Third Pov-

Ezekiel, Malachi, Damon and Silas were the four powerful men who ruled the Vipers Mafia.

Morally grey, unhinged and insanely dangerous men. Even the Syndicate was scared to against them. But somebody had to.

Hence, they called on 'Shadow'- A combination of all four above mentioned. The way he tortured his victims would scare the devil himself and give him nightmares.

The Syndicate was confident and hence were celebrating the death of the Vipers in advance. But little did they know that the very person they set on the Vipers back was coming for them.

***At The Vipers Mansion***-

It was 3 in the morning and no one was expected to be awake, yet, the lights in the gym were glowing bright and you could hear the thud of the punches thrown on the punching bag.

Damon, once again had the same nightmare. Every night he went to sleep and then woke up to the nightmares.

Up until a week ago, no one had known. But now all three of his friends stood in the dark watching him.

"I'm telling you, something's not right. It's been a week now. I think we should talk to him." Silas was the first to speak.

"Silas is right. We have to make him talk, even if it's by force. We can't let this continue anymore. Zeke, what do you think?" Malachi asked, his eyes trained on his friend.

"Okay. Now or at breakfast?" He asked and the other two exchanged glances.

"Now." Both of them said at once.

"Come out, if you're done plotting my death." Damon yelled and the three walked out chuckling.

"Damon, sit down." Ezekial spoke, his voice carrying an edge to it.

Damon drank his water and then sat down, unwrapping the tape bandaged around his hands.

"Baby, something's wrong isn't it? You know you can speak to us right? You haven't been sleeping well. When was the last time you slept?" Malakai's voice sounded, laced with concern and worry and Damon instantly regretted.

"I was about to tell you guys tomorow at breakfast anyways. But I guess no better time than now. Shadow's coming for us." Damon spoke his voice low like a growl.

"Who?" Ezekial asked.

"The Syndicate." Damon answered.

"When did you find out?" Silas asked.

"A week ago. I almost died." Damon said and all three stood up abruptly the chairs falling off.

"What?!"

Ezekial was the first to pull Damon in his arms and kiss the side of his head.

"Damon, we could've lost you," Ezekial's voice trembled.

"I'm fine. Christian was with me. He sensed something wrong with the car. So we both jumped out and the surely a few seconds later the car exploded." Damon explained.

Ezekial let go of him and then another pair of hands pulled him in, holding him tightly. He could feel the person's heart beating wildly from his back. His soultwin, Malachi.

"D, you can't do this to me, to us. All these years there's been no one but us. How do you think we would survive if anything had to happen to you?" Will sounded vulnerable and Damon hated himself for being the reason of it.

"I'm sorry Kai. I was in shock. I couldn't just process it. I would've let Chris explain it to you, but I know you'd be all worried just like now and would want me close, so I thought it was for the best for me being the one to inform you all." Damon explained and he felt his skin scald with the hot tears.

"Kai, I'm so sorry. Please, please don't cry." Damon pleaded as he gently pushed him back.

Yes, these were the same men who'd raze the world to the ground for each other and to keep their people, the friends, their own mafia safe.

But when it was just the four of them, they'd let themselves be vulnerable and cry like babies. They did have hearts after all.

"I'm so fucking sorry. I was in shock myself. I couldn't believe it. The note we found is still under my pillow on my bed. I was more shocked than scared." He tried to apologise.

"Zeke, can you hug Kai for me please, will you? I need to hug my best friend to know he's really alive here. But I can't pull him off Kai." Silas spoke softly and Ezekial nodded.

"Kai, hey buddy, come here." Ezekial spoke and then pulled him into his arms while Silas roughly pulled Damon in his arms.

"Don't you dare pull a shit like this, Damon. We've could've fucking lost you and we'd have no idea. We promised to share everything. There's no us without any one of us present. You die, we all die. You bastard." Silas spat, but he wasn't angry, just scared.

"I'm sorry Silas. I'm so sorry. I'm so fucking sorry. Please, please try to understand me. I haven't been sleeping the nights for a week now and it's true. As I was punching just now, I decided it's high time. United, nobody can fuck us. But if we're divided, we will surely. And that's what they were trying to do. Somebody must have figured it out that we're stronger when we fight together. Hence, the car explosion to take me out. Knowing well, it would drive you crazy and make you vulnerable." Damon explained and Silas held him more tight.

