[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 267: Chapter 267: A Shadow from Charles’s Past

Charles’s ex held Matteo’s gaze for a moment before a faint smile spread across his lips.

"You’re right," he said smoothly. "I’m only here to celebrate my cousin’s wedding. Let’s not keep the happy couple waiting."

Everyone took turns taking photographs with the newlyweds. Once Matteo and the rest of the group stepped aside, Adrian and the man remained by the altar for one final group photo with Maya and Connor.

Connor, Maya’s new husband, smiled warmly before turning to his bride.

"Maya, darling," he said, "I’d like you to properly meet my cousin, Owen."

Maya returned the smile and shook Owen’s hand.

"It’s lovely to finally meet you."

Then she turned toward Adrian.

"And this is my younger brother, Adrian."

At the sound of the name Owen, Adrian looked at the man more closely.

In an instant, everything Frank had once told him came rushing back.

Owen... So this was Owen...

Charles’s ex.

The man who had manipulated Charles, abused him, and turned what should have been love into a nightmare.

Adrian kept every trace of surprise off his face. Offering a polite nod, he extended his hand.

"It’s nice to meet you, Owen."

As he looked into Owen’s calm, unreadable eyes, Adrian finally understood the fear and unease he had seen on Charles’s face only moments earlier.

Meanwhile, a few feet away, Mark looked down at Charles’s visibly trembling frame. The tension in his boyfriend was undeniable. Slowly, Mark pulled Charles closer to his side, his hand rubbing his arm. "Baby, what’s wrong? You look completely troubled."

Charles swallowed hard, keeping his eyes glued to the floor. "I’m fine, honey. It’s... It’s just a little headache."

"Oh, sorry pretty," Mark murmured, his voice laced with genuine concern as he brushed a stray hair from Charles’s forehead. "How bad is it? Do you want us to head home, or..."

"No!" Charles blurted out a little too quickly.

Realizing how sharp he’d sounded, he took a steadying breath and forced a small smile.

"No, it’s okay," he said more gently. "I can manage. Really."

"Maya would completely understand if you’re not feeling well," Mark said gently, his protective instincts taking over. "Your health comes first, Charles."

"It’s okay, baby. I can manage," Charles repeated, trying to force a reassuring smile.

Mark sighed softly, giving in but refusing to let him suffer. "Alright. Come with me. Maybe you should just rest in the car for a while, have something to eat, and see if you feel any better."

Relief washed over Charles. Being away from Owen, even for a little while, was exactly what he needed.

"Okay," he said with a small nod. "That sounds good."

At that moment, Adrian finished taking photos with Maya and Connor before making his way back to Matteo’s side.

Seeing his brother occupied, Mark pulled out his phone and quickly sent Matteo a text.

Taking Charles to the car for a bit. He has a headache. We’ll be back soon.

Matteo’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the message, typed a brief reply—

Alright.

—then slipped his phone back into his pocket.

Adrian walked over and gently slipped his hand into Matteo’s, giving it a light squeeze.

"Let’s head inside, baby. The reception has started."

Matteo looked down at him, his expression softening.

"Alright."

Hand in hand, they left the sunlit garden with Frank and joined the stream of elegantly dressed guests heading toward the grand ballroom, where the reception was already underway.

Outside, in the quiet VIP parking area, Mark opened the rear door of the luxury car and gently helped Charles into the spacious back seat. Once Charles was settled comfortably, Mark adjusted the cushion behind him before climbing in beside him.

Turning his full attention to his boyfriend, Mark studied Charles’s pale face, his eyes filled with concern.

"Do you want me to get you something to eat, babe?" he asked softly. "Maybe some snacks... or I could bring you a proper meal if you want."

Charles shook his head gently and leaned back against the leather headrest.

"No..." he murmured. "I just want some water... and I want you to stay with me."

Mark’s expression softened even more. "Alright," he said quietly.

Leaning toward the built-in refrigerator tucked neatly between the rear seats, he took out a chilled bottle of water, unscrewed the cap, and placed it gently into Charles’s hands.

