LOGINThe studio lights felt too bright that morning. Kai stood in front of the lens, trying to smile, but every flash reminded him of the warehouse. The way the gun had kicked. The way the blood had looked on Marcus’s shirt. He kept blinking, forcing the smile to stay steady.Then she walked in.Lila Moreau.She was stunning in the most casual way tight jeans, a cropped white shirt, hair in loose waves. The photographer had told Kai she was the new face for the campaign. Kai had seen the photos online. She was everywhere. And now she was standing ten feet away, looking straight at him with a smile that felt like it was aimed at Damien.“Hi,” she said, voice smooth. “You’re Kai, right? The one who looks just like the old campaign shots. I’m Lila. I’m so excited to be working with you.”Kai forced a smile. “Yeah. I&rsqu
The phone started ringing at 3:04 a.m.Kai’s eyes snapped open. He was already sitting up before the second ring, heart hammering in his chest. The screen glowed with an unknown number. He grabbed the phone and answered before the second beep.“Kai?” Kaicen’s voice was barely above a whisper. It was shaking so hard it sounded like it hurt. “I’m… I’m sorry. I’m sorry to call. I didn’t know who else to call. I’m in my apartment. I… I need you. Both of you. Please.”Kai was already out of bed, pulling on his hoodie. “We’re coming. Right now. Stay on the phone with me.”Damien was already moving, sliding out of bed and grabbing his pants. “Kaicen, talk to me. What’s happening?”Kaicen’s breathing was fast and shallow. “I woke up and it hit me a
The phone rang at 2:17 a.m., cutting through the silence like a gunshot in the dark.Kai jolted awake, heart slamming against his ribs. The guest room was empty when he stepped out into the hallway. Damien was already moving down the hall, phone in hand, face lit by the screen. Kai followed, bare feet quiet on the hardwood.“Kaicen?” Damien said into the phone. His voice was calm, but Kai could see the tension in his shoulders. “What’s happening? Are you okay?”Kai leaned against the doorframe, watching his brother. Kaicen’s voice came through the speaker, rough and trembling.“I… I can’t breathe. The walls feel like they’re closing in. He’s here. The man with the belt. I thought I left that behind. Please… Kai, Damien… I need you. Both of you. I’m scared.”Kai’s stoma
The phone rang at 2:17 AM, cutting through the quiet cabin like a scream in the dark.Kai jolted awake, heart pounding. Damien was already reaching for the phone on the nightstand. The screen lit up his face Kaicen’s name glowing bright.Damien answered fast. “Kaicen? What’s wrong?”Kaicen’s voice came through, shaky and raw. “I… I can’t breathe. The walls feel like they’re closing in. He’s here. In my head. The man with the belt. I thought I was past this. Please… I need you. Both of you.”Damien sat up immediately. “We’re coming. Right now. Lock your door if you can. We’ll be there soon. Stay on the phone with me.”Kai was already out of bed, pulling on clothes. His hands shook as he grabbed the car keys. “We’re on our way, brother. Hold on. We’re coming.”
The car door slammed shut behind them, and for the first time in months, the world went quiet.No phones. No emails. No reporters waiting around the corner. Just the soft crunch of gravel under their feet and the distant sound of wind moving through tall pine trees. Damien stood beside the rented SUV, watching Kai take a slow, deep breath as he looked at the small wooden cabin nestled between the trees.“We’re really here,” Kai said, his voice barely above a whisper. “No one knows where we are. No one can reach us.”Damien stepped closer but didn’t touch him yet. “Just us. For five whole days. No work. No pressure. Just whatever you need.”The cabin was simple and perfect wide windows overlooking a small lake, a stone fireplace, a big bed with soft blankets, and nothing else for miles. They carried their bags inside. The air smelled like p
Kai woke up gasping, the sharp crack of the gunshot still ringing in his ears.For a terrifying second, the penthouse bedroom disappeared and he was back in the warehouse blood on fabric, Kaicen’s shaking hands, Marcus on his knees. His heart hammered against his ribs. Sweat cooled on his skin.Then Damien’s voice cut through the panic, low and steady. “Hey… you’re here. With me. In our bed. No warehouse. No gun. Just us.”Damien’s hand rested lightly on Kai’s chest, not holding him down, just present. Warm. Safe. Kai grabbed that hand like it was a lifeline and pressed it harder against his skin.“I hate this,” Kai whispered, voice rough. “It keeps coming back. Even when the days are good. Even when Kaicen is safe in his new place. It still finds me at night.”Damien shifted closer but left sp
Damien held Kai close on the couch for a long time, fingers still tracing the phoenix like he needed the reminder that he was real and home.“You’re really here,” Damien said quietly, voice low against Kai’s hair.“I’m
Damien kept his arms wrapped tight around Kai, forehead pressed to his.“Together,” he repeated, like he needed to hear the word out loud again.Kai nodded against his shoulder. “Together.”They s
They stayed in bed until almost noon, talking quietly, stealing lazy kisses. Eventually Damien sighed and sat up.“I have to go in,” he said, rubbing his face. “The board called an emergency meeting for this afternoon. I can’t put it off
They stayed tangled together for a long time, breathing slow and heavy. Damien’s hand never left the phoenix tattoo, thumb moving in lazy circles over the warm skin.Kai pressed a soft kiss to Damien’s collarbone. “I’m really home.”