"I love you, all three of you. And just like Kai said, how would we survive if anything were to happen to you? So we stay together, we stay strong. All these years, we've been the only ones for each of us. We know each other inside out like a book. We can't let some stupid assassin to break us now. And the Syndicate? I have a plan for them. For now, let's go back and sleep." Silas spoke and all agreed.

"Should we sleep together like we used to while we were still teenagers? It'd be fun." Damon asked and Kai scoffed.

"No thanks, because we won't sleep and you'd only bore us three to death. And I, for one, need my beauty sleep." And all started laughing.

But then they heard the crash. And all three ran out. They all had their guns pointed and walked slowly.

"H-help me." They heard a whimper.

"Heard that?" Ezekial asked and others agreed with a nod.

"H-help." The voice came again and they heard it more clearly.

Silas flicked on the lights and they saw a man covered in blood on the floor. The man saw them as well. He tried to get up, but he was too weak, so sat himself against the wall.

All four of them crouched in front of him. The doors opened and at least 30 guards rushed in with their guns pointed at the man.

"Drop your guns." Ezekial ordered and the men obeyed.

"S-save me, please." The man spoke looking at the four with an emotion that made their hearts tremble.

Their years long friendship helped them to understand each other even without saying a word. The four of them exchanged glances and they knew all of them felt the same thing.

"Who are you?" Damon asked and his eyes dropped to the bleeding abdomen.

"You've been shot. How many?" Damon asked and the man smiled.

"Probably four." He replied and Damon's eyez went wide.

He immediately took out his phone and texted someone and then pocketed his phone.

"I-I'm a well wisher. N-no harm. Promise. The Syndicate has put a hit on all four of you. But I'm glad you survived Damon. Or it wouldn't be good for them." The man coughed blood, and the four friends felt their hearts being crushed.

"Keep your guards up all the time. Watch your back all the time for the next few days." The man said and he started slipping.

"Fuck, let's take him to the medic bay. Christian is here already and ready for us." Damon spoke and Ezekial lifted the man bridal style.

"Thank you, Vipers." The man whispered and was out.

"He's out, hurry." Ezekial yelled and they rushed out to the medic bay which was on the west wing.

But Kai who was quiet, had noticed something.

The man knew Damon's accident. He knew it was Syndicate. And said it wouldn't be good for the Syndicate if Damon had to die or get injured. He said the hits were put out on all four of them.

How did he know so much? But that's not what shocked him.

The man had entered their mansion, and not even a single guard had seen him, nor had any of the security alarms gone off.

But for now, he would keep an eye. The man looked okay, but he wouldn't trust him just yet, injured or not. With the four of them, trust never came easily. And that's how they had built up this whole Vipers Mafia and the empire.

Third Pov-

Morning came sooner than expected. But there was something weirdly creepy about the morning. It was quiet, calm, and felt like a foreboding of something, yet it wasn't.

In the early hours of the morning, Christian, the Mafia doctor had managed to take out 4 bullets from the man's body and stitched him up. There weren't any major injures except for a huge scar running down his chest.

The four men had just fallen asleep. The doctor was nowhere to be seen. The guards were doing their routine checks.

The man had woken up earlier than expected. His eyes fluttered open and the sight he saw warmed his heart.

It didn't seem right to call them his, yet, he wondered what it would be like if they were his and him, theirs.

He slowly got out of the bed and went to each men, standing in front of them but not close. He stood there silently taking in their tired faces and not to mention, the conversation he had heard yesterday, the vulnerability in their voices, the fear of losing each other.

He silently promised them that they won't ever lose each other. He would keep protecting them always just like he'd been doing for the last five years.

He silently took off his mask and lay it on the bed. He signed his name on a piece on paper and then with one look at all of them, he left.

'Shadow'

Malachi was the first one to wake up. He panicked when he saw the bed was empty. He quickly pressed the emergency button and the alarms went off.

All the other three woke up and had their guns out instantly.

"He's gone." Malachi spoke and pointed to the empty bed.

But Damon noticed something. He walked to the bed and his eyes went wide.

"Boys," he called and his voice had never been so low to send a chill down everybody's spines.

They all gathered close to the bed, even Christian and the other guards were there.

"Fuck!" They all cursed collectively.

"He was Shadow?And we saved him, I treated him. What an irony?!" Christian questioned unable to believe himself that he's just treated the man sent to kill the four of his bosses and best friends.

"Chris, don't blame yourself. You wouldn't have known. We didn't know either. Nobody would've known." Damon tried to assure him.

