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Chapter Seventy Two: The Chase“He’s gone, Jules. Three days.”Peter’s voice broke as he stumbled into the room. He looked awful…pale, with dark circles under his eyes that told a story of no sleep. The bright, determined guy was gone, replaced by a hollowed-out shell. He didn’t say hello. He just collapsed into a chair, the words tumbling out like a confession.“Won’t answer my calls. Won’t answer his door. It’s like he just… vanished.”Julian slowly closed his laptop, his full attention on his best friend. He could feel the panic coming off Peter in waves.“Enzo’s not the vanishing type,” Julian said, keeping his voice steady. “He’s the ‘break down your door to yell at you’ type. He’s just hurt. And he’s stubborn.”“What if it’s not that?” Peter’s eyes were wide, shimmering with a fear that was eating him alive. His voice shook. “What if Ryan got to him? What if the people from those files… they found him because of me? To get to me?”The thought was a living nightmare, and Pete
Chapter Seventy One: The Unwitting PawnPeter rushed backstage, his heart hammering a frantic drum solo against his ribs. What was happening? What was Ryan doing?Two of Ryan’s stone-faced officers closed in on him, flanking him like prison guards. One leaned in, his breath hot and sour against Peter’s ear. “Smile, hero,” the man whispered, his voice a venomous sneer. “The Chief is giving you a promotion and a target on your back. Be grateful.”Ice flooded Peter’s veins. His eyes snapped to the stage, where Ryan was climbing the podium, the picture of somber authority. The Chief tapped the mic, and the noisy room fell into a dead, anticipatory hush.“For months,” Ryan began, his voice heavy with grave importance, “this department has been running its most sensitive investigation into the cancer of corruption at our city’s highest levels.”Peter’s blood ran cold. No. No, no, no.“The brave officer at the heart of this operation risked his life, his reputation, and his safety to brin
Chapter Seventy: Crossed Fire The car tore away from Ryan's estate, engine roaring like it was trying to outrun the nightmare into the dark and the dirt road. Julian huddled in the back seat, body shaking so hard his teeth knocked together, fingers white-knuckled around the slim encrypted file pressed to his chest like a lifeline. He'd been seconds from disaster…hiding in that dark study, hearing footsteps creep closer, heart slamming against his ribs until he thought it'd burst. The fear clawed at him even now, cold sweat soaking his shirt, but underneath it burned this wild, reckless triumph that made him want to laugh or cry or both. Caesar's eyes never left him the whole drive, worry carving deep lines into his face, usual ice-cool mask cracking just for Julian. "Are you okay?" he asked, voice rough and thick, hand sliding over to grip Julian's thigh like he needed the contact to believe he was real. Julian nodded, shaky, but then that smile broke through…raw, victorious
Chapter Sixty Nine: The Gala GambitThe air in Ryan Graves’ mansion tasted like expensive champagne and lies. Every glittering gown, every polished smile felt like a weapon. And Peter felt completely exposed.Across the crowded room, Caesar and Julian held their spot near the staircase like royalty. They looked calm, sipping their drinks, but their eyes never stopped moving. Watching Ryan. Watching the exits. Watching him.Then Peter felt it…that crawling sensation on the back of his neck. Ryan was staring right at him.Before panic could fully take hold, a warm hand closed around his. Enzo’s thumb brushed softly over his knuckles, a silent promise. I’m right here. Peter’s shoulders relaxed just a little. He turned and gave Enzo a small, real smile.It was the worst thing he could have done.Ryan’s charming mask slipped. His jaw tightened, his eyes going dark with something ugly and possessive. Peter watched in slow-motion horror as Ryan excused himself from a group of politicia
Chapter Sixty-Eight: Games & Masks Peter’s blood turned to ice in his veins. His fists clenched so hard his nails cut half-moons into his palms. One more step and he would’ve swung, consequences be damned. “If you ever…”Ryan threw his head back and laughed, loud, rich, cruel, like the whole thing was the funniest joke he’d heard all year. “Relax, Davis,” he said, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. “It was just a joke. You’re wound way too tight.” But the smile didn’t reach his eyes. Those stayed cold, promising, ‘I meant every word.‘ Peter swallowed fire. “Anyway,” Ryan continued, straightening his tie like he hadn’t just threatened the love of Peter’s life. “…epartmental gala in two weeks. Formal. Bring your boyfriend.” He flashed teeth. “I’m dying to meet the man who’s got you so… protective.” Peter’s stomach dropped. “I—I’ll have to check our schedules, sir. He’s a very busy—” “Make it work,” Ryan cut in, voice velvet over steel. “I insist.” Peter nodded st
Chapter Sixty-Seven: Crossed LinesThe warm, garlic-scented air of the little Italian restaurant was a welcome cocoon. For the first time in what felt like forever, Peter felt the heavy weight on his shoulders lift just a little. Across the small table, Enzo grinned, twirling a forkful of spaghetti."See? The world won't end if you take one night off," Enzo said, his voice soft and his eyes full of warmth. He held the fork out. "I like seeing you like this... just Peter."Peter laughed, a real, genuine sound, and leaned forward to take the bite. "I forget what this feels like sometimes," he admitted, his smile easy. "Just being with you without... you know. The rest of it."It was perfect. And like all perfect things in Peter's life, it was shattered in an instant.His smile vanished, wiped clean from his face. Over Enzo's shoulder, he saw him. Ryan Graves, being led to a table across the room, shaking hands with a city official like he owned the place. Peter’s blood ran cold."He







