[BL] The Mafia Boss Wants My Body

Chapter 289: Chapter 289: A Warning Owen Couldn’t Ignore

Before Owen’s bodyguards could even react, Matteo’s bodyguards closed the distance in a flash. One of them pressed the cold barrel of a black pistol firmly against Owen’s temple.

"Step back," the bodyguard ordered, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.

Owen froze, his entire body locking up as the chilling reality of the cold steel pressed against his temple sank in. His breath caught in his throat.

"Don’t move," the bodyguard warned, his finger tightening almost imperceptibly around the trigger.

Seeing Owen frozen, Charles seized the opportunity. With a sharp gasp, he violently yanked his wrist free from Owen’s grip and stumbled backward until Adrian was standing firmly between them. Clutching his reddened wrist, his chest rose and fell with ragged breaths as he stared at the man who had tormented him for so long.

Owen’s eyes shifted toward the bodyguard, his jaw tightening with humiliation and barely restrained fury. His hand twitched instinctively, drifting toward the inside of his jacket where his own firearm was concealed.

Sensing what he was about to do, Owen’s closest bodyguard immediately stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Boss, don’t," he said in a low, urgent voice. "Those are Matteo Marcone’s men. If anyone pulls a trigger in here, none of us will make it out of this city alive."

The mention of the Marcone name immediately brought Owen back to reality. Matteo’s terrifying reputation was not something he could afford to challenge, not even with all his wealth and influence.

Owen clenched his jaw, his face twisting with humiliation and frustration.

"Lower your weapons," he ordered through gritted teeth.

Reluctantly, Owen’s bodyguards lowered their guns and slowly returned them to their holsters, though they never took their eyes off Matteo’s men. "We’re leaving," Owen said coldly. "Peacefully."

He slowly raised both hands to chest level, making it clear he wasn’t reaching for his weapon, then took a deliberate step back.

But his eyes found Charles again, burning with bitter resentment.

Charles, however, was done hiding.

Strengthened by Adrian’s presence and the bodyguards surrounding them, he stepped out from behind Adrian. His face had gone pale, but his expression was steady with a courage he had never known he possessed.

"Look at me!" Charles shouted, his voice echoing through the silent lounge. "Leave me alone! Don’t you ever come near me again. I’ve told you countless times that I don’t want you. No threat, no blackmail, and nothing you do will ever make me come back to you. It’s over, Owen. It has been over for a long time. Stay out of my life."

Adrian stepped up beside Charles, a razor-sharp smirk spreading across his face as he looked Owen up and down.

"If you’re that desperate to be loved, you’re rich enough to go out and pay someone to pretend they love you." Adrian drawled, his voice dripping with contempt. "But my friend doesn’t want a shameless, obsessive bastard like you. So don’t you ever come near him again."

His smirk widened.

"And as for that so-called explicit video you’re so eager to broadcast... go right ahead. I’ll turn it into a profitable art exhibition. I’ll paint your naked body from every possible angle, put every portrait on display, and make a fortune off your shame."

Owen’s face flushed a deep, furious red.

"You wouldn’t dare."

Adrian shrugged casually.

"Try me. As long as I’m still one of the most sought-after artists in Central City, my work will sell. I’ve seen the video once, that’s all I need. I could paint twenty different nude portraits of you from memory and have the city’s elite lining up to buy them."

Owen glared at him, trembling with rage he couldn’t release because of the cold barrel still pressed against his temple. "I’ll sue you."

Adrian burst into laughter.

"Go ahead. Don’t threaten me with a lawsuit." His smile widened. "I have an entire family of lawyers behind me, the best you could ever hope to face. Let’s see how you expect to win when I have every message proving you’ve been blackmailing, stalking, and harassing my friend."

His smile disappeared. "Now get out of here... and don’t ever show your face in our lives again."

Charles stared directly at his ex, his chin held high as he delivered the final blow. "He’s right. Don’t you ever come near me again. I hate you."

Owen stood frozen in stunned silence. He looked at Adrian, his chest rising and falling with barely restrained fury, before turning his gaze back to Charles. The unwavering conviction in Charles’s voice, combined with Adrian’s fearless defiance, stripped away every shred of Owen’s pride in front of everyone in the lounge.

For the first time in a long time, Owen had absolutely nothing to say.

