What a killer.
Samson
I’m not sure if I’m more offended that you thought it was a real threat or how open your stance was.
Matthias
You’re being too harsh, Samson. I think scary balloon men is where Wylder’s talents truly lie.
Fuckers.
I slam my phone down and stand up, the looming emails completely forgotten. I stalk from the office and out into the hallway. My brothers are nowhere to be found, the house empty and hollow. But Neo is here somewhere. I’m going to find him and give him a stern talking-to.
I huff a laugh as I take the stairs two at a time. I’m not sure that would work. I think he’d just smirk at me.
Fuck, I hate the things that wicked smile does to me. To my monster.
It craves it in a way that’s definitely not healthy.
After turning a corner, I push open the first door I see. This house is far too big; it has too many rooms. I’ve always hated it, but with Neo here now, I have a whole new reason to add to my list. There are too many places he can hide. Sweeping my gaze over each shadowed corner, I close the door and move to the next one.
Most of these rooms are unused and shut completely unless we have large parties. It’s only then that they’re opened up and made presentable. Neo could be tucked away in any one of these. I could see him deliberately hiding under one of the dusty beds just to fuck with me.
I do find him though, after about thirty minutes of searching, my annoyance still a steady drumbeat inside of me. If anything, the search has made the beat louder, harder to ignore.
By the time I locate him in his own room, it’s so loud I almost can’t hear him speak.
“Took you long enough.” He smirks. He’s cross-legged on the bed, and his laptop is on his lap. “Did you get lost? Thought you would know this palace like the back of your hand, seeing as it’s yours.”
Like my brothers, Neo is suffering under the misconception that I enjoy living here.
Here. In the home of my nightmares. The prison I desperately wanted to escape as a child. That I would’ve escaped as a teenager if it weren’t for the others.
I never would’ve abandoned them. Not tohim.
Now, he can never hurt them again, but still, I can’t bring myself to leave. There’s nothing keeping me here other than habit.
Habit and fear. Fear of going against his wishes.
Even from beyond the grave, Father is still pulling my strings.
Neo is still smirking up from his bed. I sigh internally. Why didn’t I look here in the first place?
Probablybecause it was too obvious. Which is likely why he chose it.
I should have known better. But then again, I realize I’m dealing with someone unlike anyone I’ve ever met. An opponent who can match my level.
I shouldn’t like that so much.
“Bet you looked through every room in the house,” Neo drawls, stretching his legs out before him.
My teeth clench as I glower at him. I won’t answer him. I won’t give him the satisfaction.
“Admit it. It will make you feel better.”
His grin widens, and I shift on my feet.
“No more filming me without consent.”
