Chapter 25 Lies
Tuesday, March 13th. Alexei's office, 1:25 p.m.
Alexei had just returned from a business meeting with one of the many partners in Omsk, a long and stressful one, which had caused him a severe headache. The muscles were super stiff from the tension and the trip. And there he is now, sitting in that chair behind the big desk, after having taken two aspirins, smoking a cigarette and drinking from a glass of old whiskey.
He had done his best to concentrate on the duties at hand and to ensure that his own and the organization's well-being was not compromised. But he couldn't stop thinking for more than two minutes about that Omega who had been devoting several nights to him, irritating and deeply frustrating him. He felt that he was not in his full capacity and he, more than anyone else, knew that this could have serious consequences.
And there was something else... Something that bothered him, something that started to grow in his chest before he could help it and that was the biggest cause of his bad mood. He wanted to think that the attraction between him and Xander was exclusive among them, that both had agreed to establish a relationship, although not sentimental, where there was no integration of third parties.
Even if they hadn't discussed it directly and it wasn't within the conditions Xander set the first night they were together, Alexei didn't find himself thinking about anyone else the same way he did with the Omega. This led to an abysmal, dark jealousy and a sense of possession spreading like a virus inside him.
What if Xander didn't think that way? What if he was with someone else while the Alpha was away? What if it was someone close to him?
Thoughts like that and much worse had been going around in his head without any room for rest. He told himself that he could ask Xander about it, but he wasn't sure how he would react and his feelings, which he didn't even know how to define himself, were already adrift.
All this mental conflict with himself was taking him to the edge of despair, he could not consult to anyone because it had to remain a strict secret, which stressed him even more. Yaakov then bursts into the office and Alexei could kiss him for being a temporary cure for the ills that haunt him.
-Hey, man - He greets him cheerfully while collapsing in the chair in front of him, crossing the legs -. How was your trip?
-I don't want to talk about that shit, Yaakov - with a tone of obvious tiredness and frustration.
-Hey, why? - bending over to put the elbows on the desk -. Did old Luzhin give you trouble again?
-He seems to enjoy my agony. I think he'd be happy if I shot myself right in the temple in front of him. He'd prepare a feast over my dead body - At the words, his cousin's loud laughter floods the huge space, Alexei grimaces as his shrill voice pierces his ears and makes the headache even worse -. Fuck, Yaakov. Will you shut up? - He grunts in anger, putting out the cigarette in the ashtray -. The headache is killing me again.
-I'm sorry, Magnus. But I've come to give you the news - as he settled back into the seat -. I got Xander's brother. It was harder than shit, but I finally found him. My men have him on one of the bases. They had to sedate him, the guy almost changed and tore the necks of two of the subordinates who were trying to control him.
-Are you kidding? - Alexei snorts, seeing him with a half-smile, obviously wanting to make fun of him -. It's a little Margay. Can't your men handle it?
-That's where you're wrong, buddy. He's not a Margay like Xander, he's a white tiger and a pretty strong one. They had to put him on three tranquilizers in total to get him doped. He was out of his mind.
The Alpha is taken by surprise by the information provided. Not only because of the amount of sedative they had to use, but because he doesn't share the same race as Xander. «Maybe they're from different parents, just like Fred and I», he thought, in an attempt to control his latent jealousy.
But there was something that didn't quite work out for him yet, it was like a great black concentration of feelings that had been haunting him since the Omega's request to bring this alleged brother of his.
-Do you still want Xander to see him? - he asks after a few seconds, to which the Alpha simply nods with a thoughtful expression.
Yaakov leans over and with a quick movement snatches the half-empty glass of whiskey and swallows all the liquid in one sip. Alexei looks at him annoyed, receiving a simple shrug and an innocent smile in response. And before he could answer him with the strip of sarcastic comments that would only be the beginning of another one of their many childish fights, the phone rings.
-Magnus - Answers strongly.
-"I need you to come, there's something I need to show you".
-And how the hell do you know...? - the call was suddenly cut off -. What the fuck? - he asked himself quietly, but his cousin managed to hear perfectly.
-What's going on?
-Did you tell Xander I was already here? - with a scowl, ignoring his cousin's question.
-What? No, Magnus. Of course not. Why would I? - while a shocked expression was drawn on his face -. Was he the one who called?
The Alpha only nods before abruptly getting up from the seat and leaving the office, being closely followed by Yaakov. With quick, firm steps they made their way to the work area where, as they entered and turned on the light, they came upon the Omega which was sitting with a sleeping cat on his legs.