A bitter scoff escaped his lips as he finally looked away. Slowly, he raised both hands a little higher and cast a tense glance at Matteo’s armed bodyguards.

"Fine," Owen spat through clenched teeth. "Let me go."

Matteo’s bodyguards didn’t lower their weapons.

Keeping their guns trained on Owen, they slowly stepped aside, creating a narrow path to the exit. Their eyes never left him as he and his men slowly backed away before disappearing through the lounge’s heavy glass doors.

Only after Owen and his bodyguards disappeared through the lounge’s glass doors did the bodyguards finally lower their weapons.

Adrian immediately turned to Charles, the coldness on his face melting away. He gently grabbed Charles by the shoulders.

"Are you okay?"

Charles was completely overwhelmed. The fear, the relief, and the adrenaline crashed over him all at once.

Instead of answering, he threw his arms tightly around Adrian’s neck.

"Thank you," he whispered brokenly into Adrian’s shoulder. "Thank you so much, Adrian."

Adrian hugged him just as tightly, gently rubbing slow circles across his back.

"It’s okay, Charles," he murmured. "You shouldn’t have had to go through any of this. I’ve got you."

Charles clung to him, his voice trembling as the emotions he had been holding back finally spilled out.

"I didn’t do anything wrong to him, Adrian. Please believe me... I didn’t do anything." He swallowed hard, his shoulders shaking. "I gave him everything when we were together. I loved him with all my heart. Why is he doing this to me?" His voice broke. "What did I do to deserve this?"

Adrian’s heart ached for his friend.

He gently pulled back just enough to look Charles in the eyes, his expression soft yet fiercely protective.

"Listen to me," he said firmly. "You did absolutely nothing wrong. None of this is your fault. Someone like Owen doesn’t deserve another second of your tears. He’s the one who’s twisted, not you. So stop blaming yourself. Forget about him. He isn’t worth destroying your peace over."

A few moments later, the lounge’s glass doors swung open once again.

Frank stepped inside and immediately sensed that something was off. The usual lively atmosphere had vanished, replaced by an uneasy silence. Patrons were whispering among themselves, many still glancing toward the corner where the confrontation had taken place.

His eyes quickly found Adrian and Charles.

Charles was still visibly shaken, while Matteo’s bodyguards remained standing nearby, their alert expressions making it obvious that something serious had happened.

Frank’s heart sank.

He immediately quickened his pace and hurried over to them. "Hey," he said, looking between the two of them. "Is everything okay?"

Adrian looked up and gave him a small nod.

"Yeah," he replied quietly. "Everything’s under control now."

Hearing Frank’s voice, Charles slowly let go of Adrian. He quickly wiped at his eyes and took a slow breath, trying to compose himself.

Frank frowned, his concern deepening as he looked from one friend to the other.

"What happened?"

The three friends took their seats, and after a brief silence, Adrian let out a slow breath before recounting everything that had happened, from Owen’s arrival to the confrontation that had nearly turned violent.

Meanwhile, inside Owen’s car, not a single word was spoken.

Owen sat rigidly in the back seat, his chest rising and falling with barely restrained fury.

The driver kept his eyes fixed on the road, while the bodyguard in the front passenger seat stared straight ahead. Neither man dared to break the suffocating silence.

At last, Owen spoke. His voice trembled with venomous rage.

"Now I understand why everyone says Matteo Marcone’s boyfriend is an arrogant, insufferable bastard," he hissed. "I finally understand why so many people want him gone."

The bodyguard swallowed hard before cautiously glancing over his shoulder. "Boss..." the bodyguard began cautiously. "I really think you should let this go. He’s your cousin’s wife’s brother. There’s no reason to make an enemy out of him."

Owen’s eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.

"I don’t care," he said coldly. "All I want is for him to disappear."

The bodyguard exchanged a worried glance with the driver before trying again.

"Boss, please think this through. He’s Matteo Marcone’s partner, and everyone knows Matteo doesn’t joke when it comes to him. Whatever you’re thinking... don’t do it. Going after Adrian means going against Matteo himself, and that’s a war no one wants."

Owen let out a cold, humorless laugh.

"Who said I’d leave any trace of what I’m planning?" he asked, a chilling smile spreading across his face.

The driver tightened his grip on the steering wheel before speaking cautiously.

"Boss... I hope you’re not planning to kidnap him or do something reckless."

Owen scoffed...