THIRTY ONE_OLD SCARS
The warehouse remained silent after Alexander’s words.
He’s mine.
The tension in the air felt heavy enough to break.
Aiden could still feel Alexander’s arm around his waist, firm and protective. His heart was beating fast, but he didn’t pull away.
Across from them, Marco slowly clapped.
“Well, well,” he said with a crooked smile. “Alexander DeLuca… claiming someone in front of everyone. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Alexander’s expression didn’t change.
“You’ve seen enough tonight, Marco.”
Marco tilted his head.
“Not quite.”
His eyes moved from Alexander to Aiden.
“You really don’t know, do you?”
Aiden frowned.
“Know what?”
Alexander’s arm around him tightened slightly.
“Marco,” Alexander said coldly, “watch your words.”
Marco laughed softly.
“Oh relax, Alex. I’m just telling the truth.”
He took a few slow steps closer.
“Aiden, do you know what kind of man your husband really is?”
Aiden didn’t answer.
Marco continued anyway.
“The Alexander I knew didn’t care about anyone.”
Alexander’s eyes darkened.
“Enough.”
But Marco kept talking.
“He used to rule with fear,” Marco said. “No mercy. No hesitation.”
Aiden slowly turned his head toward Alexander.
Alexander didn’t look at him.
Marco smiled.
“I remember one night in particular…”
Alexander’s voice turned sharp.
“Marco.”
But Marco ignored him.
“There was a traitor in Alex’s organization,” Marco said casually. “Someone who betrayed him.”
Aiden felt uneasy.
“What happened?” he asked quietly.
Marco’s smile faded into something darker.
“Alexander personally made sure no one would ever betray him again.”
Silence filled the warehouse.
Aiden looked up at Alexander.
“Is that true?”
Alexander didn’t answer for a moment.
Then finally—
“Yes.”
The word was simple.
But heavy.
Aiden swallowed.
Marco watched the moment carefully.
“You see?” Marco said. “That’s the man you’re trusting.”
Alexander finally looked at Aiden.
His expression was calm, but there was something guarded in his eyes.
“I never lied about who I am,” he said quietly.
Aiden nodded slowly.
“I know.”
Marco frowned slightly.
“That’s it? You’re not scared?”
Aiden looked back at him.
“No.”
Marco laughed in disbelief.
“You just heard what he’s capable of.”
Aiden shrugged.
“And I’ve also seen what he’s like with me.”
Alexander blinked slightly.
Aiden crossed his arms.
“You’re trying really hard to make me hate him.”
Marco’s smile disappeared completely.
Aiden continued.
“But all I see is someone who’s still obsessed with Alex.”
Several of Marco’s men looked away awkwardly.
Marco’s eyes darkened.
“You’re bold for someone standing in the middle of a mafia war.”
Alexander suddenly smirked.
“That’s my kitten.”
Aiden rolled his eyes.
“I’m not a kitten.”
Alexander leaned closer to him slightly.
“Too late.”
Marco exhaled slowly.
“You two are unbelievable.”
Then his expression turned serious again.
“This isn’t over, Alex.”
Alexander didn’t look worried.
“It never was.”
Marco began walking toward the exit.
But before leaving, he stopped and glanced back at Aiden.
“You should be careful.”
Aiden frowned.
“Why?”
Marco’s smile returned.
“Because loving a man like Alexander DeLuca…”
His voice lowered slightly.
“…is dangerous.”
Then he walked out of the warehouse.
His men followed.
Soon the building was quiet again.
Aiden released a slow breath.
“Well,” he muttered.
“That was dramatic.”
Alexander looked down at him.
“You shouldn’t have come.”
Aiden shrugged.
“But I did.”
For a moment they just looked at each other.
Then Alexander gently touched Aiden’s cheek.
“You could have gotten hurt.”
Aiden smiled slightly.
“But I didn’t.”
Alexander sighed softly.
“You’re going to be the death of me, kitten.”
Aiden smirked.
“You’ll survive.”
Alexander studied his face for a moment.
Then suddenly—
He leaned down and kissed him.
Right there in the middle of the warehouse.
This time, the kiss was slower.
Warmer.
And when they finally pulled apart, Aiden’s cheeks were red again.
Alexander smirked slightly.
“Let’s go home.”
And for the first time that night…
Aiden agreed.