2. Shameless guy

"BEHIND YOU!!" Matthew screams as one of Kuznetsoz men tried to sneak attack behind the mans back but his frustrations and anxiousness was changed in shock and disbelieves as Kuznetsoz man flew far away from them in just split second.

What the hell? Matthew looked at the man wearing a cap and an apron that now slowly put down his left feet on the ground. The man in the cap kicked one of Kuznetsoz men who sneakly attacked his back and made him fly away from them.

Everyone looks at the man in the apron in disbelief, no one reacts or makes any noise. The man in the apron moved before Matthew could even blink. A firm grip seized Matthew’s arm and yanked him backwards. In one smooth motion, the man placed himself between Matthew and Kuznetsoz men, broad shoulders blocking the line of fire like an unbreakable wall. Matthew didn't even manage to react as the situation escalated fast in front of him.

Then the man in the apron, smiled. Not a nervous smile. Not a forced one. A calm, infuriatingly relaxed smile. “So...” he said lightly, eyes flicking over the armed men like they were nothing more than pests.

Kuznetsoz men start to regain their senses as they realize their current situation. They glared at the man in the apron “you’re really not afraid of getting dragged into this huh?”

One of the men scoffed, cocking his head. “You really want to die that badly?”

Money is money, after all. The man in the apron casually reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette case, slid a stick between his fingers, and tucked the case away again, as if death wasn’t staring him in the face.

Matthew’s jaw nearly dropped. Is this man insane?

The stranger glanced over his shoulder. “Got a lighter?” Matthew stared at him in disbelief again. He can't ever count how many times he looks at this man confusedly or in disbelief.

He still has the nerve to smoke?! This guy is so fucking unbelievable. Yet somehow—despite the chaos, despite the guns, despite the fact that he might die in the next five seconds—Matthew found himself fumbling through his pockets.

His fingers closed around cold metal. A silver lighter. Custom-made. Engraved with his family’s initials. A dragon carved into the surface, its mouth the source of the flame, its tail the switch.

“H-Here.....” The man took it without hesitation and lit his cigarette. He didn’t say thank you. He didn’t even look back.

Matthew clenched his jaw. I don’t even know what to say anymore....The man lowered his black mask, took a slow sip, then exhaled thick white smoke into the air. His back was still turned to Matthew—unguarded, relaxed, as if the armed men before him didn’t exist.

“Double whatever this pretty boy offered” he said lazily, smoke curling from his lips, “and I’ll consider stepping aside.”

Matthew’s heart dropped and his eyes widened. “You—!” Matthew glared at him, fury flaring. This stupid, greedy bastard???

“No need,” one of the men in black said, baring his teeth in a grin. “We’ll just kill you here.”

The man in the apron shrugged. “As you wish.” He exhaled once more, a cigarette still hanging from his lips. “I’m easy to deal with.”

Then they rushed toward him. The alley exploded into motion. A punch flew—missed by inches. Another came from the side—he bent backward, flexible as a whip, dodging effortlessly.

“Ha!” He caught a fist mid-air and fingers crushing bone. “You call that a punch?” The man’s grin widened. “So weak.”

He removed the cigarette with two fingers and blew smoke straight into his attacker’s face—then drove a brutal kick into the man’s abdomen.

The body flew. “Yahhh!” The man flicked the cigarette at another attacker rushing in from the side, then unleashed a storm of punches—fast, precise and merciless.

Two men charged together. The man sprinted toward the wall and ran up it, then pushed off with terrifying force. His fist smashed into one man’s face. Crack!. The body crumpled instantly.The other barely had time to react before a side kick slammed into his ribs, followed by a spinning roundhouse kick that sent him crashing to the ground.

Silence.

Bodies scattered in the alley. Groans echoed through the darkness. “Ha....” The man exhaled and smiled, strolling back toward Matthew like he’d just finished stretching.

Matthew stood frozen. Woah...!! Even his elite bodyguards—men trained for years—had never moved like that.Who… exactly is this man?

“How did you—” Matthew stopped.

Up close, the man’s face stole the breath from his lungs. Soft features, long lashes, red lips—neither thin nor thick and warm brown eyes reflecting the alley’s dim light. Dimples appeared when he smiled. His eyes nearly disappeared.

The contrast was jarring. A face this gentle...paired with terrifying violence????

Is he actually a man…? Matthew’s thoughts spiraled. The smile vanished and the mans face and he frowned when he saw how Matthew stared at his face. What the hell is wrong with this guy? Starting like that in someone face....

“Are you paying or not?”

Oh fuck—snap out of it, Matthew! Matthew hurriedly pulled out his wallet, emptied it without counting, and shoved the thick stack of bills into the man’s hands.

The man counted—slowly. Painfully slowly. As gentle as his face is… that’s how shameless he is too. Matthew thought, grimacing.

“...99... 100k.” He smiled. “Okay. Gracias (Italian: Thank you)” Matthew hadn’t noticed the extra two thousand mixed in. Money that walks into my hands? Why would I refuse? “I’m heading back inside. I still got work to do, alright?”

He turned to leave. “Wait.” Matthew’s voice stopped him. “What’s your name?”

The man paused and smiled again. Then....A shadow moved. One of the men in black was standing. A knife gleamed in his hand.

If I can’t bring you to Mr. Kuznetsov. The man thought viciously. I’ll just fucking kill you.

“Ah—it’s not impor—BEHIND YOU!” The man in the apron moved instantly. He grabbed Matthew and yanked him aside.

The knife missed Matthew but it buried itself deep into the man’s shoulder. “Joder—!(Italian: Fuck)” The man groaned, gripping the attacker’s wrist. Blood bloomed across his white sleeveless shirt. Matthew’s world went red.

Rage, shock and guilt.

Matthew wrapped an arm around the man’s waist and dragged him back, then kicked the attacker with everything he had. “A-Are you okay?” Matthew gasped, staring at the knife lodged in flesh.

Why... why did this bastard catch the knife for me?We’re not even close—what the hell is wrong with him?! The man sucked in a sharp breath and pulled the knife out. Matthew nearly shouted but before he could, the man grabbed him again.

“Run!” They burst from the alley and onto the street, horns blaring and headlights flashing. The man scanned the road, blood dripping from his shoulder, breath growing unevenly. Matthew couldn’t stop staring.

“Is there still money in your wallet?” the man asked suddenly. Matthew blinked. “W—What?”

Is he seriously asking for money right now?!

“Isn’t 100k enough?” Matthew snapped, half-angry, half-panicked. The man grimaced, shoving the folded bills back into Matthew’s hand.

“Idiot. I’m not asking for money.” He shoved the extra cash at him. “Take this. Leave before those bastards follow you.”

His eyes fluttered and his breathing quickened. “Hey,” Matthew said urgently. “You need to go to the hospital—”

“Listen.” The man pushed him toward a waiting taxi. “They won’t stop until you’re gone.”

“Hey—don’t push me!” The door slammed shut. The man stepped back, blood-soaked and smiling faintly.

“Bye. Welcome. Take care.”

The taxi pulled away. Matthew watched him slowly disappear from his sight.