Heir In The Shadows

EPISODE 24

After dropping Jax off at his own estate, Luciano drove straight to his company. Though the world knew him as a polished CEO of a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate, behind the walls, everyone in his circle knew the truth—his company was the perfect mask for his underground empire.

The past two weeks without Jax had left him restless, distracted, unable to fully focus on anything. Files piled up on his desk, meetings pushed aside until they were unavoidable. Today, he had no choice but to face it all. Boardrooms filled with suits awaited his presence, shareholders wanted answers, and documents that demanded his signature towered like a mountain. Luciano adjusted his cufflinks, schooled his expression into cold authority, and immersed himself in the flood of responsibilities, even as a part of him itched to check in on Jax again.

On the other hand, Jax had finished tending to his matters early that morning. Normally, Draco handled mall inspections on his behalf, but today Jax decided to make an appearance himself. Maybe it was the silence of the estate without Luciano’s lingering presence—or maybe he simply wanted to stretch his legs in the empire he built with blood and fire.

Draco was startled at first when Jax casually announced he’d come along, but within minutes the order was relayed. The higher-ups, managers, and staff scrambled to prepare for the Kingmaker’s arrival.

Draco, ever meticulous, asked quietly, “Boss, should I have the mall closed down for the day so you can move freely?”

Jax gave him a sharp glance, one that carried both weight and finality. “No. Business doesn’t pause because I walk in. Let it run. I want to see things as they are, not staged.”

When the convoy finally pulled up in front of the massive mall, heads turned instantly. It wasn’t just a few cars, but five sleek, black machines—symbols of power and wealth, engines humming like predators at rest. Pedestrians paused mid-step, whispers rippling through the crowd. They knew those cars. Everyone in the city did.

The guards from the other vehicles got out first, their presence a warning to anyone watching. Then Draco stepped down from the passenger seat of Jax’s car and with a crisp motion, opened the door.

The Kingmaker emerged.

Sharp suit, dark sunglasses shielding his eyes, an aura so heavy it pressed on the crowd like a physical weight. Instinctively, the management and staff at the entrance bowed their heads and greeted him with deep respect. Their words stumbled over each other in nervous welcome. Jax said nothing—only gave a curt nod as he walked forward with Draco and the rest of his men trailing closely behind. His silence carried more power than any speech could.

Inside, Jax’s inspection was thorough, his gaze sharp, missing nothing. Departments, accounts, inventory—nothing escaped his notice. Employees fumbled under his scrutiny, yet he said little, only nodding when satisfied. When at last he was certain everything ran as it should, he turned to Draco.

“I’ll take a drive around the city,” Jax said, voice calm but firm. “No need to follow.”

Draco froze for half a second, reluctant. But Jax’s word was absolute. Bowing slightly, he replied, “Understood, Boss.”

And with that, Jax slipped back into his car, leaving Draco and the rest behind as he steered into the city streets alone.

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Jax drove himself through the city, one hand lazily resting on the wheel, the other tapping against the leather. He hadn’t done this in months—just moving through the streets without an entourage, no layers of power to shield him, no Draco or Vince trailing behind. For once, it was quiet, giving his thoughts room to stir.

I wonder if he’s eaten.

The stray thought of Luciano crept into his mind. Irritating, yet oddly warming. He shook his head, lips tugging in the faintest smirk. Damn Luciano.

It was supposed to be a simple detour. Jax had decided to stop at a discreet coffee shop downtown after driving around the city, a place quiet enough for him to think.

The café was quiet that late afternoon, the kind of place Jax chose when he needed solitude. He wanted nothing more than a cup of black coffee and a few moments of silence. But fate had other ideas.

As he stepped inside, the faint hum of chatter died down for him. Not because they knew him, but because his presence commanded notice. He moved with a stillness that drew eyes. But it wasn’t until his gaze swept across the room that his steps faltered.

At a booth near the window sat Damon.

And beside him… Eli.

For a brief moment, Jax’s chest tightened. Memories tried to surface—Damon’s laughter, Damon’s warmth, Damon’s betrayal—but strangely, the sharp ache that had once haunted him was absent. Instead, all he felt was… distance. Like looking at an old scar that no longer hurt when touched.

Luciano, he thought. It’s because of him. Because of the way he’s quietly filled the emptiness.

Damon noticed him first. His eyes widened, breath catching in his throat as though seeing Jax was both a blessing and a punishment. He scrambled to his feet, voice trembling.

“Jax…”

Jax didn’t move closer. His expression was unreadable, cold but not cruel. He tilted his head slightly, his voice calm—too calm for Damon’s comfort.

“It’s the past, Damon. I don’t carry it anymore.”

Damon’s throat worked as if he wanted to argue, to beg. But Jax continued, his eyes flicking once to Eli before resting back on Damon.

“I wish you both the best… together.”

He turned to leave, each step deliberate, final. His hand brushed the door when a firm voice stopped him.

“Jax.”

Eli’s voice—clear, unapologetic. Jax paused but didn’t turn.

“I won’t lie,” Eli said, his tone low but carrying through the café, drawing curious glances. “What I did was wrong, and for that, I will apologize. But…” his gaze slid to Damon, steady, unflinching, “…I will not apologize for falling in love with him.”

The words hung in the air, bold and unashamed.

Jax’s fingers flexed slightly against the doorframe. For a heartbeat, he considered saying something—anything. But in the end, silence was the sharpest blade. Without a word, he stepped outside, letting the door close behind him, leaving only the echo of his presence.

Inside, Damon stared at Eli, stunned. His face was pale, his lips trembling. “Eli… what you just said… is it true?”

Eli didn’t waver. Instead, he leaned across the table and pressed a light kiss to Damon’s forehead, his hand lingering on the back of his neck. “We’ll talk at home,” he murmured softly, a strange mixture of tenderness and finality in his tone.

Damon’s chest clenched as he watched the door Jax had walked through. For the first time, he realized the man he had betrayed wasn’t carrying the weight of him anymore. Jax had let go. And it broke Damon more than he ever thought possible.

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