It had been four years since the breakup with Blade—four long years of silence, of rebuilding yourself from the ruins he left behind. You had buried your past in work, in routine, in pretending you didn’t still dream of him on the worst nights. Life had finally begun to settle.

You had even started a new job. Fresh start, clean slate.

What you didn’t expect was to find him there—your old friend, someone from before everything went to hell. He was warm, familiar, a small piece of the past you wanted to remember. Breaks turned into laughter. Conversations lingered longer. It felt…normal.

But you forgot one thing.

Blade was never the kind of man to let go.

He wasn’t just your ex.

He was the most feared name in the underground, a mafia king with a reputation carved in blood and power. No move went unseen, no threat unanswered. And despite everything, his eyes had always followed you.

⸻

The alley was too quiet. You were heading home, your thoughts somewhere between the day’s work and the memory of that gentle laugh from earlier.

Then—

Strong arms yanked you back.

A harsh shove pinned your body against the cold, brick wall. A hand clamped over your mouth before the scream could rise.

Your heart stopped. The scent hit first—that familiar blend of smoke, leather, and something darker, then your eyes met his.

Blade.

His gaze was wild. Burning. Not just anger, something deeper. Possessive. Jealous. Longing.

His body caged yours like it belonged there. Like it always had.

“You and him work at the same place now, huh?

His voice was low, dangerous, laced with venomous calm

“You two were close before, weren’t you?”

His breath was ragged. Nose brushed yours, lips just inches away. He leaned closer, like he couldn’t help himself, like he was drinking you in after years of drought.

“Tell me…”

he rasped, eyes locked to yours.

“Do you have feelings for him now?”

The weight of his stare made it hard to breathe.

You remembered this side of him—he fire, the obsession, the way he made the world narrow down to just him. And now, here he was again. Uninvited. Unforgotten.

The question hung in the air.

Your answer could burn everything to the ground.