But just as he was about to start pacing, a loud voice echoed through the house.

“COLE! IN MY OFFICE. NOW.”

Kim’s stomach tightened. Master.

Master’s Office

Cole entered the office, his usual cold expression in place. Master sat behind his desk, his presence alone heavy with authority. He didn’t even let Cole settle before slamming his hand against the desk.

“What the fuck were you thinking?” Master growled. “You of all people should know better!”

Cole didn’t flinch. “What exactly are you talking about?”

Master’s eyes darkened. “Don’t play dumb with me, Cole. You kissed Daniel.”

Cole’s jaw clenched, his hands slipping into his pockets. “So what?”

Master stood up, his voice low but dangerous. “You are the heir to this family. You have no right to fall in love.”

Cole scoffed. “You’re overreacting. It was just sex.”

“JUST SEX?” Master snapped. “First, you refuse to settle down and marry the way I told you to. Now you’re getting involved with your bodyguard? Do you want to destroy everything I’ve built?”

Cole’s cold demeanor cracked for just a second. Destroy? He had never cared about love or emotions, but hearing Master talk about it like this stung more than it should.

Master took a deep breath, controlling his anger. “Listen carefully. You will forget about Daniel. You will bury whatever stupid feelings you think you have for him. And you will never, ever let this happen again.”

Cole exhaled sharply and gave a short laugh. “You don’t have to worry. It meant nothing.”

Master’s eyes bore into him. “Make sure it stays that way.”

Cole left the office without another word.

But he couldn’t get the taste of Daniel out of his mind.

Reckless Decision

Later that night, Cole decided he needed to clear his head.

And there was only one way to do that.

He texted a few people—his usual hookups—telling them to meet him at a private location. No bodyguards. No rules. Just sex.

When he arrived, the music was loud, the drinks were strong, and the guys were already waiting.

Cole wasted no time. He pulled one of them close, his hands running over their body. But when the guy tried to kiss him, Cole turned his head away.

“Don’t do that.” His voice was sharp.

The guy laughed, trying again, but Cole pushed him back. “I don’t kiss.”

The guy frowned. “What’s the problem? You’re fine with everything else, but you won’t let anyone kiss you?”

Cole didn’t answer. Instead, he grabbed the guy by the waist, dragging him toward a secluded area. He was there for one reason only—to get lost in pleasure and forget.

And for a while, he did.

But something felt off.

His head felt dizzy. His vision blurred.

His body stopped responding.

Then, the last thing he saw before everything went black—

A man with a smirk.

“Got you.”

When Cole woke up, he was in an unfamiliar place.

His wrists were tied. His head pounded.

And in the dim light, a voice he had never heard before chuckled.

“Welcome, Cole.”

The second family had him.

And shit was about to get messy.