"Guys, step back," Forth told his men, gesturing to Park and Max.
The duo drew their revolvers and opened fire on the door. After a continuous barrage, a sharp kick forced the door open. Forth rushed out of the hotel with his gun in hand and found Beam standing outside with Phana. The moment Beam saw him, he ran toward his husband and hugged him tightly.
"I was so scared, P'. He wanted to take me away from you... he even wanted to kill you. What did you do to him, P'? He was never like this. I've known him for years... I'm scared. I'm so scared," Beam murmured, clinging to Forth.
Forth gently patted his back. "Did he take Rome with him?"
Beam looked up from his embrace, his voice dropping low. "Yes... he did."
The moment Beam let go, Forth barked orders to his men. "Follow them! Don't let them get away!" As his men scrambled, Forth turned to his lieutenants. "Park, Max, let's check the helipads. He might try to air-lift out."
Park and Max nodded.
Before leaving, Forth turned back to Beam. Cupping Beam's face in his hands, he kissed his forehead, then unholstered his favorite revolver and pressed it into Beam's hand.
"Just pull the trigger and fire if you need to," Forth instructed firmly. "And don't you dare go anywhere with anyone, Beam. I warn you, I will find you even if I have to drag you back from the depths of hell. For now, go back to the mansion." He turned to Lam and Tul. "I'm trusting him to you both."
"Understood," they nodded.
Forth turned and headed out. Beam stood there, fuming with quiet anger.
"Let's go, Beam," Tul said after exchanging a look with Lam.
Beam nodded, giving Phana a brief hug before leaving with Forth's friends. As they embraced, Phana whispered softly into Beam's ear, "See for yourself? He can never belong only to you. You'll always have to share him with everyone else."
Beam froze for a split second, then replied coldly, "Once he is completely mine, there won't be anything left for anyone else." Sending an evil smirk toward Phana, he turned and walked away.
Meanwhile, the moment Arthit received Bright's text, relief washed over him. He looked down at Kongpob, who was sleeping peacefully beside him, and gently traced his fingers across his husband's face.
"I can't believe I'm forgiving you for all your crimes," Arthit whispered, kissing Kongpob's forehead before getting up to go to the bathroom.
A short while later, Kongpob's phone rang. He answered on the fifth ring, still groggy.
"What the hell, P'Kongpob?!" Forth's voice bellowed through the speaker.
Kongpob opened his eyes. "Why are you shouting?" he asked, feeling dizzy.
"He took Rome!" Forth barked at the same volume.
"I know," Kongpob said calmly, pulling off the duvet and tying a towel around his waist. "He's heading back to Hawaii."
"What?!" Forth sounded stunned. "Then what are you still doing at home? You should be here with us!"
"I promised P'Arthit I wouldn't interfere in his friend's affairs," Kongpob chuckled softly. "I told him I'm a love angel who would never separate two lovers. I won't break my promise, understand?"
"What the fuck, P'? Then why are you wasting my time? Cut the bullshit!"
"Listen," Kongpob's steady voice cut through Forth's rage. "I said I wouldn't break my promise, but I never said I wouldn't update you on his whereabouts."
Kongpob picked up Arthit's phone, forwarded a location message to Forth, and immediately deleted the trace from Arthit's device. "Break one of his arms for me," Kongpob added smoothly, then hung up.
Following the coordinates, Forth and his group arrived at a private hotel lobby, where Bright was waiting alongside another man—definitely not Rome, but someone Forth recognized instantly.
Without hesitation, Forth marched forward and grabbed Bright by the collar. "Where is Rome?! How dare you think you can run away with him?" Forth's crew drew their weapons, pointing them at Bright.
Bright didn't resist Forth's grip. "He is my husband. I don't need your permission to touch him."
"You piece of shit. He's mine, and I'm not letting him go with you!" Forth spat.
The man in the suit stood up from his chair. "He is your what?" he asked, stepping forward with an authoritative air.
Forth's group turned toward the voice. Max swallowed hard; the last person he wanted to face right now was this man.
"P'Mew... when did you get here?" Max asked nervously.
"I came to see off my guest, but it seems you pricks have forgotten your manners," Mew replied coolly.
Bright casually pried Forth's hand off his collar and smoothed his suit as if brushing off dirt. "You didn't answer Mew's question, Forth."
"He's P'Mew to everyone, Bright. Address him with respect," Park snapped.
"And he's P'Bright to you, Park," Mew countered before shifting his gaze back to Forth. "Answer me, Forth. Does Beam know that Rome is yours?"
"Rome is my little brother, P'! Did you forget my father took responsibility for him?" Forth answered, trying to regain his footing.
