Growing impatient.

Those were the words Lucian had said, and he knew the people in the High Chamber would catch the meaning behind them.

It was a message to those scheming against him—that he understood their reasons.

Was it enough to stop them? Absolutely not.

But it was enough to buy Lucian some time.

Because one thing Lucian became certain of after his meeting with Hector was this: Hector was not the one behind Ashley’s abduction or the failed ambush. He didn’t even need to ask Hector about it, because the man had already unknowingly answered the question before Lucian could bring it up.

"Gustav, what time is it?" Lucian asked as he rubbed his forehead.

"It’s already three in the morning, Master," came Gustav’s voice from the front passenger seat. "We’ll be there in a few minutes."

Lucian snapped his eyes open and checked the window. He had rushed home right after his brief meeting with the people he had once wanted to burn alive.

One thing he realized today was that going home no longer felt optional.

I miss her, he thought, wondering if he missed Primo the same way.

It wasn’t because he disliked Primo. Lucian and Primo had simply grown used to barely seeing each other. But with how the father-and-son relationship improved through Ashley, their bond naturally became better as well.

The tension that had always existed between Primo and Lucian had disappeared without either of them realizing it.

A subtle smile curled at his lips as he whispered, "Will he be disappointed that I came home so soon?"

"Master?" Gustav looked back after hearing Lucian murmur.

But Lucian didn’t explain himself. He simply stared out the window, knowing they were close to the neighborhood. By the time they pulled up in front of his current home, everything was quiet.

Gustav stepped out to open the door for Lucian, but the latter had already gotten out of the car.

"Gustav," Lucian called as he turned to him. "Deal with the rest after you wake up. You should rest for now."

Gustav lowered his head. "Yes, Master. Lukas already cleared your schedule for tomorrow, so you don’t have to come to the office and can rest instead."

"Mhm." With that, Lucian walked toward the low fence gate of their home without looking back.

As for Gustav, he watched Lucian’s back as the boss made his way toward the front door. While staring, he couldn’t help but wonder how much Lucian’s mood had changed.

Even if Lucian hadn’t said anything, his mood before, during, and after dealing with Hector had steadily worsened. Gustav and Lukas had even expected Lucian to stay longer in the High Chamber—perhaps to exercise his authority more openly. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

But Lucian had only stayed briefly, delivering a few words that Gustav wasn’t sure were enough of a warning. Still, if it was Lucian, Gustav had no reason to doubt him.

Even so, he found something odd.

"Even after the detour, he seemed to be in a good mood now," he whispered. "I wonder why?"

Lucian had barely even slept on the plane as he shifted his focus and managed to finish some of his work.

Gustav thought about it before smiling and nodding to himself. "He is the Master, after all," he muttered. "Efficient as always."

Having said that, Gustav turned on his heel to return to the car. But as he did, he caught sight of Tank standing inside the fence of the house across from the couple’s home.

Tank nodded at him, but Gustav lifted his gaze toward the windows upstairs. The lights were off, but Gustav had already noticed the silhouettes inside.

"The Master came home earlier than scheduled," Gustav said loudly enough for the people across the house to hear. "Drop your guns and get some sleep."

He let out a light chuckle as he entered the car, and it quickly drove away.

As for Tank, he pursed his lips and looked up at the window. Then he shrugged and glanced at the gun hidden behind the fence in his hand.

When they heard the sound of a car stopping in front of Ashley’s home, all the men inside—even those who had been in deep sleep—jumped to their feet and reached for their weapons just in case. But then Lucian and Gustav stepped out of the vehicle.

"Damn it." Rum grumbled as he dropped back onto his futon, glaring daggers at Khan, who had gotten up thinking they were under attack. "This is all your fault."

"Shut it," Red groaned as he dragged himself back to his spot, sliding his rifle aside before lying down again. "Stop talking. I’m trying to sleep. And you two—Gin and Warriyo—your game is so damn loud! Mute it!"

Vodka merely yawned but didn’t lie down immediately. Instead, he carefully put the weapons away to avoid accidents. Once he finished, he sat back down and glanced at Khan.

"I hope you die in your sleep," he said casually before lying back down.

As the men sprawled comfortably back into sleep, Khan remained seated, glancing at Nelek and Rus, who hadn’t even woken up through all the commotion.

The abduction really had put everyone on high alert, Khan thought with slight conflict. If anyone tries again, I’m sure they’ll fail.

*****

Meanwhile, Lucian returned home expecting to see Ashley in the bedroom. But the moment he quietly opened the front door, he paused in his tracks.

His brows furrowed as his eyes fell on the floor.

The living room had been rearranged. The table and some of the couches had been moved aside to make space for a mattress where Ashley and Primo were sleeping together.

His eyes softened almost instantly at the sight.

Lucian quietly closed the door and set down his bag before walking toward the couch beside them. For a moment, Lucian simply sat there watching them. Ashley was hugging Primo while Primo clung to a plushie, curled up against her.

They looked too cozy.

And somehow, seeing them sleeping so peacefully—even in the living room—slowly melted away all the exhaustion weighing him down.

"It’s all worth it," he whispered as he reached out toward Primo’s head, stroking his hair gently with his fingertips before pulling his hand back.

After traveling most of the day—and even though he should have stayed in a hotel for the night—coming home despite such a busy schedule just to see these two made everything worth it.

As Lucian continued staring at them, Ashley shifted slightly and stirred awake. She opened her eyes and smiled the moment she saw who had returned.

"You’re back?" she hummed, her voice coarse with sleep.

Lucian smiled back as he stepped down from the couch, crouched beside her, and leaned forward to place a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Mhm," he hummed softly. "Did you miss me?"

She chuckled as she pulled him with her. "Very much."