LOYALTY IS A LIE

Jacob knew something Leo didn’t.

And that knowledge sat like a shard of glass under his tongue.

He couldn’t unsee it: the ring. Matteo’s ring.

Clear as blood in snow, captured on the footage with Gabriel.

Leo hadn’t noticed. But Jacob had.

And now he had a choice: tell the man who married him at gunpoint, or hold the information like a weapon.

Power.

For once, Jacob Blake had a little of it.

And that scared him more than the truth.

The estate was still on high alert.

Armed guards at every door. Surveillance feeds monitored 24/7. Matteo moved through the halls with his usual swagger, barking orders and making calls.

Jacob watched him like a hawk.

It was subtle at first. A twitch when Gabriel’s name came up. A delayed blink occurred when Leo mentioned the USB. A moment of silence that stretched a little too long.

Jacob was no criminal. But he’d been around enough liars to recognize one trying not to sweat.

Matteo was hiding something.

And Jacob was done being in the dark.

That night, Jacob cornered him.

In the hallway near the west wing, just past midnight. The guards had rotated. Cameras didn’t cover that corner.

Matteo didn’t flinch. “Can I help you, husband?”

Jacob folded his arms. “You’ve known Gabriel’s alive, haven’t you?”

Matteo’s smile faltered. Just a flicker. But Jacob saw it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said smoothly.

Jacob stepped closer. “I saw the ring, Matteo. In the footage.”

The silence that followed was louder than a gunshot.

Matteo’s face hardened. “You’re walking on broken glass, Jacob.”

“Good,” Jacob snapped. “Maybe I’ll bleed less than Leo when he finds out his right-hand man’s been playing him.”

Matteo’s jaw clenched. “You don’t understand what’s happening.”

“Then explain it.”

But Matteo just shook his head. “You think Leo’s the most dangerous man in this city? Gabriel made him. And if he’s back, it’s not revenge. It’s a reset.”

Jacob didn’t sleep.

Again.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his heartbeat loud in his ears. Leo hadn’t come in that night. Not that Jacob expected him to. Their marriage had rules, unspoken, sharp-edged, impossible to follow.

But it was changing.

And Jacob could feel it.

This wasn’t just about surviving anymore. It was about choosing sides. And for the first time, he wasn’t sure Leo deserved his loyalty.

The next morning…

Leo stood in the war room, a massive digital map spread across the wall, pins and timestamps flashing red.

Jacob walked in uninvited.

Leo didn’t look up. “You're brave this morning.”

Jacob crossed his arms. “I have questions.”

“You always do.”

Jacob stepped closer. “What if Matteo’s lying to you?”

That made Leo pause.

Just for a second.

He turned slowly. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying I think Gabriel has help inside. And I think it’s Matteo.”

Leo stared at him.

Then, quietly: “What proof?”

Jacob hesitated. “A ring. A blurred frame. A hunch.”

Leo’s eyes darkened. “That’s not proof. That’s paranoia.”

“Maybe,” Jacob said, voice firm. “But if I’m right, and you ignore it, you’re the one bleeding next.”

By noon, Leo tested him.

He called Matteo into the office. Left Jacob in the room.

Watched them both like a predator watching two smaller predators.

“Gabriel is alive,” Leo said plainly. “He sent a message. A threat.”

Matteo didn’t flinch. “What do you want me to do?”

Leo waited.

Matteo tilted his head. “Name the body count.”

Jacob’s blood ran cold.

Leo leaned back in his chair. “Interesting answer.”

Matteo said nothing.

After he left, Leo turned to Jacob. “Still think I need proof?”

Jacob’s voice shook. “Still think he’s loyal?”

Leo didn’t respond. But the way he cracked his knuckles said everything.

That night, Jacob was summoned.

Leo’s room. First time.

It wasn’t what Jacob expected.

No gold. No silk. No sin.

Just shadows and silence and a bed that looked barely used.

Leo stood by the window, shirtless again, scars on full display, one across his shoulder, another near his ribs. A third Jacob hadn’t noticed before, climbing up the back of his neck like a secret too deep to bury.

“I’m not a good man,” Leo said suddenly.

Jacob stayed silent.

“I don’t fall in love,” Leo added.

“Good,” Jacob said quietly. “I don’t want your love.”

Leo turned.

His eyes were fire. Cold fire.

“You want my truth?”

Jacob nodded.

Leo walked closer. “I kill for peace. I lie for silence. I married you to control chaos.”

Jacob’s heart thundered. “Then why does it feel like you’re the one unraveling?”

Leo reached out.

Touched the edge of Jacob’s tattoo.

Just barely.

“You make me hesitate,” he said.

Jacob looked up. “Why?”

Leo’s voice dropped. “Because you don’t fear me.”

Jacob’s breath hitched.

He didn’t say it aloud, but maybe that was the most dangerous thing of all.

Later, in the dark...

Jacob dreamed of gunshots.

Of Leo bleeding out on marble floors.

Of Matteo smiling with a knife in his hand.

He woke up sweating, panting, the sheets tangled around him.

The bed was empty.

But the world wasn’t still.

Something was coming.

He could feel it in his bones.