"Oh really? How did you know that?" Vincenzo was surprised.
"I was wondering why the drugs in the city have gotten lower than before. I called Francesca and asked her. Thanks, Vincenzo," Wade said, looking touched.
"No need to thank me, amado. Everything I do is for you."
"Why did you become a cop? Is it solely because of your mother?"
"Because I fucking hate crimes," Wade replied.
"But I do crime," Vincenzo said, casting a complicated look at him..
"Crime, not you," Wade said. How could he hate the man who took away his pain, picked him up when he was at his lowest moment, and gave him the warmth he craved?
"Then why did you become a Mafia member?"
"It runs in the family. I don’t get to choose where or when I was born,"
"If you had a chance, would you still choose to become a Mafia me
"Are you okay? I haven't been able to get in touch with you," Jessica said, looking worried. She watched Wade paced the room back and forth, reading heaps of files."I'm doing fine. Just busy.""You're always busy. Your cousin Nicholas came over and said hi.""Oh, what else did he say? Badmouth me behind my back?""No. He talked about the meetings and the board of directors. He doesn’t want the CEO seat," Jessica said. "That’s a lot of money sitting there. Plus, your father’s getting old. He’s desperate for a successor. It’s a family business after all."Wade stopped in his tracks and sighed. "Are you asking me to go back?""Why would I? That’s up to you. I was just thinking if the two of you could sit down peacefully and not claw at each other’s throats. But it looks impossible. I’m not going to bother ab
They crept together into the factory."Are we working together, or...""Don’t disturb me, or ruin my plans," Wade said."I think you’d better return," Vincenzo latched onto his wrist."Why?""It’s dangerous, I don’t want you to get hurt."Wade jerked his hand out of Vincenzo’s grip and glared at him."I’m doing this,""You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone anymore. I know you’re capable, baby. Your father doesn’t appreciate you, but I do,"Hearing that, tears stung his eyes. Wade took a deep breath."It’s not about proving myself to anyone. It’s about justice,""Are you sure?""We can work together," Wade nodded."Huh, pretty coming out of your
"Isn't that true?" Wade cocked an eyebrow."Untrue," Vincenzo grabbed him and pressed him against the wall."Shit, what are you doing? Not here! Why can't you keep your hands to yourself?""Says the one who has been seducing me right from the start," Vincenzo breathed against Wade's cheeks and ears, causing his heart to jump wildly in his chest."Honeydew, I can order you around as much as I want, and you're gonna listen, is that clear?"Wade took a deep breath to calm his racing heart. Vincenzo always had some kind of magical effect on him. Every time he was near, it made him feel like he could drop everything he was doing and rush to him, hold him, hug him, and stay with him."In private, yes. But I'll bite, and you don't want to know how hard I can bite," Wade said, warning him.However, Vincenzo looked pleased. "Then bite me. Bite me
Wasn’t that Bennett’s voice? But what was he doing here? Undercover like him?Vincenzo froze. His hand tightened its hold on Wade’s, reluctant to let go. However, Wade pulled his hand out of Vincenzo’s."Who are you?" Wade asked, caution laced in his tone. Vincenzo gripped the knife hidden underneath his jacket."Wade?" Bennett was surprised. Wade turned around and came face-to-face with the old chief."Bennett, why are you here?!" From surprise to shock to happiness flashed across his eyes.Bennett’s eyes floated over to Vincenzo, and they widened in fear. He raised his gun at Vincenzo, scowling."Wait, no! He's with me. Bennett, please put your gun down," Wade stood between them, a hand reached out to calm Bennett down."Isn’t he in prison? What the fuck is he doing here?!" Bennett glared at Vincenzo.
