AN: I know this chapter is short and I’m sorry. But the next one would be longer. Hugs, Tay. Thanks to the beta.
Gio and Bo carried Brian into the house. Bo stayed with him and as soon as the man started to wake up he informed Gio about it. Craig, Marcus and Gio came to talk to the brunet. “Brian,” Craig said. The brunet rubbed his face. “What?” “I know who Anthony used to kill my son,” Craig said as he started pacing. The brunet felt like he was dreaming each time he was reminded that Justin was gone. “You have to do something,” Brian told him. “Brian I have no control of things anymore,” Craig informed him. “What do you mean?” Brian asked getting up. “You’re going to go after those fucking bastards and kill them all.” “I named you as my successor,” Craig said. “And I was supposedly inside that explosion? Remember?” Brian frowned. “What?” “I faked my own death,” the man informed him. “Again?” Brian asked bringing his hands to his head. “I’m going to be with my daughter,” Craig said. “Too many people want me dead. It’s time for me to leave and enjoy what’s left of my family.” “No shit,” Brian said without feeling as images of Justin started to invade his brain. “Will you take care of it, Brian?” Craig asked. “Will you make them pay?” Brian didn’t think about it and nodded. Craig smiled and moved closer to the brunet. He pulled Brian to him and kissed him on the forehead. “Thank you, son.” Marcus hid the smile that was threatening to come out. The plan was going to perfection. Gio knew what was happening and couldn’t wait. He knew what to do for things to come out just right. All it took was good planning. *** Gio entered the dark room and sighed. “Boss,” he whispered. “What do you want?” Brian asked. “We did what you told us,” Gio said. “We took Anthony’s kids out. But he’s mad and he’s looking to find out who did this.” Brian smirked. “Good, let him be mad. Let him suffer like I have.” Gio sighed. “You know, you can’t stay here forever.” Brian laughed acidly. “I can do whatever the fuck I want.” “Well there are things that have to be taken care of,” Gio said. “Don’t you want to see your son?” Brian closed his eyes and felt the tears threatening to come out. “Boss?” Gio asked. “Fuck off!” Brian yelled. “Let me be.” Gio sighed. “I can’t take care of things. You’re the one that was left in charge. This is your game now, Brian.” Brian scoffed. “Why the fuck does it have to be me?” Gio came closer. “Because to Craig you’re family. He wouldn’t leave this empire his family constructed to just anyone.” Brian laughed yet again. “Great,” he said sarcastically. “What if I don’t want it?” Gio sighed. “Too late for that,” the man said. “What if I don’t care about it?” Brian asked. “It’s something you have to respect,” Gio said. “They will kill you to make an example out of you.” Brian really could care less. “Let them then.” “And your whole family too, Boss,” Gio informed him. Brian frowned. “No.” “That’s right,” Gio said moving towards the windows and opening the drapes. “You have to take control so you can keep your family safe. Show them you can lead them. Show them you can keep the peace between the territories and it will be okay.” Brian didn’t want to do any of that. He wanted to vanish. He wanted his blond back in his arms. But he couldn’t run away from his hell. He had to think of his son and how much he loved him. He would do anything for him. He knew Justin would have wanted Gus to be safe as well as everyone around. “I need a shower,” Brian said getting up slowly. “I will get you something to eat, Boss” Gio informed him. The man hoped that Brian took control of things fast. Once that was done everything would be okay. He’s job was to get Brian giving the right orders and doing his duties as the new boss. *** Brian opened the door and stared at Bo and Joey. He arched a brow wondering what they wanted. “We have a few new guys,” Bo said. “We’re thoroughly checking them.” Brian nodded slowly. “Anything else?” Bo shook his head. “Gio said he had to go do something. He said he was going to be back as soon as possible. The place is secure, boss.” “Fine,” Brian said closing the door to his office yet again before he moved to sit down. The brunet felt like he was empty inside and he knew he really was. Without Justin things weren’t the same. He was going insane. He wanted to die, but his son still needed him. So he had to keep strong for the boy. The man got up suddenly and excited the office. “Joey,” he said when he saw the man; he was one of the new guys. “Get Bo and go get my car.” They did and Brian got in the back and instructed Bo to take him to Lindsay’s house. When the brunet got there it was getting dark. Brian had on a pair of dark shades and baseball cap. He had let his beard grow and when they parked the car he got out of the passenger seat instead of the back. Joey was the one riding in the back. Bo got out and opened the door for Joey who was the one that was dressed like he owned a million bucks. They all went to the house and only Bo stayed outside by the door. It was simple. Joey’s job at that moment was act as a decoy. Once Brian was inside he proceeded to explain