Chapter 40 Intervention
FREDEK.
-Are you all right?
What? Am I okay? I'm more than okay. God, my body reacts to his touch, as his hands belong to my body. I'm overwhelmed by the amount of sensations I'm feeling and I don't even know this stranger's name.
-Y-yes... - I manage to put both feet on the ground but he keeps holding me with his arm.
-Are you sure? You're shaking a bit - Blessed hell, I didn't even notice the moment my body started to tremble. I can't blame the weather, it's perfectly sunny.
-Yes, I'm fine - I slowly pull away from him, needing the distance to try and calm my heart. It's beating so fast in my chest that I feel like it's going to shoot out and run away to the hills. He smiles at me and, as God's my witness, I almost melt at that sight. But what is happening to me?
-What's your name? I don't have much time here, but I haven't seen you before - which is a disgrace, if you ask me.
-Fredek... My name is Fredek.
-Well, that's a nice name, Fredek - his smile gets wider.
-You can call me Fred, if you like. You know, everyone here knows me by Fred. But you don't have to call me that if you don't want to. I mean, you can call me whatever you want - I start babbling the words so fast that I'm out of breath. I'm so embarrassed that I feel my cheeks warm. And it's even worse when he starts laughing at me.
-Hey, hey. Relax - patting me on the back -. You don't have to be nervous, I won't hurt you. I'm Derek, don't you think our names match? - He extends a hand in my direction and oh, I think he could make other parts of us (our bodies) match -. And I'll call you Fred too, if you don't mind.
I gently shake his hand, the skin is soft to the touch but his grip is firm and secure. My mind suddenly clears when I realize that this is Xander's friend that Alexei was angry with him about, or at least one of the reasons. He's dressed completely in black, the standard uniform of The Mansion's henchmen, but through the sleeves of the jacket, I can see small lines on his skin, suggesting that he has tattoos on his arms.
-Do you work here too? - Release my hand and I immediately miss the touch. What. The. Hell?
-Something like that.
-What do you mean? - There's confusion written all over his face.
-Well, I do work here, but Alexei is my brother - He looks at me for a few seconds in astonishment, but immediately his countenance hardens and he takes a few steps back.
Okay, I'm not an expert at reading people, but I'm sure the simple fact that I mentioned my brother created that hostile aura around him. It seems that, after all, it's not only Alexei who has a problem with him, the feeling seems to be mutual.
-I see - his tone is low and sharp when he answers and I can't help but feel a little intimidated.
-You're Xander's friend - more than a question, I mean it as a statement, immediately his body loses a bit of tenseness.
-Do you know Xander? - His face lights up, coming closer again and holding me by the arm -. How is he? Is he still here at The Mansion?
It hurts a little, not because of the grip on my arm as he's not even applying pressure, but because of the growing interest in referring to Xander. He had told me that there was once something between them, but it was a long time ago and it hasn't happened since. He told me there were no feelings involved, but maybe this Alpha doesn't think that way. I open my mouth to respond, but a voice, which I swear scares the hell out of me, stops me before I can do it.
-Fredek! - my brother's scream comes from the second-floor window, I forgot that his office had a clear view of the backyard -. Get your ass over here right now! - Well, that's convenient. I give him a wave signal that I'm coming.
-Right, I've got to go - I'm freeing myself from the grab and I intend to go back, all under Alexei's watchful eye.
-Wait! - Derek's requesting in a hurry and I stop, looking over my shoulder -. Please tell Xander that I'm fine and... That I love him.
I nod slightly, I don't feel able to answer and I return to my path. Once I enter again the corridors of the gigantic house, I stop to regulate my breathing, I sigh deeply several times until my heart manages to resume its normal rhythm.
Why do I feel hurt? I just met him. I shouldn't feel like he's betrayed me somehow. He and Xander have a history together, long before I ever met them, but maybe it goes deeper than I thought. Removing those thoughts from my mind, I begin to move forward again in the direction of Alexei's office. I quickly climb the stairs and knock on the door to announce myself.
-Come in - I go inside to the huge office. He's sitting in the chair, elbows on the big desk and hands crossed. From his look and the smell in the air, I quickly deduce that he is upset... Again -. Close the door and sit down - I obey without a word. When I do, I prepare for the storm that's about to fall on my head -. What the hell were you talking to Derek Von Kleist about? - I can see that this is going to be a straightforward conversation. I shrug, keeping a calm expression, even though I'm mad inside about the subject with Xander.
-Nothing important.
-Of what, Fredek? You better answer me, I'm not in the mood for bullshit - Is he ever in a good mood?
-I told you, nothing.
-Well, you lasted a good ten minutes talking about nothing at all - says ironically as he pierces me with those eyes. What he doesn't know, is that as the years went by, I became completely immune to it.