Wade never expected that the man who had taught him this and that since the day he joined the police turned out to be the one behind all of this. Then what was the relationship between them? Did Bennett count it as nothing but a façade?Memories of him and Bennett laughing, celebrating, and drinking together resurfaced. Wade didn’t know what to make of it. Bennett was clean! Spotless! Wasn’t his record clear as day?! How could this have happened?As much as he didn’t want to admit it, he knew that he had been lied to and cheated by Bennett. He was used and made a fool of. Anger swelled in his chest, but he could only swallow it down. Now, his lover’s life was on the line. Benefits. What benefits did Dominic offer him?If Bennett was here, then their lives were in huge trouble. It was possible that Dominic was on the way.What did Bennett have to do with Gordon? Vincenzo wondered."What are you to Gordon?" Vincenzo asked.Bennett had a cocky look as he looked him over."Want to know? I
"Shit! What a perfect way to wipe out all the evidence," He was sure that by the next morning, there would be news claiming a gas spill or someone smoking at the factory had caused it to blow up. His gaze fell on Vincenzo's injured arm. Fuck, Vincenzo needed medical attention right away.Wade didn’t dare take him to the hospital for fear of being recognized. So he brought him back home and looked for the first aid kit."Where’s the damn kit?""I don’t know.""What?! You’re bleeding out here, and you don’t even know where it is?!""How would I know? I’ve never been shot many times before. I was always careful," Vincenzo shrugged weakly. Wade looked away from him, guilt creeping into his chest. Careful. Until he met me."I’m calling the doc," Wade said, frustration spilling out. His boyfriend was bleeding out, and yet he was so damn calm. Honestly, things like death freaked Wade out. They made him feel powerless and useless—a feeling he hated and despised."No.""Yes. We are calling the
After stitching Vincenzo up, Marianna gave some instructions on how to care for his wound. She made sure Wade jotted them down.Wade had a notepad and pen in his hands. He followed her back and forth while she spoke, as if she were giving a lecture in class."He has a tendency to split open his wounds before they heal. Keep an eye on your boyfriend. Oh, and," she pulled Wade to the side and whispered, "He likes—"She patted his shoulders and headed toward the door. "Don’t need to see me out. I know the door very well.""You seem close," Wade said. He watched her leave and decided he might like this doctor."She’s the gang doctor, coming over every now and then when one of us cracks a bone," Vincenzo explained."I’m going to order some takeout," Wade said.Perhaps one day he should learn how to cook. The food arrive
Wade came home, carrying a few bags of groceries. He dumped everything into the fridge and went to search for Vincenzo."Hey, I’m going to cook dinner. Don’t blame me if you get diarrhea!" he called.Vincenzo emerged from upstairs, all dressed up in a suit. He fixed his tie and cuffs.Dressed like a businessman, Wade couldn’t keep his eyes off him. Even in proper clothing, Vincenzo was hot as fuck."Let’s skip the cooking. Go on a date,""Well, I’ve never been out on a proper date," Wade said, suddenly feeling nervous."Then it’s a first. Get dressed up. I’m not in the mood for diarrhea tonight,"Wade realized that he didn’t have many clothes. All he had were normal T-shirts and sweaters—nothing attractive or matching with Vincenzo. They were indeed worlds apart.H
"Kids. They grow up, discover the world out there, and... Change. They found themselves, their happiness,"Wade being gay meant that the family's business would have no heir. Heirs. That was what Henry wanted. He wanted to have grandkids. He wanted to teach all his life skills, knowledge and experience to someone. Unfortunately, the Gods weren't on his side. He experienced the loss of his wife. Therefore he was afraid to lose another loved one again. Hence he was strict and stern with Wade. He wanted to train him as the next heir to the Harrington empire. But that only destroyed whatever relationship the father and son had."Happiness..." Henry muttered."Master, forgive me for saying this. Everyone has a different form of happiness. Yours is fulfilling what your father entrusted to you and your wife's, he is living his dream. You did everything for the family and business, neglecting yourself and your
At the highest floor of the penthouse, near the pool, Vincenzo lay in a deckchair. He had made his boyfriend lie with him in that crowded space. Vincenzo kissed Wade on the lips, nibbling lightly."Your father...""I know," Vincenzo said.It was with him that Wade felt complete and whole. Without him, he would always feel like a part of him was missing. Perhaps Vincenzo was that missing part."He'll definitely do something. You broke the taboo," Wade said, looking worried."Worried about me? Hmm... This is all worth it," Vincenzo replied.Wade shook his head. He should have known better than to express his concern. Vincenzo would have something to brag about."I should really punch your arrogance off your face," Wade said.
