Ashley bit her lip to stop herself from smiling like a fool as she lay on her stomach, her body nearly resting on top of Lucian’s bare chest. His head rested against the headboard, phone held to his ear.

"Mhm," he hummed, his eyes sliding to her.

He raised his free hand, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Then he leaned forward, placing a quiet kiss on her cheek, almost burying his face in her neck. Still, he kept his phone to his ear.

"No," he muttered as he drew his head back.

Ashley raised her brows, looking at him curiously.

"I don’t need a doctor," he added, meeting her eyes. "I just need a day or two to rest."

Then he paused, cocking his head back and letting her run the tip of her nose along his cheek and jaw.

"Gustav," Lucian’s voice grew colder and more impatient. "I’m calling in sick, but that doesn’t mean I need to be admitted. Stop asking."

"But, Master —"

Clack.

Lucian hung up on Gustav and tossed his phone aside, his eyes meeting hers. "I didn’t need to call in sick," he reminded her.

"I know," she giggled mischievously. "But it was fun, wasn’t it? The big boss of Dominion is calling in sick for the very first time."

"..." He raised his free hand, pressing his thumb against her slightly swollen lips. "Your back?"

She pouted a little. "Still worried about it?"

He didn’t answer, but the way he raised his brows said enough.

"Lucian, how many times have we done it today?" She slowly crawled on top of him before lowering her head until it was only a palm’s length from his. Her hand rested on his bare chest, her knees on either side of him.

Her brows slowly rose as the corner of her lips curved up. "Maybe... it’s a kink?"

"Is it?" he hummed, his voice low and rough as he buried his fingers in her loose hair. When his hand settled against her head, he guided her down, lips parted as she planted soft pecks on his mouth as if teasing him.

"Stop it," he whispered, raising his head, trying to keep her lips on his.

But she only giggled until she finally gave in, letting him claim her lips in a deeper kiss. His hands roamed her body until one arm snaked up her spine, his hand settling on her nape.

Even with her on top, Lucian still managed to take control.

His phone buzzed at the side, but the couple ignored it as the creak of the bed drowned everything else out, followed by the warmth of their bodies against each other, her growing moans, and his low grunts. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Lucian," she breathed, pleasure and pain mixing in her voice.

Biting her lip, he held her securely, his arms wrapped tightly around her. With his guidance and the rhythm of the bed, she moved until she was crying out his name like music to his ears.

*****

Meanwhile, just across the street, three of the five bums idled at the entrance of their home, staring at the house opposite theirs and at Lucian’s car parked outside.

"Didn’t he go to work?" Rum wondered. "Is the boss alright?"

"Yeah, he’s been there for like an hour or two..." Vodka nodded, picking his teeth with a toothpick. "I wonder if she’s fine or if her condition got worse."

"She should’ve just stayed in the hospital," Red muttered. "Even those abductors are in the hospital — and they don’t even deserve to be."

The other two nodded.

Gin and Tank weren’t there, as they were needed at the company. Gin was working closely with Gustav on the investigation, while Tank was providing assistance. As for the three of them, they were responsible for staying close to Ashley... like a curse she was.

As the trio idled, they spotted Nolan walking along their side of the street, umbrella in hand.

"Nolan!" Rum called out, stopping him.

Nolan furrowed his brows and walked closer to the low fence gate, eyeing the trio lounging outside.

"Is the big boss alright?" Rum asked from the other side of the fence. "I mean, that woman. Is she alright?"

In their minds, Lucian would only come back if there was an emergency. Since Ashley had been stubborn about going home, they were a little worried.

Nolan’s mouth parted as he nodded slowly.

"Ah, that?" He cleared his throat and glanced toward the house.

There was a reason Nolan was taking this particular route home; he was keeping as much distance from the house as possible.

When he turned back to them, he smiled. "Of course. The master is simply taking care of the madam... to ensure she recovers. I just hope he doesn’t cause her stitches to reopen."

After all, Lucian was just at home, actively ruining her recovery schedule.

"Huh?" the trio echoed, their brows furrowing. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing!" Nolan chuckled, waving dismissively. "Don’t worry about them. If anything, the three of you should take a day off."

The lines on the trio’s faces deepened, but Nolan just laughed it off.

"Don’t concern yourself with such things anymore. Anyway, there’s food at the chef’s lodging," he said. "Since it’s your day off, forget your troubles and eat to your heart’s content."

He was about to walk away when he turned back, adding, "Also, stay well away from their home. No matter what."

With that, Nolan continued on his way. The trio watched him go, shaking their heads.

"Nolan’s acting strange," Rum muttered, glancing back at the other two.

His mouth curved up, but in the next second, Red and Vodka had already bolted toward the chef’s house.

"Hey!" Rum shouted after them. "Damn it!"

Not sparing another thought for Nolan or the couple across the street, Rum sprinted after them. Those two were starving, and they’d eat everything if he fell behind. He couldn’t afford to be late.

Surely, things had gone back to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Or so everyone wanted to believe.

*****

[Black Dragon Corporation]

Gin sat alone in one of the offices, poring over the investigation reports. When Ashley had given her orders regarding Mole Guy, Gin had devised a plan to use the man’s remains as bait, hoping they would lead to a name or an organization.

According to Ashley, there was someone called Carrotman: a total nutjob who had seemed close to Mole Guy. So they were betting that Carrotman would come looking for the remains they had scattered across different locations.

Why those particular locations? He had no idea.

But somehow...

"Shit," Gin breathed as a new batch of reports came in. "I have to tell the master!"

Without another moment’s hesitation, Gin shot up from his seat and rushed to find Gustav.

"Sir Gustav!" he panted, slamming the office door open.

Gustav, who had been standing near Lukas as if he were in the middle of a confrontation, turned to him. His brows knitted together, but before he could say a word, Gin had already marched inside.

"We got a lead!" Gin huffed, catching his breath. "White Serpent Brotherhood. It’s — it’s the White Serpent Brotherhood!"