark of his possession.Dean had long since stopped resisting. He hadn't even realized it himself, but he was slowly, inevitably falling under the spell of Damon’s gentle yet unrelenting assault.It wasn’t until both sides of his neck wer
Dean’s breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding wildly, uncontrollably.Chen let out a low laugh, releasing him, and with a swift, practiced movement, his long fingers tugged at Dean’s collar, leaving a deep kiss mark on his left shoulder.Then, Chen planted several more marks on Dean's collarbone.His actions carried an unmistakable sense of possession as if declaring his claim most intimately.Once he was done, Chen straightened up, admiring the marks he had left, a dangerous smile curling at the corner of his lips.“Alright, for now, this will do.”Chen gently pinched Dean’s chin, his voice low but firm. "But remember, you're mine."Only after that did he release him, turning to walk out of the bathroom.Dean stood frozen, his legs barely holding him up.He took a deep breath, raising a hand to cover his flushed face, his heart racing so fast it felt like it might explode.His gaze fell on his reflection in the mirror—his lips swollen and red from the kiss, the visible marks
Bang!Greg slammed his palm against the wall, caging Dean in with a forceful wall bang.Before Dean could even react, a searing heat crashed against his lips—Greg kissed him.Unlike Damon’s tenderness, Chen’s aggression, or Shawn’s untamed wildness, Greg’s kiss was something else entirely. It was possessive, dangerous, and completely unchecked in its intensity.His hand cupped the back of Dean’s neck, his tongue forcefully prying his lips apart, devouring him with unrelenting dominance. It wasn’t just a kiss but a claim, as if he was trying to erase every other mark left on Dean’s body.Dean’s eyes widened in shock, his entire body burning with humiliation. He wanted to die on the spot.Panicked, he instinctively raised his hands to push Greg away, but the man showed no intention of letting go. If anything, he deepened the kiss, pressing even closer—And then, suddenly—He was yanked away.Damon, Chen, and Shawn had had enough. Without hesitation, they ripped Greg off of Dean and, be
As they drove, Dean couldn’t help but guess their destination. Greg wouldn’t have called him out without a reason—there had to be something special planned. But no matter how much he thought about it, Greg remained tight-lipped, offering no clues, and even went so far as to blindfold him.It wasn’t until the car stopped that Greg’s hand gently covered his face, his voice a whisper in his ear. "Don’t rush. When we get there, I’ll let you see."In the darkness, his senses heightened. Greg’s fingertips carried that familiar warmth, and his voice, low and steady, made Dean’s heartbeat quicken ever so slightly.Greg led him forward, his steps steady and unwavering, carrying an unspoken gravity. They passed through a narrow corridor, climbed a few stairs, and then descended several slopes. Throughout it all, Greg never let go of his hand. The warmth of his palm brought a sense of quiet reassurance to Dean."Where exactly are you taking me?" Dean finally couldn’t hold back.Greg chuckled sof
Shawn chuckled softly, his voice low and warm. "There are several orphanages nearby. Today, the children will gather in the hall for a small event. I thought I'd make some food for them. Would you be willing to help?"Dean’s heart jolted at his words.The disappointment he had felt just moments ago was now replaced by a deep sense of shame.It turned out that Shawn hadn’t brought him here for romance or excitement, but for these children.Of course, he would help. Without hesitation, he rolled up his sleeves, revealing the veins running clearly along his forearms, and answered with sincerity, "Of course."In the kitchen, the steam rose, the crackling sound of the fire filled the air, and the scent of food gradually began to drift around them.Shawn took charge of the meat, his knife moving swiftly and decisively, cutting with precision. Dean focused on the vegetables, washing, chopping, and carefully selecting the seasonings, making sure every detail was perfect.At times, they worked
The same deserted island they had once visited together.As the sea breeze swept across the deck, Dean stood at the railing of the cruise ship, watching the familiar island gradually emerge from the horizon. He froze, unable to look away."Do you remember this place?"Chen stood beside him, his tone soft but with a hint of hidden anticipation.Dean turned his head slightly, glancing at the man next to him. Under the night sky, Chen’s profile appeared particularly gentle, but the glint in his eyes held a playful, tender warmth that was uniquely his."Of course I remember," Dean replied with a light laugh. "But... why bring me here?""You'll understand once we set foot on the island," Chen said with a mysterious smile. "Don't worry, it won’t be as chaotic as last time."Dean raised an eyebrow, curiosity growing in his chest.As soon as his feet touched the island, he realized that things had quietly changed.Though the island still retained its untouched, natural beauty, there were now