"And I spoke with your father," Mew stated calmly. "He said Rome is an adult capable of making his own choices. If he marries Bright, Bright must take full responsibility for him."
A wide smile spread across Bright's face. "I'm very grateful for Mr. Jaturapoom's kindness in raising Rome so well," Bright interjected.
"Your father approved of him as Rome's husband," Mew continued, gesturing toward Bright. "He even confronted Rome about it, and Rome accepted everything. If you want to say goodbye, go up to the penthouse. Rome is packing his things."
Mew then turned to Bright. "We were waiting for you. Now we can get that coffee, Bright, while they finish up."
"Earth, please show our guests up to my penthouse," Bright instructed.
Forth lurched forward to hit Bright, but Max and Park quickly restrained him and pulled him back.
"Since when does that bastard own a penthouse here, Max?" Forth demanded angrily.
"It was Mr. Kai's last birthday gift from old Mr. Kai," Earth answered as he escorted them. "And you'd better address him properly, or..."
Before Earth could finish, Park had a revolver pressed against the back of Earth's head. "Do you know who you're talking to?" Park sneered.
The elevator doors chimed and slid open, revealing Rome double-checking his luggage.
"Rome!" Forth called out, rushing forward.
"P'Forth," Rome said, glancing past him at Park and Max. Park quietly holstered his gun.
"Rome, let's go," Forth said, grabbing his wrist.
Earth immediately drew his weapon on Forth, but two red dots and barrels were instantly trained on Earth's head in return.
"Move if you want to keep breathing," Max warned Earth calmly. "We'll take him over your dead body if we have to."
"P'Earth, please put your gun down," Rome requested gently. He then turned to Forth. "P'Forth... I'm going back with my husband. Please tell P'Park and P'Max to put their guns away."
Forth let go of Rome's arm, staring at him in disbelief. "What the fuck are you talking about? I thought you hated him! Have you already forgiven him for betraying you? Did you forget how he cheated on you?!"
"He's still my husband, P'Forth," Rome said softly. "Did you leave P'Beam just because he was in a private room with some bitch?"
"I'm going to kill that bitch and lock Beam in a room forever," Forth growled, searching Rome's eyes. Something was different about him now—strikingly different. Forth gestured for Park and Max to lower their weapons.
Rome stepped in and wrapped his arms around Forth in a goodbye hug. "Please, P'Forth... let me go in peace. I promise I'll take care of myself." He kissed Forth on the cheek, leaning in to whisper softly into his ear.
Forth stood still as Rome walked back toward Bright, preparing to leave for the private jet. Rome's final whisper echoed continuously in Forth's mind:
"All cheaters deserve their punishment, P'Forth. Let's strip away his independence by trapping him in his own snare."
Mew stood beside Forth at the airfield as Bright's jet took off into the Thai sky. In his mind, Mew replayed Bright's stern words from earlier:
"It's no time for personal squabbles, Mew. Mr. Jaturapoom knows that Mr. X will be here soon, and to defeat him, we need a strong alliance. Forth is too blinded by rage to see it, but you and Sarawat are sensible enough to understand. I'm not saying you're weak, but a single wild card can pull down an entire kingdom—we've seen it happen before. Rome is mine, and I'm taking him with me by hook or by crook. You guys need to decide: a battle for a kid, or a kid for the battle?"
"What if the kid resists?" Mew had asked.
"He won't," Bright had said with absolute certainty. "He loves me."
Back in the present, Forth broke the silence. "P'Mew, we need to talk."
"About what?" Mew asked without turning.
"I thought we agreed not to do business with Mr. Kai. Why are you breaking our alliance over a contract?"
"Do you really think I would break my word for a simple contract?" Mew replied coolly. "You're blinded by rage, Forth. Calm down and look at the bigger picture. Rome is your man, and trust me—if he cooperates, Bright will be wrapped around your pinky finger. We need a stronger team to fight Mr. X. Go back and focus on our business."
With that, Mew turned and left the airport.
Inside the private jet, Bright grabbed Rome's wrist the moment they reached their private suite, pulling him against his chest. "I saw you kiss your P'Forth goodbye. Did you really have to piss me off today of all days?"
Rome looked up into his lover's eyes. "Wow, what a lovely way to wish your husband a happy wedding anniversary."
Bright pushed Rome onto the bed, tossing his jacket aside. "Then let's celebrate our anniversary like a normal couple, honey." He pinned Rome beneath his body. "Come on, open your legs for your husband. We have three private hours to celebrate."
After a brief resistance, Rome yielded.
Two hours later, Bright finally let his exhausted husband rest. He stood beside the bed, looking down at the sleeping beauty before him.
