The scowl on Daniel’s face was biting. He watched as Draven continued to swim, completely oblivious to how his splashing had left both Daniel and Alex mopping like fools beside the pool.
Before Daniel could retreat, Alex gripped his hand tightly, nodding toward the water.
"Today, you’re going in to cool down. Your head must be smoking by now—take a break, love." And like a man possessed, Alex leaped into the pool, dragging Daniel with him.
Daniel’s face paled, eyes wide with alarm. He dug his heels in, trying to resist, but Alex was stronger. Daniel tumbled helplessly into the water. It wasn’t deep—he could feel the solid tile beneath his feet—but he still hated swimming. The fact that Alex had forced him in, despite his protests, made his blood boil.
"You irresponsible goat! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Daniel snapped, but even as he spoke, he realized it was pointless. Both Draven and Alex had headphones on. He was talking to himself.
Rage spiraled inside him. Bunch of scums. He slowly climbed out, water streaming from his clothes, and scowled as he dripped across the patio. Xylander, spotting the storm brewing in Daniel’s eyes, quickly slipped out of sight.
"That was a close one," Xylander muttered. "Nothing’s scarier than Daniel in a foul mood." He slithered off toward the pool, stripped down, and joined the others, dancing and chasing each other through the water as if nothing had happened.
Daniel watched from the upstairs window, grumbling under his breath. So they weren’t coming after him. Fine. The battle lines were drawn.
He changed into a light top and trousers, then marched downstairs to where the TV was mounted. With a grim smile, he uprooted it from the wall.
"Movie night is officially cancelled." He carried the television to his room, hiding it deep in his closet and burying it under a pile of worn clothes. When they learn how to treat a lady, maybe they can have it back. But not before.
He headed to the kitchen, pulled a bowl from the cupboard, and poured cereal with a satisfying crunch. Taking his phone—just as Draven had taught him—he settled at the dining table and opened Instagram. His breath caught. Sixty million followers. A sea of unknown faces, people he couldn’t care less about.
He giggled softly, scrolling until a post caught his eye—a flood of comnts begging for an update.
"Our golden groom Daniel, please save us with a post! It’s been so long..."
Soone had replied, "He’s on his honeymoon with his husband—let the man breathe before you demand content!" That reply had nearly nine thousand likes. Interesting. So they thought they owned him now that he was popular? They could wait till kingdom co. He wasn’t sharing his private life online.
Just as he was about to exit, another post stopped him cold: a wanted notice for Adrian Valez and his psychotic brother, Matteo.
Daniel set his spoon down, cereal forgotten, and scrolled intently through the articles. Adrian had vanished—rumors placed him at the Golden Palace, but that had been debunked. Matteo, however, was now the pri suspect in a murder at the far end of the villa. Local authorities were on his trail, yet he remained uncaptured. Suspicious.
"What’s really going on?" Daniel murmured. "Is Matteo that good, or is soone higher up protecting him?" It was the sa story with Adrian—always slipping through the police’s fingers. Daniel was fed up. He wanted them dead, gone from his world for good.
Ti had passed, but not enough for forgiveness. Adrian deserved justice, and his crew deserved worse. Daniel had grown softer, perhaps—more caring than when he’d first arrived at Xylander’s mansion—but that didn’t an he forgave or forgot. That was stupid advice, and it didn’t apply to him.
If he was really going to have this baby, he needed a plan. A safe one. His world wasn’t secure, no matter what the others said. Matteo was still out there, thirsty for vengeance.
If it was about Daniel’s mother... well, he wasn’t sorry. She’d had it coming. One of these days, he’d end that arrogant prick with his own hands.
Footsteps approached from outside. Daniel kept eating, refusing to look up until they entered. His boys were back from swimming, clad only in tight boxers that clung to every muscle. Daniel averted his gaze before he could be tempted into forgetting his anger.
"Xylander, even you? Why’d you join them?" Daniel stood, hands on his hips, still gripping the iron bowl. The n froze. Daniel holding anything solid while questioning them was never a good sign.
"I didn’t realize I was forbidden from swimming," Xylander said, brow furrowed.
Daniel waved a dismissive hand. "It’s fine. Really. You can go. It’s well." He shook his head repeatedly, like so agitated lizard.
Draven stepped forward. "Talk to us, Daniel. I’m sorry about splashing you—it was just a joke." He put on his best puppy-dog eyes. Alex moved closer, too.
"I’m sorry for dragging you in without warning. I really am." Alex pulled him into an embrace.
Daniel sighed. It wasn’t about the water. Not really.
"That’s not why I’m upset," he said softly. Xylander and Draven drew near, surrounding him with concerned attention.
"My body... it feels different. I know it’s not like to say this, but I feel like a fat cow. And even though I’m carrying the baby, it doesn’t feel like I’m being appreciated enough."
Xylander’s expression softened. He hugged Daniel from behind.
"You’re not fat, Dan. My sweet hubby could never be fat. And this baby... it’s given us a connection we wouldn’t have had otherwise. Don’t ever talk down about yourself."
Draven nodded. "Carrying a baby is hard work. You must be stressed. Let us help carry that weight—that’s what we’re here for. Right?" He glanced at the others, and they all smiled in agreent.
Alexander took Daniel’s hand, clasping it firmly. "We didn’t start off right, but we’re going to end with the best outco. The baby will be safe. We’ll raise it together." He kissed the back of Daniel’s palm.
Xylander pulled out a bottle of lotion, a sly grin spreading across his face. "After movie night, each of us will give you a nice massage. Naked."
Daniel blushed faintly, the anger finally beginning to lt away.
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