Threats.

"I’ve missed you, Noel."

Julian's voice slithered through the air, smooth and calculated, sending an icy shiver down Noel’s spine.

Noel’s fingers twitched. His body locked up, every muscle screaming at him to run…but he couldn’t. Not here. Not now.

Vincenzo’s grip on his wrist tightened. "Who the fuck is this?" His voice was low, dangerous.

Julian’s gaze flicked to Vincenzo, his smirk widening. "Ah. The infamous Vincenzo De Luca. Figures." He took a step forward, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Didn't think Noel would downgrade so drastically, though."

Vincenzo’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted in the air. The temperature seemed to drop.

Noel snapped out of his frozen state. "Julian, leave." His voice came out sharper than he intended, but his heart was pounding too hard to care.

Julian tsked, shaking his head. "That’s not how you talk to your boyfriend."

Noel flinched.

"Ex." His voice barely held steady. "We’re done, Julian. You need to…"

Julian’s smile didn’t waver. "Oh, Noel." He sighed, tilting his head. "You say that, but you keep forgetting… I have something that says otherwise."

Noel’s stomach twisted. His pulse pounded in his ears.

Julian knew exactly what he was doing. His voice, his stance, the way he said ‘something.’ It was a reminder. A threat.

Vincenzo didn’t miss the shift in Noel’s posture. His grip loosened just enough for Noel to yank his wrist free, stepping back as if the distance would help him breathe.

Julian took another step forward. "Why don’t we have a little chat, sweetheart? Somewhere private."

"There’s nothing to talk about," Noel said quickly.

Julian arched a brow. "Really? Because last time I checked…" He reached into his pocket, pulling out his phone. "...you left me without saying goodbye. That hurt my feelings, baby. But don’t worry." He tapped the screen once. "I can make sure the whole world hears your goodbye instead."

Noel’s vision blurred. His knees nearly buckled.

That fucking video.

Julian’s thumb hovered over the screen, his smirk growing. "One click, and your entire life changes. Your dad, your job, the internet…" He let out a low chuckle. "I wonder how Vincenzo would feel watching it."

Noel couldn't breathe. He felt the walls closing in, the ground shifting beneath him.

A sharp sound snapped him out of it.

A chair scraping back.

Vincenzo.

His movements were slow, deliberate, radiating pure, unfiltered danger. He adjusted his cuff, then looked Julian dead in the eye.

"Put the phone down." His voice was calm, but it carried the weight of a thousand threats.

Julian didn’t waver. If anything, he looked entertained. "Or what?"

Vincenzo smiled. It wasn’t friendly.

Then he moved.

Fast.

Noel barely registered what happened before Julian was shoved against the nearest wall, Vincenzo’s hand wrapped around his throat.

The entire restaurant went silent.

"Or I’ll break every single fucking bone in your body," Vincenzo whispered, voice cold as death. "And I’ll start with your fingers."

Julian let out a choked laugh, but his amusement dimmed when Vincenzo applied more pressure.

"Touch him again," Vincenzo murmured. "Threaten him again. See what happens."

Julian’s smirk twitched. His eyes flicked to Noel.

"Tell him to let me go, baby."

Noel clenched his fists.

Every nerve in his body screamed at him to walk away. To run. But something about seeing Julian cornered for the first time in his life made him pause.

He met Julian’s gaze. And for the first time… he didn’t look away.

"You should leave, Julian."

Julian’s lips parted slightly. He hadn’t expected that.

Vincenzo grinned. "You heard him."

And then…he let go.

Julian stumbled forward, coughing, rubbing his throat. His eyes flickered between the two of them before settling on Noel.

Something dark flashed across his expression.

"This isn’t over," he murmured, voice hoarse. "You know that, don’t you?"

Noel didn’t reply. He just turned away.

Julian lingered for a moment longer. Then, without another word, he walked out.

The restaurant exhaled. Conversations slowly resumed. The tension lifted..except for Noel, whose hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

Vincenzo watched Julian leave, jaw tight. "That bastard’s dead."

Noel finally looked at him, voice barely above a whisper. "You don’t understand, Vincenzo. He’s not going to stop."

Vincenzo turned to him fully, gaze sharp. "Neither am I."

The weight of his words settled between them.

Noel swallowed hard.

He had no idea what he had just set in motion.

But he knew one thing for sure.

Juliana wasn't going to stop until he, Noel went crawling to him on his knees.

"He’s not going to stop, Vincenzo."

Noel said again,his voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight behind it was suffocating. His hands were clenched into fists, his breath uneven.

Vincenzo was still watching the door Julian had walked out of, jaw tight, shoulders tense.

Slowly, he turned back to Noel, dark eyes locking onto his. "Neither will I."

Noel flinched.

Vincenzo stepped closer, voice low but firm. "What does he have on you, Noel?"

Noel stiffened. His gaze darted away. "It doesn’t matter."

Vincenzo’s fingers curled. "Bullshit."

Noel inhaled sharply. "I just… I need to handle this myself."

Vincenzo let out a slow, deliberate breath, then reached out and grabbed Noel’s chin, forcing him to look at him.

"Listen to me." His voice was quiet, controlled…but there was an edge to it. "You are not handling this alone."

