Blink. One. Two. Three. He couldn’t help but count. It made it easier for him comprehend that this was actually happening.
Austin Cyner regarded the three bodies violating his space with apathy. Three pairs of lips and not one of them pressed shut. He focused on the sound of his own breathing, low and subtle. In the absence of strenuous activity it was barely discernible to the human ear amidst the natural sounds of the world; it was all Austin heard. Austin had mastered the art of disassociation from a young age; a skill he’d employ more times than he cared to count in his adult life. The voices around him drowned away until it was nothing more than a muffled whisper in an alternate realm.
The image of frustrated parents and obstinate child before him shifted, blurring bit by bit until he was able to pretend his study was once again unpolluted and noiseless; the way he preferred it to be. And yet, he knew that his family’s grievous business was destined to infiltrate his time, never mind that he’d been dished out more than he cared to handle in this very month. Time was always of the essence. He had none he wished to spare.
The more he thought on the facts he’d overheard when they first burst into his study, the further he credited this mess to record breaking senselessness. Leave it up to Colin and he’d surely gravitate towards chaos. Austin knew himself to embody a bit of that chaotic energy but he’d learned to channel his into doing some good. ‘Good’ was by no means an objective sentiment. Austin knew there were many who’d condemn his life’s work, but that was the beauty of subjectivity and individual philosophy.
He was free to think, say or do as he pleased without need to conform his mind to another.
It pained him to conclude then that Colin had that precise right to do as he’d seen fit for a man of his dislikeable character. No talk, lecture or torture would change Colin’s mind. Didn’t his parents understand that?
Austin stretched his fingers, bringing them down to drum a neglectful tune on his ebony, L-shaped wooden veneer desk. The musical notes bombarding his ear drums brought along the sound of his family’s disagreeing voices through his invisible sound barrier; an unwelcome intrusion into his thoughts.
It seemed that Austin's brother, the knucklehead that he was, had gotten some random woman pregnant and despite their parent’s attempt at persuasion— if this putrid attempt at begging could somehow be salvaged to the point of persuasion, to marry her. Colin recurrently refused to partake in such a commitment, he had no thought of the scandal such news would bring upon their family. His mind was fixed.
Fixed and unapologetic.
Austin, on the other hand, failed to comprehend the need for this family debacle to unfold in his house; Colin had never before even set foot on his street. Austin found it curious that he’d been made to step behind the brick walls for a family squabble.
Austin mentally cursed his housekeeper, Abigail. Her well-meaning actions had often caused more inconvenience than she was willing to accept. He’d left strict instructions to turn away anyone that may find themselves on his doorstep, did she listen? Hell, the words had flown through one ear and swiftly propelled out the other. Instead, once her eyes captured the sight of his family she’d opened the steel gates without a single question.
At least she was smart enough not to walk into his study together with them. She knew of his temper whenever he was disobeyed. She’d merely shuffled them in and went on her way. That woman would be the death of him. Perhaps it was time to have her retire.
"Austin, would you not make your brother see reason?" Austin cast his eyes to his father, his train of thought derailed once again. Austin knew he couldn’t make Colin see reason but his father’s eyes were pleading. He’d been trying for the past fifteen minutes to calmly advise his younger son to do the right thing but his efforts were met with raised voices and curses. He’d known the outcome and still fought to change its course.
The lines on his face seeming more prominent than Austin had recalled. Time was moving swiftly and it pardoned no man.
Austin parted his lips to speak. He had no intentions of getting himself roped into any of it. He had reconciled himself to kindly, as kind as he was capable of pretending to be, invite his family to take their dispute elsewhere. How could he ever convince Colin of anything? It was mad of his mother and father to think otherwise. They of all people knew that Austin’s words held no weight or wonder for Colin.
"Brother?" Colin echoed the word with a hateful scowl. If he was capable of destroying the very meaning of the word he would. He hated having such an endearing term tying him to the man peering at them from behind his armoured throne as if they were insignificant flies he couldn’t be bothered to dispose of.
Colin’s threatening glare dragged Austin’s attention solely to him. His fingers ceased their diverting assault on his desk top. Austin’s eyes daring Colin to breathe the offensive thoughts reflected in his serpent-like eyes into reality.
"He is nothing to me but the bastard my mother produced before she married you.” Colin refused to be silenced by Austin’s threateningly glare so he’d spoken to his father, “He is nothing but the result of reckless behaviour." He spat in disdain, directing his response to an already troubled couple.
He actually dared? Austin restricted his lips from morphing into a grin. Colin had grown some balls, hadn’t he? To speak freely, insolently in Austin’s home took courage. Not that Colin’s words wounded him. It barely grazed the top layer of his skin. Austin’s plan to remain completely uninvolved and unbothered was shot to hell. Why? His ego. Plain and simple. Why walk quietly away when he could give his dear brother more reason to seethe with rage?
It was amusing to incite chaos in others. He’d had a knack for it too. Hence the reason toxins were his preferred method of mortal destruction.
