Page 15 of The Cat's Mausy

“He’s on a date, Dimitri,” he said, deciding that ripping the band-aid off was going to be the only way to do this. “Maybe not a traditional one, but a date he’s enjoying all the same.” He felt a stab of guilt as Dimitri’s face dropped.

“No,” he said softly then his expression twisted into anger. “No, Issac doesn’t date! He-”

Adrian hit the table with both hands, sending everything clattering with the bang of wood. “I warned you, Dimitri,” he said, glaring at his brother who shrank back under Adrian’s anger. “I warned you what it most likely was, and I warned you that if you did not make a move someone else was going to snatch Issac away. Don’t get pissy with me because you wasted seven years pining after him instead of manning up and asking him out properly and someone else beat you to the punch.”

“But this isn’t someone else,” Dimitri said, not so deflated he didn’t have it in him to argue. “This is the Italian Cat! You told me yourself how dangerous he is! How he gets off on hunting people down and killing them.”

“And I meant every word of it,” Adrian said firmly. “But I also know that being those things doesn’t make a man immune to wanting or having a relationship!”

He saw Dimitri’s eyes dart towards the picture of Mama on the wall next to him where Papa had put her years ago. He had told them back then he still wanted to look at her smile across the breakfast table.

“The Cat can date whoever he wants, bratishka,” Adrian said, trying to sound softer. “If Issac didn’t want the attention, that would be one thing; but I have no reason to believe he doesn’t. There is nothing I can do short of Issac saying he needs help.”

The anger started to form back on Dimitri’s face. “But-”

Adrian hit the table again, this time getting to his feet and sending the chair toppling back behind him. “Dostatochno, Dimitri,” he shouted. “If you want to know what is going on and change his mind then man up and ask him yourself tomorrow! I’m not wasting any more time or resources on your fucking unrequited crush getting a boyfriend because you dragged your feet! I told you to ask him out years ago and you didn’t have the balls to do it! It’s not my problem!”

Dimitri’s face dropped and Adrian saw him swallow then steel in anger as he turned on his heels and ran out of the room. Adrian sighed as he heard the bedroom door slam and picked up the chair.

“Beda, moy syn,” Papa asked as he stepped into the kitchen from the same door Dimitri had run of and leaned against the wall under Mama’s picture.

Adrian sighed again, holding the back of his chair as he stared at his father. The man was every bit as strong and intimidating as he had been when the treaty forming the Three Rings was signed, but there was more gray in his hair, Adrian noticed, a few more lines in his brow. “How long have you been near?”

“Long enough to hear Dimitri’s Issac has gotten involved somehow with the Italian Cat,” Papa said, flicking a bit of lint off his arm. “How did that happen?”

“I don’t know,” Adrian sighed, taking his plate to the microwave to heat it back up. “Maybe last night from what little Dimitri knows.”

“You are sure it is not poaching,” Papa asked, watching him move without turning his head. “The Cat has had close calls with those particular rules in the past.”

“With what I know and what I have seen, I don’t think it is poaching, Papa.” Adrian tossed his phone over. “It’s a date. I’ve seen how the Cat treats people he wants for the Italians. This isn’t it.”

Papa frowned as he caught the phone, then walked over and set it on the table without looking at it. “I trust your judgment, Adrian,” he said. “If you say it is not poaching then you are correct that we have no reason to intervene unless we are asked.” He looked up towards the ceiling. “I just wish it didn’t hurt him so.”

Adrian felt a bit of pride that Papa didn’t look at the pictures and followed his gaze upwards. “Me too,” he agreed. “But like you have told us both, the heart does-”

“What the heart wants,” Papa said, smiling. “Your Mama was the one who said that. Pity, I think she would have liked the boy.” He shook his head. “You handled it all well. I’ll leave it for now. You will tell me if I need to get involved. Eat your dinner. I am going to bed.”

“Of course, Papa,” Adrian agreed. “Spokoynoy nochi.”

“Spokoynoy nochi, syn.”

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