Second Assault — Bond And Treason —

FREDEK

Alexei opens the door and I follow closely. Although I have no intention of standing in his way, I'm still afraid of how he might react to the situation.

I've never been stupid or ignorant. I know perfectly well how cruel my brother can be if he sets his mind to it, but he has always been concerned about keeping me out of all that, and I have never witnessed his power... Until now. I have no idea what will happen once the door closes, and I honestly don't know if I'll be able to retain Alexei on my own if things get out of control.

—Reiji — he calls, the tone he uses is low, threatening, even though he's not using it with me, it still gives me goosebumps. I quickly take a position in one of the corners of the small room and watch in silence.

—Oh, Mr. Magnus — Reiji turns on the chair and greets him with a warm smile —. I was wondering if you'd come, since I saw Fred waiting outside — Alexei closes the door, passes the latch and the sound of the lock jamming lets me know that there's no turning back now.

—I want you to get away from the desk, sit down in the middle of the room, and don't speak unless I tell you so— Reiji's face is immediately disfigured. His eyes open so wide that his eyebrows almost reach the base of the hair. I can smell the fear in the air and that's something that puts me on guard.

—Did I... Did I do something wrong? — he hesitates, his lower lip trembles while speaking, his gaze shifts from Alexei to me repeatedly.

—I gave you an order— my brother steps towards him —. Didn't you hear me?— Reiji instinctively moves back the same distance. His hands go up to the head to remove the headphones, and then I notice that he is shaking. Well, yes, you should be afraid. Hell, he should be terrified.

He gets up and, very slowly, moves the chair to the center of the office and sits down, with his back straight and facing the floor. I can see that his breathing is agitated by the rapid movement of the chest.

He plays nervously with the hands on his thighs and from my position, I can see that he is beginning to sweat.

If he didn't have something to hide, his body wouldn't react that way, and from how Alexei is drilling his skull with the eyes, I deduce that he thinks the same thing. You could say it's because he's afraid of my brother, but Reiji has been working for him for a little over two years and I've never seen him react like that before. Never, and on several occasions he was the receptor of his anger. So his sudden attitude is very suspicious to me.

—Listen to me carefully, Reiji — Alexei starts walking slowly around the chair —. I'm going to ask you a series of questions. Depending on the answers I get, you'll be able to walk out of here. Nod if you understand me.

Reiji moves the head up and down frantically.

—Good — my brother is walking again as he talks —. I have reason to believe that there is a bloody rat within the organization — he stops when he is behind him, taking his time to light a cigarette and take a deep inhale, releasing the smoke through his mouth with a heavy sigh —. That rat has been passing on information to my enemy. Fundamental and critical data about my plans, about men I had undercover, and about my bonded partner, Xander.

At the mention of his name, I notice how Reiji's shoulders tighten, though he rapidly tries to conceal it by changing the posture in the chair.

—Because of this, my plans were thwarted, the men undercover have disappeared, my partner has been kidnapped and as a result of his capture, I had one person killed and several injured. Do you have any idea how serious the situation is? — placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing —. Nod if you do.

shakes his head again

understood — his face expresses the opposite —. Now, the questions I'm going to ask you next, are extremely important to me— starts going around Reiji and stops in front of him again —. If I don't like the answers I'm getting, or if I'm not convinced by your honesty... — bends down, until their faces are close. Alexei leads a hand inside his jacket, pulls out the Colt Python Magnum,

repeats the affirmative gesture, biting his lower lip so hard

me with words — he straightens up and takes another drag on the cigar, now holding the gun to his side —. First question: Is it true you fought with

Reiji hesitates, although I am not so close

pretends only makes me more worried. Reiji looks down, turning his hands into tight

—He started it.

he asks in the same

with conviction —. He began to mock my abilities, told me I was useless, and endangered the safety of the organization. He told me I was a shoe licker

myself. Wrath runs through my veins so fast, it leaves me stunned for a few seconds. I can't believe what's coming out of his lips.

my jaw hard and glare at him, but still, I nod.

—Of course, sir.

Reiji— slowly raising his eyes until they connect with my brother's —. Are You. Telling. The. Truth?— emphasizing every

scream in

— throws the cigarette on the ground and extinguish the flame by stepping on it —. I'll ask the question again and

can see his eyes starting to crystallize and his shoulders shaking as he tries to hold back tears

—Explain yourself.

worried about you. That, even though I was glad you had finally found your partner, I was still afraid he wouldn't be able to make you happy— he slurped up his nose before continuing —. But then he freaked out and told me to take care of my own business or he was going

took a step forward, wanting to rip out his tongue with my own hands... Or maybe make him swallow one of my explosives. But before I could do anything, Alexei

a little, he pulled the

the chair, a thick red pool of liquid was created, gushing out of the wounded foot. Alexei walked over, grabbed a handful of hair, and tilted his head back so he could see him straight in the eyes. Tears streamed down Reiji's

even stronger —. You better start taking me fucking seriously and tell me exactly what I need to know— places the barrel of the gun under Reiji's chin —. Do you understand?!— screams a few inches away from his

—Y-yes...

louder, you piece

finally shouts,

over his chest, gun

me... I've always loved you — his low, trembling voice —. I hoped that one day you would notice me and we could start a life together, you know? Be happy, have

and the expression he has, is one