Daniel was tired.

Not physically—but mentally.

The mission had gone smoothly, Cole had done his usual cold-blooded shit, and Aike had been getting on his nerves all day about that damn dream.

Daniel just wanted peace.

But peace was the last thing he got.

After returning to the estate, Daniel made his way toward his room, hoping to finally get some rest.

As he passed by the west hallway, he noticed something—

Cole’s bedroom door was slightly open.

Daniel frowned.

Normally, Cole was careful about things like that. He never left doors open, never let his guard down.

Something felt…off.

Curiosity got the best of him.

Daniel stepped closer, peeking inside.

And then—

He froze.

Inside, Cole was sitting on his bed, half-undressed.

And kneeling in front of him…was a guy.

Daniel’s stomach twisted.

The guy was good-looking—lean, sharp-featured, with dark hair and his hands all over Cole. His fingers traced along Cole’s chest, lingering at his collarbone.

But what stood out the most was this—

The man was avoiding Cole’s lips.

Even as he leaned in to whisper into Cole’s ear, he never tried to kiss him.

Daniel noticed.

And somehow, that pissed him off even more.

Why the fuck did this bother him?

He had seen this before.

The first time was when he had just arrived—when he had mistakenly walked in on Cole with another man. Back then, he had been embarrassed and quickly left.

But now?

Now, something else was eating at him.

He didn’t understand it.

Didn’t want to understand it.

Daniel swallowed, forcing himself to step away from the door.

But before he could leave, Cole’s voice cut through the air.

“You’re still standing there?”Daniel stiffened.

Shit.

Slowly, he turned back.

Cole was watching him.

His expression was unreadable, dark eyes locked onto Daniel’s like he had known all along that he was there.

The other guy turned slightly, smirking. “Friend of yours?”

Daniel scoffed, forcing himself to smirk. “No.”

Cole didn’t blink.

Didn’t react.

He just stared at Daniel, cold and unreadable.

Daniel clicked his tongue. “Didn’t know you were busy. My bad.”

He turned to leave, but before he could take another step, the other guy’s voice rang out.

“Stay, if you want.”

Daniel’s jaw tightened.

Stay?

What the fuck?

His grip on the doorknob was so tight it nearly broke. But he forced a smirk onto his face.

“No thanks,” Daniel said, voice sharp. “I don’t watch.”

And with that, he walked away.

"Fuck doesn't he know how to close the door or what and why does he always bring guys home when he can easily go to a hotel"

But even as he left, the image of Cole with someone else burned into his mind.

And no matter how much he hated it—

He couldn’t shake the feeling that it bothered him