Heir In The Shadows

EPISODE 13

The dinner had been a good one. Luciano, ever the charmer, had kept the mood light, teasing Jax just enough to make him laugh and relax. For the first time in days, Jax had let some of the tension roll off his shoulders, letting himself enjoy the company of someone who didn’t judge him, someone who seemed to understand without words.

“After this,” Luciano said, leaning in slightly, voice low and playful, “we should hit the club. I know a place you’ll like.”

Jax hesitated, the thought of stepping into a nightlife world while still reeling from Damon’s betrayal nagging at him. But after a moment, he gave a small nod. “Alright… why not.”

They left the restaurant together. Luciano drove them in his car while one of his men, Nic, took Jax’s vehicle. The club Luciano had chosen was one of his own businesses, sleek and exclusive. They were immediately escorted into a VIP lounge where drinks flowed freely.

Jax didn’t hold back. Glass after glass of whiskey slid down his throat, the burn helping him loosen the tight coil of tension inside him. Luciano watched him, amused and caring at once, allowing him to drink but never letting him lose total control.

But after what felt like several rounds, Luciano saw that Jax had had enough. Gently, almost imperceptibly, he reached for the glass in Jax’s hand and removed it. “That’s enough,” he said firmly, his eyes locking onto Jax’s.

Jax, lazily tipsy, simply looked at him, letting the glass go without struggle. For the first time, he allowed himself to rely on someone else.

Time blurred as the music and lights swirled around them. Finally, Luciano helped Jax to his feet, steadying him as they made their way toward the exit. The night air was cool against their flushed skin, and for a fleeting moment, Jax felt… safe.

But just as Luciano moved to help Jax into the car, a voice cut through the air.

“Let go of my man.”

Both men turned. Damon stood there, his eyes flashing with anger, betrayal, and something raw and needy. Luciano froze for a heartbeat—how did Damon even know they were here?

Luciano said nothing. He guided Jax into the car, shutting the door with precise calm. Then, facing Damon, he asked casually, “And you are…?”

“I’m Jax’s lover,” Damon spat, his voice tight.

Luciano’s lips curved into that signature smirk, one part amused, one part dangerous. “The last time I checked,” he said slowly, “you were with Eli. And yet here you are, pretending you deserve him?”

Damon’s face twisted, but Luciano continued, cold and steady. “After everything Jax has done for you… to give you his time, his trust, his heart… and you betray him with none other than your best friend? You don’t deserve him.”

He stepped back, leaning casually against the car, eyes locked on Damon as the words sank in. Then, without another word, Luciano slid into the driver’s seat, started the engine, and drove off, leaving a crumpled, defeated Damon standing on the curb.

Inside the car, Jax sank into the seat, leaning back with a tired exhale. Luciano glanced at him briefly, a knowing warmth in his gaze. For Jax, the night had been a mix of chaos, pain, and a strange comfort—but Luciano was determined to remain by his side, no matter what.

---

The next morning, Luciano couldn’t take his eyes off the man lying in his bed. Yes—you heard that right. Last night, he had brought Jax into his mansion and laid him on his bed in his room.

No one had ever set foot in this part of his home—not even his ex-lover, Dax. Yet here was Jax Kael, the heir to the Kingmaker’s Mafia, sleeping like a man who belonged nowhere but right here. Luciano studied him, mesmerized by the quiet strength still radiating from the sleeping figure—the sharp jawline, the slightly tousled hair, the faint rise and fall of his chest with each breath.

He shook his head slightly, a mix of disbelief and fascination. How had he gotten so lucky—or so reckless—to have someone like Jax in his private space, in his home? And yet, it felt natural, almost inevitable, that Jax was here.

Luciano had already planned ahead. He had asked the chef to prepare Jax’s favorite breakfast. He had noted the small details—what Jax liked to eat, the drinks he preferred, the hobbies he enjoyed when he had rare moments of downtime. Every detail had been quietly recorded, cataloged, and stored—not for manipulation, but because he genuinely cared.

As the sunlight filtered through the curtains, illuminating Jax’s features, Luciano leaned back in his chair, letting a slow smile spread across his face. He couldn’t believe the audacity, the sheer magnetism of the man who had somehow walked into his life, uninvited yet undeniably commanding. And as he quietly watched him sleep, he vowed silently: he would protect him, keep him close, and learn everything about him—every secret, every desire, every corner of the man who had already begun to consume his thoughts.

---

Jax stirred, eyelids heavy, as the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling breakfast filled the room. He blinked a few times, slowly realizing he wasn’t in his own penthouse. For a brief moment, confusion flickered across his face before he remembered the events of last night—the club, Luciano, the drive back.

Luciano was in the kitchen, moving with ease, plating Jax’s favorite breakfast as if he had been doing it for years. Pancakes stacked neatly, fruit sliced perfectly, eggs cooked just the way Jax liked them. A cup of coffee steamed gently beside the plate, the scent sharp and inviting.

“You’re up,” Luciano said without turning, his voice low, calm, but carrying that unmistakable charm. “Breakfast is ready. I thought you might like to start the day properly.”

Jax pushed himself up on the bed, the tension in his muscles noticeable despite the lingering sleepiness. “You… you went through all this for me?” His voice was measured, guarded, but there was an undertone of vulnerability he didn’t bother hiding entirely.

Luciano finally turned, holding a plate in each hand, his gaze locking on Jax. “Of course. I pay attention. You deserve it.” His eyes softened, yet there was that teasing glint, that subtle invitation to let him in further. “Besides,” he added with a small smirk, “I enjoy learning about you. All of you.”

Jax’s lips pressed into a thin line, trying to remain stoic. His mind flashed briefly to Damon, to the betrayal that still burned inside him, but in Luciano’s presence, the sharp edges of that pain dulled just slightly. “You’re… very meticulous,” he said, the words cautious but tinged with curiosity.

“I prefer to know what matters,” Luciano replied, moving closer, setting the plates down within reach. “Especially when it comes to someone who’s… complicated.” His tone carried layers—admiration, challenge, and something deeper he didn’t yet dare voice.

Jax’s gaze flickered to the breakfast, then back to Luciano. There was an undeniable pull between them, an unspoken understanding that this—this morning, this care—was more than simple courtesy. Yet Jax stayed guarded, silently reminding himself that no matter how intoxicating Luciano was, his heart was still tied to someone who had already betrayed him.

Luciano leaned against the bedframe, just enough to invade Jax’s personal space without overstepping, his voice dropping to a softer, intimate tone. “Eat,” he said simply. “You’ll need your strength… and maybe some company while you do.”

Jax hesitated, then nodded slowly, finally reaching for a fork. As he took the first bite, Luciano watched, a quiet satisfaction in his eyes. For now, he had Jax here, in his space, under his roof—and every subtle glance, every quiet interaction, was a step closer to the trust and closeness he wanted, even if Jax didn’t realize it yet.

The morning stretched on, a fragile bubble of calm between two men bound by tension, attraction, and unspoken desires—both aware that the world outside was waiting, but neither wanting to leave this quiet, charged moment behind.