-I was walking in the garden and I slipped, so he helped me not to fall and smash my face. I was thanking him. Nothing more, nothing less - I'm sure he gets even more annoyed by the way I answer him, but honestly, at this point, I don't give a shit. He's silent for a few seconds before responding.
-What else did you talk about? - he made sure to keep his voice with apparent disinterest, but I know full well that he's referring to the situation with Xander and I honestly don't feel in the best state of mind to worry about his reaction today.
-You mean if he asked about Xander? - He doesn't move a muscle, and if I wasn't so close to him, I couldn't have noticed how his body tightened up even more.
-Did he? - my brother finally asks, lowering the voice again, but trying to appear uninterested. Failing miserably, in my humble opinion.
-Yes.
-And? - Pushing harder, though I won't indulge him, so I shrug again and don't answer him -. Damn it, Fredek. Stop messing around and speak the fuck up - mumbling.
-What happened between you and Xander? - the silence that settles in the office is almost sepulchral. From the way he's watching me, the man is surprised.
-What do you mean? - leaning against the back of the chair, trying to keep his countenance serene, but I know him so well that I have no trouble deducing that he is holding back -. What do you know about that?
-Everything.
-And what is everything, according to you? - I'm looking at him carefully as I prepare to answer. I'm angry, yes. But I still have a deep respect for my brother and as much as I want to clarify the situation and defend Xander, as the Omega that I am, I don't like being the receptor of an Alpha's rage at all.
-I know about your secret affairs - I say the words so quickly, they spill out babbly of my mouth - I know you've been together several times and I also know that, days ago, you decided to end things suddenly, without giving Xander a chance to defend himself - I stop for a few seconds to take a breath -. I know everything, Alexei. And if you ask me, you could be smarter and not get carried away with anger like you always do.
-How dare you talk to me like that?! - he shouts and slams the desk so hard that I'm amazed it didn't break in half, my whole body shakes, but I stand my ground -. How the fuck did you find out?!
-I just know, that's all I'm telling you - We both watched each other closely during what felt like the most eternal seconds of my life. His chest goes up and down quickly and his eyes have changed to a deep blue, giving me to understand that it's his wolf that is in control now.
-Did Xander told you? - He's a little cooler, but still the rage radiates through his pores -. Or was it Yaakov? - every question is formulated slowly, with a low, grave tone.
-Xander - Fuck, my nerves betrayed me.
-And since when do you and he chat like this?
-For a while now. Lev asks me to bring him breakfast every morning. And before you get further upset, I practically had to beat the truth out of him.
-Even if he was in a torture room, he shouldn't have said a word to you. Enough people know about this, and I don't want anyone else to find out - he pinches the bridge of his nose with a thumb and index finger, closing the eyes tightly -. It's over.
-And why exactly is that? - his eyes open quickly and he looks at me in disbelief.
-That's none of your fucking business, Fredek. What the hell is wrong with you? You've never interfered in my personal affairs before.
-I'm very fond of Xander - I raise a hand to stop him when I see he's going to speak -. And before you get any wrong shit figured out, we're just friends. That's all - he scowls, looking at me in confusion.
-And how can you possibly know if that's what I was going to say?
-Because I also know the bullshit Yaakov told you about Xander. Which is obviously a lie, not to mention the stupidest thing I've ever heard.
-Damn it, Fredek. Don't tell me you went to talk to Yaakov.
-Well, yes, I had to know the reason why Xander's been so sad and why you've been so unbearable.
-You've always been like that, getting into things that don't concern you. Ever since you were a child you've... Wait, what? - Leaning over the seat to watch me more closely.
-What? - I know perfectly well what he means, but I want to give myself the satisfaction of hearing it from his mouth.
-You... You said that... Did you say that Xander is sad? - Wow, I've seen my brother face danger countless times, but this is the first I've seen him hesitate and get agitated.
-Yes, that's what I said - he collapses on the chair, I can finally see his body losing tension and adopting a puzzled expression again -. I know that's what Yaakov told you, and I'm telling you with complete confidence that things with Xander are not, and will not be, that way.
-How can you know that? He doesn't have much time with us, Fredek, and the way he arrived isn't very convincing either.
-Yes, he got here because you ordered the kidnapping and possibly would have arranged to have him eliminated as well. You know as much as I do that he was tricked too - the annoyance leaks out through my voice -. And yes, Xander told me that, before coming here, he wasn't with a definite partner - although hardly. The day he confessed to me, I had told him about my real father, so he felt somehow compelled to share part of his life with me -. But the argument Yaakov used about him being a cat is completely false, Alexei. How on earth did Nikon pair up with Adrik then? He also seems happily willing to kiss the ground Adrik steps on every fucking time. And he's a puma, which puts him in the cat category equally.
