[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

When he reached the car, one of the bodyguards quickly opened the door for him. Matteo slid into the back seat beside Adrian.

Adrian immediately turned toward him, his eyes filled with eager curiosity. "How did it go?"

Matteo let out a slow breath, the weight lifting from his shoulders as he leaned back and smiled softly at Adrian.

"It went well," Matteo answered quietly. "Better than I ever expected."

Adrian’s eyes widened slightly, a relieved grin spreading across his face as he reached over and squeezed Matteo’s hand. "Really? No shouting? No tension?"

"No shouting," Matteo chuckled, lifting his hand to intertwine his fingers with Adrian’s. "Just... a lot of talking. And a lot of clearing the air."

"I’m so glad, babe," Adrian murmured, leaning in to rest his head against Matteo’s shoulder as the car engine hummed to life. "I told you it would be worth it. So, what did she say?"

Matteo wrapped his arm securely around Adrian, pulling him close as the vehicle smoothly pulled out of the driveway and began the journey back to their home.

"She apologized for everything," Matteo said softly, gazing out the window at the passing scenery. "And... she asked about you. I told her we’re getting married."

Adrian smiled against Matteo’s arm, pressing a soft kiss through the fabric of his jacket. "And how did she take that?"

"She smiled," Matteo replied, his thumb slowly tracing the back of Adrian’s hand. "She knows how much I love you. We both finally let go of the past, Rian. For good."

Adrian turned his head, pressing a tender kiss to Matteo’s jawline. "I’m proud of you, husband-to-be."

Matteo smiled, turning his head to capture Adrian’s lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. With the heavy ghosts of the past finally put to rest, and the road ahead completely clear, they settled comfortably against each other as the car moved smoothly down the highway.

Adrian shifted slightly, resting his hand on Matteo’s chest. "Babe?"

Matteo looked down at him, his thumb brushing over his knuckles. "Yes, baby?"

"While I was waiting for you in the car, I received a message from Charles."

Matteo raised an eyebrow, listening intently. "Okay. What did he say?"

"I would’ve just shown you the message, but it was so long, it looked like he spent days typing out every single thought," Adrian said softly. "He said he really misses our friendship, back when he could just call me on a whim and I’d always be there. He talked about how much he misses the simple times we shared and how easy things used to be between us. He pointed out that I’ve been keeping my distance from them lately, and this trip made him realize just how wide the gap between us has become. He said both he and Frank are genuinely worried about me."

Adrian paused, a tender vulnerability in his eyes. "He added a long apology at the end and said all he wanted was to have his friend back. Honestly, after reading it, I couldn’t help myself. I called him right away and added Frank to the call so the three of us could talk."

Matteo wrapped his arm tighter around Adrian’s shoulders, letting him speak.

"We talked about everything," Adrian continued. "I wanted to wait and invite them over so we could talk in person, but they both insisted they couldn’t wait. They wanted me to tell them everything right there on the phone, demanding to know why I had been keeping my distance so they could finally understand."

"What did you tell them?" Matteo asked gently.

"I told them the truth," Adrian sighed, looking up into Matteo’s eyes. "I explained that I kept my distance out of fear. Because I care about them so much, I was terrified that my sharp mouth would somehow bring trouble to their doorstep. I didn’t want to risk hurting them or putting anyone in danger."

Matteo gave a quiet, understanding nod, knowing all too well the heavy burdens Adrian carried to keep people safe.

"Charles immediately told me that nobody had asked me to carry that burden alone," Adrian said with a soft smile. "And Frank chimed in, saying I had no right to make unilateral decisions in the name of ’protecting’ them when they never asked for it, leaving them to go to bed night after night, worried sick and wondering what they could possibly have done wrong to make me push them away."

Adrian shook his head, a wave of relief washing over his features. "I told them they hadn’t done anything wrong. To cut a long story short, we settled everything and cleared the air completely."

"That’s wonderful, Rian," Matteo murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple.

"And get this," Adrian added, his eyes brightening. "Frank said that once Charles gets back from visiting his mother, the three of us should hang out properly. Charles also told me that Mark is going with him to meet his parents. I told them absolutely yes. The second Charles gets back, we’re getting together."

Matteo smiled warmly, looking down at his fiancé. "You did so well, baby. If I had friends as loyal as Charles and Frank, I wouldn’t want to lose them either. But look at me, I’ve never been all that lucky with friendships outside of my inner circle. That’s probably why I wasn’t born alone. I came into this world as a twin so that Mark could be both my brother and my lifelong best friend."

Matteo paused, a faint chuckle escaping him. "Actually, Mark already told me he’s traveling with Charles this weekend to fulfill his parents. I definitely wished him luck."

