Chapter Twenty: Define The Relationship

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{Nico}

Eli.
Mikhail's safety.
Max's uncle.
Sera's possible betrayal
Recent murders.
F.B.I. Involvement.
Private investigators.

They weren't in any specific order but they were all the current topics circling round in my mind. Yesterday I had spent almost the entire day at George's house talking with Frederik and Junky on how we would get proof that Eli was behind all the Mafia murders.

I went home in the afternoon to get ready for the Christmas party Naomi forced my father to throw every year for her. It was a completely pointless party but she just wanted an excuse to dress up in the most expensive jewelry and clothes so she could show off. I had spent most of the party with Max in his room since the party wasn't anything that would improve my image with potential business partners. I let Sera handle everyone who wanted to talk to me. It was all going to be some kind of bullshit offer or marriage proposal after all. Nothing I was even remotely interested in.

Junky gave me several numbers to contact yesterday before I left George's house. He gave me his cell phone number, Frederik's, and also the number to their office. Before I could could strongly oppose, he said that I didn't need to ever call them but they were more for their peace of mind than mine. That, by me having those numbers, we would have a 'stronger' opportunity of catching Eli red handed. Since I didn't feel like arguing I just took the numbers and slipped the paper into my pocket.

I was laying down on my bed in deep thought. I wondered if this was the right way to do things. Working behind the scenes with some private investigators that are currently contracted by the F.B.I., It didn't seem like they would turn on me at first but I was certain that if the F.B.I. told them to check up on our activity, they would. It's not like they had any reason to protect the Delacroix name. They didn't owe us anything. I was in a tough situation but I was going to have to stand by my decision a hundred percent on this one. I didn't have time to feel regret.

I sighed out loud and then sat up. I looked towards my jacket that was on the floor. I bit my lip softly and stood up reluctantly. I grabbed the jacket off the floor and took out the slip of paper with the phone numbers on it. I grabbed my phone and sat back on the bed. I began transferring the numbers onto my phone. It didn't hurt to have a bit of reinforcements just a phone call away. I wasn't confident enough to deal with Eli by myself.

With the numbers all safely inside my phone as Junky, Winter, and I disguised the Private Investigator's office number as Peter Inoue just to be safe. The last thing I needed was anyone in the Mafia finding out that I was in contact with these people. I often used code names for half the people inside my phone anyways. Honestly, it was a risk for me to even have their numbers but I knew it would help me later to have them saved.

My phone buzzed and made me jump slightly. I calmed down and checked my phone. It was a message from Mikhail asking if I was still meeting him. I sent a message back and said that I was on my way.

I stood up and stuffed my phone into my pocket. I grabbed a different jacket and put it on. I held on to the paper with the phone numbers and walked over to the sink with my lighter in the other hand. Holding onto the corner of the paper, I turned on the lighter and burned it. I watched as the flames left no evidence of the numbers. I turned on the water and let the ashes fall into the drains. I couldn't afford for those to get into the wrong hands. Stuffing my lighter into my pocket I looked up and checked my hair in the reflection. I nodded once and headed out to check on Max before I left.

I walked down the hall and knocked on his door. He refused to stay inside the recovery room so I had him moved into his room. I wouldn't have heard the end of it if I hadn't.

"It's open!" I heard Max's muffled voice from the other side of the door.

"You're up early." I said as I opened the door, "Couldn't sleep?"

"Everything hurts." He said trying to smile but it looked pained. He was making his best efforts to smile but how he truly felt was seen through his eyes. It was obvious as I stared at him that he had been crying.

I walked over to his bed and looked down at him with a small smile. I pushed his hair off of his forehead and leaned down, placing a kiss on his head. "He hasn't called you, has he?" I asked.

Max seemed surprised that I had kissed his head but smiled softly. As soon as I asked about his uncle, he shook his head. "No. He probably will in a few days."

"Don't answer it if he does. Ignore his text messages too."

"but-"

"No buts, Max. What the hell is he going to do? He can't touch you as long as you're inside the Delacroix estate. He's going to have to pry you out of my grip if he wants to take you away. I'm serious."

