"Oh look what the hell they did to him! Oh dear! How can someone be so heartless." Gavin's hands trembled as drag them over Kai's petite frame but never dared to touch him, Afraid he may wake up. "What exactly happened!?" He didn't knew the details except that he was poisoned, his red hot head turned up to me, he was angry and guilt reflected in his eyes, he partially blamed himself for the unfortunate incident.
No one released information about the bruises. He was family so he had to be told.
I took it upon myself to summarize the whole story for him. I poured myself some coffee before I began, if I started feeling suffocated in the middle.
"Kai was in the backyard when it started. Lara was in the living room while someone sneaked in to poison the prepared lunch for afternoon. The sneeker was a practiced theif, so none noticed him coming in and leaving with the drugged kid. It was a sunny morning so it was obvious the house was open from all sides. Leaving lara others had already set out for work and school."
"Why was he in Lara's place?" Gavin inquired frowning.
He should know.
I should tell.
I breathed in taking a sip of hot coffee.
"I leave early. Come home late. Spend sleepless nights working isolated in one room. Hubert was caught in the security cameras around my house sometime ago. I suspected to lure out kai. Lara has a homely atmosphere in her home. She lived next city. They were desperate for money. So.." I trailed off focusing on the liquid turning cold. It was silence. I know he was furious. I was guilty as well. I didn't looked at Callen but I felt him near me.
"So you hid him there assuming he will be safe?" Gavin completed furiously trying to growl low, I nodded not meeting his hurt eyes. He was no idiot.
"You all are grown ups yet fight like elementary kids! Creating trouble for everyone else to clean it up for you.." he almost yelled and I flinched. I earned it. Rambled the rest to himself in a murmur. I eyed the man's back as he turned while mumbling from beneath my lashes.
"Couldn't you call me for help. I'm a free old man. Forgotten me already!?"
"We weren't related-"
"Is she?" He cut me off referring to lara.
"You are his dad. Is she?" I said referring Hubert.
"Touché." He held his hands up before dropping them to his sides with a defeated sigh.
"I'd like to have Kai's guardianship." Gavin announced his request. I jerked my head up in reaction.
"I don't have any objections. Sounds fair to me." I agreed.
"Once kai regains his consciousness I'll have my lawyers ready with share custody papers in a few days." He finally met my pooling eyes. Now I can rest assured. My baby will be safe. Hubert wanted to use and throw kai but this old guy is way more promising. He earned my trust.
"If he was just poisoned. How come he is wrapped everywhere?" He was back to where I left.
"They shackled him to the ground in an old sagging abandoned house. When kai woke up dazed, they forced half a tonic container he couldn't identify and not long after his body ached all over." I choked but Callen rubbed my back gently with his palm handing me a glass of water. I flickered my eyes up to callen, he nodded and somehow I could breathe then focusing back on the floortile. "He kicked his cuffed legs in air, his hands were tied too yet he tried to strangle away but his feeble attempts to escape were of no use. The prickling hay he was captured under made sharp cuts his delicate skin. He twisted his tied ankles so much they ended up bruised. He cried but heard no reply it was dark, his head throbbed, chest pained. It was silent and the drug was taking it's effect on him. He eventually gave up. He doesn't remember anything that happened after that. I told you everything he stated to the police." I ended heaving a long sigh.
"I'm still missing something." He stroked his beard. "Yes. The mastermind." I sat on the bed next to where little kai laid. Callen leaned against the opposite wall crossing his bulging arms over his chest. Clearing my throat here I explained. "Ashley set up the poison in Lara's house to fabricate the evidence and so for feeding kai poisoned food in anger and leaving him under the basement to die she could get imprisoned and the four culprits will be safe because police do arrest the one they suspect first and lara was the perfect bait. But the confession round went very smoothly and the real sinners are behind the bars." He hummed but that was it. I scratched my chin my eyes darting to callen who almost looked like he was sleeping soundly even in a standing position and then to Gavin who stared into the distance out of the window tired already, I predicted getting the truth out of the three will be challenging but they surrendered pretty quickly. I was looking forward to some drama.
Whatever.
My eyes rested over Kai's swelling chest taking huge breaths and sinking as he exhales calmly. Cold air swept in through open window I shivered but felt fresh.
Time passed slow. It was quiet as we stood frozen in our places, relaxing. Kai's breathing sound was what I focused on. It appeased me.
Like calm before the storm.
