Chapter Two

Killian stood there at the entrance until Mike disappeared. He clenched his hand and put it in the pocket of his coat. 

Burying it deep, as if he didn’t want to look at the place Mike had touched him with his lips. It was starting to get cold, the morning chill penetrating through his body, and Killian took a deep breath before he went inside. 

He took the elevator to his apartment, not turning on the lights. Killian didn’t need to as he knew his place by heart. He opened the door and hesitated before turning on the lights in there and after a while, he closed the door and leaned against it. 

Killian eventually turned the lights on, took off his jacket and headed towards the kitchen. 

“Whisky or vodka? “

He said, opening the liquor cabinet. 

“Isn’t it a bit early for that. “ 

The voice came from his living room. 

“It’s a bit too late if you ask me. “ 

Killian said as he picked up a bottle of wine and glanced around for a crystal glass. 

“You’ re just getting old.”

Killian said and Garrey stood up from the couch he’d been sitting and waiting for him in the dark only a few minutes ago. 

“And you’re too stupid.” 

He said and came over to where Killian was standing up at the kitchen counter. 

“Is Richard too busy to come and scold me by himself?”

Killian filled the glass up to the rim with the thick red liquor and took a sip from his drink. Garrey looked at him, serious. 

“No one knows I am here. “ 

“Oh, really?”

Killian tilted his head and Garrey pointed his finger at him. 

“Don’t play smart with me, I’ve known you since you were a little brat. “ 

“Nothing’s changed much, right?”

Killian kept drinking, “I will never learn to behave, will I? I wonder when Richard gets tired and…”

“Listen to me!” 

Garrey snapped. 

“I don’t care what’s going on between you and Mike. I don’t want to know. But it has to stop right now. I’m tired of walking around, trying to cover you and him. If Richard finds out, he’s dead. “ Then he added, more carefully, “Don’t you understand? “

Killian lowered his glass and placed it on the counter. 

“There’s nothing to know about. “ 

“Really, Kil?”

Garrey’s voice was still loud. 

“This is a serious warning, kid. Richard still hasn’t sent someone following you, but I had a guy check out on you tonight. But you keep walking around with Mike, disappearing out of the blue and he will. “ then Garrey added, more quietly, “You know what he is capable of doing, better than anyone. And he isn’t letting you go. He’d rather kill you, than let you go. Don’t do this, Killian. Just whatever has been going on with Mike has to stop now. For the sake of both of you.”

Killian kept his eyes fixed on the glass. 

“Okay?”

Garrey’s voice was more leveled, affectionate. He’d always been watching out for all the guys in the gang, Killian especially. If he wasn’t one of the best in the mafia and hadn’t had years of experience in the mafia, Garrey could have easily been an every day man, working on cars and fixing engines, taking his kids on Sunday lunch every second week of the month. 

But he wasn’t, and he had killed enough men for Killian to know that if Richard issued the order, Garrey would have to do it. 

“Okay.” 

Killian said after a pause and Garrey placed his palm on the counter carefully. 

“It’s the best thing. It’s either that, or he becomes a target. He might be already. “

“What was I thinking?”

Killian said quietly and Garrey patted him lightly on the shoulder. 

“That you can have a normal life. “

Killian laughed and Garrey dropped his hand. 

“But, for real- what was the plan? Everytime Richard was gone you and Mike could go for happy walks in the park holding hands. “

Killian held the serious face for only a second before he laughed out loud. 

“Holding hands? As if I’d ever held hands with anyone. Do you think Mike does this, or?...”

“Killian…”

“Okay, okay. I’ll stop. He has nice hands, though…”

“I’m done. “

Garrey held up his hands.

“I can’t. I won’t even come to the funeral. “

“I want to be cremated. “

This time Garrey laughed too. 

“If they ever gather all the parts to be burned. Anyway, get some sleep and no more night walks, yes?”

“Yes. “ 

“Great. Now enjoy the little time off you had and I hope this is the first and the last time we’re ever talking about this.”

“Maybe one last time? “ 

Killian joked, but Garrey looked at him dead serious. Then he rubbed his forehead. 

“You were always like this, even as a kid. “

“I was born a disappointment, Garrey. You knew that from the beginning. “

Killian lifted his glass as a “cheers” move and Garrey went on. 

“Please, tell me you understand, Killian. “

“Of course. “ 

Garrey pushed away from the counter and headed towards the door. 

“Good night, Kil. “ 

“Good night, Garrey. “ 

The man went out and Killian poured himself more from the wine. There was no point in going to sleep as he was going to have to get up pretty soon. Killian went out on the balcony, watching the sky above turning gray at the edges.  If Garrey had figured something had happened between hm and Mike it was only a matter of time before Richard put two and two together- if he hadn’t done it already and got rid of Mike. Or put someone to follow Killian all the fucking time. 

And that wasn’t going to be Garrey, but someone who cared way less about whether Mike lived or not. 

***