My Cold-Hearted Husband Wants Me Back
Chapter 61: Mafia Leader

Chapter 61: Mafia Leader

Callum, who had just arrived, saw the commotion. People were recording and whispering among themselves. His eyes widened as he rushed forward and leaned close to Eryx.

"Sir, this isn’t looking good. Please hold back, or the chairman will give you an earful."

Eryx let out a sharp breath, his jaw tightening. He held onto Gideon for a second longer before finally shoving him back. Gideon stumbled slightly, rubbing his neck while glaring at Eryx.

Lunara exhaled slowly, steadying her expression. She was tense, but she refused to shrink away. Instead, she lifted her chin, trying her best to calm herself, and looked Gideon straight in the eyes. "I’m not going anywhere with you." Her voice was firm, unwavering.

"Then how do you plan to settle the debt?" Gideon had the audacity to ask, despite the cold stare Eryx was still giving him.

"That’s not my debt to settle. You took everything—every penny I had—and now I have to clean up your mess too?" Lunara felt the warmth of Eryx’s hand as he clasped theirs together, grounding her.

Eryx’s voice was flat, but it left no room for argument. "Tomorrow. Three in the afternoon. Tell Old Man Vaughn to meet me at my office." Without waiting for a response, he turned, leading Lunara toward the car.

The moment they slipped into the car, Lunara let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. Eryx leaned back against the seat, his eyes staring straight into the rearview mirror.

"How did he get out?" Eryx’s voice was sharp, demanding answers.

Callum adjusted his posture. "I’m still looking into it, sir, but I believe Gideon asked Old Man Vaughn for help."

Eryx scoffed, shaking his head. "Figures." He turned his gaze to the window, watching as the hospital disappeared behind them. His grip on Lunara’s hand tightened slightly.

Eryx closed his eyes for a few seconds before turning to face her. "Are you okay? Did he hurt your arm?"

Lunara shook her head weakly. "Thank you."

He sighed. He never knew that hearing those two words ’thank you’ could make his chest feel this tight.

"Did he do this to you in those two damn years that I..." He paused, exhaling sharply. His jaw tensed before he finally muttered, "I’m sorry."

Lunara’s fingers curled slightly against his hand. "You don’t have to apologize."

Eryx let out a dry chuckle, his free hand rubbing his temple. "Maybe I do."

The car fell into silence, the weight of unspoken words lingering between them. Callum, sensing the tension, cleared his throat from the front seat.

"I’ll look further into Old Man Vaughn’s involvement. If Gideon got out with his help, there’s a chance he’ll try something again."

"Prepare all the information I need, including every business Old Man Vaughn is involved in." Eryx frowned. "And as for Gideon... throw him back in jail, or else I might kill him the next time I see him."

Lunara’s fingers, still clasped in Eryx’s hand, trembled slightly.

Eryx felt it. His gaze flickered down to their joined hands before shifting back to her face. She was quiet, staring at their hands like she wasn’t sure whether to hold on or pull away.

His grip instinctively loosened. "Are you scared of me?" His voice was quiet as he tried his best to read her expression.

Lunara hesitated. "I..." She wanted to say no, but the words wouldn’t come out.

Eryx let out a low breath and pulled his hand away completely. "I see." He leaned back against the seat, turning his gaze to the window. His jaw was tight. "I did what I had to do."

"I understand," she whispered.

But knowing didn’t make it any easier.

She had always known Eryx was powerful, but this was different. This wasn’t the man who teased her, who leaned in too close just to see her flustered. This was someone else entirely, he was someone dangerous.

The car slowed as they neared the mansion. Lunara flexed her fingers, suddenly cold without his warmth.

Eryx didn’t look at her when he spoke again. "You should rest when we get home." His tone was unreadable.

Lunara nodded weakly, but the uneasy feeling in her chest remained.

As they stepped inside, the grand foyer of the mansion loomed around them, but Lunara barely noticed it. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying everything that had just happened. There was one question that had been bugging her since earlier but she hesitated to ask.

Before she could overthink it, she took a deep breath and spoke. "Can I ask you something?" Her voice was quieter than she intended, but it made Eryx stop.

Eryx turned around, his eyebrow arched.

Lunara lowered her gaze, fiddling with the hem of her sleeve. "But... it’s okay if you don’t want to answer."

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, Eryx exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "Ask. What is it? What’s been bothering you so much that you didn’t even notice the marble statue right in front of you?"

"Oh..." Lunara blinked and took a step back, just realizing she had nearly walked straight into the tall sculpture near the entrance. It was an intricately carved piece, impossible to miss—yet she had.

Eryx arched a brow, watching her reaction. "That’s distracting, huh?"

She let out a small breath, embarrassed. "I... guess so."

His lips twitched, almost like he wanted to smirk, but he didn’t. "So? Ask."

Lunara hesitated for a moment before gathering the courage to speak. "Hmm..." She swallowed before continuing, "You’re not a mafia leader or something like that... right?"

A few seconds passed in silence before Eryx took a deep, long breath. He tried, he really tried to hold it in, but in the end, his laughter burst out. "Who gave you that idea?"

Lunara pursed her lips, her fingers fidgeting slightly. "Just a guess... based on how you handled things."

Eryx chuckled, stepping closer. "Mrs. Grantham," he murmured, leaning in to meet her gaze. "If I were, would you run... or would you let me catch you?"