"Nico. That's a nice gesture and all but you don't know my uncle-"

"What did I just say? No buts. You should have stopped at 'That's a nice gesture.' and left it at that. You know what? Seems like you're not going to understand so give me your phone." I told him as I put my hand out to him. "Better yet, dial your uncle and then hand me the phone."

"You're taking away my phone?"

"Hurry." I instructed. He clicked his tongue at me and gave me his phone after tapping the screen a few times. I put the phone to my ear and waited for a few seconds.

One ring. Then two.

"What's his name?" I asked in between the rings.

Three. Four.

"Gregory."

Five. Six. Seven.

I didn't think he was going to answer but he did. In a deep, rude voice Max's uncle, Gregory, answered the phone. "What do you want you annoying brat? Calling to tell me how you can't afford your parents debt? I'll be glad to take you in again and sell you off to some farm where you'll be used-"

"Stop talking. I'm not Max. You piss me off. I was hoping this would go a lot smoother but I'm afraid that's no longer the case. I'm sure I don't need to introduce myself to you."

Gregory went silent. I heard him blow out like he was smoking on the other side. "Nico Delacroix, correct? I'd be lying if I said this was a pleasure."

"I'm sure you would." My eyebrow twitched slightly. "I'm calling on behalf of Max. Leave him the fuck alone." I said, cutting all formality. "I don't want you anywhere near him again, got that? Greg, was it? I won't speak formally to you because you're just a pesky fly from where I stand. Even though your older and supposed to have more knowledge than me, you sure are stupid, aren't you? Did you really think I would just stand by and let Max get abused by you?" I glanced over at Max who kept his eyes looking down at his lap.

"Well, I was hoping my idiotic nephew wouldn't bring you into our family matter." He admitted shamelessly. "Besides, technically it has gone over your head for a few years now. I slipped up and you found out. Don't think too highly of yourself."

"Oh? You thought I wouldn't realize the countless bruises you placed all over his body? You thought I wouldn't realize that he had been left out for dead in the snow by your hands? You, who are supposed to be his family. You're supposed to be the person who protects him from the world. Not the one who breaks him." I was glaring at the wall by that point. His words easily annoyed me.

"I'm sure you're well aware, Nico Delacroix, that the weak can't survive in our world. If anything, it was all just tough love." I scoffed in disbelief to hear Gregory speak about Max that way after everything he's done. "I was making him tougher-"

"How much?"

"Come again?"

"How much of the debt has been left unpaid?"

Max's eyes widened and he yanked his pillow out from under him. He smashed me in the face with it, causing me to almost drop his phone. I looked over at him with confusion and he was glaring back at me. I placed the pillow aside and ignored Max's look he was giving me.

Gregory laughed in my ear for what seemed like an eternity. "If you can get me two million I'll forget I even had a nephew in the first place."

"Fine." I said through gritted teeth. I was almost positive it wasn't that high of a debt but anything to get Gregory away from Max. "What about Rachel-"

"She isn't in this deal, Nico Delacroix. Don't push your luck." He said in a threateningly low voice.

I looked at Max to see if he wanted me to fight for Rachel as well. He shook his head. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed like if he was trying to figure out why I was willing to go so far. For me, I felt like I wasn't going far enough. Money was nothing. In few weeks, give or take, of working late and I'd have tripled the amount I was going to give Gregory. Besides, it was all coming out of my own personal account.

"Okay. Fine. Though, I better not hear that you abuse her as well-"

"I wouldn't do something so idiotic. I think of her as my child. You don't know anything." His cool demeanor wavered slightly and he coughed to gather himself. "Two million and you'll never hear another word from me."

"Yeah, I know. You don't have to tell me twice. Oh, one more thing. Touch Max again and I'll kill you. That's your one and only warning." I said and hung up without giving him a chance to reply.

Max immediately smacked me on the back of my head. I flinched and held my head softly, "ow! What the hell Max?!" I tossed his phone in his lap with a frown.

