Third POV
Cassiel moved swiftly, his steps almost soundless as he approached the large windows overlooking the entrance. The shadows of armed men flickered in the dim light, moving with caution but clearly preparing for a confrontation.Axel appeared by his side, holding a rifle loosely, his tattoos catching the faint glow of the hallway light. "They’ve surrounded the building," Axel murmured, eyes fixed on the movement below.Cassiel gave a single nod, his gaze never leaving the scene outside. "Valerian’s men. He’s here."Axel's jaw tightened. "You want me to clear the south wing?"Cassiel's lips curved into a cold smile. "No. Let them come closer. Once they’re inside, we control the ground."The guards stationed at the main entrance awaited orders, guns drawn and poised. Cassiel gave a subtle hand signal, and they relaxed just slightly, knowing the plan was to lure the intruders deeper.As the first wave of Valerian’s men breached the door, Axel moved lThird POVMoreau’s laughter echoed like broken glass in the hollowed-out lab. His voice cracked and gritted with every manic chuckle, leaning forward in the creaking steel chair bolted to the floor of his private control chamber.“You made a terrible mistake, Cassiel,” he spat, his tone venomous and mocking. “Trying to blow me up like a goddamn science experiment gone wrong—” He slammed his fist on the desk and sneered. “I helped you! I saved Julian! I stabilized your damn empire!”Cassiel stood in the middle of the chamber, gun holstered, coat heavy on his shoulders. His jaw clenched tightly, body taut with suppressed rage. He didn’t flinch at the outburst.Moreau rose, pressing a red button beside his chair.“Let’s see how far you get now. What Emiliano failed to do, I will finish today. Here and now—”The hiss of hydraulics echoed behind Cassiel as hidden panels lifted in the walls—revealing four shooters positioned strategically around the room. Their gun
Third POVLucian crossed his arms. “No one’s stopping you from going, Cassiel. But if you think dying is the answer, then maybe Gavin was right—you don’t deserve him.”Enzo sighed and sat opposite Cassiel. “What’s the plan?”Cassiel stared at the address on his phone again, brows furrowed.“I'm still going,” he said.“But not alone,” Enzo added.Cassiel looked up at him slowly.“You promised Julian he’d never suffer again,” Enzo continued. “Let’s make sure you’re alive to keep that promise.”A small nod. Quiet. Barely there. But it was enough.Lucian walked in, sliding a tablet across the table. “I already tracked the location. Industrial zone. Abandoned for years. We’ll go an hour ahead and place lookouts. No movement till your signal.”Cassiel stared at his men—his family. He didn’t deserve them. Not after everything.But maybe… just maybe… he could still earn that forgiveness.He looked toward the hallway where Gavin had disappeared
Third POVThe drive back to the villa was cloaked in a suffocating silence.No one spoke. Not even Gavin.The twins, sensing the gloom in the air, rested their heads against Gavin’s chest while he and Axel sat motionless at the back of the car. Cassiel was in the front seat beside Enzo, who drove with one hand gripping the wheel tight enough to whiten his knuckles. Julian’s absence hovered like a ghost between them all, unbearable and loud in its silence.They had only just said goodbye. Only just hugged him.And now…Now he was gone.The moment they arrived, Miss Maria rushed inside, breaking into sobs the instant she stepped foot in the living room.“This can’t be happening again,” she cried. “Not to Julian.”Cassiel stood unmoving in the center of the room, staring blankly at the spot where Julian had once sat with him to share breakfast. His mind played a cruel movie reel—Julian laughing at one of Gavin’s dramatic outbursts, Julian folding lau
Third POVCassiel turned to him. “For what?”“For not giving up on him. Or us. Gavin was in a dark place too when you disappeared. It’s why he tried so hard to fill that void for Julian.”Cassiel exhaled slowly. “Thank you for keeping him grounded.”“I love him,” Axel said simply. “He drives me insane. But I love him.”Cassiel cracked a rare smile. “Then we’ll miss both your chaos.”“Can I hug you without you threatening to break my ribs?” Axel asked.“No,” Cassiel said dryly.Axel hugged him anyway.Much later, after photos were taken, after Lucian begrudgingly wore a feathered crown, after Miss Maria taught everyone a line dance none of them could follow, the night began to wind down.Julian pulled Gavin to the side while everyone else started cleaning up. “You’re going to be amazing,” he whispered.Gavin grinned. “Of course I am. I’m me.”Julian laughed. “Take care of Axel. And those twins better learn sarcasm from you, not him.”
Third POVAxel was right behind him, balancing a tray of drinks. “Don’t mind him. He’s just mad because I told him not everything on Pinterest is edible.”“I thought the lavender candle was a cupcake!” Gavin protested.Lucian and Enzo joined last, carrying in the final dishes. Everyone took their seat around the candlelit table, laughter bubbling as the plates clinked and drinks were poured.“To peace,” Enzo toasted, raising his glass. “And surviving this much chaos with our sanity intact.”“To family,” Lucian added.“And to Julian’s appetite finally returning,” Miss Maria teased gently, passing him an extra helping.Julian blushed but smiled. “It’s your cooking. No one can resist.”Gavin leaned over, stage-whispering to Julian, “So… on a scale of one to ten, how many times have you two—”“GAVIN,” Axel warned.“What?! I’m just asking!”Julian rolled his eyes. “If you must know—we’re happy.”Cassiel smirked beside him. “Very.”“I sw
Third POV“Where’s my charger?!”“Axel, you packed my underwear!”“Lucian, have you seen my sunscreen or did someone steal it again?”Julian stood by the staircase, suitcase in hand, staring down at the hurricane tearing through the house. He hadn’t even made it halfway down before Gavin zipped past him, dragging two pink suitcases and shouting over his shoulder.“If anyone touches my beach hat, I will scream bloody murder!”Miss Maria huffed from the kitchen doorway. “The real murder will be if you forget the snacks again!”Axel came down with a duffel bag slung over one shoulder and one of the twins hanging from his other arm. “Gavin!” he bellowed. “Where’s the baby’s floaty?!”“I thought you packed it!”Julian rubbed a hand down his face and turned to Cassiel who was standing calmly, rolling up his sleeves. “Why is this happening again?”Cassiel looked too calm, sipping from his coffee mug. “Because we thought letting them pack themselves w