Hitman: Captured | #1 - HIATUS

► Chapter 25

Neil Madden

Glancing around the room, I see everyone is occupied. Mostly the Capos gathered together focusing on other dilemmas in their operations. Christopher, Quinn, and Genesio are apart from the Capos, looming over Donovan speaking to the Vidal brothers on his phone.

A hand touches my bicep drawing my attention, brown irises shimmers in concern. "You should go clean yourself up." His gravelly voice is soft-spoken to prevent others from hearing.

It dawns on me I haven't changed out of my clothes yesterday and I probably look like a mess from lack of sleep. Nodding, I stroll toward the door nearly closing it behind me if someone hadn't followed me out.

"Neil," Christopher calls out to me prompting me to peer over my shoulder. The younger dirty blonde has his hair in a tight bun wearing a baggy sweater and joggers. He has a conflicted look in his eyes.

"What's bothering you, Chris?" I ask despite having a good idea about what it is.

"It's just... when we get Matt back, how much do you think will change between us?" he inquires. "Brian... he's a fucking mess. He's been really agitated, and he hasn't been himself. He doesn't sleep, skips his meals, and he's been throwing up whenever he does eat."

My eyebrows furrows, "I honestly can't tell you how things will be. But have you told Alexei? It could be his medication."

Christopher rubs the back of his neck averting his gaze, "I tried. Alexei can't treat him when he's refusing his help."

The fact he's coming to me about this must be he doesn't want their parents to know.

Unable to do anything more for him, I offer him a smile of my own and outstretch my hand to pat his shoulder. "You're a good cousin and friend, you know that, right? Looking after Brian and helping your dad find Matt too is honestly amazing. We're all worried about the same things you are including Brian. I think being there for Brian for emotional support would do a lot for him and as for Matt, I guess we'll know when he's here."

"Thanks for listening to me," he exhales, returning the smile. "Honestly, hearing Matt remembered Donovan's rifle gave me hope. He always had better survival instincts than Brian and me."

"I can imagine. He drove me fucking nuts." I agree.

Christopher laughs, shaking his head. "That's probably our fault. I won't keep you any longer, you probably want to get some sleep, you look like you need it."

My hand drops from his shoulder, bidding him farewell. I linger in the hallway, pulling myself together after talking to Christopher. Somehow I'm so wrapped up in myself it slips my mind others are just as worried as me or if not, more. They've known Matt longer than I have so I can't keep painting Matt as some angel.

At the time, he might've been an angel to me. Except no one is perfect. I don't expect Matt to be. Just like I know everyone has their own flaws and demons. Matt... he won't be the same person I first met, and I find myself not being as unsettled by it. Rather than pondering about who he will turn out to be, I should focus on what I can do to make Matt feel like he can be himself again.

After returning to my room, I managed to get much needed sleep. I would've overslept the meeting time if it weren't for my father waking me up—roughly.

Messy blonde locks fell over my face prompting me to run my fingers through it as another yawn escapes me. "I'm still so tired."

"What do you leave me? I'm running on four hours of sleep." my father grumbles, running his hand over his scruffy beard.