Noel swallowed.

Vincenzo’s grip wasn’t rough, but it was firm, grounding. His thumb barely grazed the side of Noel’s jaw before he dropped his hand.

"I’m picking you up after work."

Noel’s eyes widened. "What?"

"I’m not asking."

Noel took a step back. "Vincenzo…"

"We need to talk." Vincenzo cut him off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I need to know what he has on you that’s got you this scared."

Noel shook his head, panic creeping in. "I can’t…"

"You will."

The finality in Vincenzo’s voice sent a shiver down Noel’s spine.

He looked around the restaurant. People were still glancing their way, whispering. His coworkers pretended to be busy, but Noel could feel their stares. His manager was at the counter, looking like he was debating whether to intervene.

Noel exhaled sharply. "I need to get back to work."

Vincenzo didn’t move. He just held Noel’s gaze, searching his face for something.

Finally, he nodded once. "Fine. But when your shift is over, I’ll be outside."

Noel’s heart pounded.

He should refuse. Should tell Vincenzo to stay out of it.

But the way Vincenzo was looking at him… like he wasn’t going to take no for an answer…

Noel couldn’t bring himself to argue.

"Fine," he muttered, turning away before Vincenzo could see the way his hands were still shaking.

Hours Later …Outside the Restaurant

Noel’s shift dragged on like an eternity, but the second he stepped outside, his stomach dropped.

Vincenzo was there.

Leaning against his sleek black car, cigarette between his fingers, eyes locked onto Noel the moment he walked out.

Noel hesitated at the door. He could turn back, tell his manager he forgot something, buy himself a few more minutes to think.

But Vincenzo straightened, flicking the cigarette away. "Get in."

Noel swallowed. "I can just take the bus."

Vincenzo arched a brow. "Are we really doing this?"

Noel exhaled. "Fine."

He walked over, trying to ignore how his heart hammered in his chest.

Vincenzo opened the passenger door for him, waiting.

Noel hesitated. This was a mistake. This was…

Vincenzo’s voice cut through his thoughts. "Noel."

Just his name. But the way he said it… low, firm, demanding…

Noel clenched his jaw and got in.

The second the door shut, Vincenzo rounded the car and slid into the driver’s seat. The moment he started the engine, the air in the car felt charged.

"Start talking."

Noel crossed his arms. "I don’t even know what you want me to say."

Vincenzo didn’t look at him as he pulled onto the road. "Tell me what that bastard has on you."

Noel stared out the window. "You wouldn’t understand."

Vincenzo scoffed. "Try me."

Noel’s nails dug into his palms. His throat was dry. "He has a video."

Silence.

Vincenzo’s grip on the steering wheel tightened.

Noel’s chest constricted. "A video of…" He cut himself off. His stomach churned. He couldn’t say it.

Vincenzo’s jaw ticked. "Of what, Noel?"

Noel clenched his eyes shut. "Him forcing himself on me."

The car swerved slightly.

Noel’s breath caught.

Vincenzo’s knuckles were white on the wheel. His entire body was rigid, tense. "Say that again."

Noel shook his head. "Forget it."

"Say it again, Noel."

Noel turned to him, eyes wide. "It doesn’t matter…"

"The fuck it doesn’t." Vincenzo’s voice was rough, barely controlled. "You’re telling me that piece of shit has a video of…" He cut himself off, breathing hard through his nose.

Noel looked away. "That’s why I can’t just walk away."

Vincenzo exhaled, long and slow. His fingers flexed on the wheel. "Where is it?"

Noel frowned. "What?"

"The video. Where does he keep it?"

Noel hesitated. "On his phone, probably. Maybe a backup."

Vincenzo nodded once. "Then we’re getting it."

Noel’s head snapped toward him. "Are you crazy?"

Vincenzo’s gaze flicked toward him. "Completely."

Noel shook his head. "It’s not that simple. He’s careful, he…"

"I don’t care."

Noel swallowed.

Vincenzo’s grip on the wheel didn’t loosen. His entire posture screamed violence.

"That bastard put his hands on you." His voice was almost eerily calm now. "And he thinks he can keep you in a fucking cage because of it?"

Noel bit his lip. "You don’t understand, Vincenzo. He’ll ruin me…"

"No, Noel." Vincenzo’s voice dropped. "He won’t."

The certainty in his tone made Noel’s breath hitch.

Vincenzo turned onto a quieter street, pulling the car to a slow stop. He turned in his seat, finally facing Noel head-on.

"You are not alone in this." His voice was lower now, softer. "You don’t have to be afraid anymore."

Noel’s chest ached.

Because for the first time in a long time…

He wanted to believe that.

But before he could say anything, his phone buzzed.

He swallowed hard, glancing down.

A message.

From Julian.

"You’re making a mistake, baby. You really think running to him will save you? Cute. But we both know how this ends. See you soon."

Noel’s stomach twisted.

His fingers went numb.

Vincenzo noticed immediately. "What?"

Noel didn’t answer.

Because at that moment, another message came through.

An attachment.

A video file.

Noel’s breath caught in his throat.

Julian had sent him the video.

And beneath it, one final message.

"Just a reminder of who you belong to."