"I have something to say." Malachi spoke up and all heads snapped to him.

"What is it?" Ezekial asked him.

"I noticed a few things when he spoke. He knew about the accident with Damon. He said he was glad Damon was safe or it would be a problem. He said the Syndicate had put a hit on all four of us. And he asked us to watch our backs for a few days." Malachi explained.

"Boss, you mean to say, that Shadow came for Damon, and there's still people out there who might come for the three of you?" One of the guards asked and Malachi nodded.

"Yes, exactly. Also, how did he pass the security? No cameras caught him coming in? No one saw him? Not even one person? How did our security alarms not go off, even if he got though the guards? Doesn't it seem creepy?" Malachi kept questioning his doubts and everybody started feeling anxious.

"He knows every entry and exit, that's how he escaped. He knows the blindspots. He knew the codes to enter the mansion. But if he was assigned to kill, why'd he come to injured? Four bullets? How? The very name made me uable to sleep for a week. And there he was in front of us, so vulnerable, defenseless, asking for help." Damon spoke, but no one answered.

"I have a question Boss." Another one of the guards spoke up.

"Yes, go on. We all are here for a reason. Speak up." Ezekial asked the guard to speak.

"He could've just left you know. Why'd he leave the mask and also identify himself? Do you think he did it for some reason? Like maybe he wants us to know that he's on our side and not the Syndicate's?" The guard spoke and all the four men exchanged glances.

They all had felt something last night. It was genuine and raw. Even now they could tell there was a lot more to it.

But before they could answer, the door swung open and one of the men of the intels team came in breathing hard.

"Boss, the Syndicate." He huffed and bent over to catch his breath.

"Take your time and breathe Larsen." Silas spoke in his growly voice.

"Boss, one of our spies in the Syndicate just came back. The members of the Syndicate were all killed very brutally, and the building was set on fire last night. Outside the mansion, they found this." Larsen handed the packet to them.

Silas carefully opened it. And all eyes went wide. There was a black rose and a card which read,

"***No one can touch what's mine- Shadow***"

"This is so confusing. So the bullets were from-" Christian asked, but was cut short.

"From when he attacked the Syndicate yesterday. But why? And what's with the note?" Malachi questioned.

"Does it mean us? That can't be true right? Is he like an obsessive lover? And what's his? Nope, it doesn't sound like what Shadow would do." Damon was the one to speak.

Little did they know, that their little lover was listening to them and smiling.

"Nope, I'm not an obsessive lover and it definitely doesn't sound like what I would do. One thing's right though. You all are mine. But I wish to be owned by you and be claimed as yours." The man said with a sigh.

SHADOW-

Well, hello there. My name is, well, that's not the point there. For now, just like everyone, you call me Shadow.

Why Shadow?

Because I follow closely like an inseparable shadow, I'm always there, but you won't see me unless it time.

I didn't really grow up in a good environment. Home - is a word that felt like a curse to me, until I left there and started fending for myself.

I did odd jobs and earned money. I worked at a hotel and did all jobs there on a condition they provide me a roof and food. The owner was an old lady, and she liked my work, therefore it wasn't a problem.

Some people troubled her for money and stuff. One day when I saw them literally slapping her, my blood boiled. She was like a mother I never had.

So I did, what I could. I was taking boxing lessons along with mixed martial arts and taekwondo. It took me less than 8 months to get a black belt in both. I fought underground and soon became unbeatable. I fought men twice my size and weight, so a few goons were nothing.

I rushed and kicked all five of them on their asses. Broke their wrists, ankles and probably a few ribs too. But that day onwards no one showed up and the old lady thanked me.

Five months later, she passed away in her sleep. I was broken and shattered. The only person who gave me warmth of a mother and a home, was gone. She left her small hotel and the run down house for me in her will. I couldn't be more grateful.

I knew how to cook, so I hired a few people and renovated the hotel and named it after her.

Rosa's Kitchen

She'd be proud of me, I know. I even renovated the house. Didn't build a new one. Because it had memories. So I just renovated. It was cozy that way. Soon, her smell, her warmth all dissipated as if she never existed and it hurt a lot.

I slept in her bed for months after she left. It was getting hard to accept her loss. So I decided to visit her grave and whine about it to her.

Little did I know that day would change my life forever.

As I sat by her grave talking to her, I saw a few men step out of the car and go around. Then another car came and they had four men who were bound and blindfolded.

