Heir In The Shadows

EPISODE 31

The night of the party arrived.

Luciano had already prepared his excuse, rehearsing it until it sounded believable. As he slipped into his jacket and adjusted his cufflinks, Jax was lounging on the couch, quietly watching him.

“I’ll be back later tonight,” Luciano said smoothly, avoiding Jax’s piercing gaze. “There’s… a private business meeting I can’t ignore.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Jax’s eyes lingered on him, unreadable, but then he simply nodded. “Alright.”

Luciano forced a small smile before leaning down to press a kiss to Jax’s lips. “Don’t stay up too late.”

Jax gave a hum of acknowledgment, and Luciano left.

The moment the door shut, Jax’s jaw tightened. He didn’t say a word, just pushed himself off the couch and went into the study—their study now. He buried himself in his work, going through reports and sealing deals, his expression calm but his heart simmering.

Hours slipped by until at last, he closed his laptop and rubbed his temples. As he stepped out of the study, his eyes flicked toward their bedroom. Empty.

Luciano still wasn’t home.

Jax sighed, showered, and got ready for bed. Just as he laid down, his phone buzzed violently on the nightstand. The caller ID lit up with one name: Draco.

Jax picked up instantly. “What is it?”

“Boss… there’s trouble,” Draco’s voice came urgent from the other line.

“Spill.”

“Mr. De Luca is at the birthday party of Mr. David Crust.”

Jax shot upright. “The hell? Why are you just telling me now?”

“Boss, I think something isn’t right,” Draco continued quickly. “Mr. De Luca started behaving strange… sluggish. One of Dax’s men escorted him upstairs. I think… he’s been drugged.”

Jax’s blood ran cold. His voice sharpened. “Where the hell are Nic and Matteo?”

“They were stationed outside. They have no clue.”

“Damn it,” Jax cursed, fury lacing his tone. His hand clenched around the phone.

“Okay, keep your eyes on them. Don’t let anything happen to Luciano. I repeat—nothing. I’ll be there in minutes.” He cut the call without waiting for a reply.

Jax threw on a suit jacket and stormed downstairs. “Vince!” he barked.

Vince appeared immediately. “Yes, Boss.”

“Prepare the car. We’re heading to the Crust residence now.”

Vince rushed out, and within moments, the sleek black cars were lined up. Jax slid into the backseat, two of his most trusted guards with him, while another vehicle full of bodyguards tailed them.

The drive was fast and tense, the roar of engines breaking through the night. Jax’s hand drummed against his thigh, his mind raging with images of Luciano in danger.

When they arrived at the Crust mansion, Jax didn’t wait for protocol. He stepped out in a storm of authority, Draco meeting him at the gate.

“Second floor. Room at the end of the hall,” Draco said, his expression grim.

Jax nodded sharply. “Vince. Draco. With me. The rest secure the area.”

The sight of heavily armed men rushing in caused a commotion in the hall, but Jax didn’t spare them a glance. He stormed up the stairs two at a time, Draco leading the way.

When they reached the room, Jax didn’t bother knocking. He slammed the door open—and froze at the sight.

Luciano lay sprawled across the bed, his shirt half undone, his body weak and flushed from whatever had been slipped into his drink. Over him, Dax hovered, fingers tugging at his clothes, a smirk of triumph twisting his lips.

Jax’s vision went red.

In two strides, he was across the room. His fist collided with Dax’s face, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Jax—!” Dax barely managed to croak before another punch crashed into his jaw.

Jax mounted him, delivering blow after merciless blow, each punch fueled by pure rage. Dax’s nose cracked, blood spraying, but Jax didn’t stop—he couldn’t stop—until a weak, trembling voice broke through his haze.

“J… Jax…”

Luciano.

Jax froze, chest heaving, knuckles dripping with Dax’s blood. He turned instantly and rushed to the bed.

Luciano’s eyes fluttered, his hand reaching weakly for him. “I… I feel so hot… all over…”

“Shh,” Jax soothed, gathering him into his arms with infinite gentleness, the exact opposite of the violence he had unleashed seconds before. “I’ve got you. You’re safe now.”

By then, people had crowded around the doorway, murmuring in shock. Among them was David Crust, his face pale as he took in the scene.

Jax stood, lifting Luciano bridal-style against his chest. His eyes locked coldly on David, his voice a blade.

“I’ll need an explanation for what just happened here, Mr. Crust. If I don’t get one…” His words trailed off, but the threat lingered in the air like poison.

“Nic. Matteo. Collect Luciano’s things.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“Draco, Vince—get the car.”

“Yes, Boss!”

Jax carried Luciano out, ignoring the gasps and whispers trailing behind him. His only focus was the trembling body in his arms.

Outside, he gently placed Luciano in the car and climbed in beside him. Draco took the wheel, and the convoy sped away.

Luciano stirred, his lips parting. “Don’t… don’t touch me… I need Jax… Where is Jax…?”

Jax cupped his face tenderly, brushing damp hair from his forehead. “Shhh, I’m here. It’s me. I’ve got you, babe. You’re safe now.”

Luciano weakly nuzzled into him, clinging to the sound of his voice, as Jax held him tighter than ever.

---

Jax pushed through the doors of the mansion, Luciano trembling in his arms, his body still heated from whatever drug Dax’s people had slipped into his drink. He carried him upstairs without a second thought, laying him gently on their bed.

“Jax…” Luciano’s voice was low, thick, almost needy. His eyes burned with a feverish haze as his fingers clawed at Jax’s shirt. “Touch me. Please. Don’t leave me like this.”

Jax brushed his knuckles across Luciano’s cheek, fighting himself. “Baby, you’re not yourself right now. I don’t want to take advantage—”

Luciano cut him off with a desperate kiss, all tongue and teeth, pulling him closer with surprising strength. “I don’t care. I want you. I need you. No one else can make it stop. Just you.”

Jax’s resolve cracked. His lips crashed into Luciano’s, devouring him. Their kiss turned rough, urgent, clothes tearing away and scattering across the floor.

When Jax finally pressed him down into the sheets, Luciano’s head tilted back, voice breaking into a moan. “God, Jax—don’t hold back tonight. I want to feel everything.”

Jax’s breath came ragged, his lips tracing fire down Luciano’s neck. “You don’t know what you’re asking for…”

“Yes, I do,” Luciano gasped, wrapping his legs around him. “f**k me like you own me. Harder than you ever have. I want to remember this night in my bones.”

That snapped something in Jax. He gripped Luciano’s hips, his voice low and rough in his ear. “You’re mine. Every inch of you. No one will ever touch you the way I do.”

Their bodies moved in perfect sync, frantic and unrestrained. Luciano clawed at Jax’s back, nails dragging lines across his skin. “More, Jax—don’t stop. Harder. Please—f**k, I love the way you make me feel.”

Jax’s thrusts grew stronger, deeper, each one wringing filthy moans from Luciano’s lips. “Look at you,” Jax growled, eyes locked on him. “Falling apart under me. You’re perfect like this.”

Luciano’s voice broke into shameless cries. “Yes! Right there—harder, Jax. Don’t be gentle. I want to be ruined by you. God, I love it when you lose control.”

The room filled with the sound of ragged moans, wet kisses, skin against skin, and their tangled voices—Jax’s low growls of possession, Luciano’s breathless pleas and praises. The more Luciano begged, the more Jax gave, his strength and hunger only growing.

Hours slipped by as the night blurred into raw passion. By the time exhaustion claimed them, the sheets were tangled, the air heavy with their scent, and Luciano collapsed boneless against Jax’s chest, still trembling from being driven past his limits.