David's injury had brought him and Mark unexpectedly closer. Over the past few days since the incident, Mark had been spending more time in David's room than his own, rarely leaving his side. Finally, David asked for the file on the client who had shot him."
The morning light filtered through the sheer curtains, golden and quiet. Mark was still curled under the sheets, breathing softly, while David sat at the edge of the bed, fully dressed in dark slacks and a crisp shirt. His injured hand was bandaged, tucked carefully against his side, but his eyes—they were sharp, awake, burning with something other than pain.
Revenge.
He tapped into the tablet Tony had brought earlier. A file loaded—one that detailed the chaos from the night of the attack: client lists, event logs, surveillance footage. All sanitized, all reviewed already by his men. But not by him.
He wanted to see it for himself.
There was a name. A client who pulled out of the negotiation last minute. Someone no one questioned at that time. But David remembered the way he moved in the room. The way his eyes flickered too fast, too aware.
"Maga Bali..." David murmured under his breath. "You didn't even try to cover your tracks."
He pulled up Maga's profile, encrypted with layers of protection that Tony had helped him bypass. Maga was a former associate. Ties to Eastern European arms deals. Clean on paper. Dirty in history. The timing of his withdrawal and the trajectory of the bullet lined up too perfectly.
A small smile curved David's lips—but it was a cold, lethal kind.
Footsteps padded into the room. Mark, rubbing his eyes, shirt half-on. "You're already working?"
David didn't look up. "Someone shot me, Mark. I'm not going to lie in bed and let them breathe freely while I recover."
Mark walked closer, gently placing a hand on David's shoulder. "I get it… But your hand—"
"My hand will heal," David said, finally turning to look at him. "What they tried to take from me…Failed. But I won't let them think they got away with it."
He paused, make a call, voice low and dangerous, "Tell Tony I want a trace started. I want every moment of Maga's associates watched. I want to know where he eats, where he fucks, and where he sleeps. I'm not letting this go." end the call.
David reached for Mark's hand and pulled him close, pressing a soft kiss to the back of it.
"I'll protect everything that's mine," David said. "Including you."
Mark smiled shyly, a soft blush coloring his cheeks. "When did I become yours?" he asked, half-teasing.
David smirked and leaned in, his voice low and possessive. "Since the day you let me lie you on that bed... or the table, or anywhere I wanted. That's when you became mine."
Mark rolled his eyes, trying to hide the way his heart fluttered. "You make it sound so dramatic. We're just... enjoying each other. Why do you have to say it like that?"
"I know, I know," David said with a chuckle. "But still—you've always been mine. And you know how much I love you, Mark."
Mark softened at that, his voice quieter. "Okay, I know."
David sat back and glanced at the clock. "I'll be heading out soon. If there's anything you want or need, write it down for me. I'll pick it up on my way back."
"Alright," Mark nodded. But his expression shifted, something unreadable crossing his face.
David narrowed his eyes. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Mark replied quickly. "I just need to check something in my room. I'll come back with the list."
He stood and walked away, but David couldn't miss the way his gaze lingered on the front door—the quiet yearning in his eyes. He could tell Mark wanted to come along but didn't dare to ask.
When Mark returned with the list, David folded it and said calmly, "Go get changed."
Mark blinked. "Huh?"
"You're coming with me."
Mark stared in disbelief. "Wait—what? Did you just say I'm coming with you? Outside?"
David gave him a look. "Yes. Outside. Get ready."
Mark's face lit up with pure joy. "Are you serious?" he gasped, barely able to contain his excitement as he bolted upstairs.
A short while later, David, Mark, Dnie, and a couple of bodyguards stepped out together. It was just a simple shopping trip—but for Mark, it meant everything.
For the first time in three long years, he was stepping outside in the light of day. No shadows. No chains. Just sunlight, freedom... and David beside him.
He couldn't stop smiling.
Tony didn't join the outing. David hadn't invited him.