-I found him - he says, pointing at one of the monitors.
On the screen, they could see the silhouette of the back of a black van. The image was a little blurry, but the license plate numbers were identified.
-Damn it, Xander. Finally, some good news - Yaakov celebrates, putting the hands on his waist and a satisfied smile on his face -. Do you know whose it is yet?
-Yes, the van is registered to Arman Nikolayev - he moves the fingers over the keyboard quickly, until an image is reflected on another of the monitors -. He is twenty-two years old, was born in Omsk, five foot seven and weighs seventy pounds - he keeps typing quickly as he recounts -. And according to what I could find out, he was working for a man named Mikhail Lavrov three months ago until he suddenly disappeared. I have just passed on to you all the information I managed to collect.
Alexei felt his phone vibrate in his jacket pocket but did not bother to check it. He was very focused on watching the image of the truck and the man on the screens. If his assumption was true, someone had been planning the right moment to try to screw him and the organization, given the professionalism with which they had acted.
This had not been the work of a novice and to his misfortune, many wanted to take his place. Moreover, they were not yet sure whether Abelard Kirchner was involved or whether his sudden flight was due to another reason. At least they were getting somewhere, with the data Xander gathered they could hunt down the owner of the truck and be one step closer to finding out who was behind the whole mess.
-Do you have any idea where he might be found? - Alexei demands after a few seconds of silence, looking at the Omega.
-There is an apartment in his name in Omsk and one here in Moscow, but he has never been seen again - he reveals, stroking Cooky's head -. That van is the only vehicle in his name and he has not been seen driving it either. I checked the police register and he has no record. He hasn't been to any hospital either. He's been careful not to leave any clues or record anything else under his name.
-And someone paid him for it. No one just disappears, maybe he was taken out of the country, or maybe he was killed. Which would be fucking bad for us - Yaakov adds, sighing heavily as he checks his phone.
-We have to start looking for him right away, Yaakov - Alexei orders, with the rough and firm tone that characterizes him -. Put your best men on it - His cousin nods as he begins to move the fingers quickly over the tactile surface of the phone -. Now, you want to tell me how the fuck you knew I was already in The Mansion? - Alexei looks directly into Xander's eyes, frowning so much that his eyebrows almost merge into one -. As far as I know, no one informed you and you hardly ever leave here. So there's only one option left. Isn't that right?
Xander watches him for a few seconds in silence, with no expression on his face. He stops stroking the cat and puts both hands on the armrests of the chair.
-I saw it through the cameras - he finally says, in a low, soft tone.
Yaakov quickly takes his eyes off the mobile phone and stares at him with an astonished expression. Alexei remains in a seemingly imperturbable position, standing, with both hands in the pockets and looking carefully at Xander, who was returning the gesture without hesitation.
-How? - the Alpha asked in a calm and deceptively quiet voice.
-I broke into your system.
-Goddamn it, Xander! - He exploded out of control -. Why the hell did you violate my security again? - crossing the arms over his chest, moving dangerously close to the Omega.
-I didn't intend to do it again, but I heard that improvements had been made and wanted to check it out - Xander confesses, trying to look cool, but inside he was very nervous about Alexei's reaction -. Magnus, if I could get access, three times already with this one, there's something the programmer working for you is doing wrong, don't you think?
The Alpha is quiet again, the words went round and round in his mind and the worst thing is that he knew he was right. If Xander could easily enter that sensitive data, so could anyone else, which worried him immensely. Not only would it put himself at risk, but the organization and his entire life's work, and that was something he was not willing to let happen.
-Are you implying that my programmer is a traitor?
-No, what I'm saying is that if you want to keep security at bay, he has to do much better than that. It took me a lot less time to infiltrate this time than I did the first time. Don't you think it should have been the other way around?
Suddenly, an idea came to his mind, but first he would have to verify all this with Reiji, to make a final decision regarding everything. His headache only increased throughout the day.
-For now, concentrate on seeing if you can get more information on the whereabouts of that son of a bitch or his truck at least. I'll take care of the rest - And without further ado he left the room, taking a quick look over his shoulder and realizing that Yaakov was following him again through the corridors -. What's the matter, Yaakov? - while still walking towards the office -. Is there anything else I need to know?
-Fuck, Magnus. You have to admit that the kid is either very good or Reiji is already rusty - he snorts with mockery, as he struggles to keep up -. Three times in a row he's managed to access the system. Perhaps you should have him teach Reiji a little, just in case you don't want to keep him -. Alexei stops abruptly, causing Yaakov to almost collide with him in the process.
