MasukChapter Eighty-Four“So do we just leave him here?” Artemis asked, glancing at the wardrobe. Since the time Lucian knocked him out, Stefan has been tied up and locked in that wardrobe. “I don’t care much about him but his dad’s trouble, you know.”Lucian kissed Artemis softly on the cheek, before taking the box from him. “Your assistant will take care of him. Let's just focus on our trip, yeah?”Artemis smiled, nodding softly. Leo was NOT going to be happy with this development but the man was already bald, what more did he stand to lose?He followed Lucian downstairs where the car was waiting. Lucian handed the box to the chauffeur and opened the door for Artemis. The boy flashed him a grin and climbed in. The car started moving as soon as Lucian settled in. Artemis stared at the redhead beside him in a daze. Every time he saw this man, he looked more mesmerizing than the last time. Lucian reached for his water bottle, oblivious to the boy’s stare. Before he could take a gulp, Arte
Chapter Eighty-ThreeThe streets of downtown Easton were closed to traffic, replaced by rows of white tents and food trucks. Warm string lights hung overhead, giving the whole street a soft golden glow. Music played from a small stage at the end of the block while people wandered from stall to stall with drinks and paper trays of food in their hands. Vendors sold handmade jewelry, paintings, candles, clothes, and local crafts, while the smell of grilled burgers, barbecue, funnel cakes, and fresh popcorn filled the air. Children laughed as they ran past with balloons, and every few steps someone stopped to admire a display or chat with a vendor. The whole street felt alive, packed with people enjoying the warm evening.Lucian held Artemis’ hand, walking him through the fair. “you know when Leo talked about the night life here, I thought he just meant the clubs,” Artemis muttered. Lucian stopped in front of the barbeque stall. “Of course you would think that, your little head is fil
Chapter Eighty-TwoThe inside of the aircraft was far smaller than Lucian had expected.The cabin walls vibrated continuously as the twin engines pulled them higher into the sky. It felt like Lucian could feel every bolt in the aircraft, while the deafening drone of the propellers swallowed every ordinary sound. They sat on narrow benches running along each side of the fuselage. They were already secured inside their harnesses while the instructors completed the final inspection. The thick straps crossed over Lucian's shoulders and chest, wrapping tightly down to his legs, pressing firmly enough that every breath he took reminded him they were there.He adjusted his goggles for ther fifth time. He was already rethinking this whole idea. Jumping out of a perfectly working plane did not make any sense. His instructor laughed heartily. "Those goggles are not going anywhere, sir.""I know,” Lucian muttered, looking away. The man did not let it go. "You've checked them five times,” he s
Chapter Eighty-one CAUGHT“How long do I have to wait, Leo? It's been weeks and I haven’t seen or talked to my fiance. You keep telling me to wait, coming up with different excuses for him,” Melinda complained over the phone. “You really can’t blame me, miss. I am just a virtual assistant. Monitoring his whereabouts is not part of my job description,” Leo groaned. He still didn’t know how she got a hold of his number. Artemis blocked her so it was understandable she couldn’t reach him, but why involve him? He didn’t want to play middleman for a relationship that was clearly not working. “Really? That’s all you have to say? You won’t offer any explanations?” She gritted out. “Do you even know who I am? I can find him right now if I want to but I'm trying to respect his privacy. Clearly, you don’t respect that.”“What does that have to do with me?” Leo grumbled but Melinda heard him.“So that’s how it is, huh?” She fired. “Is he seeing someone else? Tell me, is there another girl in
Chapter EightyLucian’s mind blanked for a second. It felt like someone pressed pause in his brain. He blinked, then blinked again to restart his brain. Bile rose up his throat as he realized what was happening and shoved the blond off him aggressively. He swung his fist, connecting straight to Stefan’s jaw. The boy staggered back while Lucian wiped his lips aggressively. He felt sick to the stomach, his skin crawled, prickling like needles as the kiss replayed over and over in his head. Stefan chuckled, brushing the blood off the corner of his lips with his thumb. Lucian watched him suck it off and his stomach turned upside down. He wanted to puke. “Coffee,” Stefan shut his eyes, throwing his head back slightly as he savoured the taste on his lips. Those hazel eyes fluttered open. “Though I'm not sure if I'm tasting him…” his lips curled. “Or you, professor.”“You’re sick,” Lucian muttered. He walked past him to the door and held it open. “Get out.”“You’re so level-headed, profe
Chapter Seventy-NineLucian’s hands settled on either side of Artemis' waist, pulling him down to his lap. The shift in weight was sudden, a heavy, solid heat that shattered the agonizing restraint Lucian had been clinging to.As soon as their lips met, all of Lucian’s jealousy and sadness disappeared. This wasn't a gentle kiss. It was wild and full of built-up frustration. Artemis groaned against his mouth, his voice thick with frustration and desperate need, his fingers digging ruthlessly into Lucian’s hair. Lucian’s grip on Artemis’s waist tightened until his knuckles turned white. He pulled the boy flush against his chest, needing to erase every inch of distance, to forget everything about Stefan and the outside world as their tongues glided against each other. The kiss became deeper and more intense. Artemis tried to pull away but Lucian wouldn’t let him go. He didn’t want it to end. He didn’t want Artemis to go back to ignoring him. He didn’t want to just fantasize the taste
Chapter 17She's Cute?The next day, Lucian headed to work looking like a corpse. His eyes were drowsy and his head was banging with a wicked migraine. It was a miracle he was even able to move at all. He was headed to his office with his briefcase, a coat draped over his shoulders and a bottle of
Chapter 15Where Is Artemis?After that fateful night, a lot of things changed. Artemis disappeared and just like when he was suspended, Kingston had a little peace. It was oddly quiet, with everyone looking over their shoulders to make sure he wouldn't just show up and announce his next victim.
CHAPTER FIVE:Who Are You, Professor?Artemis tapped his foot to a song playing idly in his head as the elevator ascended. At floor 17, it stopped and the door opened. He walked out, humming to Melanie Martinez's “Tag”.He stopped in front of the door and pressed the bell. A middle-aged woman open
Chapter FourHate Is A Strong WordArtemis woke up the next morning with a terrifying hangover. His wrists were hurting and the splitting headache was not helping. What happened last night?He remembered drinking and taking some strippers with him, but what happened after that?As he tried to sit







