Page 74 of Bound in Blood
“Has he already gone out?” Marco tilted his head in confusion. The light peaking in through the curtains revealed there was still an hour of daylight, at least. “That’s fine. I can head to that bar he?—”
“He left, Marco.”
The room dropped ten degrees.
The words hung in the air, thick and suffocating, pressing against Marco’s ribs like a vice. His breath stuttered, the world around him blurring at the edges. “What do you mean?” he asked slowly, pronouncing every word. Surely, something was lost in translation. Surely?—
“After you went to sleep last night, Mateo and Alexei stumbled back in.” Jiro scoffed in slight disgust. “Drunk, as usual. They were talking about train tickets. Mateo said there were no good times tonight, so if Alexei could be ready in half an hour, they’d ‘just go.’ I’m sorry, Marco.”
No.
No, that wasn’t… wasn’t possible.
Marco would haveknown.Would havefelt it.
But he did, didn’t he? He knew something was wrong the second he woke up.
“Did you hear where they were headed?” Marco asked, pleaded. “Please tell me they mentioned a city.”
“Yes,” Jiro paused, as if in thought. Marco knew it was bullshit, because Jiro didn’t display his thinking on his face like that. “But I’m not going to tell you.”
Marco’s vision blurred at the edges, rage curling hot and vicious in his gut. “What do you mean, you’renot going to tell me?”
Jiro tilted his head, all cool amusement. “Why do you need to know? To chase after him? Like a dog? Do you need to find him, to kneel at his feet?” Jiro rolled his eyes. “Face it, love. He made his choice, and you’re both much better off this way.”
Marco stumbled back like he’d been burned. “He didn’t even say goodbye.”
Jiro laughed humorously. “Why would he? Mateo cares about nobody but himself.”
“That sounds like projection, Jiro. You know how much I love my brother. Did you try to stop him?” Marco was shaking with rage that he had no outlet for. Mateo would punch Jiro. Marco had never hit anyone in his life.
“No, I didn’t. Because I care about what’s best for you. I’m not projecting, Marco. I love you. More than he does, anyway. Would you give a bottle of whiskey to an alcoholic?” Jiro sounded so calm, so levelheaded compared to Marco’s anger.
Marco didn’t reply. He justmoved.Fast enough to make Jiro flinch, but Marco wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of hitting him. He reached for his coat, yanking it on in quick, jerky movements, fingers fumbling as he buttoned it. He had no time to pack, but it didn’t matter. Mateo wouldn’t go somewhere where there were no shops to buy new clothes, and who cared about these books? They would just remind him of Jiro. Jiro, whom Marco was in love with yesterday, and was now pretty sure he never wanted to see again.
“Where are you going?” Jiro’s voice was flat and unimpressed.
Marco didn’t answer. Mainly, because he didn’t know.
“Marco. Think about this.Mateoleft, not you. Maybe you should consider the fact that you’re the only one trying to hold onto something that’s already gone.” Jiro looked at Marco with something bordering on pity. “You can’t keep hurting yourself trying to fix something that’s beyond repair.”
“Where did he go, Jiro?” Marco’s voice was harsh, demanding. He didn’t need Mateo to speak up for him, not this time.
“I’m not telling you. And you should know that’s for your own good.”
Marco’s jaw tightened. “Jiro.”
“No, Marco. I will not enable this.” He shook his head. “This devotion you have to him… it’s unnatural.”
Marco froze, turning to look at him. Jiro smiled, sharp and knowing.
“Willing to leave the man you’re fucking to chase your beloved brother to God knows where? Are we sure this isn’t romantic in nature?” Jiro’s lips curled.
Marco’s vision blurred with fury. “You’re fuckingdisgusting,Jiro.”
Jiro shrugged, perfectly at ease, still naked in their bed, like he hadn’t just said the most vile thing he could think of to upset Marco. “Just an observation.”
Marco couldn’t do this. Hewouldn’tdo this. He spun on his heel and stormed toward the door. Vaguely, he heard Jiro call out to him, but the blood was rushing too fast in his ears for him to listen.