"I didn't need you to go that far! Are you stupid? Do I need to get you evaluated at a hospital? That man isn't going to take you talking informally to him like that sitting down. He isn't just some guy with money-"

"Shut up. I'd smack you back if it weren't because you already look like shit." I told him, cutting him off. "How much was the debt anyways?" I asked wanting to double check my earlier theory.

"Huh? I don't know. About a hundred thousand or something around that. Why? That's only as much as you're giving him, right?"

"A bit more, but it doesn't matter." I said quickly, "don't argue either. It's no use. If money will get this guy away from you then I'll do it." Max sighed softly. "It's not like I'll run out of it anytime soon." It looked like he was giving in. However, I wasn't about to spend two million dollars on this kid just to have him go back to selling himself. "On one condition." I spoke up. Max lifted a single eyebrow in curiosity, "You stop selling yourself and enroll in school."

"Hell no." He said looking at me with anger in his eyes.

"No?" I asked glaring at him. "I think you mean, hell yes." I corrected him. "Without Gregory breathing down your neck, you'll be able to focus on building your life. Choose your own path for once. If after high school you still want to work here with me then I'll gladly let you stay. Admit it. You're only here because you don't know anything else. I selfishly kept you here with me. You don't even have friends your age. They're all older and criminals. I wouldn't even classify them as 'friends' either."

"That's not-"

"Listen, I'm not trying to drive you away. I, personally, never want you to leave my sight. I've had too many people important to me leave. However, I can't deny that it's not fair to ask that of you. You might feel like you owe me for saving you when we were kids, but the reality is I saved you for myself. Not you. School can also serve as something to keep you occupied for the next two years. Seriously, what do you have to lose?"

I finished and looked at Max with a wide smile. Everything I said was true and, as cliche as it may sound, from the heart. Max was very important to me. However, he was lacking education because he didn't even attend classes at home. He liked to believe he didn't need schooling. He might not now but it would do him good in the long run. Besides, he needed to keep busy if Glasses was going to hold his end of our deal. Max kept a troubled look on his face. He looked on the fence about my one condition.

"Just think about it." I told him as I ruffled his hair. "I've got to go now. I'll be back later today." I saluted mockingly and started walking towards the door.

"Nico!-" he said and then stopped himself.

"Hm?" I asked looking back at him.

"I appreciate everything... I just.. I don't know how to thank you. I should have talked to you sooner but I couldn't risk it. I was ashamed. I didn't think my life was worth anything. Much less your worries and money. I guess what I'm saying is that I really.. I don't know how to say this without puking but.."

"I get it, Max." I said trying to reassure him. He looked like he was going to actually puke. I laughed and waved, "You can go get an education as thanks." I said and walked to the door. Before leaving completely I added, "Call me immediately if anything happens here."

"I will." I heard faintly as I closed the door behind me.

I checked my phone and realized I had spent more time with Max than I had originally planned. I cracked my neck softly and walked out towards Frederik in the front of the house where he was waiting with his usual poker face. I didn't see Elisha or Sera or even my father in sight. Thankfully, I didn't see Naomi either. I was able to slip away undetected successfully.

{Mikhail}

Dad wasn't home yet. He had gone out drinking last night and never returned home. Honestly, he always did this on the day that we would go visit my mother's tomb. Okay, well, last year we went together but he stayed for like three minutes. Then he left saying how he had some important things to do. At that time I was really angry with my dad but I understood him.

He didn't want me to see him hurting and crying for my mother. He thought that he had to pretend to be strong for me when in reality he didn't have to. I've told him several times exactly that but he didn't listen. I knew that he went after I went to her tomb. He just wanted to be alone with his thoughts. I couldn't stay angry at him long. After all, he was all I had left with me.

Getting in debt, drinking, smoking. These were all apart of him now. I've learned to adapt to him as he is because he didn't show signs of changing anytime soon.

I took out my phone and tried calling him. I wasn't expecting him to answer, but he did. "Hello?" He said in a groggy voice.

"We're you asleep? Where are you?" I asked him. I was standing in front of my mirror, looking at my reflection.

"Oh. I'm out."