some things to the girls. “Are you serious?” Lindsay asked after Brian told them part of what had happed leaving a few details like the fact that he was the one in charge now. He had told them how Justin’s father was a mobster. How the FBI had approached him and he had to help them. How he had to fake his own dead knowing that they were watching so that they would leave him alone. Supposedly he was able to go away because Justin had died and he had no more ties to Craig. That was a lie but they didn’t have to know that. “You’re shitting me,” Melanie said. “You…oh god.” “It was something I didn’t see coming,” Brian said. “I had to get out somehow and I though the FBI was going to help but then they ended up making a bigger mess of my life.” “Jesus Christ,” Melanie said getting up. “How do you know they are not watching us now?” “I just do,” Brian told her. “I’m going to leave.” Lindsay frowned. “Where, Brian?” “I don’t know yet,” Brian informed her. “I just…I wanted to see Gus one last time.” “Brian,” Lindsay whispered. “You can’t leave.” “I can’t stay Lindsay,” Brian told her. “I’ll get arrested or god knows what,” he told them. “Too many things have happened.” “You can get arrested for faking your own death?” Lindsay asked. “Isn’t there anything you can do?” Melanie asked. “There are ways.” “I let things happen Melanie,” Brian said. “I gave orders to kill people.” “God,” Lindsay said as she put a hand over her stomach. “I think I’m going to be sick.” “I have to leave,” Brian said. “I haven’t been declared dead yet but soon it would happen, you know when they give up trying to find my body. Everything is in order. Gus and you guys are going to be taken care of.” Lindsay started crying. “How the fuck did you get into this mess?” Melanie asked. Brian looked down at his lap and smiled briefly. “Because he’s the most…was the most beautiful, most amazing, most loveable man I ever knew.” “Oh god,” Lindsay said getting up and going to Brian. “I’m so sorry, Brian. I’m sorry he’s gone.” “Maybe we can get you a deal with the D.A.,” Melanie said. “We can…” “I don’t regret it,” Brian said. He pushed Lindsay away gently and got up. “I would do it again if I had to.” Lindsay sat down and kept crying. “I’m going to see my kid before I leave,” Brian told them. Melanie went to her wife and hugged her. When Brian reached Gus’s room he smiled. He caressed the boy and bent down to kiss him. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll be away but I’ll always think about you. You will be safe with me gone. You will be okay,” the brunet said and a few tears made it out. “I love you, sonny boy.” Brian stayed as long as he could before he left them. It was done and there was no turning back around. *** Brian watched the man bringing the paintings inside his new home in New York. The house was huge. He had told Gio to find it. He had signed everything without checking the house or the price. He just didn’t care. “Mr. Darko where do you want me to put these boxes at?” the man asked holding two boxes. Brian knew those were Justin’s things. “Third floor, in the art studio.” The man nodded. Gio watched him go and walked over to Brian. “Are you sure you want to have his things around?” Brian frowned. “Don’t you have something to do?” “Yes,” Gio said walking away. Brain told Joey to oversee everything and make sure nobody damaged a thing before he left. He went to the kitchen where someone had started to cook already. He looked at it and sighed. All they cooked in the damn house was Italian and frankly he was tired of it. He found a bottle of whisky and went outside to the patio. The house was in the middle of nowhere. He liked it. It was less trouble for him. The next house was forty minutes away. It was more secured that way. The brunet drank from the bottle and sat down on the steps that lead towards the pool. He closed his eyes briefly and thought about his blond. He felt the tingling sensation in his face that informed him he was going to be crying at any second. He pushed it all back. “I don’t care,” he said to no one. “So he’s gone. Big deal. It wasn’t meant to be.” Gio came outside and watched the brunet from a distance. “I didn’t even want to get married,” Brian whispered. “It was for him because I…mmmph,” he grunted. “Damien,” Gio said walking to him. “It’s Brian to you,” the brunet hissed. “We can’t risk anyone hearing,” Gio said smirking. “Plus you got to get used to hearing it.” Brian nodded slowly. “I have something to ask you?” Gio said. “What’s that?” Brian asked taking a sip from the bottle. Gio frowned. He hated when Brian drank himself into a stupor and it looked like it was going to be one of those days. “So, there is this guy. Ryan Duran,” he said. “He owes us money.” Brian looked up and frowned. “And?” “He keeps saying that he’s going to pay,” Gio said. “What do you want to do?” “How much does he owe?” Brian asked. “Over a hundred thousand,” Gio said. “What do you want me to do?” Brian looked at Gio. Each time there was something to be done he would look at the man and Gio would tell him the answers. He kept looking but the man didn’t say anything. “What would you