[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body-Chapter 8: One Night Closer to the Devil

Adrian wiped his eyes, ran a hand through his hair to fix it, and then walked into the club.

Adrian stepped inside the club, and the flashing lights instantly made it harder for him to see. The room was dim, filled with moving bodies and shifting shadows.

He paused near the entrance, trying to adjust his eyes and look for Charles and Frank, but the crowd blurred together under the strobes.

A moment later, a hand grabbed his arm.

"There you are!" Charles said, pulling him closer. "We thought you weren’t coming."

One of Matteo’s men stationed on the main floor noticed Adrian the moment he entered the club. The guard kept his eyes on him for a second before casually touching the earpiece in his ear.

"Boss," he said quietly. "Adrian just arrived. He’s here with his friends."

Upstairs in the VIP section, Matteo heard the message clearly. He didn’t look surprised.

"Keep an eye on him," Matteo replied calmly. "I want to know where he goes and who he talks to."

"Understood, Boss."

The guard lowered his hand from the earpiece and continued watching Adrian as he moved through the crowded club floor.

Adrian pushed through the crowd until he reached the table where his friends were sitting. He greeted the birthday boy and the others at the table before sitting down with them.

Everyone around them was laughing and enjoying the night, but Adrian’s mind was somewhere else.

He hadn’t planned to drink.

But the message from his father kept replaying in his head.

Before long, he was already on his second drink.

"Adrian, slow down," Frank said, noticing the pace.

"I’m fine," Adrian insisted, reaching for another glass.

Charles tried to stop him as well, but Adrian waved him off.

"I said I’m fine."

A few drinks later, Adrian pushed his chair back and stood up.

"I need the restroom."

"I’ll come with you," Charles offered.

Adrian shook his head. "No. I’m good."

Across the club floor, one of Matteo’s men noticed Adrian leaving the table.

The guard touched his earpiece again.

"Boss, Adrian just left the table. He’s heading to the restroom."

Matteo didn’t reply immediately.

"I’ll handle it," he said quietly before standing.

Inside the restroom, Adrian leaned heavily against the sink.

The moment the door closed behind him, the composure he had been holding all night finally broke.

He gripped the edge of the sink and lowered his head.

The tears came before he could stop them.

He knew crying made his vision worse in low light, but in his drunken haze, he couldn’t hold it back anymore.

He covered his face, trying to steady his breathing.

Just then, the restroom door swung open.

Adrian heard it and quickly wiped his eyes, but it was already too late.

Matteo had seen him.

Adrian turned toward the sink and splashed water onto his face, pressing his hands over his eyes to steady his vision enough to walk out.

Behind him, Matteo stepped closer.

"Well," Matteo said calmly, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Looks like someone broke our artist’s heart."

Adrian froze.

He couldn’t see clearly, but he knew that voice. And the familiar scent of Matteo’s cologne confirmed it.

"Stay away from me," Adrian muttered.

He turned, trying to walk past him.

Matteo watched him closely as Adrian lowered his hands from his face.

Adrian took a step.

Then another.

But his balance failed, and his foot slipped.

Before he could fall, Matteo caught him.

For a brief moment, something like concern crossed Matteo’s face. He held Adrian steady against his chest. "Are you okay?" he asked quietly.

Tears slipped from Adrian’s stinging eyes. He held onto Matteo’s silk sleeve, his voice barely steady.

"I’m fine... I just... I can’t see. Why are the lights so dim?"

Matteo looked up.

The lights above them were bright, reflecting off the polished stone floor.

He looked back at Adrian’s unfocused eyes and understood what was happening.

For once, he didn’t tease him.

Instead, he tightened his grip on Adrian’s arm, keeping him close.

"Don’t be stubborn, Adrian," Matteo said, his voice surprisingly soft. "Just walk with me."

Exhausted, drunk, and struggling to see, Adrian finally stopped resisting. Matteo steadied him with an arm around his shoulders. Adrian leaned against him, his head resting briefly near Matteo’s shoulder before giving a small, defeated nod.

"Alright," Adrian murmured, the word barely audible over the distant thrum of the club’s bass.

"I’m taking you home with me," Matteo said. "Is that okay with you?"

Adrian’s mind drifted back to the main floor, hazy images of his friends flashing through his thoughts.

"My friends..." he murmured. "They’ll be worried if I just disappear. And my bag... I left my things at the table."

Matteo stopped walking and turned Adrian slightly so they were facing each other. His dark eyes were unreadable, but his grip on Adrian remained firm.

"I’m only going to ask you this once, Adrian," he said quietly. "I don’t need the details. Just answer me. Yes or no. Are you coming with me, or are you staying here?"

Adrian looked up at him, his vision unsteady. For a moment, he thought about his empty apartment and the loneliness waiting for him there.

Then he looked at Matteo.

To the rest of the world, this man was a devil. But right now, he was the only one holding Adrian upright.

"I’ll come," Adrian murmured, his voice shaking slightly. "But please... can I not owe you this time? I really can’t pay with my body."

A slow, unreadable smirk touched the corner of Matteo’s mouth. He leaned closer, his lips brushing lightly against Adrian’s ear.

"I’m not in a hurry," he murmured. "Now or later, Adrian... it will happen."

He pulled back slightly. "But for now, let’s get you out of here."

Matteo didn’t wait for another protest. He gave one of his men a quick look. "Find his friends," he said calmly. "Tell them he’s safe and has left for the night. Collect his belongings and bring them to the car."

"Yes, Boss."

With that settled, Matteo guided Adrian toward the private back exit, away from the crowd and the flashing lights of the club.

Adrian followed, slightly unsteady on his feet, but Matteo’s hand stayed firm at his waist as he led him outside and into the black sedan waiting by the curb.