Protective Secrets (The Protective Series, Book 3)

Chapter Six

[Jarmo's P.O.V]

Dominik rapped a few times on Izzy's hotel room door, flicking his coffee brown hair over his back. Over time, his harsh featured face had smoothed out a lot, making him look more mature and a lot wiser than he had been the first time we met. Of course the undeniable resemblance to Janne was still present in his physical appearance, but none of us brought up the subject if we could avoid it. Talking about Janne was too painful for us; especially for me and Asko.

I knew that right now Jed was hurting as well, but what else could we do, when he wasn't answering our calls?

Despite his ruined state of mind, he was still my best friend. No amount of years, months or days could ever change that.

"I hope he likes the cake," Asko breathed nervously from beside me, rubbing his hands together for no particular reason. The sun was shining up in the clear, vibrant blue sky outside, so it couldn't be related to cold weather.

"I'm sure he will," I reassured him, cautiously placing a hand on his shoulder. "Izzy always appreciates anything we do for him. And besides, he deserves this, after all he's done for us in the past."

Asko lifted his light grey eyes, meeting my gaze. "I suppose so." He murmured, sounding uncertain and distant, like he was in a whole different world of his own.

I frowned, about to ask him what was bothering him, when the mahogany door opened.

"Protective Services?" Izzy's voice questioned in utter astonishment. He leaned his forearm against the side of the wooden doorframe, his baby blue eyes widening to the size of two golf balls. "What are you guys doing here? Your next performance isn't for another two days."

We all exchanged a brief glance, before shouting in unison: "Happy birthday!"

Mark brought his hands out from behind his back, holding the home baked red velvet cake on a dessert tray. Dominik had lightly lathered the icing right to the edges, while Asko and I took responsibility of adding hundreds and thousands in the shape of the words 'happy birthday', with a smiley face below.

Neither of us were top rated chefs, but we put the best effort we could into making it something special, just for Izzy.

"Aww you guys," A smile spread across Izzy's weary face, softening the sharp angles of his sunken cheekbones as he gazed down at the cake. "You remembered my birthday?"

"Of course we did," Asko, Dominik and I all said in unison. "You're our best friend, Iz."

Izzy wrapped his muscular arms around mine and Asko's shoulders, pulling us into a tenacious hug. Mark and Dominik stepped closer to him, nuzzling their cheeks against either of his shoulders.

"I love you guys," he sniffled, lowering his hand to the small of my back. That was when I realised the tears streaking down his cheeks, which he wiped away calmly with no signs of sheepishness. "Please, come in. I have some unfortunate news that I must share with you."

I exchanged a worried glance with Asko, before following Mark inside Izzy's hotel room. He could have upgraded his room if he wanted to. He had more than enough finances in the bank, but he'd chosen to stick with a simple look, while giving us the best rooms Cumulus hotel had to offer.

Thin blue curtains covered the windows on the right side of the room, filtering pale white light onto the double bed placed in the centre of the spacious room. The blue and white checkered sheets were neatly made, and a pile of fresh fluffy white towels were folded at the foot. Two wooden framed armchairs sat with their backs turned to the second window, the crimson cushioning of the first still dented from where Izzy had been sitting.