Fog of the Heart

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Half an hour later, Alexis was sitting at the laptop in the bedroom, hacking away as Ash stood behind her watching her. Eiji opened his eyes, hearing the soft tapping noise of the keyboard and sat up, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. Ash looked over his shoulder seeing Eiji. "Did we wake you?" he asked. Eiji slowly shook his head as Ash smiled slightly at the still half asleep Eiji. "Go back to sleep. It's still early." Eiji looked at Ash. "And you? Come sleep with me.." he said, then blushed and covered his mouth realizing what he just said. Alexis looked up at her brother and smiled at him as she saw Ash raise an eyebrow. She then looked back at the computer. "I'm in." she said to Ash.

Ash and Alexis traded spots as Eiji walked over to them, curious on what they were up to. "What are you doing?" he asked, as Ash put his glasses on. He then looked up at Eiji and smirked. "I'm stealing." he told him. Eiji's heart fluttered in his chest, seeing Ash in glasses. It made him look like he was smarter, hotter, not some gang leader. He blushed, and looked at the screen instead. "Um..Ash? Are you going to keep doing that stuff?" he asked. Ash turned around and looked back at the screen. "What stuff?" Eiji rubbed his head. "Like, you know, gun fights and all that stuff." Ash smirked. "What? Are you scared?" he asked, slyly. "No way! I'm just saying that being reckless isn't the only way to be brave." he said, frustrated. Alexis looked over at him. "I'm older, so you should listen." he snorted. Alexis giggled .

Ash looked up at Eiji. "Well, forgive me, Big Bro." he said, being snooty. Eiji was taken aback. "Why are you already like this?!  Just last night, you cried like a baby!" Alexis started laughing at them. They were like a married couple. Ash removed his glasses and pouted up at Eiji. "Come on, Big Brother." He then sighed and dramatically put his hand to his chest. "I'm really busy now. Could you get off my back?" Eiji clenched his hands, feeling infuriated, opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again and stormed out of the room. Alexis sighed as she walked over to the bed and climbed onto it, grabbing her sketchbook. "He's only worried about you, you know." she muttered to him.

***********

Later that evening, Ash met Max at the Oyster Bar restaurant. "Huh? That's all you're eating?" he asked, as the waiter placed oysters down in front of Ash, and a steak with the fixings, for Max, in front of him. Ash sighed, as he adjusted his sweater slightly, and fixed his glasses. "I'm watching my weight." he muttered as he rested his chin on his hand. "You go ahead and pig out." Max, who was wearing a suit accompanied by a fake moustache, glared at him. "I sure as hell will. You nibble on that leaf like a bunny." he snorted, as he cut into his steak and ate some. "Yum. This is so good!" Max then looked serious at the boy who was sitting across from him. "You really surprised me when your boys came for me."

Max ate another bite. "How'd you find us?" he asked, curiously. Ash shrugged. "Where else would you be, dad?" Max sighed. "Cut it out. I'm not half as old enough to be your dad. I can't believe you dressed me up like this so we can play dad and son." he muttered, then leaned forward. "So, what's up? How is Alexis and Eiji?" he asked. Ash looked at Max as he scooped an oyster out and ate it. "Alexis is..hanging in for now. I don't think it's really registered with her yet, that she's killed someone." Max looked at him in shock. "Killed?" Ash nodded. "Justified revenge." he muttered. "But now, old man Dino is looking for us with the cops on a leash." he sighed and looked down. "It's only a matter of time before they find us."

Max looked at Ash. "If you're worried about Eiji, give him to us," he said. Ash shook his head. "He's safer with me. You guys can't protect him like I can." he said. Max sighed. "Fine, have it your way. So, what now?" he asked. Ash ate a bit more before saying, "I'm buying a condo on 59th avenue. I need you to sign the contract." Max leaned forward, shocked. "What did you say?" he asked. Ash shrugged. "Not like I can do it. I am still just a kid, afterall." he snorted. "But, how are you going to pay for it?" Max asked him, seeing Ash fold his hands together in front of himself, then he rested his chin on his hands, smirking devilishly. "What did you do?" Max asked, concerned. "It's nothing. I got Alexis to send fake selling orders to the main stock companies. Lots of them."