Twisted Hearts

Chapter 1: The forgotten Lover

“In the end the heart tells the story that the mind could never understand.”

His heart hammered furiously against his chest, sweat tickling down his brow as he tried to control his breathing. Sweat rolled into his eyes momentarily blinding him, he took a small step back, watching his brother with cold determination.

Jason smirked arrogantly, taking a step forward that had Gabriel retreating slightly. He quirked a taunting brow at him, and Gabriel exhaled a deep sigh. This was the kind of mornings he hated, when Jason woke up bright and early so they could train in his personal gym. Behind him, he could hear the television still blaring loudly, the early morning news reminding him of the warm cup of coffee he had left for this.

Jason leapt forward, throwing a fist.Gabriel dodged, landing a solid punch to his brother’s abdomen as he slipped under his arm, using his elbow to throw him off balance. Jason straightened up almost immediately, watching his younger brother as he balanced himself.

“You’re getting better,” Gabriel complimented, shaking off his fist to rid the dull ache.

Jason tilted his head; a small smile tugging up his lips before it fell off, leaving a deep frown on his face. “I still can’t beat you,” He complained, craning his head as he too shook his fists off. He rolled his shoulder blades and squatting down into a fighting stance.

Gabriel rolled his eyes at his brother’s determination to beat him. It truly didn’t matter, he wanted to comment but he held back as he knew it would just antagonize his baby brother all the more. And heaven knew how determined Jason could be, especially when it came to being better than his brother. Abruptly, Jason was back at it again, swinging his fists wildly and without co-ordination. Gabriel worked hard, dodging each attack and deflecting the ones he couldn’t dodge.

From his living room the TV’s Audio rose up. He heard the brief entry-music of the news before the Morning anchor woman came on.

“Breaking News! The son of Mason Knight—Sebastian Knight—who is set to take over from his father in a few weeks—"

The rest of the words all died down to Gabriel’s ears as he heard the name, his heart jolted, mind went numb and every muscle in his body froze for a moment, that moment was all it took as Jason landed a straight blow to his gut, causing him to grunt. 

He stumbled back, Jason ducked down, sliding his foot gracefully under Gabriel and tipping his balance. He barely had time to contain himself as he tumbled onto his back, pain erupting as he slumped there. Too tired to stand up, too many emotions rushed through his body, buried memories resurfacing.

He heard his brother give a shout of joy before grabbing onto his arm and pulling him up again. He tipped unbalance, but quickly shook himself off, a cold greed bloomed into his chest. He tried to shake it off...the feeling. 

Jason’s smile wiped off his face, his brow creasing before realization filled his eyes. “Wait,” He paused, taking a step in the direction of the living room.

“Did she say Sebastian?”

That name again, Gabriel clenched his jaw as his stomach twisted painfully, his heart tightening. He turned away,grabbing a towel off the rack and wiping the sweat off his face.

“Yes,” he finally forced himself to answer; he could feel the way his muscles had locked. 'Calm down', He thought. It can’t be him, it can’t be…

Shaking his head to clear the thought, he turned back to his brother, only to find the spot empty, the TV volume rose once again and he blew out a deep breath, forcing himself to move in the direction of the living room. He stopped behind his couch, where his brother sat leaning over, his elbows on his thighs; a look of concentration on his face. 

His eyes wafted over the TV and his heart gave another jolt, a feeling coaling around him as he stared at the picture displayed on the screen.

It was a mug shot but Gabriel recognize him immediately. His mind went back to the last time he had seen him, comparing the two. He had grown more handsome than before, his ebony hair was tousled in the picture, a small sight of stubble on his chin and his lips in a scowl on his face. His eyes were piercing, a disturbing grey that had Gabriel taking a step back.

From the couch Jason looked up at his brother, his brows creased with worry as he watched him observantly. Clearing his throat, Gabriel turned away from his gaze. He glanced at the clock over his TV; it was still early, He had more than an hour before he was expected at work.

“Gabriel”—he cut his brother off before he could say anything.

“I should get ready, don’t want to be late,” He muttered, his voice clipped as he walked urgently away. In the confines of his room he shut the door behind him, leaning against it as he blew out a sigh, running his hand through his hair and gripping it tightly in his fists.

“f*****g no,” He hissed. Shutting his eyes as the past assaulted him with too many memories.

His blood heated with each memory.

He pushed away from the door abruptly, shaking his head to clear the memory. It had been years, too many years had passed, but the memory was carved into his mind so deeply, he couldn’t shake it off. He turned abruptly; his fist slamming into the opposite wall with such force it snapped him back to his senses. He hissed as his hand throbbed from the pain. Stretching it he could see the bruises already forming, he accepted the pain as a necessary evil to not think of him.

He stayed longer in the shower than on most days, allowing the cold water to cool down his body. When he walked out, his brother was already gone, sending a silent thank you to the universe he grabbed his keys off the counter, phone and wallet. As he walked out, he said a quite good morning to his cleaner and chose his car of the day, a black Jeep Grand Cherokee. As he drove his phone rang, glancing at the screen he sighed and answered, looking at the road as he did so.

“Old man,” He greeted the caller, a soft warmth filling his voice. On the other end his father chuckled softly before answering.

“Nice to hear from you too son, it’s been awhile,” Guilt clawed as his stomach, his grip tightened around the car steering wheel for a brief second before losing up again.

“Yeah Dad, I’ve just been busy,” It was a half lie, one he had said so many times he doubt his father would still believe him. Though over the past week the lie was taking on a new meaning, the deal he was about to make with the secretary of defense rose to the surface of his mind, but he quickly shook that thought away.

Over the car speaker, he heard his father sigh, “I suppose it must be quite time consuming running your own firm.”

His voice was clipped as he answered. “Yes it is,”

“I was wondering if you could spare your old man some of your busy time. We’re having a small dinner tonight and I’d love to have you here” His stomach twisted slighting, grip tightening around the car wheel as he thought it over. His voice was hesitant as he briefly glanced to his phone.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea dad?” He asked taking another turn. His building loomed in the distance, he pressed the gas; eager to get to work.

“It’s nearly been a month since I last saw you Gabriel,” The emotion in his father’s voice had him shutting his eyes briefly. It had been nearly a month, and given that their last meeting had been cut short by a case he had to attend to, he hadn’t seen his father in what felt like forever. The two were always close, more so than the normal father son relationship.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, licking his lips before answering.

“Yeah sure, count on it Dad. I’ll be there,” He exhaled, ignoring the tightness in his voice.

His father answered almost immediately, “Great. Be there at seven thirty.”

“What should I bring?” He asked out of courtesy, he knew no matter what he brought he’d get a cold reception from his step-mother and sister.

“Bring that expensive wine I like so much.”

He parked at his parking spot and turned the engine off, unplugging his phone from the charger. He brought it to his ear, grabbing his bag off the passenger’s seat.

“Sure, I’ll see you tonight then,” He said his goodbyes and dropped his keys with the valet, getting ready for another long day which has started pretty awfully.