Page 26 of Pursuing the Egoist
“Yugo,” Gustavo’s voice trembled with a poor connection. Picking up his cell-phone from the desk, Yugo approached the window and looked out at the brewing snowstorm that threatened to engulf the earth any moment. “Sergen left the warehouse. He will be in Vienna before six.”
“What about the boats?” The door flew open without a knock. Yugo spun as Mio entered his office. His azure eyes, rimmed with purple circles, feverishly glinted in his pale face. His white, tight-fitting sweater only accented his frail complexion, so did his white cotton pants. He looked even thinner, paler today. His cheeks had fallen in; lips were a bluish, unhealthy. Yugo scowled.
Mio grinned, the corners of his eyes crinkling. Yugo knew he was about to sprint into his arms, so he raised his index finger, demanding silence. Still holding the phone in his other hand, he turned the loudspeaker off and pressed the device to his ear.
“Almost loaded. Will launch in two hours. Any news from the police?” Gustavo said.
“Some. The unit is buzzing, but the information about the interception location wasn’t released yet. They are probably scared of a leak.”
Breaking Yugo’s silent order, Mio threw himself into his arms. The yoke of his embrace locked around Yugo’s neck as Mio got on his toes and pressed a quick kiss to his chin. Thin fingers gripped Yugo’s shoulders, then slunk down to his back before digging into his shoulder blades. Mio rubbed his slim face against Yugo’s chest.
Involuntarily, Yugo smiled. With a habitual gesture, he pressed the inner side of his wrist to Mio’s forehead, checking his temperature. He nodded, as Mio’s skin felt cold, then ruffled his flaxen hair, brushing it away from his beautiful face. “They activated EKO Cobra[2], so things will get hot. Either way, proceed.”
Yugo hung up then caressed the side of Mio’s face with the back of his index finger. “Who drove you? I asked you to call before coming.”
“No one. I came alone.” Mio shrugged with an innocent expression.
“In this weather? Do you have a death wish?” The nasty screech of teeth grinding filled Yugo’s ears as he pushed a breath out. He grabbed Mio’s hands, feeling his icy fingers, then growled, “Did you keep the window open again? You are fucking freezing.”
The splitting, disarming smile spread across Mio’s pale lips before he cooed, “I missed you.”
Dropping Mio’s hands, Yugo approached the bar, splashed some cognac into a fat glass, then offered it to Mio. “Drink up, then go and take a warm bath. I’ll arrange a spare bedroom for you.”
“What?” The smile fell from the pallid face, azure eyes hardened.
“It’s a delivery day. I’m busy.” Yugo pushed the glass forward again.
“No, you are not.” Mio’s voice broke, harsh notes scraped Yugo’s ears. The boy approached, snatched the glass out of his hands, and threw the amber liquid down his throat. A sharp exhale crashed against Yugo’s face, washing him in a strong smell of alcohol. “Uncle already told me that it’s delivery day and everything is arranged. You have nothing to do.”
Yugo wanted to break Rudolph’s neck for running his mouth. Cheek twitching, he said, “Yes, it’s delivery day, but Rudolph knows nothing. I have a lot of work, so not tonight, Mio.”
“Yes, tonight.” Mio grabbed his forearm, eyes glowing with hellish flames. “I came all this way to see you because you haven’t had time for me in weeks. You don’t even reply to my messages anymore. Tonight, you stay with me.”
Yugo gave a slow headshake. “Look at yourself. You need to rest. You look like you are about to faint.”
“Yeah, I haven’t slept well lately, but I promise, I feel good.”
“No.” Word ringing with steel, Yugo shook off the grip of Mio’s fingers.
“Fine.” Chin dropping to the frail chest, Mio glared up from under his light lashes. His voice bleeding with sweet venom when he said, “Then I’ll find someone else to keep me company.”
Anger erupted, washing Yugo in heat. He looked Mio in the eye, blew out a breath, and said as calm as he could, “Firstly, don’t ever try to blackmail me again.”
Mio swallowed; his jaw tightened.
“Secondly, if you do this, I’ll never touch you again.”
The tiny muscle beneath Mio’s eye trembled, a bluish vein on his temple increased the pulsation, and a wet glint settled in azure irises. He kicked the floor then turned away. “Won’t make any difference. You never do anyway! Lovers my ass… Do you even care about me?”
He sniffed, wiped his nose with the sleeve of his sweater, and his shoulders hunched. Yugo smirked, wondering why he could never win against Mio. Even knowing Mio most likely played him, testing his limits, Yugo hated seeing him upset. He took a step forward, and his arms closed around Mio’s tiny frame. Against his chest, the boy felt even more fragile and cold. Yugo kissed his temple, checking his temperature again, then put his chin on top of his head. “Of course I do. Don’t say stupid things.”
Mio turned in his arms, eyes dry and hard. “Then let me stay with you tonight. Please. It’s been so long. Just… please. I miss you so much. I need you.”
The twist of Mio’s plump lips screamed of real emotion, and Yugo thought that he was about to cry for real.
“Fine.” Yugo gave in but quickly added, “But before, you take a bath and have a proper meal. I need to finish up, so don’t disturb me.”
“Yeah, okay.” Mio’s head frantically bobbed as a wide, stupid grin lit up his face. He squeezed Yugo in his arms before dashing out of the room. “Please, hurry up.”
