Kevin stood in the quiet café kitchen, the smashed cupcake sitting on the counter like a threat dressed in sugar. The note, now crumpled in his hand, pulsed with more menace than he wanted to admit.
He wasn't scared. But he was shaken.
Not for himself—for Leonhart.
He knew what kind of person sent messages like this. It wasn't about cupcakes or clever jabs. It was control. Insecurity dressed as confidence. And worse—history. Kevin could handle a petty ex, but this? This felt like a fuse had been lit under something bigger.
That evening, when Leonhart arrived as usual—no security, no drama—Kevin held nothing back. He met him at the door, arms crossed, note in hand.
Leonhart frowned the moment he saw it. "Where did you get that?"
"Someone left it outside the café this morning."
Leonhart read the message, eyes scanning it slowly. Then he let out a sharp breath and dropped the note into Kevin's trash bin without a word.
"That's it?" Kevin asked, startled. "No reaction?"
"I deleted a photo he sent me yesterday." His voice was calm, cold. "This is him trying to provoke me."
Kevin narrowed his eyes. "Then why is he coming after me?"
Leonhart's gaze finally met his. "Because you matter to me."
That stunned Kevin into silence.
Leonhart didn't say things like that. Not without armor. Not without detachment. But tonight, his voice held none of that. Just tired honesty.
Kevin stepped back, shaking his head. "I don't want to be in the middle of your unfinished business."
"You're not."
"Leonhart." Kevin's voice cracked slightly. "You may have deleted that photo, but he's still in your head. Still running around your past like it belongs to him."
Leonhart clenched his jaw. "He doesn't."
"Then prove it." Kevin's eyes burned, not angry—just pleading. "Because I can't keep baking cupcakes in a warzone."
Leonhart looked at him for a long moment.
"I'll handle it," he said quietly.
Kevin didn't smile. He didn't hug him. He just turned away and started wiping the counter with trembling hands.
That night, Leonhart didn't stay long. But when he left, he made a call.
"Find Elian. I want him watched."
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