Coldheart.

Chapter Seven: Coldheart

Caesar’s car skidded to a stop outside the warehouse, dust kicking up like smoke.

His heart was pounding so hard he could barely hear his own voice when he barked, “Silent. Take your positions now.”

The words came out rough, angry, because inside he was screaming. They have Julian. If they hurt him…

His men moved fast, snipers climbing rooftops, others slipping through the back like ghosts. Caesar gripped his pistol so tight his knuckles went white.

His phone rang. He knew exactly who it was.

“You think this is a game?” he snarled into the phone. “Touch him again and I’ll tear your fucking heart out.”

He hung up and stormed through the front door like he owned death itself.

Then he heard it…Julian’s scream….High, broken, terrified.

Everything went red. Caesar ran, boots slamming concrete, flashbacks hitting him like punches…Julian’s shy smile in the club, the way he blushed when Caesar touched his hair, the promise he made to Patrick’s ghost…I’ll keep him safe.

He’d failed once. Not again.

*****

Julian’s face was on fire. Blood trickled from his lip, mixing with the tears he was trying so hard not to let fall.

The ropes cut into his wrists every time he struggled.

Paul leaned in too close, his breath hot and sour.

“Your boyfriend’s so arrogant. Hung up on me like I can’t end you right now.” His fingers brushed Julian’s cheek, and Julian wanted to vomit.

He spat blood right in Paul’s face. “Don’t fucking touch me.”

Paul’s hand cracked across Julian’s face…once, twice. Pain exploded. Julian’s vision blurred, but he bit his lip to keep from crying out.

Then gunshots…loud, chaotic, everywhere….men screamed. Dropped.

Julian’s chair tipped over. He hit the ground hard, shoulder throbbing, and started crawling, dragging himself through the dirt and blood.

The door burst open.

Caesar.

Breathing like he’d run a marathon, eyes wild with fury.

“Put the gun down, Paul,” he growled, voice shaking with rage.

Paul yanked Julian up by the collar, cold metal pressing into his temple. “Let me walk out, or the pretty boy dies.”

Caesar’s laugh was dark, deadly. “You touched what’s mine. You’re not walking anywhere.”

BANG.

Paul’s knee buckled. He screamed, dropping the gun.

Caesar was on him in a second…fist to jaw, elbow to throat.

The final shot rang out point-blank. Paul’s head snapped back, brains splattering the wall.

Julian stared, shaking. He just… killed him. Like it was nothing.

Caesar dropped to his knees beside him, hands trembling as he cupped Julian’s bruised face. “Hey… hey, look at me. It’s over. You’re safe.”

Julian flinched away like Caesar burned him. “You’re a monster,” he whispered, voice cracking.

Caesar’s eyes softened…just for a second. “I’ll be your monster if it keeps you alive.”

He scooped Julian into his arms like he was made of glass and carried him out.

“Burn it all,” he ordered. “No one leaves.”

The warehouse exploded into flames behind them.

*****

In the car, Julian couldn’t stop shaking. His teeth chattered, body ice-cold even under Caesar’s coat.

He stared out the window, refusing to look at the man beside him.

Caesar pulled him close anyway, pressing Julian’s head to his chest. The heartbeat was strong. Steady.

“Why?” Julian whispered, tears finally spilling.

“Because you’re mine,” Caesar said, voice low and fierce. “And nobody touches what’s mine.”

Julian hated how safe he felt. Hated how much he needed it.

Back to the mansion , Caesar carried him straight to the bathroom. The tub was already full, steam curling up like a dream.

He undressed Julian slow….fingers gentle, like he was scared to break him.

“I can do it myself,” Julian mumbled, trying to push him away.

Caesar didn’t listen. He sat Julian in the water.

It was warm. Too warm.

Julian broke. Quiet sobs shook his shoulders as Caesar washed him…blood and dirt swirling away.

Caesar kissed the bruise on his cheek, soft as a prayer. “You broke a rule. Went out alone.”

Julian looked down. “Punish me.”

Caesar grabbed his chin, forced eye contact. “Say it again.”

“Punish me.”,Water poured over Julian’s face…again, again. He gasped, choking.

“I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…”

“Would you do it again?”

“No…never…I swear…”, Julian pleaded between desperate gasps.

Caesar stopped. “Turn around. Arch your back.”

Julian obeyed without thinking.

Caesar slid in…slow, deep, claiming.

Julian moaned, water sloshing over the edges.

“Keep saying sorry.”

“I’m sorry…fuck…I’m sorry…”

Caesar pinned him down, hips snapping, mouth on his neck.

Julian came with a broken scream, “I’ll never do it again! I swear!”

Caesar followed, groaning into his skin.

He carried Julian to bed, tucked him in like a child. Julian was asleep in seconds…soft, broken snores.

Caesar sat on the edge, watching.

‘God, I’m in love with him.’

The door opened and Caesar walked in, holding a tray with a fancy breakfast. He looked way too pleased with himself.

"Sleeping beauty," he said, his voice smooth as he sat on the edge of the bed. "I got you breakfast."

"I'm not hungry," Julian mumbled, turning his back to him. He couldn't even look at him.

A low, dangerous edge crept into Caesar's voice. "You are not allowed to leave me, Julian. Ever."

"You can't keep me here forever," Julian replied, his own voice weak and tired.

A sharp buzz cut through the tension. Julian's phone lit up.

Unknown Number: He lied to you. Every time.

Julian's heart slammed against his ribs. Patrick? Before he could hide the screen, a hand shot out and snatched the phone from his grasp.

Caesar read the message aloud, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "How dramatic."

"Do you know who that is?" Julian demanded, sitting up and facing him, a spark of defiance flashing in his eyes. "Who's sending these?"

"I don't," Caesar said, but his eyes were lying. He tossed the phone back onto the bed like it was trash. "And I don't think you need to know."

"What are you hiding from me?" Julian's voice rose, fear and frustration boiling over. "Do you think... do you think Patrick is alive?"

Caesar leaned in close, his whisper cold and deadly. "You are so naive, aren't you?"

As if on cue, the phone rang, the screen flashing that same unknown number. Julian's hands trembled as he picked it up.

Caesar's eyes locked onto his, a silent, terrifying command to put it on speaker. Julian’s finger shook as he pressed the button.

A voice, crackly and strained, filled the room.

"Julian... it's Patrick. Run away from him. Now."

Julian's eyes widened in pure horror. His blood ran cold. It sounded like him. It really sounded like his brother.

He looked up at Caesar and saw the change instantly. His jaw tightened, his eyes darkening with a possessive, volcanic rage.

"After all I have done for you..." Caesar's voice was a low, seething growl. He moved fast, his hand clamping around Julian's arm like a vice, yanking him out of the bed.

"Let go of me, Caesar! You're hurting me!" Julian cried out, stumbling as he was dragged out of the room and into the hallway.

"AFTER ALL I HAVE DONE FOR YOU AND PROMISED!" Caesar roared, the sound echoing off the marble walls as he pulled Julian toward the staircase that led down to his nightmare…the Truth Room.