XV. Unraveling Secrets

"One more, and I am going to kill you!" I snapped, glaring at Antonio.

Instead of taking me seriously, he simply chuckled and ruffled my hair.

"You still have a long way to go before you can threaten me like that," he teased.

That only fueled my irritation further. I stood up, intending to stomp on his foot, but before I could, he suddenly crouched down in front of me.

I blinked. What is he doing?

"Hop on!" he said.

I stared at his broad back, completely dumbfounded.

"Huh?"

"Quick! My legs are getting numb already," he added impatiently.

I frowned. "What exactly do you want to happen?"

"Get on my back," he repeated. "I will take you home so we can treat your knee."

His insistence made me hesitate. I mean, why would I ride on his back? That was unnecessary, right?

"I can walk," I argued, taking a step forward.

My knee stung slightly, but it was nothing unbearable. A mere scratch would not kill me.

Before I could protest further, Antonio sighed and, in one swift motion, scooped me up into his arms—bride-style.

My eyes widened. "Aren't you tired of carrying me? You have been doing that for a while now!"

Antonio merely chuckled. "I will never get tired of you."

I did not know how to respond to that. Instead, I found myself staring at his face.

His sharp features, the way his dark eyes glistened with amusement, the way his thick brows slightly furrowed in focus—it was all so unfair. His skin was impossibly smooth, as if he had never suffered a single pimple in his life. And then there were his lips…

Why am I staring at his lips?

I quickly shook my head, trying to push those thoughts aside.

Just then, Antonio broke the silence.

"Listen, I did not mean for things to go this way," he said, his tone more serious now. "I just wanted to talk to you about your grandfather's case."

I stiffened.

"What do you mean?"

Antonio hesitated before continuing, "I have been digging into the case, trying to find out the truth. And just when I was about to report my findings to you, Canim showed up. Things escalated, and I lost my composure. I feel guilty about the mess I caused."

I frowned. "Why do you feel guilty if you were only trying to help?"

"It is complicated," he admitted. "I do not owe Canim an apology, but I hope you will not ask me to give one."

I nodded. "I understand. My grandfather once said that when words fail between men, a fistfight often helps them settle things."

Antonio smirked at that but quickly sobered up.

"There is something off about your grandfather's death," he said. "The details do not add up, and I need your help to uncover the truth."

By the time we reached my house, Antonio gently put me down.

I met his gaze. "I am in. Let us get to the bottom of this."

Before he could say anything else, his phone rang. The moment he answered, his expression darkened. His brows furrowed deeply, and his entire demeanor shifted.

"I am so sorry, Kaesu," he said, slipping his phone back into his pocket. "I have to go back to my uncle. He found something."

I nodded. "It is okay. Alex and Lara are here. They will help me."

Antonio gave me a small, sad smile before patting my head. "Be careful," he said before leaving.

As I reached for my door, I suddenly froze.

Voices.

Coming from my bedroom.

I stopped in my tracks, pressing myself against the wall as I listened.

"What are you doing here?" Lara's voice.

There was desperation in her tone, something unfamiliar and unsettling.

"What are you going to do with Kaesu?" she continued, her voice trembling. "I told you to stop. I begged you. If I have to beg again, I will—just please, leave her alone."

My heart pounded.

Who is she talking to?

"Why?" a deep voice responded. Cold. Unfeeling.

Canim.

"Why do I have to distance myself from her, Lara? Tell me."

His voice sent chills down my spine.

"Please…" Lara pleaded. "If this has something to do with—"

"I do not need your permission to do whatever I want," Canim cut her off. "Because you did not ask for my permission when you ki—"

"Canim!" Lara snapped.

I furrowed my brows. What are they talking about?

Before I could make sense of it, the bedroom door creaked open, and Alex walked out.

The moment he saw me standing there, he groaned. "Why are you standing there like a statue?"

I face-palmed. This idiot.

His loud voice immediately alerted Canim and Lara. Their footsteps approached, and before I could even think of escaping, they were standing in front of me.

Lara's face was pale. Canim's expression was unreadable.

"Have you been here long, Kaesu?" Canim asked, his voice eerily calm.

I cleared my throat and forced a smile. "No, I just got here a few seconds before Alex did."

Neither of them looked convinced.

Still, they nodded and avoided looking at each other.

That only made me more suspicious.

Canim quickly excused himself and left. Lara, on the other hand, gave me an awkward smile—one that did not reach her eyes.

I debated confronting her. Should I ask her what is going on?

But something told me to wait.

Lara would tell me when she was ready.

Right?

Before I could think any further, Alex broke the silence.

"How did you get that scratch? What did Antonio do to you?" he shouted, pointing at my knee.

I looked down, having completely forgotten about the injury.

Lara rushed toward me, concern written all over her face. "Sit down," she urged, guiding me toward the couch.

I let her, but I could not stop staring at her worried expression.

Alex and Lara hovered over me, tending to my wound with such care.

And for a moment, I felt… something unfamiliar.

Warmth.

Security.

Love.

I had never been treated like this before.

Growing up, my parents had not been around. My grandfather had done his best, but there had always been something missing.

But right now, looking at Alex and Lara—watching them fuss over me, their concern so genuine—I felt something I had not felt in a long time.

I felt like I belonged.

Like I was not alone.

I had them.

And maybe… just maybe… that was enough.