-You appear to have quite a lot of faith in that fact.
-I do - I answer without hesitation -. When I realize he was a Margay, I was curious and did some research - I spent a whole afternoon locked in my room, with a laptop on my lap, looking for information -. They are creatures with a deep connection to the forest and they perform better in the night - I could understand then why Xander always prefers to be in the dark -. They appreciate peace and, just like wolves or foxes in my case, when they find their bonded partner, they attach for the rest of their lives.
He is quiet for a while. He opens one of the desk drawers and pulls out a pack of cigarettes. He holds one between two fingers, lights it up and takes a deep inhale.
-Let's say you're right...
-I am - I dare to interrupt him even though I know he might become angrier -. And if you'd taken the trouble to do your own research, you'd know that too.
-But even if I believe you, and it's a big if... - takes another drag of the cigarette again and blows the smoke slowly out of his nose -. What makes you think I could be his partner? - Fuck. I'm really not sure if the words I'm about to say correspond to me, but I love my brother and I really love Xander as well. If it's in my hands that both of them can find together what they've been looking for years, I'll take the risk.
-Because he told me he's in love with you. In fact, he was going to confess to you that very day, but you didn't give him the chance - His eyes open so wide that the eyebrows almost reach the hairline. And I'm sure that, if he had the cigarette between the lips, it would have fallen due to his mouth being so wide open. Obviously, he did not expect such a confession, much less that I would be the bearer of the news.
He turns his gaze away from mine and settles into the seat, I find it hard to define how he feels. Just when I think he's going to answer me, Yaakov bursts into the office without bothering to knock.
-Oh, Fred. I didn't know you were here - he pauses, peeking between me and Alexei, obviously suspecting something, but says nothing -. Magnus, I just got a text from Xander. He says Rocco's headed to Saratov.
-So?- my brother says brusquely.
-Well, he's doing it without being sent by Franchesco. Didn't the kiddo warn you? - Alexei and I watch each other at the same time. We both know exactly why Xander decided to warn Yaakov instead of him.
-We'd better go and see what it's going on - he gets up from and Yaakov and I follow him out of the office. I probably shouldn't be with them, but I don't want Xander to feel cornered by the presence of both Alphas and I imagine Alexei feels the same way, since he doesn't say anything when he notices I'm behind them.
When we arrive at Xander's workroom, Alexei opens the door and turns on the light. The three of us go inside and I immediately notice how Xander is tense, although he makes a great effort to look calm.
-Tell us what's going on, Xander - Yaakov requests, standing to his right, watching the monitors. I stay near the door while Alexei stands behind Xander with arms crossed on the chest.
-Rocco left the house without telling Franchesco, he's arriving in Saratov right now - he mumbles excitedly, but I can tell he's nervous.
-Do you have any idea what for?
-Before leaving he got a call. I could see him on the cameras, but the angle wasn't close enough to know for sure what he was saying.
-Is he alone? - My brother's demanding and Xander's shaking, but he recovers quickly.
-Yes, Mr. Magnus - and just like that, the atmosphere becomes completely silent.
We're all watching the monitors while Xander manipulates the keyboard and shifts the focus of the cameras to keep an eye on Rocco's vehicle. I can't help but be terribly uncomfortable with the heavy environment we're in, but I imagine it's three times worse for Xander.
I just hope I've convinced Alexei and that he's capable of solving everything. After ten minutes of watching, still in absolute silence, Rocco's vehicle navigates the streets of Saratov, he finally stops in front of a restaurant called "Soho".
-Oh, I know that place - Yaakov adds with joy -. The barbecue is really good - as if anyone here really cares about that right now. Rocco gets out of the car and goes to the restaurant, we lose sight of him once he enters the premises.
-Are there cameras inside the place? - Magnus is insisting and I really want to punch him in the nose and make him bleed.
Xander just nods, moving the fingers nimbly around the keyboard. A few seconds later, we are appreciating the interior of the restaurant and Rocco is moving quickly through the tables. He stops at the one located at the back, right next to the door of the restaurant's kitchen, and the person sitting there, waiting for him, takes us all by surprise.
-Holy shit, is that...? - Yaakov hesitates.
-Goddamn it, I knew it! - my brother screams, wandering around the room like a caged lion. Yaakov and I observe him until he stops abruptly. I can't help but wonder, until I notice... A strong smell of fear has just spread through the air.
The three of us stare at each other until our attention automatically falls on Xander, who is now standing, watching in horror the image on the monitor, shaking violently and with thick tears running down his cheeks.
-Xander? - I approach with caution.
-No... - whispers with terror -. It can't be... - his staggering voice and if we weren't so close, I doubt that we would be able to hear him -. No... Not again.
It's the last thing he says before his body falls inert to the ground.