Injustice and harming innocents never sat with me. I had to help those four men. So I followed the men and came across an abandoned warehouse.

I sneaked in quietly and no one even noticed. I observed for a while and then put my mask on, which I always had on with me. Soon I took down all those men who were guarding the whole warehouse.

Fools. Annoyingly illiterate fools. It wasn't really fun, but hey, I couldn't blame their lame fighting abilities. They all carried guns though. I didn't know much about the guns, but I knew to fire one if needed.

When I started underground boxing and started winning, my boss, Fredco, a man in his early 50s, told me to follow him one day.

He brought me to a shooting range and taught me to shoot. I was confused, but then he told me how he had heard some people talk about using methods that brought shivers to my spine to bring me down. He said he always wanted a son, and I was a son to him. He was also a father figure to me. I respected alot. Hence I learned.

Back to our story, I hung a gun around my shoulder and took three shotguns and stuck them in my waist and shoes, keeping one in my hand. All were loaded, so no problem.

Soon I chose a spot from where I could see everyone, but no one would be able to see me. I was quick and very discrete.

Soon I began shooting everyone in sight. I made sure the four men didn't get hurt. When everyone was down, I quickly ran and held a gun to one of the four men's head.

"Now, I've saved you. But I don't want you to know who I am. It could cause me my life. I will undo your hands and you can undo your blindfolds yourselves. Is that okay?" I asked keeping my voice low.

"Fine." They answered.

"Great, once you get out, follow the bodies, you will come across the graveyard, a cemetry to be specific. There's a car there and the keys are to your right on the table. You are in North Carolina of that helps. You are in the city. But if you go drive a 50kms to South, you will find a gas station along with a motel besides it to reside if you want. Another 50kms ahead and you will find the airport. Once you reach the motel, ask for the Reaper. Once the man meet you, recite this phrase to him.

You reap what you sow and I'm here to collect what's mine.

He will help you with whatever you need. Money, food, clothes, passport, tickets, cars, weapons, anything. Don't try to probe him, he will kill you. Don't try to ask him about me, he will still kill you. Now Run!" I ordered and cut loose the ropes that tied their hands.

I quickly hid myself and watched them.

"He's young and bold." Said one.

"And fast." Said another.

"Like a shadow." Said the third.

"Right." Said the last one.

Little did they know that they indirectly named me that day.

I soon found out everything about them. They were Vipers Mafia leaders. I was thrilled and shocked. Not scared. I loved hacking and stuff so I managed to hack into their system and cameras. I saw them and heard them.

But I never obsessed over them. Never heard anything important. But soon I started doing it. Because I realised, someone who was thier closest man, was betraying them.

I trained harder and harder as days went by and made a name for myself.

Shadow.

People started fearing my name. And I liked it. Just imagine getting killed and not even knowing who killed you. How bad!

Well, I was a shadow. I was meant to be in the dark and not the light.

So I decided to take downt the man. But then I had a very good idea.

I sent them a mail and became their 'Messenger'. I told them about the possible attacks and raids and if anyone was betraying them.

Oh the way they tortured that man and then played with him till he died, was so satisfying. I realised they were all very close to each. They were family and I yearned for it.

I don't know when but I started falling for them. All of them. Weird. I KNOW. I couldn't help it. I never intended on harming them though. Yes, occassionally they fucked around, but I realised it was just to relieve the tension.

But the next day I would kill the person who they were with. Of-fucking-course I was jealous.

I would see them getting close to make out with each other but they never did till that one day. They all escaped an very dangerous accident. It was probably in the heat of the moment. But after that they were all back to their usual. Nothing changed between them, but yes, they became more stronger and closer. And I felt happy for them.

Seeing them happy made my day. And I promised myself that I'd protect those smiles always.

Which now brings us to today. As usual, my day began. But around mid-day my computer pinged, indicating I had a mission to finish.

But when I read it, my blood boiled.

"How dare they?!" I yelled pulling at my hairs.

"Fine, I will make you regret for even thinking of hurting those who are mine." I gritted, my jaw clenched tight.

I replied it will be done and then started getting ready for the job. But soon I saw image popping up and it was of a man tampering with the car that belonged to Damon.

My eyes went wide. I quickly sent a note through of one my who had filtrated in the Vipers and asked him to plant it in Damon's room hoping he will see it.

But maybe it was fate. And he never went to his room. I smashed the glass in my hand against the wall when I saw him enter the car along with another man.