"Hey, chief! Look who's back after a two-week-long vacation! Never thought you were the one who takes them, though," Mark said, slapping him on the shoulder. "I really needed a break. Nik has been bothering me like hell," Wade groaned. "So, what's the situation? I heard they caught a criminal from the Luciano family." "Alvin Martinez. The feds took him away." What does the FBI want with him? Wade wondered. How was he going to get him out? He could pay a visit to the FBI office under the guise of seeing his old classmate. Other than that, he couldn't think of any way to get Alvin out. At night, Wade crept into the prison. He stood looking at the cameras above their heads. Behind him, Lorenzo, the man Vincenzo had assigned to him, was typing on a device. He looked up and nodded to Wade. They walked deeper into the prison and found Alvin sitting there, leaning against the wall. "Alvin," Wade called in a hushed whisper. "It's dangerous here. What's up?" Alvin went over to th
"Stay away from my son," the middle-aged man warned. Finally, it dawned on Wade. He had seen this man's face in the files before. Salvatore Luciano. Vincenzo's father. "I would like to. But he wouldn't," Wade replied. He dared to talk back, though he feared for his life. He had heard things about him. "Then I will make him." "You're not respecting his choices. Is that how you treat your sons? Like what happened to Dominic?" Wade understood that Dominic, too, had craved his father's approval. But he had ventured off the path and become a bloodthirsty devil, consumed by thoughts of revenge. Salvatore's gaze darkened. He walked toward Wade. Every brain cell in Wade screamed at him to run and go along. But Wade refused. "Dominic is Dominic. Vincenzo is Vincenzo. Don't mix them up, cop," he spat, disdain and contempt written across his dark pupils. Wade shivered. He felt an invisible noose tighten around his neck. "Leave him. Or I'll make you." "And if I don't?" Wade questi
They stayed at the penthouse for a few days. Wade turned on the TV and watched the news."The feds have determined that the body belongs to the ex-chief, Bennett," the newscaster spoke. "A war between two gangs. One gang led by Dominic Luciano..."They had discovered the connections between Bennett and Dominic Luciano, throwing the entire city into panic and confusion. How they found out about that deep, dark secret was indeed a mystery. It was like someone had dug it out painstakingly and delivered it to the world on a platter."You have an insider in the feds?" Wade was surprised."Mmm..." Vincenzo nodded."God, you're letting me know your deep and dark secrets. Not afraid I'll tell on you?" Wade said."Would you?" Vincenzo pulled him onto his lap. Wade almost stumbled and lost his footing had it not been for Vincenzo steadying him by the waist. Their posit
"No, wait," Wade lowered his gun as he noticed that they were gunning down and hacking Dominic's people.Vincenzo stiffened. He glared at a middle-aged man with partially grey hair."What the fuck are you still doing here? The feds are on their way! Get the fuck out of here," the middle-aged man looked angry. Then he looked at Wade, disdain reflected in his pupils. Wade felt a little uncomfortable to be asserted by those eyes. He knew very well what type of person the man was. A killer.Somehow, Vincenzo obeyed the man without putting up a fight. He walked over, interlocking his fingers with Wade's, pulling him along. The middle-aged man scowled.The sound of sirens in the background was loud as they made their way to a car stashed near the bushes. Marcello was in the car."Where's Alvin?""Alvin... He... He went to distract the
Dominic had called the feds and cops. He wasn’t afraid of getting caught because he had connections with them. No wonder. Seeing his face twisting into rage, Dominic laughed."Perhaps you should think before you leap," a gun pressed against Dominic's head from behind, a cold voice resonating in the tense atmosphere.Dominic laughed, unfazed. "Alvin Martinez. How glad I am to meet you. I’ve heard things about you.""Shut it. Drop your weapon," Alvin ordered."Alvin! Where the hell did you come from? We were all so worried!" Marcello was surprised. Apparently, Marcello hadn’t stayed in his hiding place and had followed them upstairs."It’s no use. They’re on their way!" Dominic laughed even more as Alvin pressed the gun into his head."Your grandmother would be pleased," Dominic grinned. "Her grandson is so good! She’s too old to play with, perhaps the king of hell would like a taste of her."For a second there, Alvin wavered. "Touch her and—""And die? Hahaha, I’m already in your hands
Wade coughed, his vision turning blurrier and blurrier. He could hear Bennett laughing, his lips moving, saying something, but it wasn’t clear. His eyes drifted to a metal bar lying on the ground not far away.He strained, reached out, and his fingers wrapped around the cool metal surface. Then he swung it haphazardly at Bennett. The pressure on his neck was released, and Wade sucked in air, gasping. Making use of the momentum, he rolled over and slammed the bar down on Bennett. Bennett lodged kicks and punches into his stomach, knocking the air out of his lungs.He ignored the pain, anger fueling his hatred. How dare this bastard call his mother names?! Even if she wasn’t clean, she was a damn good mother who cared and fucking loved him like any other mother in the world. He slammed the bar down, again and again, lost in his anger and thoughts.Anger coursed through his veins, fueling his adrenaline as he raised the bar and brought it down on Bennett. All the words Bennett had said a
All heads turned to look up at the man who had spoken. He walked down the stairs, smirking coldly. Once Bennett saw him, he quickly moved over to his side. Wade recognized who that man was. They have been thrown into this situation thanks to him. He burned with every hatred of his fiber."Dominic Luciano," Marcello gripped his knives tighter. He was ready to back up Vincenzo and fight Dominic to the depths of hell. "Sorry, but I'm not going to give you an easy death. Say, let's have some fun, shall we?" Dominic gestured to his surroundings. More of his men poured in, holding various weapons, clubs, axes, maces, guns and hammers. "Fuck, we're screwed," Marcello sighed. They were outnumbered. Many of their men had fallen during the fight earlier. And where was the fuck is Alvin? He scanned their surroundings, even the ceiling. No Alvin."Damn bastard couldn't have run off on his own?" Carlos said, glaring at Dominic. "So your men run off? Hahaha, pathetic and expected of your pigs,"