Infernos (ManxMan)

Chapter IV

^Luca

Blaine

I woke up warmer and more comfortable than I thought I could on the floor. It was a few moments later when I realized I wasn't on the floor, but instead I was curled up in a cocoon of sheets on the bed.

Rolling over quickly, I blinked when my gaze met Rowan's. He was resting up on one arm, watching me with a bored expression.

"How long have you been watching me?" I asked, mildly uncomfortable.

"All night," he said simply. He sat up and stretched, a small strip of skin peeking out from under the bottom lining of his shirt. "I can't sleep on the floor, and watching you was the most interesting thing I could do. Except kill you, that is, but we already established hurting you hurts me, and hurting myself is no fun."

"Uh, what?"

"What's to 'what?' Hurting myself isn't fun. That's what lovers are for." Wow, okay. That's completely normal.

I stood, reaching my arms above my head before sighing. "We should get a move on."

Rowan nodded and followed me out the door. I paid the owner who tipped his hat at me, but my eyes couldn't help but lock on to a towering form speaking heatedly with another man.

I strained to listen, waving my hand behind my back to signal for Rowan to wait in the shadows.

"You're telling me my brother is looking for me? Are you sure? That kid does everything he can to avoid me," he snarled. The other man's face was flushed.

"I wouldn't lie about this," he snapped.

The larger man bared his teeth. "Even if he is actually looking for me, it's not for anything good. Don't tell him where I am."

I turned around and frowned at Rowan. "Is that Greed?" I whispered, and he peeked around my shoulder, nodding with gritted teeth.

"Yeah that's him." He grabbed my forearm. "His name is Luca, remember. If you call or mention anything about him being Greed he's going to poof out of here before you can even finish talking."

I nodded my affirmation and puffed out my cheeks. I walked forward slowly, glancing behind me to see Rowan giving me an intense thumbs up. I hid my amulet underneath the collar of my shirt to keep Luca from getting any warning signs and stepped out.

I started forward again, and exhaled slowly. "U-um, excuse me? Are you Luca?" I asked, and he turned towards me, eyes widening.

"Perhaps. Why do you ask?" He pivoted his body so it faced me full on, and he crossed his arms over his broad chest.

I pretended to appear flustered. "Well, I couldn't help but see you from over there, and I asked the bartender for your name-"

"Oh?" He was interested now. "And you came over to talk to me?"

I smiled sheepishly. "Is that weird?"

He grinned. "No, not really. Want to know a secret?" I nodded eagerly and he leaned close to my ear so his lips brushed my lobe.

"I noticed you too," he whispered, and I giggled.

"My turn!" He stood, surprised, and I balanced on my tiptoes to come as close to his ear as possible. "What are you going to do about it?" I murmured.

The amulet around my neck buzzed lightly, and I forced myself from looking in Rowan's direction. He must be angry seeing his brother after so long.