Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 197: Going back home

Chapter 197: Going back home

Lyssana’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, pulling Knox’s mind back into the present. "I need your help. There are documents—evidence of the chairman’s crimes—that could dismantle his operations and put a stop to his overwhelming power and authority. If those documents are in the hands of the right people, everything will be over for the chairman. Our Azrael will be free from his shadows. However, I can’t get them to you without risking my life. So, I will need an outsider’s help to retrieve them."

Knox clenched his fists. The icing on the cakes served to them was melting and none of them was yet touched. His eyes darted to the lemonade drink he ordered, watching the moisture formed into droplets and slide to the glass surface, as though that serene motion would help him decide what to say or do.

After a while of silence that almost spent Lyssana’s patience, Knox finally gave an answer. "Where are these documents?"

Lyssana hesitated before answering. "It’s in the chairman’s villa. It’s a ledger, secured in a safe box in his office."

Knox’s mind raced. "Why didn’t you tell Azrael all of this? And how am I going to get it if it’s in the chairman’s villa?"

"Because." Lyssana said, her voice trembling slightly, "If I had, it would have put him in even greater danger. Imagine if he learned of the existence of the ledger, he would surely barge in indiscreetly, and it will only alarm the chairman more. Azrael’s already at risk, and he’s been trying to shield you from that."

Knox looked at his sons. They were playing, oblivious to the turmoil inside their father’s eyes. If he were to agree, then, he needs someone to take care of the kids. The urgency in Lyssana’s voice was undeniable, but something about her demeanor felt off.

But Knox did not dwell on it any deeper, instead, his head was filled with the urge to help Azrael, to lighten the burden on his shoulders, and to finally be useful for once. He parted his lips to speak, "You...have to teach me how to get in and out without getting caught. I want to help Azrael, but I don’t want to risk my life and freedom for this. I have sons to raise."

Lyssana’s face brightened. She nodded enthusiastically and squeezed Knox’s hands tightly. "I’ll provide you with the necessary details, but we need to do this quickly. This week, the chairman will be leaving the country for a business trip. I can’t leave the mansion because he might suspect something, so you have to get to the villa alone."

Knox, "How?"

"Don’t worry," Lyssana patted the back of his hands. "The chairman likes playing games. He usually hides his precious things in the most conspicuous places, yet no one even dared to think that they were there all along. The chairman has many villas scattered in the country, but the one where the ledger is just on the outskirts of the central district."

"The security?" Knox inquired.

Lyssana replied, "Half of his men are stationed at the mansion, while the rest are scattered to his villas. There are only four in that villa and four house servants. You will have to enter in disguise. I can arrange that for you."

As Lyssana began to outline the plan, Knox felt an uneasy chill. The café’s cozy atmosphere suddenly seemed stifling. The weight of the situation was becoming all too real.

Little did Knox know, that Lyssana’s intentions were far from altruistic.

After that meeting, Knox and the kids shopped around the area, buying clothes for the kids and school materials for Aresh. They went home after spending the whole afternoon outside.

That night, after putting the kids to bed which didn’t take him too much time to do since they were already exhausted and spent, Knox waited for Azrael in the living room, seated facing the glass wall, silently watching the twinkling bright lights of the city’s nightscape.

Recalling the conversation he had with Lyssana, he found a sense of courage and determination to continue with the plan.

Although he wondered if Azrael knew his whereabouts during the days, or if the guards mentioned about them going out. Until Knox heard the door click, his thoughts were wandering to the person walking inside the house.

"It’s so late, why are you still awake?" Azrael asked after noticing Knox’s reflection on the glass wall. He smelled a whiff of lavender lingering in the air, and he went over to him, concerned written all over his face. "What’s wrong? Your pheromones are leaking."

Knox forced a subtle smile. "Is it? I guess the effects of the incomplete mark completely faded."

Azrael’s froze. He stood before the sitting Knox, and looking down at him, he saw exhaustion in his face. A sense of guilt washed over him. He was so occupied with his work that he neglected him unintentionally.