"It feels good," Adrian whispered, leaning back into Matteo’s embrace. "Everyone should be at peace."

Matteo’s expression softened into something more serious as a thought crossed his mind. "What about you, babe? When are you planning to meet with your father?"

Adrian’s shoulders stiffened slightly before he let out a slow breath. "I’ll get everything settled this week. My father... I genuinely think he’s changed. Ever since I faked my death and he had to face the reality of losing me forever, something in him shifted. He’s been trying, and Maya keeps telling me that he wants to see me."

Matteo pulled him just a fraction closer, his voice steady and encouraging. "You need to have that conversation with him, Rian. You need to finally find your own peace with the past."

"Alright," Adrian agreed softly, reaching up to cup Matteo’s cheek. "I will."

They spent the rest of the drive wrapped in comfortable, quiet conversation, sharing small reassurances and letting the lingering tension of the past completely melt away.

Before either of them realized how fast the time had passed, the smooth hum of the engine slowed, and the car smoothly turned into the familiar driveway, coming to a complete stop. They had finally arrived back home.

They stepped out into the cool afternoon air and walked side by side through the front doors. Once inside, Matteo remembered something he wanted to take care of and looked around for his younger brother.

Spotting one of his bodyguards nearby, Matteo called out, "Call Maxwell for me."

The bodyguard bowed his head slightly. "Sir, Maxwell isn’t here. He went out earlier and didn’t return with us from the trip."

Matteo frowned, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Oh... alright."

"It’s fine," Matteo added before reaching for Adrian’s hand again. Together, they headed toward the grand staircase leading to the second floor.

As they climbed, Matteo glanced ahead thoughtfully. "Where on earth could he have gone off to by himself?"

Adrian gave him an innocent, deadpan look. "Maybe he went to a temple to pray... or he’s out somewhere with his friends."

Matteo instantly stopped dead in his tracks on the landing. He turned his head slowly, fixing Adrian with a narrow, suspicious gaze. "For you to answer with a suggestion that specific... you definitely know where he went, don’t you?"

Adrian’s eyes widened in feigned shock. He immediately yanked his hand out of Matteo’s grip, shaking his head. "Me? I don’t know anything! And besides, I’m exhausted, I just want to rest."

Before Matteo could even open his mouth to press him further, Adrian spun around, bolted down the hallway, and practically flew toward their bedroom door.

"Oh no you don’t—get back here, you little brat!" Matteo laughed, raising his voice as he gave chase. "Come here and tell me what you’re hiding!"

"I know nothing!" Adrian shouted over his shoulder as he threw open the bedroom door and rushed inside. He slammed it shut just as Matteo reached the doorway.

Rich laughter echoed through the quiet hallway as Matteo unlocked the door and followed him inside. Their playful voices filled the house, bringing the warmth and happiness of their love into every corner.

Meanwhile, miles away at Mark’s estate, the atmosphere was one of quiet comfort.

Charles sat curled up on the plush sofa in the spacious living room, completely absorbed in the movie playing on the television. He was wrapped in a cozy blanket, with a large bowl of popcorn resting in his lap as he laughed at a particularly funny scene, entirely lost in the movie and oblivious to everything happening around him.

Mark came downstairs and walked toward the living room, but he stopped before entering. He leaned quietly against the archway, his eyes fixed on Charles. Seeing the bright, carefree joy on Charles’s face, a soft, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of Mark’s lips. He simply stood there for a moment, watching the man he loved and feeling that familiar wave of deep affection wash over him.

Slowly, Mark crossed the room. It wasn’t until his shadow fell over the couch that Charles blinked, snapping out of his trance. He looked up, his face instantly lighting up.

"Babe, you’re here," Charles beamed, quickly hitting pause on the remote and setting the popcorn bowl aside. He started to sit up straight, adjusting his clothes. "Did you need me for something? Do you want me to get you—"

"Shh, you don’t have to pause it, baby. Keep watching your movie," Mark murmured, closing the remaining distance.

Instead of taking a separate seat, Mark stepped right behind the sofa, sliding onto the cushion and wrapping his arms around Charles to pull him back. Charles leaned his head back willingly, resting it comfortably against Mark’s broad chest with a contented sigh.

He leaned closer and whispered into Charles’s ear, "I was waiting for you upstairs, wondering where my boyfriend had run off to," Mark teased, pressing a soft kiss to Charles’s temple. "Only to find you down here hiding under the blankets."

Charles tilted his head back, looking up at him through his lashes. "I’m right here. Do you need anything? Are you hungry? I can go to the kitchen and cook something for you right now."

Mark’s gaze darkened...