Charles accepted it with slightly trembling hands and drank nearly half the bottle in long, desperate gulps before lowering it.

Mark took the bottle from him, screwed the cap back on, and placed it in the cup holder.

His gaze never left Charles.

Still weighed down by the anxiety twisting inside him, Charles slowly shifted across the spacious back seat and rested his head against Mark’s broad chest, silently seeking comfort.

Without a second thought, Mark wrapped an arm around him and gently pulled him closer. Resting his chin atop Charles’s soft hair, he rubbed his shoulder in slow, soothing circles.

"If something’s on your mind, Charles..." Mark said softly, his voice low and reassuring. "Don’t keep it all to yourself. You can tell me anything. I’ll always listen to you, okay?"

Charles looked up at him, his eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and affection.

"Okay, honey," he murmured.

He fell silent, his gaze lingering on Mark’s handsome face. His lips parted slightly as though he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

Catching the way Charles kept staring at him, a small, playful smile tugged at the corners of Mark’s lips.

"What is it?" he asked softly. "Do you want my attention? Do you want me to hold you for a while... Or do you need me right now?"

A faint smile finally broke through Charles’s troubled expression. "I always want you... But we did more than enough last night already."

Mark chuckled, tightening his grip around his waist. "I’m not tired. If you want me, I will give you everything you need, as long as you’re fine and satisfied."

"I know you would," Charles smiled, tracing a pattern over Mark’s shirt. "But I’m fine. Right now, I only need you to hold me."

"Alright," Mark murmured, leaning down to press a warm, lingering kiss against the top of Charles’s head.

As the car fell into a peaceful silence, Charles’s thoughts began racing once again.

What the hell is Owen doing here?

His fingers tightened around Mark’s suit jacket.

It wasn’t that he wanted to keep Owen a secret forever or hide the fact that he was his ex-boyfriend. But Charles knew Mark’s personality all too well.

Mark loved him, but he could also be fiercely possessive and insecure when it came to the people Charles had been involved with in the past.

Charles knew that if he told Mark the truth right here, in the middle of Maya’s wedding, everything would change. Mark’s jealous side would take over. From that moment on, every smile Charles wore, every laugh, every expression, every little thing he did would be questioned. Even if Charles wasn’t looking at Owen or thinking about him at all, Charles feared it would only stir up jealousy and turn what should have been Maya’s happiest day into an unnecessary argument.

He didn’t want that.

Maya deserved to enjoy her wedding without drama.

It would be better to wait until they were back home, where they could talk privately and he could explain everything without ruining the celebration.

Swallowing his anxiety, Charles looked up at Mark, his eyes filled with quiet sincerity.

"Honey?"

Mark lowered his gaze to meet his, his expression softening with affection.

"Yes?"

"I love you so much," Charles whispered, his voice catching with emotion. "I really, really mean it."

A warm smile spread across Mark’s face, his heart melting at the unexpected confession.

Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss to Charles’s cheek.

"I love you even more, pretty," he murmured. "Now get some rest. We’ll head back inside whenever you’re ready."

Charles let out a soft, relaxed breath, snuggling deeper against Mark’s chest. Shifting his position slightly, his hand wandered down until his fingers rested over the ridge of Mark’s trousers. A sly, comforted smile spread across his face as he whispered against Mark’s skin, "It’s all mine."

Mark chuckled softly, his hand dropping down to cover Charles’s fingers, giving them a firm, possessive squeeze. "Yes, it’s completely yours. Now take your time and rest."

Charles finally let his guard down, his eyes drifting shut as he fell into a quiet, peaceful sleep. For the next hour, he slept soundly in the back of the luxury car while the reception continued in full swing inside the grand hall.

While Charles rested, Mark quietly pulled out his phone and casually scrolled through his social media feeds to pass the time.

A moment later, a notification popped up on the screen.

It was a message from Matteo.

Hey, what’s taking you so long? At least wait until you get home.

Matteo was clearly teasing, implying that Mark and Charles were doing something far more interesting in the car.

Mark scoffed and quickly typed back.