WebNovels

Chapter 6 - Chapter Six

Nicholas's Pov 

I found Nathan over the marble island, typing way too energetically for my taste. The overhead lights cast a soft glow across the sleek, countertops and the hum of the built-in espresso machine blended with the tap of his keyboard. 

"Still trying to trace Carson?" I asked, as I opened the fridge. I grabbed the tub of mint chip from the freezer drawer, and popped the lid with one hand. Nathan didn't even look up, the glow of the system screen reflected off his glasses.

"Amongst other things," he said. "And, y'know, keeping track of the guys who threatened your life. Basic little brother duties."

"You're taking this way too seriously," I said, pulling a spoon from the drawer and leaning back against the island. He shot me a look his eyes half-lidded.

"You mean your safety? Yeah, I'm kind of a fan of keeping you alive." I took a bite, the cold punching the roof of my mouth.

"Alright, alright. When you put it like that, you make me sound reckless."

"Am I wrong?" he asked, his eyebrow raised like he already knew the answer which he did. I rolled my eyes and went back to eating, he wasn't wrong and we both knew it. The system gave a double beep and a red dot zipped across the digital map stretched across the screen.

"What's that?" I asked, nodding to the screen and he leaned in slightly his eyes narrowing on the screen.

"It's Carson's location," he muttered. "I traced him to Istanbul.

"Istanbul? What the hell is he doing there?" He smirked, not looking away from the screen.

"Running or trying to. Idiot's still using burner phones that ping off cell towers, what an amateur fucker." I stepped closer mint chip forgotten for a moment.

"So we've got a location on him?" I asked rubbing my forehead 

"Yeah," he said, typing faster now. "If he keeps this pattern, I'll have his hotel by midnight." He glanced at me over the screen. "Want me to prepare the plane and the welcome party?"

"Do that," I said, "And add Craig's location too. His expiration date's long overdue." He tapped a few more keys 

"Already done. I just sent Craig's location to Grant, the idiot's not far from here." then he reached for that horrifying green smoothie he'd been nursing, some disgusting blend of kale, matcha and whatever else he and Grace were into lately, It was disgusting to look at. I gave him the side-eye distastefully because who in their right minds drinks that shit like water.

"Do not judge me" he says as he looked between the ice cream and my face like he was trying to decide which one looked more unstable.

"Yes I am definitely judging, Nathan." 

"It makes my skin flawless and smooth. How do you I look this good?" He asked 

"The dozens of skin care products you stock up at your apartment and that yoga routine you do every evening" I muttered taking another spoon of mint cream.

"Are you okay?" He asked glancing taking another sip to mess with me. He knows how much I hate that shit and he still takes it to mess with me 

"I'm supposed to ask you that" I say still staring at the green shit "and why wouldn't I be?" I asked

"Anytime you pull out a mint chip, it's either one of two things. You were either spiraling or about to make a wildly unhinged decision." I exhaled through my nose and went back to my ice cream.

"I'm fine, Nate."

"You always say that."

"And you're always annoying," I muttered. He shrugged completely unbothered.

"It's part of the little brother contract. It comes with sarcasm, excessive tracking skills and saving your ass from self-destruction." I rolled my eyes "You still didn't answer me though," he added, gently pressing.

"I'm not going to because there's nothing wrong, at least not yet." Before he could argue, the side door creaked open and Greg walked in shirtless, a thick folder in one hand and his phone wedged between his shoulder and ear. His build was all muscle and sharp edges with faint scars and tattoos crisscrossing his chest, and the twin silver hoops in his nipples catching the light as he moved. Without glancing up, he ended the call mid-step and dropped the folder on the counter with a dull thud.

"The Dominican crew's are still twitchy after that threat message you got," he said, his voice rough with irritation. "Stupid fuckers." He narrowed his eyes at me assessingly. "You good?" he asked, his tone casual but not really. I lifted my spoon in warning

"Why? You gonna come for my mint chip too?" a grin tugged at his lips. "Nah, that it's practically sacred at this point."

"What do you want to do about the thieves? They're with Ivan" He handed me the folder he walked in with; names and photos with a clean layout, Neatly bound like this was a business deal, which in a way it was. I skimmed through the names my mind already playing with the possibilities.

"We'll be having another guest soon." I said, and he turned to Nathan his brow raised in a silent question

"the twink that stole from him," Nathan answered without missing a beat, still half-focused on his system screen. "The package has arrived" Nathan says referring to Craig, he turned the screen towards Greg revealing a CCTV videotape of the man In question bound and gagged, he seemed to be out of it his face bloodied and bruised.

"i think I might have to sit this one out" I say trashing the ice cream container in the bin.

"You never miss out on a good entertainment" Greg says with a skeptical look on his face folding his thick tattooed arms across his chest.

"I know but i'm off to the hospital to see Martha" Nathan took a sip from his concoction, his voice flat and asked,

"You know his dad's gonna be there, right?"

"I'm counting on it"

Greg let out a low whistle and said "That's gonna be a hell of a reunion."

Nathan chuckled under his breath but there was no real humor there. "you think he'll throw a punch this time or just choke on his own hate?"

"Does it matter?" I asked. He's had years to get over himself and yet..." Nathan's jaw ticked his grip tightening around the bottle 

"He's not going to change."

"I'm not asking him to, I'm just going to check on Martha and if he's got a problem with that he can get in line behind everyone else." Greg raised an eyebrow

"And if he says something?" I gave him a calm and sinister smile,

"Then I'll remind him exactly who had his son moaning my name" Nathan barked out a laugh. "Ugh, Nicholas. We absolutely did not need to know that." 

"Don't worry" I say, "I'll play nice."

"Before you head out, Ma says she'd love for us to meet at Nonna and Pops' estate." Nathan says twirling a pen round his fingers

"Ugh is there no way we can skip?" I asked and Nathan glared at me

"The last time you "skipped" I didn't hear the end of it and I'd like to have to head intact thank you very much"

"Okay, okay. Before I leave I want you and Greg on Carson's trail don't let him breathe unless I say so. If you have to fly to Istanbul, do it." they both nodded 

"Understood."

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