The plan today is to take him outside and tire him out as quickly as possible, so I teach him a few self-defence moves. It's nothing major when he's half my height, but at least he knows to poke some eyes out and aim for the groin as hard as he can. It's effective against anyone no matter the size or gender.
I'm sure the consequences of that will come back to bite me later.
After that, it takes about four more hours of Syndicate before my plan comes to fruition and he falls asleep. By 3 pm, when I’m finally able to step out of the room, I spot a familiar figure at the bottom of the stairs.
“Gabriel,” I hiss to get his attention and he blinks up at me from his conversation, as if seeing a ghost.
Yes, you. Bastard, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. Hell is freezing over right now.
I’d never cared to ask where he goes, or what he does when there aren’t any missions. For any of them actually, Tobias or Xavier. Are they allowed to have lives outside of the Taiga family? Does he leave here on the weekend to go home to some sister or family member?
Fortunately, I’m not close enough to ask... but when I got stuck with the kid I realized I had no idea where to find any of them to ask for... anything. I have their numbers in my phone yes... but it’s a familiar kind of emptiness, not knowing where they are.
“Which room on this floor is yours?” I ask the moment he gets to the top of the stairs.
His brow furrows, “Four doors to the left of yours.”
Silence.
“Your left or my left?”
I hate the amusement that flashes through his eyes for an instant when he points to my right.
And then he’s going to say something like, ‘You should know that’.
People.
“And Tobias’?” I ask.
“Left of mine.” He gives me this look that screams, ‘I’m assuming you know which left now’.
Fuck off. My teeth are already grinding six seconds into conversation. Forget sister, I bet you don’t even have a dog at home waiting for you.
“Xavier’s is right next to yours and Reuben’s is down the hall.” He points to the rest of them for me and I hate the mocking glint in his eyes even more, “Three months and you don’t know our rooms?”
Three months and two days actually, but who am I to correct you? Also,youguys are the ones always coming tome.
“Watch the kid for six minutes, I’m starving,” I implore him.
“Not for free.” His reply is instantaneous.
“… You’re joking.”
“I don’t get paid to babysit.”
“… Aren’t we Reuben’s glorified babysitters?” I deadpan.
“If heeverhears you say that,” he hisses with a venomous look, “you will have killed us both.”
I shrug. I can’t imagine that. Though seeing Gabriel frightened is separately hilarious.
“Besides, Rosabella’s kid is a legend in the family.” He folds his arms and hissmirk grates on my nerves as much as his conversation. “I’m surprised you tamed him. Do you go around playing a magic flute?”
I can’t say I follow, butIcantell he’s being an asshole. “He’s asleep and I’m starving.” I attempt a barter, “Just six minutes.”
He holds out his hand and I take back every other thing I ever said.
What’s wrong with this family and extorting money from people?!
