Second Assault — Bond And Treason — novel Chapter 15

Wednesday, April 10th. Angelo Dalaras' Country House, 7:25 a.m.

ANGELO

—Rosé, hurry up, please. I need to get out as soon as possible.

—The car is already on its way, Mr. Dalaras — she gives me a briefcase full of papers —. And here's everything you asked for.

—Good. I'll see Xander before I go. Let me know when the car's here.

—Yes, sir.

It's a little early, so I hope I'm not disturbing or upsetting him in any way. I'm knocking on the door three times and hoping to get an answer. To my relief and surprise, Xander opens the door, wearing a new outfit and his wet hair.

He steps aside, letting me in. The bathroom door is open and I can see the clouds of steam rising from the inside.

—Good thing you're awake, I didn't want to bother you — He watches me for a few seconds, then turns around and quickly goes for the notebook that's on the bedside table. He holds the pencil and scribbles, placing it in front of my face once he's finished.

—"You're not bad timing. I've always woken up early" —I smile, although he doesn't return the gesture. I don't try to pressure him, so I keep talking.

—Well, your breakfast will be brought in shortly. Will you eat this time? — He nods and gives me an anxious look —. Do you want to ask me something?

Turns the page when there's no more space and quickly writes something on the back. He raises it so quickly and so close to my face that it almost hits my nose.

—Calm down, Xander — I laugh without being able to stop myself, he frowned and waved the notebook in front of me again —. Okay, all right. I'll read it — I assure him, raising my hands as if I were giving up and looking at the note.

—"Will you bring Magnus? I ate everything last night and I'll do it again today. I took the pills I was given without complaining. Last night I didn't make a sound that would disturb you. I've done my part. Will you?".

By the time I finish reading and look up at him again, he seems quite upset, though cautious and prudent too. I sigh before answering.

—I swear I'll try— a smile lights up his face and even though I don't want his joy to dissipate, I raise the hands again and hurry to continue —.Don't get excited yet. I said I'll try, but that doesn't mean that Magnus accepts my invitation just like that— he looks down and returns:

—"I'll use our bond to tell him to come. Can you give me the address?".

—It's not that simple, Xander. Among the pills we've been giving you, there were suppressors... I don't have to tell you what that means, do I?— his face suddenly turns red, forming the hands into fists, crumpling up the pages of the notebook.

Fuck, he's pissed off. However, it was doctor's orders to give him suppressors, I had no idea that he still had contact with Magnus through the bond, otherwise, I would never have given them to him.

—Xander, take it easy. Let me explain— he turns around and walks around the bedroom like a caged lion. Then suddenly stops, putting a hand on his back and grimacing.

He almost fell to the ground, so I rushed over to try to help him, but he slapped my hand away and walked back away from me, as if the contact of my skin with his was toxic, with a terrified expression on the face. I place my hands quickly behind the back and take a few steps apart from him.

—I'm sorry — I offer him in a low voice —. I wanted to help you, I didn't mean to hurt you. Just lie down on the bed, okay? — I point to the object for emphasis —. We don't want to make your injuries worse— his breathing is fast, gasping in agony and low moaning trying to endure the pain.

Slowly, he sits on the edge of the bed, leaning on one side, in an attempt to take the pressure off his lower back. Sweat drops slide down his forehead and neck.

—Rub the area in circular movements, Xander— I instruct him, still in a cautious voice —. That should help ease the pain a little— he gives me a look that I'm sure if he had the power to produce laser beams, I'd be a pile of ashes by now. Yet he slowly does as I tell him.

After a few minutes of silence, the discomfort seems to have dissipated. His breathing has normalized and the hands have stopped massaging the back. But I can see that he is still angry. Taking the notebook and scribbling again:

—"You should have told me. No wonder I can't feel him since yesterday and that had me seriously scared. I'm so mad at you! Magnus told me not to break the bond, he must be worried to death".

—I know, Xander. I'm sorry — resigned, I nod —.It was the doctor's orders because you were... Well, you know— I end up uncomfortable, the fire in his eyes reveals to me that he knows exactly what I mean —. I swear, if I'd known you were still in contact with him, I never would have allowed it— I run a hand through my hair, frustrated —. Listen, today he was supposed to help me transport some of my merchandise. All the arrangements have been made, but I could try to convince him to come using that pretext. Okay?

Stares at me for a long moment, until he finally nods. He looks down and writes again. He hesitates a bit before showing me the message.

—"Just... Do whatever it takes. Please, I'm begging you to bring him. I'll pay you if I have to. I need Magnus with me".

—I'm not doing this for the money, Xander — my voice sounds a little harsh, so I'll quickly change it —. It's just that... — I'm shaking off the thoughts that I consider unnecessary at the moment —. It doesn't matter. I promise I'll do everything in my power, Xander. I'll get Magnus, even if I have to kidnap him myself.

 Magnus Mansion. Meeting room, 8:49 a.m.

ALEXEI

—I thought you said you were able to communicate with him through the bond.

—Yes, goddamn it! — I hit the big desk hard, Yaakov's sudden inhalation is the only evidence that he's been disturbed by my rage —. But now I can't! Fuck, since yesterday it's been useless no matter how much I try. I know he's alive, at least I can feel that — I snort with indignation —. But I haven't been able to talk to him. Every time I try, it's as if static is sneaking into my brain. I get nothing, not a fucking thing.

—Do you think it's intentional?— Adrik questions confused.

—Absolutely not!— I protest immediately and sharply —. I told him very clearly not to block me, to be sure to keep me informed.

—Maybe they're forcing him to do it — Nikon insinuates. It's true and that's what makes me psychotic, hysterical. The worry is spreading fast through my guts and the desperation for not having heard from him is driving me crazy.

—Or maybe he's been given something that makes it impossible for him to complete the bond — Lev intervenes.

—What do you mean? — my cousin asked in confusion and I share the sentiment.

—Well, that there are certain types of stimulants or hormone suppressors that make it impossible to connect through the bond — he leans over a little and places the elbows on the desk —. You say you feel static and you're sure he's still alive. If it was an intentional blockage, you couldn't feel neither one.

—Is there any way that it can be reversed?— Derek adds and hearing his voice bothers me deeply. After our fight, I thought about sending him to a cell and never letting him see the light of day again.

But Yaakov insisted, considering the delicate situation the organization is in, that the more help we get, the better.

But if he dares to insult me again, to meddle in my relationship with Xander, to make some other inappropriate comment about my partner... Hell, if he even breathes near him, he'll know who Alexei Magnus is.

—No — Lev responds —. The only solution is for Xander to stop taking whatever is causing that effect.

—Can't you hear anything, Alexei? — My brother is demanding with hope —. Have you kept trying? — The worry in his voice only makes my mood worse.

—No, Fred — I tilt my head back and close the eyes, the headache is killing me and I don't have my Omega to help me calm down —. I told you, I tried and I couldn't.

—Shit — Yaakov grunts —. Who the hell is that guy? The intrigue is killing me — carries the cigarette he's holding to the lips and takes a puff —. If he saved Xander, I find it hard to believe that is now his executioner.

—Yes, Yaak, but we still don't know who he is and why he saved him — Lev quickly intervenes —. It could be someone who's trying to use him to blackmail us or get some benefit — he gets abruptly quiet when he sees me open the eyes and analyze my expression —. I'm sorry, Alex, but it's a possibility, you know.

—Yes, but that doesn't make it sound pretty — Nikon ironizes, dropping an arm over Adrik's shoulders.