I hacked into the car's camera. I could hear what they are saying and watch them.

"Damon, something is wrong. I've been having this weird feeling ever since we sat in the car. Like someone's waiting for us to get in the car and then do something." The man, whom I researched and found out was named Christian and a doctor. Also a good friend of them.

"Fine, one count of three, let's jump out of the car." Damon agreed without even hesistating.

Good Damon. Your friend is right and thanks for listening to him.

Soon they jumped out of the car and not even seconds later, the car blasted.

My whole body was trembling with anger. Thinking of various scenarios. Thinking how Damon and his friend would die today. How heartbroken and vulnerable the other three would be.. I wasn't ready to lose either of them. I loved them all in my own weird way.

I longed for them. But I knew I didn't deserve them. They were far beyond my league. So all I could do was watch over them behind a camera and protect them by being in the dark.

My heart ached so bad and I wanted to hold him in my arms and tell him, it'll be all fine. But I hated how I couldn't do anything. I hated how helpless I felt.

A week later-

It's been a week since Damon hasn't been sleeping. I know he saw the note.

I was Shadow. I was coming for them. But not to hurt them, rather save them.

Seeing him shocked and scared, made me feel anger and things I knew I shouldn't feel.

But today is the last day. Because today, all the Syndicate members are gathering together to celebrate the death of the Vipers Leaders.

Nice, I can kill all of you in one place. Saves me time and energy.

I had found out whom the other hits were sent to. It wasn't just me. But who cares. I know I will kill them all. Including the ones who've been asked to kill the men I love so dearly.

I left exactly at 8pm in the evening. It was dark and exactly how I needed.

It was a masquerade party.

What a bunch of fucking fools!

I got in easily. Of course killed a man and stole his invitation. I mixed with the crowd and soon added a sleeping drug to all the water and food provided.

Then I secretly sent a message to the leaders telling them something is wrong and hide themselves in the basement, till I clear out the enemies.

Once they left, I asked a few of my men to start waking up the people and move them out.

Then I went down to the basement. Of course all fuckers were in one place. I switched off the lights and the started killing everyone. I had trained for years now, and my vision was more than okay in the dark.

Some fucker had to shoot at me. And guess what, I got four bullets in me.

Two in my abdomen, one on my hand, one on my leg.

The things I do for you, my loves.

After I made sure that all were dead, I left the place. My men made sure to fill up the mansion with kerosene.

I left a black rose with a note just outside the mansion.

No one can touch what's mine- Shadow

Currently, I am in their mansion. How I got in? Well, I have people for that. The ones who protect them when I can't show up. Normally I'm the one to do everything.

And then I hear the other three- Ezekial, Silas and Mikhail confronting Damon.

I hear them talk but I can't see them. And it's okay. It made me realise how vulnerable they were in this moment which they only be when they are themselves.

I decided to warn them and pushed the vase down. It crashed and soon I heard footsteps.

"H-help me," I whimpered, for the first time.

Just one of them heard me.. I asked for help again and this time the lights werw flicked on.

I mananged to sit up against the wall. They walked towards me and crouched.

*Thank you for being alive*.

I said mentally looking at Damon and then at others. Ezekial ordered his men to drop their guns. They exchanged glances and an emotion flickered in their eyes for a moment, but they masked it all.

I told I'm a well-wisher and I meant no harm. I told Damon I was glad he was fine. Also asked them to watch their backs for a few days. Because I know I won't be able to do my work with the injuries on.

I coughed up blood and their faces morphed into an expression of pain and hurt, but they masked it again.

Mikhail never spoke, but I know he was observing me. Always the cautious one.

Ezekial picked me up and I could smell whiskey and cigar on him. He was warm and how I wished I could be in those arms forever.

A tear made its way down my cheek for the first time in years. And I let it. I let myself be vulnerable and weak in his arms. I loved him. I soon passed out.

I woke up to the smell of disinfectant and a ray of light shining from the window.

I got off quietly and walked to each of them. My heart swelled with warmth, love and pride.

They stayed with me.

No matter what their intentions were. They had stayed and that's what mattered. I took off my mask and left in on the bed. I grabbed a small sticky note and signed my name.

'Shadow'

With one last look at all of them, I decided to leave.

Once I was out, I saw my men waiting for me. I got in the car and we left.

I will see you soon my loves. Just wait for a while more.

I closed my eyes and let it sink in.