366: 7.56 Keep His Distance

7.56 Keep His Distance

Kaede swallowed heavily. To think that a traitor was hidden among the people whom he had worked with everyday… his heart couldn't help but feel heavy. How could he not realize it?  1

If they caught Moshe's attention, they must be quite high in rank and most likely one of the people who worked in the mansion. That also meant that Kaede might have been seeing this person almost everyday. When he thought of how deep they had been hiding until now, he couldn't help but shiver, goosebumps erupted along his whole body.

"And you have… confirmed it is not your pet, Boss?" Moshe gave him a frosty look which Kaede hastily added, "Don't get me wrong, Boss. I can't help but be suspicious. He has been here for… how long? Two months? Three months? The people who worked for you have to go through years of training to get a chance to be your personal guards. Aiden has climbed up the rank too fast — I know he's not a guard, but still… he knows too much. Sooner or later, people will get suspicious, Boss."

Kaede's expression grew somber. He did not include the huge possibility that a discord might break out between Aiden and Moshe's men. After all, envy was a basic and inevitable human emotion. 

They would think, 'This man had only used his body to climb into Boss' bed and his rank was even higher than us? Who gave him the right when he was just a man whore?' 

When that time came, Moshe's men would start to question Aiden's credibility. As long as the seed of doubt was planted, then it only needed a little watering and stimuli to sprout. Somehow, Kaede could picture the future and it caused dread to linger on the pit of his stomach. Moshe would undoubtedly keep Aiden by his side no matter what kind of talk was brewing behind his back… but it was precisely that kind of demeanor that would incite dissatisfaction. 

Once Moshe's men started to question their leader's capability, The Void's foundation would shake from the root.

As Moshe's right hand man, could Kaede sit still and watch it happen? No, he couldn't.

"Aiden is capable," Moshe affirmed with a tone that brooked no arguments. Kaede resisted the urge to stomp his feet, hating how iron couldn't become steel. "And he's trustworthy, I have personally tested his loyalty. Do you not trust me, Kaede?"

Moshe's tone was casual yet it sent chilling shudders down Kaede's spine. Trust and loyalty was the most important aspect in their line of business. "W–What kind of question is that, Boss?!" Kaede stammered out, aghast that Moshe would ask him this kind of question. "Of course I trust you with my whole life!" 

Kaede wouldn't hesitate to put down his life for Moshe's sake, if that could explain the length of his loyalty. But then, his trust notwithstanding, could Moshe even believe in his own judgment? What if he was wrong? What if he placed his faith in the wrong person and it cost him… everything? 

Moshe offered him a sideways glance and saw through everything in his mind. "Cease your bullshit, I know you don't trust my decision this time. Well, if I were you… I would doubt myself too." A derisive smile flashed across Moshe's face.

How could he tell Kaede all of the things he had seen and heard? Lu Yizhou's mysterious identity, his sincere eyes, the solemnity behind every word he uttered… Kaede wasn't Moshe, he wouldn't understand how it felt to be the sole focus on Lu Yizhou's intense gaze. He wouldn't understand how it felt to be smothered by Lu Yizhou's heartfelt confession, to be lavished with warm, gentle affection and loving kisses, to be hugged by that strong and firm embrace that made Moshe feel like he could truly relax and forget everything... No, Kaede wouldn't understand any of it. Ever. 

A snort escaped Moshe's lips whenever he recalled Lu Yizhou's words, that arrogant bastard.

'I only want to know that… I will not become your weakness. Ever. On the contrary, I will be your strength, your shield, your weapon and your power.'

That sentence had pierced through Moshe's armor and poured light into his deepest apprehension. He did not want to be his father, who had sent his mother away due to the fear that she would become his weakness that his enemies could exploit. With just a few words, Lu Yizhou had convinced him that… having someone by his side didn't necessarily mean a weakness. It could also be a source of strength.

"Boss…?" Kaede waited and waited for Moshe's explanation but he stopped after that one self-reflective sentence. How could he leave Kaede hanging just like that?! 

"Nothing." Moshe shook his head with an exasperated sigh. "I can guarantee that Aiden is not the traitor, but you're right. People won't believe him just because I do. Afterall, he's a stranger between us."

Kaede became suspicious. "What are you trying to do, Boss?"

"Just…" A devious smirk appeared on Moshe's lips. Uh-oh, Kaede silently lit a candle for Aiden. "...the usual bonding event. Prepare it in a few days."

"A… A few days?" Kaede sputtered in disbelief. Now he was uncertain whether Moshe really sided with Aiden or he just wanted to see the man suffer. "Boss, he had just been drugged, by Cobalt Fang's unknown concoction at that! To demand him to fight in a few days is—" Kaede snapped his mouth shut as soon as Moshe lifted his eyelids to stare at him. The unimpressed golden eyes flashed in irritation and Kaede inclined his head in defeat. "Of course, Boss. I will prepare everything."

Still, Kaede couldn't help but pipe in a few more words. "But–But what if he dies? You know our men are—"

"He won't." Moshe cut in impatiently. "Moreover, it will become a good lesson for him to know his place." 

The bonding event would make his men and Lu Yizhou interact closely and not only that, Moshe could also gauge Lu Yizhou's true strength and teach him a lesson at the same time. 

