Mending the Mechanic's Heart

The Hidden Threat

The following days were a mix of tension and fleeting moments of relief. Sailub kept a close watch on Pon, ensuring that he was never left alone and that Aon was always nearby. Despite the public humiliation Bank was facing, there was an uneasy calm that settled over their lives—one that felt more like the calm before a storm than a true reprieve.

Pon did his best to keep up appearances, especially for Aon's sake. The little boy was blissfully unaware of the turmoil surrounding his family, and Pon was determined to keep it that way. But as each day passed, the weight of the secret he was carrying grew heavier.

Bank's message haunted him, a constant reminder that the man wasn't done with them. Pon knew he should tell Sailub, but every time he tried to find the words, fear choked them back down. He didn't want to burden Sailub further, not when he was already doing so much to protect them.

Instead, Pon threw himself into caring for Aon and helping around the house, hoping that staying busy would keep his mind off the looming threat. But the fear never really left, lingering in the back of his mind like a shadow that refused to lift.

One afternoon, as Pon was making lunch, Sailub walked into the kitchen, his expression thoughtful. He had just gotten off another call with Bemz, and the news was good: Bank was on the run, his empire crumbling, with law enforcement closing in from all sides.

But Sailub's relief was tempered by the unease that had settled in his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was still wrong—especially with Pon. His mate had been distant, distracted, and there was a tension in his eyes that Sailub couldn't ignore.

Sailub approached Pon, wrapping his arms around him from behind and resting his chin on Pon's shoulder. "How are you holding up, love?" he asked, his voice soft but laced with concern.

Pon smiled, leaning back into Sailub's embrace, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "I'm okay," he replied, though his tone was less than convincing.

Sailub wasn't buying it. He turned Pon around to face him, gently cupping his mate's face in his hands. "Talk to me, Pon. I know something's bothering you."

Pon hesitated, his eyes darting away from Sailub's intense gaze. But as Sailub continued to look at him with such care and concern, Pon's resolve began to crumble. "I... I got a message from Bank," Pon admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sailub's expression hardened instantly. "When?"

"A few days ago. It was just a threat, but..." Pon's voice trailed off as tears welled up in his eyes. "I was scared. I didn't want to worry you more than you already were."

Sailub's heart clenched at the sight of Pon's tears. He pulled Pon into a tight embrace, his protective instincts flaring. "You should have told me, Pon. I can't protect you if I don't know what's going on."

Pon nodded against his chest, feeling a wave of guilt for keeping the secret. "I'm sorry, Sailub. I just didn't want to make things worse."

Sailub kissed the top of Pon's head, trying to soothe him. "You never have to handle things alone, Pon. We're in this together, no matter what. And I promise you, Bank won't get away with this. I'll make sure of it."

Pon took comfort in Sailub's words, but the fear still lingered. He knew Sailub would do everything in his power to protect their family, but Bank was unpredictable, and that scared him more than anything.

As the days passed, Sailub became even more vigilant. He hired additional security to monitor the house and the garage, ensuring that no one could get close to Pon or Aon without him knowing. Sailub also reached out to the best legal team in the country to prepare for any move Bank might make.