'After six years, we're finally going home together, my dear. I'm sorry for taking you by force, but you refuse to see the evil side of your P'Forth. Please open your eyes.'
Bright recalled the scene in the car earlier: he had held smelling salts under Rome's nose, bringing him back to consciousness.
"Where are you taking me, Bright?" Rome had demanded immediately.
"Where are your manners? It's P'Bright," Bright had replied smoothly.
"My P' is P'Forth! You're just an intruder! Let me go!" Rome had screamed.
"You change your tone so fast," Bright had said, staring at him. "If I'm an intruder, then what was yesterday night? Did you really sell your body to your P'Forth?"
A sharp crack echoed in the car as Rome slapped Bright across the face. Furious, Bright grabbed Rome by the hair, yanking his head back to crush his lips against Rome's. It wasn't a gentle kiss—he bit down until blood welled up on Rome's lips.
"That's your first and final warning," Bright growled against his mouth. "Never forget your place, Gun. Don't you dare take advantage of my love." He released his grip. "We are going to Hawaii. If you cooperate, it'll be good for your so-called family. If not, I will slaughter them all and take you anyway. You'd better remember the day they tried to take you away."
Wiping the blood gently from Rome's lip, Bright kissed him softly. "You know I never make the same mistake twice. Next time, I'll put a bullet in your P'Forth's head instead of his arm."
A ringing phone snapped Bright out of his memory. He glanced at the caller ID, looked down at Rome once more, and murmured, "After everything, I'm taking you back." Touching Rome's head lightly, he threw on some clothes and stepped outside to answer the call.
Back at his mansion, Forth stormed up to his room. Beam was sitting on the edge of the bed in a silk robe. Forth walked over and wrapped his arms around him.
"Beam, I'm warning you again—don't you dare do anything stupid," Forth murmured tightly. "I don't want to hurt you, but I will if you try to cross me."
"Who said anything about crossing you?" Beam replied quietly. "I want to be with you, but you're the one pulling away. You need to be punished, P'Forth."
Before Forth could process his words, Beam clicked a heavy zip-tie around Forth's wrist, securing it to the headboard, and shoved him back onto the bed. Unfastening his robe, Beam let it slip off his shoulders and climbed onto the bed completely naked, straddling Forth's waist.
"What... are you... doing, Beam?" Forth managed to ask as Beam leaned down and crashed their lips together.
The urge to take control and devour Beam rose instantly, but Beam pulled back, his face flushed pink. Kissing Forth once more on the cheek, Beam shifted down, rubbing himself intimately against Forth's hardening heat. Forth groaned at the sudden sensation.
Forth knew he could snap the plastic tie with enough force, but he wanted to see how far his doctor was willing to play this game.
"Are you drunk, Beam?" Forth rasped.
"What if I am?" Beam murmured, pulling down Forth's trousers and underwear. Taking Forth into his mouth, he drove Forth to the edge of sanity.
"You... ahhh... you're going to regret this... fuck... after this..." Forth panted, his senses blurring.
Suddenly, Beam pulled back and positioned himself directly over Forth's peak. "Has anyone ever given you pleasure like this, P'?" he asked, gripping Forth's collar.
"What kind of question is that, Beam?"
Beam rubbed himself down against him, eliciting a sharp gasp from Forth. "Has Rome ever given you pleasure like this?"
"What the fuck are you talking about, Beam?!" Forth snapped.
"I know what I am, P'Forth. I'm a beast in bed. So why does my husband feel the need to call someone else his?" Beam pushed down fully, taking Forth inside him. He gasped softly at the initial stretch before adjusting his rhythm, moving up and down with steady intensity.
Forth surrendered to the overwhelming sensation. Beam was right—out of all the people Forth had been with, Beam was the only one who held his heart. Beam was like the purest drug he sold: potent and intoxicating.
"Ahhhh..." Forth growled, desperate to flip Beam over and take full control, but he held back, letting Beam set the pace.
Eventually, Beam collapsed onto Forth's chest, his breathing slowing as he drifted off to sleep.
"Beam... Beam?" Forth called softly, but received no response.
Sighing, Forth easily snapped his wrists free from the restraints and looked down at the figure sleeping peacefully on top of him. "Seriously? You fell asleep without letting me finish? What a guy..."
Forth carefully cleaned them both up and settled Beam into bed.
The next morning at the breakfast table, an uncomfortable silence hung in the air. Tul watched Forth and Beam carefully—the dynamic between them was completely off. They weren't speaking to each other, nor were they making eye contact.
Trying to break the heavy silence, Tul cleared his throat and asked, "Forth, how did you get those marks on your wrists?"