The sun had barely moved above the trees when Rafe stepped out of the cabin with Ayan close behind him. Rafe had decided to check the forest again. The uneasy feeling from earlier still stayed in his chest. Ayan walked silently, holding the edge of Rafe's jacket like he was scared to lose him.
The clearing looked calm.
Too calm.
Suddenly, the birds stopped singing. The wind slowed. Even the air felt heavy.
Rafe stopped walking.
Ayan froze behind him.
Then—
footsteps.
From the trees on the left, five men stepped out. Black clothes. Covered faces. weapons hanging low in their hands.
Ayan's fingers tightened on Rafe's jacket.
Rafe pulled him behind his back instantly.
The leader laughed. "hello little one , Nice place you're hiding in."
Rafe's face went cold. "You guys shouldn't have come here."
"Oh, we should. We came for the boy. And who the hell are you ?"
Rafe's body turned sharp like a blade.
Ayan looked up at him, fear shaking his small frame. Rafe dint speak.
The leader pointed his gun at Ayan. "Relax. We won't kill him. We just need him alive. Our boss says he's worth something."
Rafe's voice dropped. "You won't touch him."
One of the men stepped forward. "Move aside. You look strong, but you're one man. We are five."
Rafe smiled without warmth. "Wrong. I am Rafe."
The men hesitated at his name.
Ayan didn't understand the words, but he felt the danger. He pressed himself against Rafe's back, whispering softly, "R…afe…"
Rafe didn't turn around. "Stay behind me. Don't run."
The leader clicked his tongue. "Enough talking. Grab the boy."
Two men rushed forward.
Ayan gasped as one reached out to grab him—
But Rafe moved faster.
Much faster.
He grabbed the first attacker's wrist, twisted, and a snap echoed in the clearing. The man screamed and dropped his gun. Rafe kicked him in the chest so hard he flew backward.
The second man raised his knife, swinging at Rafe's side.
Rafe dodged and slammed his elbow into the man's jaw. Blood sprayed. The man collapsed like a broken tree.
Ayan stared, frozen. He had never seen strength like this.
The leader cursed. "Shoot him!"
Two more men raised their guns.
Rafe grabbed the fallen attacker's gun and fired—
Three quick shots.
One man dropped instantly.
The second stumbled, then fell face-first into the dirt.
Ayan flinched at the sound, but he didn't scream. He stood still, staring at Rafe's back, confused and scared but… safe.
The leader tried to hide behind a tree, firing wildly. "You bastard!"
Rafe stepped forward, calm, cold.
He fired once.
The bullet hit the leader's leg. He fell, crying out.
Rafe didn't shoot again. He walked slowly, gun lowered, eyes sharp.
The leader crawled backward. "W…wait…! We just followed orders! We just wanted the boy! We—"
Rafe grabbed him by the collar, pulled him up, and whispered, "You walked into my territory. You aimed at someone under my protection. You don't leave alive."
The leader's eyes went wide.
Ayan watched, shaking.
Rafe shot the man once in the chest.
The forest became quiet again.
Three bodies lay still. Two others groaned unconscious. Smoke drifted from Rafe's gun.
Rafe turned back immediately.
Ayan stood where he had left him, his small hands trembling. His eyes were wide, shocked, frightened but when Rafe walked toward him, the fear in his eyes softened.
Rafe knelt in front of him. "Ayan."
Ayan swallowed. His voice came out small and broken. "You… you… stop… them."
"Yes," Rafe said. "They won't hurt you."
Ayan stared at the bodies behind Rafe, then at Rafe again. His lip trembled—not from fear of Rafe, but from everything that had just happened.
Rafe touched his shoulder gently. "You're safe now."
Ayan's breath shook. Then, slowly, he stepped closer and pressed his forehead lightly against Rafe's chest.
Rafe froze for a second, surprised.
Ayan whispered, "Safe… with you."
The simple words hit something deep inside Rafe.
He wrapped one arm around the boy carefully, protective. "I promised you. I don't break promises."
Ayan's fingers clutched Rafe's shirt. He was terrified, but the only place he seemed to trust was Rafe's arms.
Rafe stood up with him. "We're leaving."
Ayan lifted his head. "Where?"
"To my base. My main house. It's safer. Many guards. No one will touch you."
Ayan nodded slowly, still shaking. "Go… with you."
"Yes." Rafe lifted him slightly when Ayan stumbled. "Always with me."
They walked back to the cabin quickly. Rafe grabbed essential things a jacket, some medicine, a small bag of clothes he had bought for Ayan the night before. Ayan stayed close, never more than two steps away.
Rafe looked around the cabin once more. He had planned to stay here a few days, maybe give Ayan time to heal. But those plans were dead now.
Someone had found them.
Someone was tracking Ayan.
Rafe didn't know why, but he knew one thing—
He wasn't losing the boy.
He lifted Ayan into the jeep. Ayan held the seat-belt with shaky hands as Rafe fastened it for him.
Ayan whispered, "Rafe… they… come… again?"
Rafe placed a hand on his head. "Not where we're going."
Ayan breathed slowly, trusting him.
Rafe started the engine, eyes scanning the trees one last time. His expression hardened. "If they want a war, they'll get one."
The jeep moved down the forest road. Ayan leaned against the seat, still shaken, but every few minutes he glanced at Rafe with quiet trust.
He had seen Rafe kill.
He had seen blood.
But he had also seen the way Rafe stood between him and danger, like an unbreakable wall.
Ayan whispered softly, almost too soft to hear, "Safe… with Rafe."
Rafe didn't show emotion, but his grip on the wheel tightened.
They drove away from the cabin, heading straight to the mafia base—
the one place in the entire region where no enemy dared to step.
Because it belonged to Rafe.
And now,
Ayan belonged to Rafe's protection.
Forever.
continue.........