Tsk! I didn't want blood shed but he brought it upon us. It's just a mere somebody, he could have let me take the guy then ask me to owe him one. In his shoes, I'd have done that then investigate on cause and effect, store it and use it later to my advantage.
-Found him boss, going underground.
Ah! Looks like I didn't have to sound this one out.
"It was foolish of him to send you."
"Who?"
I'd thought he was talking about Blane's dad, he was talking about his grandpa.
-Clean this up!
-Yes boss...the young master?
-Send him home
A little gift for not killing Arachner. I looked at the text I'd gotten before we arrived. I'd knowingly gotten into this mess because that guy had had knowledge on my brother.
"What is it?"
"Looks like we need to talk to yellow"
"He's messy and you know it."
"Either that or Arachner begins looking over his shoulder."
"We can mess a thing or two, keep him busy."
True, at his deathbed, the most he was doing was making sure everything was in order for the generations to come, but that didn't mean he wouldn't mess with others for fun. Something like someone's head for the head seat. This was the reason I didn't want them in on this shit. I shouldn't have brought Blane over as well.
"You talked to Rashid?"
"He'll be here by next week."
It would be better if he didn't come. For some reason they always targeted him. But if he was around, it meant the forces would be concentrated at one place. Just had to find a way to get Barnard home.
Plans can be made, but a damn baby can't always stay intact...and I needed to be there, Blane wanted to see the little kid as well. Quint says he has never seen a new born, I know, me too. I'd never thought about it but if someone had asked before, I'd have said he has. When he talked about it I thought of him delivering a kid and nodded, looks the part as well.
"Whatever you're thinking about could get you killed."
"He wouldn't dare."
But he'd think about it, so better not say it out loud.
"You can't leave now, we have an auction to prepare for."
"An auction?"
"And you can do it just fine. Rashid was there during the delivery, he's on a plane now, i need to go so Quint stays and keeps appearances."
I'll just go then come back...or pretend, about what? I could also let Quint go with Blane, they just had to make sure they didn't let my parents know a thing about where I was.
Paula's two brothers were there already, me being there would have been ideal but now...
"Blane, you'll go with Quint."
"What? why?"
"You hate me that much?"
"I don't hate you, we just aren't close."
"This will make us close, Riley needs to be here or else things could go south fast, that old man is sick...again and for some reason each time he is he calls me so one way or the next I need to go back."
"Fine!"
"We need to talk Quint!"
"I'll go. I don't care much about him or anything but I need to go or else I could blame myself."
Which means he hadn't pushed it away. Maybe kept it so it wouldn't affect his day to day but he was thinking if it. I would too if someone hurts people I care about. Either do away with them or smile and pretend until you have enough arsenal on your side to deal great damage to them.
I have enough to convict that guy, but for some reason, Quint just wants him to admit to killing his parents. Would you admit to killing someone if it meant you would lose everything?
**********
Since we met, this isn't the first time we haven't been together for a while, but it was the first time I was the one leaving him behind and I was already missing him. Paula and I talk a lot, she was the one who called me saying she was going into labour. I'd wanted to be there for her then, she might have also wanted me there.
"Don't worry too much about things."
"I am not worried, I just wish it was a better time is all."
When we both were available. I am sure Paula would have been happy to see him there, he was her younger brother now. She had always talked about having those but only had younger sisters and older brothers.
"Want to get something, flowers or a gift?"
"We already had one prepared."
The first time she'd been sent to hospital because of some complications, we'd gone shopping. We just needed a detour to the house and get that suitcase.
He drives fast, I've never been driven by him and it was a whole difference from Riley.
"He's faster."
"What?"
"Riley is faster than I am. It's just that he said right now he has something to live for so he gets a sixty.
Back then he was more daring. He'd get into fights, get into competitions, add tattoo over scars just to recall the feeling."
I looked at his arms covered in tattoos, same way Riley's body was littered in them, but not as much as Quint's.
"Did you ever fall for him?"
He chuckled as he swerved the car and I held on for dear life. Maybe I shouldn't have asked while he was driving.
"To tell you the truth, all of us have at some point."
He parked at the side of the road sighed before turning to look at me.
"He was my knight, helped me out of a family mess, invited me unconditionally to his home, always stood by me. After a while I realized I liked him.
But then he never took me as anything more so I buried them till they were gone. Right now thinking back, I think I just took him as my everything. I didn't really love him, maybe a tiny crush is all."
"You still behave like he's your everything."
"Got used to it, but don't worry, I am working on that."
Another place he took me to that I'd never been was his house. Rashid's presence was all over, the walls, the corners, each room. I think I also know one person who will have it rough once Rashid announces he's seeing someone. Damn, this must be tough for him.
"This room is..."
"Riley's, if you didn't know he sleeps anywhere, or used to. We also do the same. I used to have a room in his house, don't know if it's still there."
"It is. Nicole sleeps in the other room when she comes over but your and Rashid's room is intact."
"You don't mind?"
"You are brothers, you'll be around even when we grow old, if your promises are kept so isn't it better to take it in and pray for you to get a boyfriend..."
"I am not really gay."
"That's a lie. Though I might not know precisely but I am sure you are gay."
I've run through the stuff at the house before and looking at how he let's Rashid's presence cover everything, he likes the soft type, saw the way he'd looked at Taffy before. Soft and fierce when provoked, these brothers really have a type huh!
"If you ever like someone, don't let them go. Even if you think it's not right, snatch him up. If you think it's hard to do it just come and tell me, we'll work things out."
"You..."
"You let go twice, if you let go one last time, it'll be a done deal."
"Not twice but I hear you, I'll tell you once I realize I have feelings for someone else. Let you work it for me."
"Good!"