This Is Me

Part 58

Sean moved closer to Mark's side, whispering to him discreetly. "Mark? I... I think I just saw Rasputin kissing Roslyn." Mark looked up from his phone to look at him with concern. Sean cleared his throat, awkwardly whispering to him. "I think your theory might be right... He's doing this for Roslyn... but not in the way you thought." Mark's eyes rose to look across the room at Rasputin, before whispering back in a low tone. "Are you sure?" Sean nodded. Mark began texting something on his phone, telling him still in a discreet voice. "I'll have Matthew look into it..." The sound of Stacy's casual voice made them both jump, when she asked curiously. "Have Matthew look into what? What are you two whispering about?" Mark started to gesture to Rasputin, but Sean quickly lowered his hand and answered casually. "Places to visit in Russia. I mean, we'll be there for Christmas. So, why not enjoy some snowy views and stuff, right?" Stacy looked between them for a second with light suspicion, until Mark nodded.

Grinning, Stacy told them happily. "That sounds like fun." Without another word, she turned around and moved to sit down by her dad. Sean felt the sting of his words from just looking at her. Beside him, Mark leaned in close to his ear, whispering a bit sternly. "Why did you say that? Why didn't you tell her-?" Sean turned to face Mark, answering in a softer whisper. "I don't want her involved in this anymore. If Rasputin is making her a target, then it's my fault. I just don't want to hurt her anymore." Mark wrapped his arms around Sean to comfort him for a minute. When he finally pulled away, Sean told Mark with a heavy sigh. "I'm gonna get a coffee. You want one?" Mark nodded, settling back down into his seat. Walking off toward the café, Sean pinched the bridge of his nose. He was so damn tired and had a long flight ahead of him. While standing in line, he tried to focus on the menu board. He was trying to decide if he should eat, until someone grabbed the strap of his messenger bag and dragged him toward the men's bathroom.

Sean jerked, trying to resist the person. He didn't act fast enough though. It had happened too fast. The person shoved him against the bathroom wall, closing the door and locking it. Sean whirled around, keeping his back to the wall as he scanned the room. There was no one else in the bathroom. It was just him and Rasputin. Rasputin leaned back against the door, lazily stating out to him. "You're a hard person to get alone." Sean tensed, shuffling his feet as his hand discreetly went to his back pocket... Where his phone used to be before Mark ruined it. Shrugging, he nervously told Rasputin. "I try not to be because of reasons like this... What do you want?" Rasputin crossed his arms over his chest, asking with an emotionless expression. "I know your friend has been snooping around. Now I'm going to ask you... nicely... to stop. Or things are going to get messy between us off the ice." Sean shrugged, mumbling out innocently. "I don't know what you're-" Rasputin lounged forward to slam a hand on the tile wall beside his face, causing Sean to flinch.

Rasputin's icy glare was menacing as he sneered out through his teeth. "I know for a fact that you do. Now cut it out, or I will. Am I making myself clear?" Sean turned his head to try avoiding his glare and nodded. Rasputin leaned in closer to his ear, adding in a dark threat. "Stay away from my sister... Or the next injury you get won't be because of some loose skate." Sean took a shaky breath, before lightly telling him. "I already know about her... Just like I know how hard she's struggled to get this far. And if it wasn't for her... I would have told the I.S.U. days ago." Rasputin's hand slid down the wall a bit, upon growling out. "Tell anyone and I'll-" Sean straightened up, staring down Rasputin as he shot back curiously. "Does Quintin know that you and your sister are a little... close?" Rasputin's hand fell from the wall and he stepped back with a haunted expression. Rasputin looked suddenly spooked as he snapped out bitterly without looking him in the eyes. "Don't... You don't know what you're talking about."

Sean took a step forward, trying to keep his voice nonthreatening as he asked him. "I saw you kiss her. Look. I'm not particular fond of you... but if something is wrong, I can help-" Rasputin grabbed Sean's throat, slamming him back against the wall as he snapped out. "Shut up! Someone like you could never understand. Just stay out of it! I'm warning you. You tell anyone and I'll kill you." Sean winced from how tight Rasputin's grip was, but strained out. "You're scared of him..." Rasputin released Sean, his hand shaking before he clenched it into a fist. Sean rubbed his throat, watching Rasputin back up stiffly toward the door. After a moment of silence, Rasputin met his eyes, his voice brimming with a newfound stability as he told him. "You like Roslyn? Then keep your mouth shut! Cause you don't know what he's like... What he'll do to her..." Rasputin turned to unlock the door and Sean reached out to stop him. He wanted to help them. Something was clearly wrong, and he couldn't just stand by.