do?” Gio shrugged. “Just…go collect it and if…” Brian sighed and swallowed. “If he doesn’t have it beat him up,” the brunet said and felt like crap. He was about to take it back when Gio talked. “We already did that,” Gio said. Brian shook his head. “I can’t…I…” “It’s a battle to stay on top, Brian,” Gio said. “To show them you are the strongest and that’s why you seat at the head of the table.” Brian’s eyes darkened. He was in charge, yes. The only two people above him were Giorgio and Anthony. And he bowed that one day he was going to get to Anthony. He was the one that had given the order to kill Justin and he was going to be the one to give the order to take the man out. For that he had to stay in charge and have enough power to get to the man without anybody knowing it was him, because he didn’t care if he lived or died but he had to take care of his family. “Kill him,” Brian said. “No matter if he promises to find the money. Just…kill him. Make him an example to others.” “Whatever you say, boss,” Gio said. The man smirked as he walked away. He knew that now there was no turning back. He knew that Brian was taking the reins and there would be no stopping him. He knew everything that was going on and he couldn’t help but smile because if he worked everything right he would get exactly what he wanted from the whole thing. *** “Is it happening?” Craig asked sitting in his office. Marcus nodded. “Things are in motion. I’m surprised Brian is going through with it. Gio called saying that in two more months at the most Anthony is going to be nothing but history.” Craig nodded slowly. “If he fails this…” “He won’t,” Marcus said. “He’s going to avenge Justin’s death. You know that. Brian has embraced his position very well. He’ll kill anything standing on his way. As long as he thinks that Justin is dead he’ll keep his mission and make them all pay.” Craig thought about that for a few seconds and nodded. When everything was said and done he would be back. He would set Brian free of any responsibilities one way or another. He smiled because he couldn’t have planned things better. *** Michael managed to get inside Brian’s loft through the fire escape. He walked around and frowned when he didn’t see anybody there. He was shocked to say the least because everything was gone. The bed was gone and the furniture. Brian’s clothes weren’t there or Justin’s for that matter. He got back out and headed to his mother’s house where he started calling everyone. He tried calling the brunet but the man didn’t answer. It just kept throwing him to voice mail. When he got to his destination he told his mother what was going on and she just said he was overreacting. So he called Ted and Emmett and Lindsay and Melanie. And hearing that something was wrong they all ended up at Debbie’s house. When they were all there they asked question after question about what was happening. “Do you want something to drink?” Vic was asking as he went around. “Hey,” Debbie shouted. “Can everyone just shut the fuck up?” “Okay,” Mel said. “What’s going on? Michael said it was an emergency.” “Did something happen?” Patrick asked. “What are you doing here?” Michael asked frowning. “He’s here with me,” Nicholas said. Debbie was happy for them and yet sad that Michael had wasted his chance with Nicholas. Michael glared at Nicholas and Patrick. “So what was the emergency?” Melanie asked dying to know what Michael’s crisis was. “It’s nothing,” Ted said. He had gotten there first and Michael had told him what he thought the emergency was. “He’s overreacting over Brian and Justin, yet again.” The collective groan was heard. “It’s not that,” Michael said. “Brian’s things are gone.” “What?” Emmett asked. Lindsay and Melanie looked at each other but didn’t say anything. They had promised to keep quiet. “Everything is gone,” Michael said. “I was at his loft and it all disappeared.” “Maybe he and Justin moved,” Emmett pointed out accepting the beer from Vic. “Maybe Brian bought a house as a surprise for Justin.” “Without telling us?” Michael asked crossing his arms. “I don’t think so.” “Well,” Patrick said. “Justin said they were leaving to get married. That explains why they aren’t here.” “Maybe it’s going to be a surprise, sweetie,” Debbie pointed out. “Maybe they’ll call us and tell us where they moved to.” Michael shook his head. “He would have told me.” “Well,” Lindsay said. “He called us like two days ago,” she said looking at Melanie who nodded. “And he asked if everything was okay and then talked to Gus for a while.” Michael frowned. “Well, he hasn’t called me. I’m telling you something is wrong.” “We’re going to go,” Mel said getting up. Michael ignored them and tried to convince those who stayed. When that didn’t work he decided to leave. So he left pissed off because he knew who he was talking about. He knew his best friend. The brunet wouldn’t leave just like that without telling anybody. He crossed his arms as he walked away almost in tears. He knew something very bad was going on and he couldn’t do anything about it. He was pretty much right about that. He wasn’t going to be seeing Brian anytime soon if not ever again.