THIRTY_MINE
The moment the words left the man’s mouth, the entire warehouse seemed to freeze.
“…A boy.”
Alexander’s heart dropped.
For the first time that night, real anger flashed across his face.
“Aiden,” he said under his breath.
Marco slowly turned toward him, a slow smile spreading across his face.
“Well… this is interesting.”
Alexander’s voice became dangerously quiet.
“You brought him here?”
Marco raised his hands slightly.
“Relax, Alex. I didn’t drag him here.”
His eyes sparkled with amusement.
“Looks like your kitten came on his own.”
Alexander’s jaw clenched.
Without another word, he started walking toward the warehouse entrance.
Marco stepped in front of him.
“Oh no,” Marco said lightly. “The game just got interesting.”
Alexander stopped.
His eyes were no longer calm.
They were terrifying.
“Move.”
Marco chuckled.
“You’re scared.”
Alexander didn’t answer.
Marco leaned closer.
“You really do love him.”
Before Alexander could react—
The warehouse door suddenly creaked open.
Everyone turned.
Aiden stepped inside.
The dim light revealed his nervous expression, but he stood tall anyway.
His eyes immediately found Alexander.
“Alex.”
Relief flooded Alexander’s face for a split second.
Then anger followed.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
Aiden walked a little closer.
“You were walking into a trap.”
“I told you to stay at the mansion.”
Aiden crossed his arms stubbornly.
“And let you fight alone? No.”
Marco clapped slowly.
“Wow.”
Both of them turned toward him.
“This is beautiful,” Marco said with a grin.
“A loyal little husband.”
Alexander stepped in front of Aiden immediately, shielding him.
“Stay behind me,” he ordered quietly.
Aiden frowned.
“I’m not a child.”
“You are tonight.”
Marco laughed again.
“You see, Alex? That’s exactly what I meant.”
Alexander didn’t take his eyes off Marco.
“You wanted my attention. You have it.”
Marco tilted his head.
“True.”
Then his smile disappeared.
“But now I want something else.”
The men around them shifted.
Alexander’s voice dropped.
“You touch him, and this warehouse will be the last place you ever stand.”
Marco smirked.
“So protective.”
Aiden suddenly stepped slightly beside Alexander.
“Marco,” he said firmly.
Marco raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? The kitten speaks.”
“You’re doing all this because you want to get under Alex’s skin.”
Marco chuckled.
“And it’s working.”
Aiden shook his head.
“No. You’re just proving that you’re still obsessed with him.”
The entire warehouse went quiet.
Marco’s smile slowly faded.
Alexander glanced at Aiden, surprised.
Aiden continued.
“You came back just to challenge him.”
Marco’s eyes darkened.
“And?”
Aiden shrugged.
“It’s kind of pathetic.”
Alexander tried very hard not to laugh.
Marco’s men looked uncomfortable.
Marco’s voice turned colder.
“You’re brave.”
Aiden shrugged again.
“Someone has to be.”
Then suddenly—
Marco moved.
One of his men grabbed Aiden’s arm.
Everything happened in a second.
Alexander’s reaction was immediate.
He grabbed the man and slammed him hard into the wall.
The sound echoed through the warehouse.
“Touch him again,” Alexander growled, “and I will break every bone in your body.”
The man quickly backed away.
Aiden’s heart was racing.
Marco watched the scene carefully.
Then he smiled again.
“You really have changed, Alex.”
Alexander stepped closer to him slowly.
“No,” he said coldly.
“I just finally found something worth protecting.”
He reached back and pulled Aiden closer to him.
Aiden froze slightly.
Alexander’s arm wrapped around his waist possessively.
And then he said the words clearly enough for everyone to hear.
“He’s mine.”
Aiden’s cheeks turned slightly red.
Marco stared at them for a long moment.
Then he laughed quietly.
“Well…”
His eyes gleamed dangerously.
“This just made things a lot more interesting.”
The game between them was far from over.
And everyone in the warehouse could feel it.