Brothers
1082 Words
Five minutes later.
Bella went to the room with the mother and sister to sleep. Sebastian led Silas into his own room.
“Nice little life—wife and all,” Silas said, scanning the room, flopping on the bed without ceremony.
Sebastian glared, fists clenched. “You want to die—go somewhere else. Why back in Salt Lake? You know you almost got me stripped?”
Silas’s real name was Leon Crowe—Sebastian’s blood brother. Polar opposites. Sebastian conservative, steady in hard times. Leon always risked everything, away years, rarely home.
Leon left two years ago—no contact. Sebastian sometimes thought him dead. Then the raid—saw his brother again. Blood thicker than water—Sebastian couldn’t shoot family for merit.
Secret—he carried it days, worried for Leon’s safety.
Leon pulled a pack of real Marlboros, lit one. “Truth—I didn’t plan seeing you. Without that day, I might not have come home…”
“Yeah—you full outside, forget home,” Sebastian gritted. “Why return? If they learn we’re brothers—I’m dead because of you.”
Leon chuckled. “You’re alive, aren’t you?”
“Bullshit!”
“Relax—even ten thousand guns to my head—I won’t sell you.” Leon casual. “Staked the house days—no tails. If not caught, they’d never know our tie. You joined department—didn’t list me as brother, right?”
Sebastian baffled. “Plenty ways to make money—why this path?”
Leon countered. “Not this—what? Live gutless like you?”
“Gutless?” Sebastian flared, fists ready. “Outside gutless—home I…”
Leon cut, brow furrowed, hoarse. “Fine—home, you’re more man than me.”
Sebastian speechless.
“f**k—hungry. Anything to eat?” Leon smiled.
Sebastian hesitated, sighed, left room.
…
Department.
Marcus poured Julian water himself, sat sofa. “Captured dealers—give Silas Hart’s patterns?”
Julian shook head. “They talked—but think he’s long gone.”
“These runners know the end—won’t lie uselessly,” Marcus smiled, legs crossed. “Good news—I have a lead.”
Julian blinked. “Clue?”
“Yeah.” Marcus low. “Friends on the street—depend on me, I give conveniences. They back me. Dealers mostly Cross family—Silas partnered them.”
“I know.”
“Ashmire gun runner—Claude—decent with me. Dinner tonight, he called. Someone wants his smuggling channel—person out of Sixth.”
Julian stunned. “Silas?”
“Eighty percent,” Marcus nodded. “Minor person—Elias would deal Claude direct. Middleman means careful—you get it?”
“Yeah.”
“I had Claude accept. Next days—Elias arranges Silas exit.” Marcus grinned at Julian. “Lead’s yours. Case yours. Grab Silas—dig supply chain.”
Julian stunned, no immediate reply.
“What?” Marcus asked.
Julian hesitated, smiled. “Captain—question’s bugged me.”
“Shoot.”
“…Flattered, but why me for big stuff?” Julian direct. “Key lead—you hand it. Why not others? Or yourself… big merit.”
Marcus stared seconds, stood, finger to Julian’s cheek. “Because end of year—I want you up.”
Julian puzzled. “Why, Captain?”
“Latest year-end—I make deputy chief. Need my own crew. Who works, who doesn’t—I see clear.” Marcus paced, energized. “Planning three full captains—not just you, others.”
Julian hands in pockets, silent.
“Still not get it, little brother?” Marcus slapped shoulder, grinned. “Why promote you—you’re new, nobody’s man, clean slate, capable—I trust.”
Julian paused long. “Captain—now I get it.”
“Silas case—yours. Nail it—year-end three-rank jump, take First Team captain.” Marcus stood, cup in hand. “Work hard, Julian. My ship’s the steadiest in department.”
“Thanks, Captain!” Julian saluted, mind racing elsewhere.
…
Sebastian’s home.
Silas at rickety round table, slurped plain noodles—no sauce. “You eat this daily?”
“Better than s**t,” Sebastian smoked low.
Silas sighed, finished, wiped mouth. “Mom asleep?”
“Long ago.”
“Window look.” Silas stood, outside.
Sebastian hesitated, followed.
Opposite room—Silas cheek to cold glass, eyes on mother in bed.
Sebastian behind, smoked, silent.
“Mom’s illness?” Silas voice shook.
“Not good,” Sebastian shook head.
Silas silent seconds. “Fate—f*****g fate. Know the reaper—useless.”
“Can’t say something nice?” Sebastian flared.
“Don’t yell—she’ll hear.” Silas wiped eyes quick, turned, pulled small bundle from pocket.
Sebastian stunned.
“Ten thousand. Take it.” Silas soft.
“You… this much…”
“Drug trade just started—else sent home sooner. Saved for you. Eight thousand on mom. Her life her business—but as sons, give all we can… rest daily use.” Silas calm. “If I dodge this—money won’t lack… send slow.”
Sebastian hesitated.
“My duty—no other thoughts.” Silas forced bundle in brother’s hand, lit smoke. “Little brother—this leave—who knows if we meet again… anyway, home on you. Big brother… some things, less man than you.”
Silence—near minute. Silas glanced room again, turned decisive, left.
Sebastian bundle in hand, frozen long. “…You f*****g escape or what? Else I help—find way out.”
Silas paused door, turned. “Whoever asks—deny relation. From today—I’m dead to you. Care mom, little sister.”
Sebastian eyes red instant.
“If day no way out—life impossible—bundle has contact. Find him—he helps.” Silas waved. “Gone.”
…
Late night, snowflakes drifted.
Silas walked near kilometer, sudden turn—tear-streaked face home direction, knelt, voice trembling kowtow. “Mom… son worthless—I’m gone… next life—good son proper.”
Inside.
Sebastian sat chair, numb smoke. Mind full worry. Different personalities—same blood. Cold relation—deep unspoken bond.
Prayed brother survive—unaware this meeting preceded storm changing all fates…
…
Half month later.
Julian got Marcus call—Claude confirmed: tomorrow night Elias arranges Silas exit. Life-or-death capture imminent.
- Writer