His cheeks were dusted pink as soon as he recalled the demanding threat Lu Yizhou had whispered into his ear when the man was fucking him against the wall. Who did Lu Yizhou think he was dealing with? Moshe would let him know that between them, he was the Master and Lu Yizhou didn't get to order him around as he liked!

Fortunately, Kaede was too preoccupied with his own thoughts to realize Moshe's blushing face. Otherwise he would definitely get a heart attack and die on the spot.

"Leave Cobalt Fang alone for now." Moshe gave an order. "It might not be beneath Zion to resort to such a wicked act but we are different. If we win, then we will do it when they are at full power. Only then will they realize that we have always been the strongest."

Despite the rumors of how cruel he was, Moshe hated cheating and underhanded moves the most. He was a prideful and principled mafioso; to beat his enemy when they were down was beneath him. The mere thought of it wounded his pride, as if he was telling the whole world that he, Moshe Morelli, could only win after taking advantage of Cobalt Fang's weakest state!

"I apologize for being impatient, Boss." Realization dawned on Kaede and along with it was shame. He inclined his head deeply in remorse. "I was too excited thinking that we can finally defeat those bastards once and for all and forget our main principle. It won't happen again."

"Good." Moshe nodded in satisfaction. "Moreover, with us taking this stance, we might be able to trap the traitor and get rid of them once and for all. If I am not wrong, then they have already contacted someone from the other side, singing how I have been enamored by my pet and how I have lost my mind. The Cobalt bastards — and if I may guess, the Mad Dog specifically — won't take this lying down. In a few days, there will definitely be a surprise attack. We should strengthen our defense by then and catch them off guard."

Kaede's mouth gaped open, dumbfounded. "Boss… don't tell me, have you planned all of this since the beginning?!" The more Kaede thought about it, the more gobsmacked he was. "You–You deliberately made an exaggerated show of locking yourself here with Aiden to fool the traitor into thinking that you have lowered your guard down— no, have you known for long that there's a traitor?! Is that why you brought Aiden here, so that he could become your smoke screen? Boss, how have I never known how scheming you are?!" Kaede's eyes were practically sparkling with stars. 

He had truly underestimated his Boss! He should have known that Moshe wasn't one who would forget everything just because he was obsessed with a man! No, all of that show of caring, concern and anxiety… could it be that everything was merely an act from Moshe's part?!

"Lower your voice!" Moshe hissed sharply to hide how mortified he was.

He had no heart to tell Kaede that everything he thought of was bullshit, that Moshe wasn't as awesome as he thought he was…

Moshe cleared his throat. He… didn't scheme anything, to be honest. Until a few hours ago, he didn't even think of anything outside of fucking Lu Yizhou's brain out of his body. Spending his time with Lu Yizhou was purely a selfish desire but now that he thought about it, why didn't he just take full advantage of the situation? Didn't Lu Yizhou say that he would willingly become Moshe's shield? Then Moshe would gladly use him for that. 

However, there was no need to tell Kaede about that, especially as he was all sparkly eyed and mind-blown like that. Afterall, Moshe still had a reputation to uphold.

"Keep your eye around. Do not trust anyone, even your closest subordinate. We might have delayed our plan to deal with Cobalt Fang but…" Moshe smirked coldly. "...the least we can do is to incapacitate its right hand. If he is so eager to send himself to us, then the least we can do is to prepare a lavish welcome for him."

Kaede straightened up in excitement. "Yes, sir! Boss, you're so amazing! I, Kaede, swear that I will follow you until the end of the time!" The enthusiastic declaration followed until Kaede left to do his job, not after sending him worshipping eyes right after the door closed behind him.

Moshe spent a few minutes sitting in silence, pinching his brows and trying to regain his bearings. Kaede's declaration was a harsh slap to his face. Moshe indeed adored Lu Yizhou more than others he had fucked before but… sex was supposed to be entertainment, an activity he indulged in his free time to release the stress. But at this rate, he couldn't help but feel like he would slowly forget everything just to spend a few seconds longer in Lu Yizhou's presence. 

It couldn't be allowed to happen. Moshe couldn't forget who he was, what he did, and what his goal was. And he certainly shouldn't forget that Lu Yizhou was just his pet, despite how many times the man had crossed his bottom line and was still alive to tell the tale.

Maybe… the first thing he could try was to keep his distance for a while and see how things went. The withdrawal Moshe got would definitely be overwhelming… now that he had known how heavenly it was to be sheathed within Lu Yizhou's warmth. But Moshe had to do this. He had to prove that even without Lu Yizhou… he wouldn't lose himself.

After repeating the plan again and again like a mantra, Moshe nodded and stood up to round the privacy screen, intending to check on Lu Yizhou for the last time before he got ready for the day…

…only for his eyes to meet with a pair of bright, alert silver eyes. 

Moshe startled lightly. He couldn't help but avert his eyes. Lu Yizhou's gaze… they had a bewitching power to them that could make Moshe's defense crumble like sand. It was honestly disconcerting. 

Lu Yizhou looked so soft and alluring like that; laying on Moshe's bed, naked with his hair mussed up and bearing Moshe's marks all over his body…

Moshe exhaled to suppress the urge to go forward and press a gentle kiss to his forehead. Instead, he put on a roguish smile and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're awake? Why didn't you say anything?"

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