Taste of it

Chapter 4: Humble Abode

ALEXIADALTON

I'm not sure why my parents thought it would be a good idea to bring up kids whilst they're still living their vigilante youth. They have a lot of valid reasons for why they do what they do but sometimes that can come at the cost of their children's safety.

When I say children I mean me, my twenty-two year old self.

They've always protected me since birth, given me extra security and guards so that nothing could happen to me. But a few days ago I was informed happen to me. But a few days ago I was informed that they cannot guarantee my safety anymore and it's best if I go and live with my brother for a little while, he will be able to protect me more than they can.

At this age I just want to live a normal f*****g life. No having to be looking over my shoulder at every given moment in case I'm kidnapped and held for a ransom. I'm done with their dangerous lives, ones that can be taken at any moment with their profession.

But what makes it worse is that my brother's is no safer, in fact it's probably more dangerous.

He's the underboss in a gang or something to do with dangerous people. Just what I need, more gangs, more bad people and murderous situations I can find myself in.

Gabriel has always lived life on the edge, ever since he left home at nineteen and joined the dark side, he's always wanted to do things that give him a thrill. And joining a gang was one of them.

We've always been close, especially growing up. He was my big brother who protected me from bullies and nasty boys, even the nice ones. He threatened those who I actually liked and they never came within two feet of me again after crossing my brother.

I hated his protection as a kid but now I realise it came from a good place.

Now I'm going to live with him after not living with him for five years, things are definitely going to be different this time around. Both of our lives have drastically changed and now he's known as a dangerous man.

All I want to do is study and become an astrophysicist and let my relatives' wild lives pass me.

I don't want to live up to their achievements, if you can even call them that. Is wanting a simple life too much to ask for?

When my plane lanes and I make it through security with no hassle, I am picked up on the other end by my brother. He's changed so much since the last time I saw him, he's grown into a man.

Tall and muscular. More tattoos than I last remembered and since when did he wear jewellery? The mafia changed him. I don't remember him having that scar slashed through his eyebrow the last time I saw him but I don't even want to ask.

He's wearing a grin as soon as I see him, opening his long arms wide and I take a couple steps forward to meet his embrace. "Oh God," he mumbles into my hair as he wraps his arms around me. "It's been so long, Lex."

"I know," I say into his shoulder and close my eyes for a brief second. "How are you?"

"I'm good," he pulls back and analyses my face. "You've all grown up little sis, damn. You're not twelve anymore."

I push his arm and roll his eyes, earning a laugh from him. "Whatever, you're still a pain in my ass. You saw me literally two years ago."

Gabriel looks down to my bags and slings my backpack over his shoulder and takes my suitcase. "How are you?" He asks as we walk outside to the car park.

"Not bad," I shrug, my eyes resting on the setting sun which has lit up the sky into a beautiful tone of orange. "There is only so much to feel when your parents start panicking and usher you out of their presence because s**t might go down."

I can physically see Gabriel wince at my words. "You know it's for the best right? They wouldn't have asked this from me unless they knew something was going to happen. They don't want you to get hurt, Lex."

"Of course they don't," I cut him. "But I'm just done with it all, I want to be disconnected from that side of their life."

Gabriel gives me a side look and we stop by a car, the driver stepping out to place my bags into the boot. I slide into the back of the sleek black BMW and my brother moves in beside me.

"You will never be apart from it," he says and I already know.

"I wish I didn't have to be."

"Hey," he snaps my eyes back to his attention. "Let's just forget about it, alright? You're here now and you're free to do whatever you want in our protection."