Meanwhile, in the car on their way to the mall, Mark leaned forward from the backseat and turned to Dnie with bright eyes.
"Dnie," he said, his voice playful, "remember those places you told me about that night… when we… He hesitated, embarrassed to say "snuck out."
"You know," he added quickly, waving his hand to brush past the moment, "those places you mentioned. Are we going to see them? You made them sound so cool. And I want some ice cream too. The one you said was the best."
He was animated, excited like a child seeing the world again for the first time.
"You just kept saying cool things, and fun things," Mark continued with a breathless smile.
Before Dnie could answer, David spoke, his tone clipped but calm. "If you want anything, you talk to me. I'm the one taking you out. Not Dnie."
Mark turned to him with a sheepish smile. "I know… It's just… You always walk ahead or go silent. Dnie talks more. He goes out more. He knows where the fun is."
Dnie laughed softly but stayed quiet, sensing David's jealousy hiding behind that protective tone.
David gave Mark a half-smile and reached for his hand, giving it a light squeeze. "You can ask me for anything, Mark. I'll take you anywhere."
Mark lowered his gaze, that quiet warmth spreading in his chest. "Okay… then I want that ice cream. And I want to see the fountain you mentioned once. I want to see everything."
David smiled at that. "Then you will."
The mall was lively, the hum of voices and distant music blending with the rustle of shopping bags in Mark's hands. He was glowing, laughing with Dnie, eyes wide with wonder at every corner. It was the most alive David had seen him in years.
Then a voice called softly from the crowd.
"Mark?" He turned.
Standing a few steps away was Lainia.
Mark's breath caught. She looked just as he remembered—elegant, composed, and radiant. A part of his past that still lingered in the quiet corners of his memory.
"Lainia?" he whispered.
She smiled. "Wow… It's you."
They moved closer, like gravity still pulled between them. Mark felt warmth in her voice, the kind that once made his heart skip. "You disappeared." After the graduation, you never came back."
"Things changed," he said quietly. "I didn't get to say goodbye."
Lainia tilted her head. "You still have that look in your eyes. Mysterious."
Before Mark could respond, David stepped in.
"Mark," he said sharply, "we're done here."
Mark blinked, realizing David had been watching the entire time.
Lainia offered her card. "If you ever want to talk."
Mark took it gently. "Thanks."
As she walked away, David's jaw tightened. Dnie leaned close to Mark. whispered with a smirk, "He's burning. You should see his face."
Mark chuckled softly, hiding the card in his pocket.
And David walked ahead, without a word—but his silence spoke volumes.
On their way back home, the car was quiet until Dnie, always the curious one, leaned forward with a sly smile.
"So…" she began, eyes twinkling. "Who was that beautiful lady you were smiling at like a lost puppy?"
Mark's cheeks turned a soft pink. He looked down shyly and said, "That's Lainia. She was my crush back in university. I used to admire her from afar, always telling myself I'd talk to her after graduation, but…" He paused, a shadow flickering over his face. "I never got the chance."
David said nothing. His gaze remained fixed outside the window, expression unreadable.
Mark let out a small laugh, trying to lighten the air. "Honestly, I'm just happy I saw her again. It felt like she completed my day."
Dnie raised a brow, glancing between the two of them, clearly catching the shift in David's energy. But David remained silent.
Dnie turns to Mark with a teasing smirk. "If you got the chance to win her over now… would you chase her?"
Mark's heart skipped. For a brief second, his lips parted like he was about to shout yes without a second thought. But then, instinctively, his eyes shifted toward David.
David didn't say a word. He didn't even look at Mark, but his jaw had tensed, and his fingers were slightly clenched on his lap.
That was enough.
Mark's voice caught in his throat. He gave a small smile instead and shook his head faintly, saying nothing.
Dnie narrowed her eyes curiously. She saw that hesitation. She saw how Mark looked at David—and how David didn't meet his gaze.