Guo Cheng Yu gave Wu Suo Wei a tour of the mansion—
gym, indoor pool, library, multiple living areas, all are luxurious..
Guo Cheng Yu explained. "This place is a fortress. Bulletproof windows, reinforced walls, security system that would make the FBI jealous. You're safer here than anywhere else in the city."
"Except I can't leave."
"Not yet. Once Chi Cheng neutralizes the threat, you'll have more freedom.. Maybe...."
"Maybe?"
Guo Cheng Yu smirked.
"Chi Cheng's possessiveness. Even without the threat, I doubt he'd let you wander around freely. He's the jealous type..& Obsessive. Once he claims something, he never let it go.."
They reached a set of double doors. Guo Cheng Yu hesitated.
"This is Chi Cheng's office. Normally off-limits, but he said you should see it. Understand what you're dealing with."
He opened the doors.
The office was massive—
dark wood, leather furniture, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city..
But what caught Wu Suo Wei's attention was the wall...
The Photos... Dozens of them. Connected with red string like a detective's conspiracy board..
His breath caught when he recognized faces—
the Zhao family members,rival gang leaders, & corrupt politicians...
And in the center, a photo of himself.
From the hospital. Someone had been watching him..
"He's been having you watched since the surgery," Guo Cheng Yu admitted. "Making sure you were safe. Learning about you.. He knows your routine, your friends, everything.."
"That's stalking—"
That's protection. Guo Cheng Yu pointed to red X's marked over several photos.
See these? People who tried to get to you. .
They don't exist anymore. Chi Cheng Kil them before they could make a move.
Wu Suo Wei felt sick. "He killed people?"
"He protect you. That's how this world works."
The doors opened behind them. Chi Cheng strode in, his suit jacket gone, sleeves rolled up, a splash of something dark on his white shirt. It's Blood...
"You showed him," Chi Cheng said to Guo Cheng Yu.
"You told me to."
Chi Cheng's eyes moved to Wu Suo Wei.
"Are you Scared baby?"
"Terrified," Wu Suo Wei admitted honestly.
"Good. Fear keeps you careful. Keeps you alive." Chi Cheng moved to his desk, pouring himself a drink. "The men I just dealt with? They were planning to grab you tomorrow morning. Had your schedule, knew your route to work—which you don't have anymore, thankfully. They're not a problem now."
"You killed them."
"I eliminated a threat." Chi Cheng downed the drink. "For you. For me. For what's mine."
"Stop calling me that!"
"Why?" Chi Cheng set the glass down and crossed the room in three strides, backing Wu Suo Wei against the wall.
"You are mine. The sooner you accept it, the easier this becomes."
"I don't want this life—"
"Neither did I." Chi Cheng's voice was rough. "You think I chose this? I inherited my father's organization. Became the boss at twenty because he was murdered. I've been fighting to survive, to stay on top, to protect what's mine for eight years. And in eight years, no ones—nothing—has mattered as much as you do right now."
Wu Suo Wei's breath hitched. "Why?"
"I don't know." Chi Cheng's hand came up to cup Wu Suo Wei's face. "I just know that when I woke up in that hospital and saw you, You saved my life, and now your life is mine to protect. Mine to keep. Mine to..."
He trailed off, his eyes dropping to Wu Suo Wei's lips.
"Don't," Wu Suo Wei whispered, even as his body betrayed him, leaning into Chi Cheng's touch.
"Too late," Chi Cheng murmured, and closed the distance.
The kiss was possessive, Chi Cheng's hand slid to the back of Wu Suo Wei's neck, holding him in place as he devoured his mouth.
Wu Suo Wei should push him away.
Instead, he found himself kissing back, his hands gripping Chi Cheng's shirt, drowning in sensation.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Chi Cheng's eyes were blazing.
"Mine," he growled. "Say it."
"I—I can't—"
"Say it, or I'll keep kissing you until you do."
"That's not—"
Chi Cheng's mouth crashed against his again, harder this time, His hands were everywhere—
When he pulled back, Wu Suo Wei was trembling.
"Say it," Chi Cheng repeated.
"Yours," Wu Suo Wei gasped out. "I'm yours."
Something dark and satisfied flashed in Chi Cheng's eyes. "Good boy."
He stepped back, leaving Wu Suo Wei weak-kneed against the wall.
"Cheng Yu, take him back to his room. Make sure he eats dinner. I have more business tonight."
"More killing?" Wu Suo Wei asked, his voice shaky.
"More protecting." Chi Cheng's eyes met his. "Everything I do from now on is to keep you safe. To keep you mine. Remember that."
He left, and Wu Suo Wei slid down the wall, his mind reeling.
What had he gotten himself into?