He’d probably just stir the pot a bit and then kick them out, Austin mused. He still had no lasting desire to play the fixer in a mess of Colin’s creation.
Austin gazed at his mother. He’d held off as long as he could because he knew her state would sway him. Her frail hands shaking, her eyes didn't dare meet his. She’d hated the thought of anyone ever cursing her son as a bastard but Austin only accepted it as the truth. He was a bastard son, an illegitimate child and he had no reason to cower behind the allegation of it. His mother’s fingers clutched her purse in pursuit of a way to vent her frustration, her lips pressed into a hard line.
Austin shifted his discerning gaze between his parents. They were backed into a verbal corner that demanded they remained silent. Did they pity him? Pity the son that had never quite found acceptance in a new family? One that he wasn’t related to by blood? Why? All because their legitimate son had said some boorish words?
Austin had no delusions relating to his brother's attitude towards him. It's true they only shared a mother. Colin’s words more disrespectful towards her than it was Austin. His mother…their mother had married Colin’s father and while the man was not blood, he’d stepped into the role of father for Austin well before Colin was born. He’d cherished both boys equally; Austin’s parentage hadn’t been in issue until Colin was old enough to make it one.
Colin had grown irresponsible, spoiled and pampered, traits their father felt had no place in the world of business declaring Austin his heir. It was around that time that Austin’s relationship with Colin had become irreparable. Not that there was anything to salvage.
His brother often claimed that the bastard son was out to steal the family business, but Austin didn’t need their father’s wealth or connections, nor had he ever coveted it. Austin had his own successful, albeit secret, career. It was of no consequence that said career involved relieving souls from their place on this earth.
Their father’s willingness to hand over his life’s work to him had been stifling and exhausting but Austin applied diligence and care in hopes his brother would one day be responsible enough to take the reins.
Austin had never asked his father for anything. The man had taken both Austin and his mother in when they had nothing and no one. He accepted Austin when he had no obligation to. Those acts were always enough for Austin to pledge his loyalty to him. The only thing Austin wanted was to relieve the swelling need to repay the man. How do you repay someone that had everything?
Perhaps poisoning his inconsiderate son would do the trick? Austin speculated grimly. He shook the thought away with a grin. How fun it would be though.
“Colin!” Their father’s eyes were sad, “You cannot speak such things about your brother.” He shook his hanging head in defeat. He was at his wits end. Austin’s mother circled her fingers around her husband’s arms in hopes he’d draw support from her touch.
Austin considered this his cue. He stood up, readjusted the cuffs of his neatly pressed suit and peered at everyone in the room. "Colin is right." he smiled slyly revelling in the way Colin shuddered at his gaze. "Our relationship falls short of kindred-ship, as such I saw no real point in having you darken my doorstep this evening.” He said to Colin.
“As if I’d willingly set foot in this monstrosity you call a home.” Colin spat, spinning around with his arms folded across his chest.
“I think you’ve made it clear that you are master of your own decisions.” Austin retorted with a deliberate humour designed to upset and taunt his brother; his piece of pay back that promised to soothe his ego. Nothing of Austin’s design ever failed. Colin spun around to set his eyes upon Austin once more, his intent clear and vicious. He was determined to leave. Austin was satisfied in the reaction he solicited. He was ready to ask his parents to do the same. He couldn’t help them. It was a virtue to know when the battle’s been lost.
"Oh dear,” His mother came around his desk with a start to take Austin’s hand in hers. Icy spurs drawn in from the atmosphere and stored in her fingertips transferred to his skin. “can't you help us fix this? your father would be humiliated if this were to come out." She’d moved her freezing fragile fingers to circle around the crock of his elbow.
Austin glanced over at his father and sighed. He appeared as a man who had lost all opportunity of hope. His own biological son walking out of the house in frustration, with no intent of remedying the wrong he was committing. It was terrible that Colin had no affection for the child he would be bringing into this world, this reality striking a raw nerve that Austin swore he'd bandaged up and concealed from the world, even from himself. But some scars were just too deep, he thought. He was resolved to interpret the uncomfortable emotions as his innate sense of morality...well, as much as it was functioning, after all he did kill people for money.
He was goaded by the angel on his shoulder to repay the debt he owed to the man he called his father. He took a lingering look at the couple before him, his mother close to tears, her eyes about to burst from trying to withhold the overwhelming force. Her husband placing his arms around her, patting her shoulders reassuringly.
Austin sighed, God forbid he was making a mess of things but the words spewed out without further consideration for fear that he would forsake any thought of repayment or morality.
"If he won't marry her, I will."
AUTHOR'S NOTE
This is the second installment of my Assassins Can Love series. The first book is completed and available on anystories, It's name is 'His tempting Captive'
Those of you who are about to join me on this story, thank you so much for your support! I hope you enjoy it <3
Updates are daily which consists of a single chapter each day. So read at your own peril! XD
Thank you to everyone who reads my stories and engages with me in the comments. Feel free to let me know your thoughts! I love hearing from you guys.