I narrowed my eyes in frustration and clicked my tongue. "I've noticed. That's why I'm calling. Dad, are you going with me to mom's grave?"

"No." He said quickly, "I already went. I cleaned a little and had a few words with your mom. I don't really need to go. Sorry."

I stayed silent listening to his words. I imagined he was out sleeping with random girls and getting deeper into debt. My understanding of him only went so far. It didn't even feel like he wanted me around anymore. Of course, I would never admit this to him but he constantly pushed me away around this time of the year. For my birthday, we went out to eat but he left after about thirty minutes. He got a call and left as quickly as he could. I reminded him of mom and that was painful for him. He couldn't look at me without remembering the time they spent together.

"You there? Mikhail?"

"Mh." I said in confirmation, not really having anything else to say to him.

"My friend is going to watch the store while you go out. You remember Wayne, right?"

"Obviously." I told him, "He's always helping us."

"That's the guy. Gotta go!" My dad said in a cheerful voice, "I've got lots to do today. Love you! Stay safe." He finished and then hung up.

I scoffed lightly as I looked down at my phone. I set it down on the dresser and looked at my reflection once more. I wondered if my appearance really cause my dad so much pain. Maybe if I was gone... I shook my head quickly to rid my head of useless thoughts. I had no plan to leave my dad anytime soon. He was incapable of taking care of himself. If I left now who knows how he'd end up in a couple weeks, No, days even.

I texted Nico and he said he was going on his way. I wasn't going to be able to leave until Wayne arrived. I didn't know what to reply so I didn't. It wasn't much but after a few weeks of texting, I was sure he was used to it. I usually didn't text or call unless it was important. Unlike Nico who texted me for every little thing. To tell me what he was eating. To tell me that a little dog passed him with a funny hair cut. I would be lying if I said I hated it. It was nice every once in a while to just get lost in his texts, just a little excessive.

The way we talked through text and in person was a bit different. In person, I never knew exactly what to say. I hid behind my mask and kept my cool although I felt like my heart was going to jump out of the chest every time he touched me suddenly. Of course, being who I am, I covered my embarrassment with sarcastic and rude remarks to keep him away. Though it often did the opposite and attracted him closer. However, through text, I was able to express myself a bit more straightforward. Like, when I asked about his brother. There's no way I could ask something so private about his life to his face.

Nico's and his whole brother thing was bugging me as well. He said he was jealous of Elisha but I didn't get why. I was just one guy who took on too many things in his daily life. There was no need to get jealous about someone talking to me. Much less his brother who I had a weird feeling about. He kind of creeped me out. Also, I didn't find Elisha nearly as attractive as Nico. Jeez, I can already picture his goofy smile if I ever told him that in person.

"Hello?! Anyone home?" I heard Wayne's voice from downstairs that woke me from my day dream.

"I'll be down in a second!" I yelled and made my way quickly to the door. I stopped and turned back around. I grabbed for Nico's gloves since it was still cold out and I didn't have a pair of my own and then ran down the stairs two at a time. "You're here. I have to go meet someone."

Wayne was already sitting down at the desk with his head leaning in his open hand. He had black hair that he mostly let do its own thing and grey eyes under all that mess. If I recalled correctly, he worked for a modeling company as a manager. Dad and Wayne have been friends since high school but he only came around when dad needed help. I was a bit surprised he even agreed to work here for the day considering all the work a manager usually does. "A lover?" He asked with a smirk.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed an apron from the cabinet, "Put that on and not exactly. A friend.. An acquaintance is coming with me to my moms grave."

"Have you two fucked yet?" Wayne asked grabbing the apron mid air and tying it around his waist without standing up from the chair.

"Jeez!" I said with a frown. "Can you not? It's just a... Well he's not a lover, okay?"

"So, it's a guy? I can give you advice. I've got some knowledge in that compartment that your dad never would. You can ask for some tips." He said grinning again.

"No. Stop. Definitely not." I said shaking my head. Wayne was very much gay and loved to remind the world every few minutes. "It's completely fine. If my dad comes around just send him off to his room or something. I'd appreciate it if you could stay until I arrived." I said

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