-What the fuck are you talking about? - Turning around and staring at him -. Why should I keep him?
-Hey, easy, Magnus - his cousin's backing out, getting agitated by his sudden reaction, raising the hands in surrender -. I'm just saying it would be to our advantage to continue to rely on Xander's abilities. Come on, the little guy's really good and Reiji doesn't fit the role anymore. Don't you think?
Alexei watches him carefully, trying to decipher from Yaakov's expression whether he was telling the truth or whether he was suspicious of what was going on between him and Xander. After a few seconds, he sighs heavily and nods towards his cousin, returning to his path.
Yaakov, still stunned by what has happened, takes a few moments to pull himself together and resume the pace as far as Alexei's office. Once inside, the Alpha pours himself another glass of whiskey and sits down on the chair, while Yaakov lights a cigarette and sits down in front of him. They both remain in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes.
-So... - Yaakov starts, being cautious, doesn't want to make Alexei even angrier -. What do you want us to do with Xander's brother?
-Bring him in. I assured Xander I'd get him. And we both know I always keep my word, don't we? - lying on the back, sipping the liquor.
-That's right, Magnus. I'll get right on it.
Magnus Mansion. 9:35 p.m.
Alexei had been in his bedroom for a couple of hours, already showered, and allowed himself the luxury of taking a short nap. At last, his headache seemed to slowly subside. Lying in bed on his back, he debated whether or not to go to the meeting with Xander.
Even though he hadn't seen him since Sunday and his mind seemed reluctant to free his thoughts of him, he was annoyed by the audacity he had in infiltrating the security system again without consulting him.
That challenging attitude of Xander's could get him into trouble. He heard the phone ringing on the nightstand, picked it up, and Yaakov's name was on the screen. He slid a finger over the green button and placed the device over his ear.
-What's the matter, Yaakov?
-"Xander's brother is already in The Mansion. Do you want us to get them together now or wait until tomorrow?".
Alexei thought about it for a moment, it was a little late and he was tired. The last thing he wanted was to get out of the state of relaxation he was in and which he so much desired at that moment, but his curiosity to know who the above-mentioned was and to confirm the relationship of the Omega overcame his willpower.
-"Magnus?" - his cousin asked impatiently.
-Take him to Xander's room, but don't go in there. Wait for me outside - and hung up.
With great effort, he rose from the cozy bed and dressed in a black jean and white shirt, something comfortable that could be quickly removed when he returned to the bedroom. He put on some shoes and went outside.
Only a few steps away he could see Yaakov, behind him two of his henchmen holding another man whose head was covered by a black cloth and he was struggling wildly to free himself.
-We'd better hurry - his cousin tells him as soon as the distance between them is reduced -. I've put a collar on him to keep him from changing, but he's still quite aggressive.
The Alpha nods and stands in front of Xander's door, makes three little taps, waiting for the answer. The voice of the Omega on the other side welcomes him, shouting "come in". Everyone enters, Xander is sitting up in his bed and when he sees how many people suddenly burst into his space, he quickly gets up.
His eyes open wide in amazement and he looks at Alexei with a confused expression on his face.
-Yaakov - turning to see his cousin, who was in front of the three men struggling by the door. With a simple movement of his head, the men release the third man and he abruptly pulls the black cloth from his head.
-What the hell, you fucking assholes?! - Derek starts yelling in the direction of the men who were holding him -. Where the fuck am I and who are you?!
-Derek...
Hearing the sweet voice in a small whisper, the other Alpha quickly turns in his direction and his whole body shudders at the sight of Xander standing at the side of the bed, smiling warmly at him.
-Xander? For God's sake! - rushing at him, capturing the Omega in his arms in a strong, protective embrace -. Where the hell were you? Do you have any idea how worried I was about you?
-I'm sorry - Xander sobs, struggling to speak through the strong grip he was under -. A problem came up and I couldn't warn you in time.
-That doesn't matter anymore - separating a little, holding Xander's face in his hands -. The important thing is that you're safe. Damn it, Xander, thank God you're okay - starting to kiss all over his face.
Xander tried to push him away when he felt all the other people's glances in their direction, but the grip was so firm that he couldn't do anything.
-So... Xander - Yaakov clears his throat, feeling a little uncomfortable with the scene and seeing Alexei radiating a state of pure rage from where he was -. Will you introduce us formally to your brother?
-Brother? - Derek wondered, as he released Xander's face and stared at him in amazement -. You told them I'm your brother!?