The Mafia Lord's Secret Lover (Evelyn) novel Chapter 386

Chapter 386: Punishment?

The words landed like a bullet straight in Ethan’s mind. "That..." He let out a short breath. "That wasn’t what I expected."

Before Axel could react, Ethan continued, "Axel, I know I’m injured, but I’ll recover soon. I can still lead the—"

Axel raised his hand.

Just one quick and simple motion.

Ethan stopped instantly.

"This is an order," Axel said, his voice firm, leaving no space for negotiation.

The room’s temperature seemed to drop below freezing.

Still, Ethan met his gaze. "Why?" he asked quietly. "Are you punishing me? Because I was careless?"

Collins shifted uncomfortably. Renata’s jaw tightened.

Axel’s expression didn’t change.

"This is not a punishment," Axel said. "It is prevention."

"Prevention of what?" Ethan pressed.

Axel stepped closer to the bed, his presence looming, controlled. "Of losing you."

The words were blunt. Final.

Ethan fell silent.

Axel straightened. "You’re too exposed here. Too predictable. The capital is safer and better guarded. You’ll recover there. You can return until you heal and find who sent those people to harm you."

Collins cleared his throat awkwardly. "Well," he muttered, "on the bright side, capital hospitals have better food."

Ethan shot him a look. "You’re not helping, Collins!"

"I’m trying," Collins replied. "This is my emotional support voice."

Without him knowing, Ethan huffed a laugh. Then his gaze returned to Axel, solemn again.

"I understand," Ethan said finally. "But when I’m healed..."

Axel met his eyes. "Yes. When you heal, we’ll talk about it later."

And just like that, the matter was settled. No arguments. No compromises. Only orders.

When the tension in the room finally loosened enough for Ethan to breathe without feeling like his ribs were cracking, acceptance settled in. He would return to the capital with Axel.

Temporarily exiled, medically supervised, and thoroughly grounded like a reckless teenager with a god complex. Not ideal, but survivable.

Then something tugged at the back of his mind.

Renata.

His gaze shifted to where she stood near the wall, posture straight, hands hanging beside her as if she were on alert. He gestured slightly to her, inviting her to come closer.

"Rena," he called softly. "Come here."

Renata hesitated, then walked closer, stopping beside the bed.

Ethan smiled faintly, then turned his head toward Axel. "Axel," he said, his tone steady despite the dull ache in his chest, "this is Renata. She’ll be the one fully leading X-Guard while I’m gone."

Renata stiffened almost immediately.

Collins, who had been leaning casually against a cabinet, noticed at once. His eyes widened theatrically. "Whoa. Rena, why do you look like you’re about to face a firing squad?"

She shot him a sharp glare.

"No way," Collins continued, clearly enjoying himself to tease her. "Don’t tell me you’re scared of Boss Axel?"

"I’m not," Renata snapped under her breath. She inhaled slowly, then turned to Axel and bowed her head politely. "Sir, I’m Renata. I’ve been serving as X-Guard captain for the last five years."

Axel finally shifted his attention to her.

It was not a warm gaze. It wasn’t cold either. It was heavy like standing under a spotlight that saw everything and judged silently.

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