Second Assault — Bond And Treason — novel Chapter 11

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.

Reiji shakes his head again in response.

—I'm glad that I'm making myself 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, and points right between Reiji's arched eyebrows —. My big friend here will let you know. Am I making myself clear? Nod.

Reiji repeats the affirmative gesture, biting his lower lip so hard that I realize he's about to pierce it with the teeth.

—Good. Don't worry, I'll start with something easy and now I'll need you to answer 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 Xander?

—Yes, sir — Reiji hesitates, although I am not so close to him, I can hear the tremor in his voice.

—The reason? — The false calm that Alexei pretends only makes me more worried. Reiji looks down, turning his hands into tight fists on his thighs.

—He started it.

—He started it? — he asks in the same calm tone of voice, but raises a surprised eyebrow.

—Yes, sir — he says 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 and that I would never fit in.

—You're lying! — I scream before I can control 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. How dare he tell such a load of lies?

—Silence, Fredek— Alexei warns me, raising a hand in my direction, with the cigar still between the fingers —. Be quiet, okay? — I press my jaw hard and glare at him, but still, I nod. I cross the arms over my chest and force myself to stay out of it. Alexei returns his attention to Reiji —. Are you telling me the truth?

—Of course, sir.

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

—Yes, si... — but before he can finish talking, Alexei strikes his cheek hard with the grip of the gun. Reiji emits a high-pitched scream in pain and a thick thread of blood begins to slide from the corner of his lip to his chin, a few drops staining his white shirt.

—You're lying — throws the cigarette on the ground and extinguish the flame by stepping on it —. I'll ask the question again and hope for the truth this time. What was the reason for your fight with Xander?