Dean froze in place."Hey! How could you just leave like that?! What am I supposed to do?!"He tried to shout at Damon, but the man didn’t even look back, vanishing quickly down the slope.Frustrated, Dean stomped his foot. But the snow wasn’t kind enough to let him act on impulse. With a resigned sigh, he steeled himself and began making his way down the mountain, slowly and cautiously.True to form, he ended up falling several times, his backside almost sore from the repeated tumbles. By the time he finally reached the base of the mountain, he was fuming, ready to catch Damon and give him a good scolding.But when he looked up, everything changed.The snow-covered landscape, once barren and untouched, had been transformed into a dreamlike wedding venue.A deep crimson velvet carpet stretched across the white snow, flanked by golden candelabras and pure white roses. Warm light illuminated the scene, casting a soft, sacred glow across the entire place.And standing at the center of it
He had completely forgotten one thing—these four men were not the type to play by the rules!Before the plan even began, they united to scrap it completely."I don’t accept this three-month rotation business. I want to see him every day," Damon said confidently."Me too," Chen agreed without hesitation."Exactly, three months? Are you kidding me? We're not in a long-distance relationship," Shawn scoffed.Greg crossed his arms and added lazily, "And who can guarantee there won’t be any 'accidents' during those three months? If one of us does something to Dean, the other three will be disadvantaged."Dean was speechless, "...???"Weren't you the ones who came up with this plan?And now you're all in agreement to completely scrap it?But reality turned out to be even more absurd than Dean had imagined—Not only did they not rotate, but all four of them stayed.They immediately offloaded all the affairs of their gangs onto their subordinates and stayed by Dean's side every day, without a
But at that moment, his heart felt more at peace than ever before.Once the four of them were settled back in bed, Dean stood by their side, looking at each of them—still battered and bruised. Though they could speak and laugh, their faces were pale, their weakness evident, and it made his heart ache.He let out a soft sigh and was about to find a place to sit and rest for a moment when a familiar set of footsteps echoed from the doorway.Leo and Ted had arrived, followed by Linda and Tara."My dear little brother, are you alright?" Linda walked straight in, her gaze immediately scanning Dean, her eyes filled with concern.Dean flashed her a reassuring smile and shook his head lightly. “I’m fine. They protected me.”Tara’s eyes swept over the room, landing on the four men in bed, and she couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. “I can tell. But you need to eat and rest too.”As she spoke, she pulled out a bowl of porridge from the thermos bag she was holding and handed it to Dean.Dean bli
Dean pressed his lips together, his eyes cast down, a faint, rueful smile tugging at his expression. “I just feel... a little greedy. And... I’m sorry for them.”The Messenger’s fingers lightly tapped on the desk, a sound that felt like both a reminder and an awakening. “Didn’t they say they don’t mind?”Dean fell silent for a moment, then gave a helpless smile. “But I’m supposed to be a decent man.”At his words, the Messenger let out a light chuckle. “Seems like you still don’t understand.”Dean looked up in confusion. “Understand what?”The Messenger’s smile faded, and his gaze grew intense as if he were peering into the depths of Dean’s soul. “Why are they all part of the mafia?”Dean froze, his breath momentarily catching in his chest.He had never truly thought about that question before.Why weren’t they ordinary people? Why weren’t they doctors, lawyers, professors, or even just regular businessmen?Why, of all things, were they in the mafia?Dean opened his mouth, but no word
Chen paused for a moment, then spoke in a low, steady voice. "Shawn wasn’t a coward. He knew the final blow would be the hardest, so he let us take the first hits."Greg picked up where he had left off, his voice calm but carrying a weight of its own. "He even predicted how Ricky would plan things. That’s why he made preparations on our way there."Dean’s pupils constricted slightly, and his mind buzzed with confusion.He remembered the blood, the agonizing screams—the ten shots Greg had taken, the hundred blows Damon had endured, the thousand punches and kicks Chen had absorbed.He even recalled the image of Shawn being dragged behind the motorcycle, the blood and flesh grinding into the pavement, leaving a glaring, gruesome trail.If what they said was true, then what about Shawn?What kind of resolve had he carried to endure all of this?As Dean’s thoughts spiraled into chaos, a cool hand slowly rested on the back of his hand.Dean snapped out of his reverie, looking down in surpri
Chen’s vision was still blurry, but he tried to focus. When he finally saw Dean clearly, a barely perceptible smile curved his lips. His voice was so weak, it was almost like a whispering breeze. “...Are you crying?”Dean sucked in a sharp breath, quickly wiping the moisture from the corner of his eye. He shook his head. “No... not at all...”Chen let out a soft chuckle, a hint of weary affection in his eyes. “You little fool.”Dean’s nose tingled, and he quickly lowered his head to pour water, trying to hide the overwhelming emotions that were about to break free.But just as he was handing the water to Chen, a muffled groan suddenly came from the other bed in the room.Dean’s head snapped around, and sure enough, he saw Damon’s fingers twitch slightly, his brow furrowed.“Damon!” Dean rushed over, his steps quickening. One moment, he was tending to Chen, and the next, he was kneeling at Damon’s bedside, his eyes filled with urgent concern.Damon slowly opened his eyes, his gaze daze