He knelt before him, his hands settling on Knox’s knees. "When did it end? Have you been feeling uncomfortable? Why didn’t you tell me?"

Knox bitterly smiled. How? You’re always not home. If I called, I can only leave a voice message. If I want to hear your voice, I can’t do anything. I could even reach Luis, but I couldn’t talk to even hear as so much as a breath from you.

He wanted to say those words, but knowing it would only add to Azrael’s worries, he kept them all to himself. He sighed and looked away, losing himself from the glares of the distant lights.

Azrael felt a pang on his chest. He could see the disregard in Knox’s eyes as if it no longer concerned him of matters about him. He squeezed his knees, and Knox turned to him again.

Blinking twice, Knox realized he didn’t answer. He yawned, then nodded. "I can smell alpha’s pheromones again, and they were making me uncomfortable a little, but it’s still bearable. I’m also starting to take suppressants again, to be safe."

"Then, you should just stay at home all the time, in the meantime," Azrael suggested.

Knox frowned at him. He shook his head, dismissing that idea. "It was already suffocating to me spending the whole day here, imagine how it’ll be for our kids. They wanted to play outside too, Azrael."

Azrael, "I know, but...but..."

Knox smiled, giving his husband a look of understanding. He patted his hands above his knees and remarked, "I was thinking of going back home to the Horace Mansion. The kids can play all they want there, and the security is strict too."

Azrael paused. He bore his eyes on Knox’s green ones, and his heart sank after seeing conviction in them. He wasn’t just thinking of it, he already decided, and that wrung Azrael’s heart. Knox decided without consulting him, and now it sounded like they were running away from home.

Azrael hid his fear and killed the growing resentment in his head. It was his fault. He was always not at home; he was acting distant and secretive. "Why not just move into my mansion?" yet he still couldn’t stop himself from asking, from expecting.

Knox pursed his lips. "Your men, the ones who guard us, are mostly alphas. I don’t feel comfortable with their scents. At least, in my father’s mansion, their scents don’t stress me. Besides, the thing Althea told me about, do you remember?"

"...yes," Azrael answered reluctantly.

"I’m thinking of giving it a try. So, she might need to teach me some things regarding the overturning of positions and responsibilities," Knox explained. "I will also feel safe if the kids are there. Knoa misses Loki anyway and about Aresh...Althea already knew about him and our marriage, so it’ll be easier to convince her to keep it for now."

Azrael went silent. Everything was settled, so what else could he say to stop them? Knox planned it well that even he was convinced that it was the best idea, still...it still felt like something was wrong.

Azrael buried his face on Knox’s knees as he let out a deep breath. He felt Knox’s hands caress the back of his head, and it gave him a bit of relief and comfort. He looked up, his chin on his husband’s knees and finally agreed. "Okay."

Knox sighed in relief. He cupped Azrael’s face and kissed his forehead lightly. "Let’s go to bed now."

Azrael followed.

They were lying on the bed already when Knox remembered to ask something. "Right. Did you receive my message?"

Azrael shifted position and faced Knox who was staring at the ceiling with droopy eyes. "Yes...did the kids have fun?"

Knox nodded. His eyes were slowly closing. Azrael spoke again, "Did you?"

"...mm." I met with your father’s maid, Lyssana...Knox mumbled, but he was too sleepy to realize that he only spoke it in his mind.

"I’m sorry, I couldn’t spend time with you and the children. I promise, after all this is over, we’ll visit a beautiful place. All of us," Azrael mumbled, gathering the already asleep Knox in his arms, and leaving a goodnight kiss on his partially opened lips.

The next morning after that, unlike the past few mornings when Azrael was already gone, this time around, he was present, helping Knox pack clothes for the two children. He was also the one who drove him to the Horace Mansion.

And after talking with Athan for a few minutes, he kissed the kids and Knox goodbye. As the two kids ran inside the house guided by Athan, Knox stayed and watched the car disappear in his sight.