Chapter 63: Smooth

He froze for half a second.

Then the murderous hostility that had practically been screaming, I’m going to kill every one of these bastards, deflated like a punctured balloon.

In its place came an almost embarrassingly satisfied sense of triumph.

His chest puffed out even farther. The arm around May tightened possessively.

He raised his chin and gave Theo a look that clearly said, At least you know when to be sensible.

He still didn’t completely trust them, but hearing that title had undeniably put him in a much better mood.

"Ahem." Ray cleared his throat, pretending to remain stern. "Enough. Stop standing around here. Mitch, if you point that gun at me again, I’ll break your hand."

Still holding the slightly dazed May, he turned and headed toward a sheltered corner of the passage.

Watching Ray walk away with that smug, satisfied expression, Mitch was practically trembling with rage.

He had just opened his mouth to curse when Theo grabbed him and dragged him into the shadows beside the passage.

Ace, Jack, and Alex followed.

"Theo, why the hell did you drag me over here? Did you see that bastard’s face? He’s practically walking on air! I swear I’m going to—"

"Going to what?" Theo cut him off coldly. He looked over the other men, all of whom seemed ready to explode from frustration.

"What did I just tell you? Do you want us to reach the point where we can’t even get near her anymore?"

Mitch immediately fell silent.

"I already told you. Trying to take something by force is the lowest-level strategy."

Theo’s voice was quiet, but every word struck home.

"He’s stubborn. The more directly you challenge him, the more fiercely he’ll guard what he considers his."

Ace narrowed his beautiful eyes, idly spinning a surgical knife between his fingers.

"So you mean...?"

"Call her Sister-in-law and make him lower his guard." A cold smile curved across Theo’s lips. "He’ll think we’ve accepted the situation, so he’ll stop watching us so closely. Then, behind his back... we compete on equal terms."

The realization hit the others almost simultaneously. Their earlier frustration transformed into understanding.

Then came excitement.

Exactly!

"Holy shit! Theo, you’re a genius!" Mitch slapped his thigh in realization. "How the hell did I not think of that? We call her Sister-in-law to his face, then secretly try to steal her away!"

"That’s what I call ’Sister-in-law strategy.’" Alex licked his lips, excitement shining in his innocent puppy-like eyes. "I get it now. From here on out, we’re all family. And family members are obviously supposed to ’help each other.’"

After their conspiratorial whispering session, the men looked toward Ray’s back again.

Their expressions had completely changed––it was no longer simple jealousy or anger. Now there was calculation, scheming, and an almost feverish determination in their eyes.

Ray, meanwhile, remained completely oblivious. He was busy giving May instructions.

"There’s an abandoned repair shop ahead. I’m going to see if I can find some engine parts. You stay here."

His brows remained tightly drawn, his expression making it obvious that he still wasn’t entirely comfortable leaving her behind.

"Remember. Protect your..." He paused. "Sister-in-law."

Even saying the last two words made him feel strangely pleased.

"Got it, Ray!" Mitch was the first to answer, his voice loud and his attitude remarkably serious.

Ray gave him a suspicious grunt but nodded anyway.

He reached over, lightly pinched May’s cheek, then finally headed off, looking back several times before disappearing around the bend.

The moment he was out of sight, Theo picked up his medical kit and calmly approached May.

She was curled up against the wall beneath the military coat. When she saw him coming, she instinctively shifted backward.

"Don’t move." Theo crouched in front of her and opened the medical kit. "You were frightened earlier. Your heart rate is elevated, and that could trigger stress-induced palpitations. I need to examine you."

Before she could refuse, Theo’s long fingers had already reached toward her.

He didn’t take her wrist. Instead, his hand slipped directly through the open collar of her military coat.

Cold.

That was May’s first thought.

Her entire body went rigid. Theo’s fingers settled precisely over her rapidly beating heart. Through the thin fabric of her shirt, he could clearly feel every strong, hurried beat.

He lowered his head, moving close enough that his warm breath brushed repeatedly across her collarbone.

That cool, faintly intoxicating scent of his drifted into her senses.

"Sister-in-law." His voice was deep and strangely hypnotic as it sounded beside her ear. "Don’t be nervous. Your heart is beating too fast. Relax and follow my breathing..."

May’s legs nearly gave out.

This wasn’t an examination... It felt like a deliberate attempt to drive her crazy. She could feel the pad of his finger moving slowly in small circles over her chest.

Her mind went completely blank.

Instead of slowing, her heartbeat became even more frantic, pounding like a drum.

[Ding! Synchronized heartbeat detected between Host and target Theo. Host’s heart rate has exceeded the normal range. Special item awarded: ’True Silk-Smooth, Hydrating, Touch-Me-Anywhere Hand Cream’ ×1.]

Mitch and Alex stared at the scene in complete disbelief.

They had just witnessed the most shameless maneuver imaginable disguised behind the most professional excuse.

Mitch’s mouth hung open, and he nearly lost his grip on his pistol.

Alex’s innocent puppy eyes widened.

Shock filled them. And, mixed in with that shock, there was a tiny spark of admiration. They finally understood exactly what Theo meant by his so-called "stealing-the-wife" strategy.

Damn. That man was smooth.

Half an hour later...

"Clang!"

A heavy bag filled with truck engine components, still carrying the strong smell of motor oil, landed on the concrete floor of the passage.

Ray strode back inside, covered in snow. A thin layer of frost had formed along the collar of his military coat.

He sniffed once. His brows immediately drew together.

The bunker had previously smelled only of damp earth and mildew.

Now, however, there was a strange, sweet fragrance hanging in the air, mixed with the faintest trace of cosmetics.

His eyes swept across the passage.

Mitch stood with his hands behind his back, whistling. The tune was painfully uneven, and his gaze kept darting everywhere except toward Ray.

Alex had his head tilted back, staring intently at the ceiling as though flowers had suddenly started growing from the cracked concrete.

Theo was crouched in front of May, calmly wiping the back of his hand with a white handkerchief.

Ray narrowed his eyes.

"What are you all doing?"