The Assassin's Blood: The Confradia Assassins 3

Chapter 11: Mistakes can be erased

Declan

My thoughts are a mess by the time I get home. Looking around the first floor of my lavish house with its spacious living room and open concept kitchen, I feel my gut churn with guilt. My house is a bi-level brownstone. The walls are brick with metal buttresses on each corner. Several years ago, Hunter installed a state of the art security system. The doors are reinforced steel, and the windows are bulletproof. There's a fireplace dominating the main wall of the living room and two plush navy blue couches with various colored pillows resting comfortably against the soft material, courtesy of my mother. Along with the couches, there's a gray area rug in navy blue patterns and a sturdy rustic pine coffee table. The floors are dark mahogany, and the walls are painted a light sleet color. My offices and my bedroom are located on the second floor, next to my gym.

Taking a deep breath, I unwrap my tie and toss it angrily across the floor. As I make my way through the living room, I think about Connor and his sister's home. I don't know why, but I was shocked by what I saw as I drove through their neighborhood. I flinch recalling my comment about their living arrangements. Now that I think about it, it makes sense that they live so poorly, considering that they have been living on their own since their parents died. She must have been very young when she took responsibility for Connor. Alistair and his wife must have died around the first time we met. It humbles me that she has taken such a burdensome responsibility at such a young age. They seemed so proud, and I was such an ass for offering them money. They had a right to be upset with my attitude. I had never felt so out of my depth.

Rushing up to my room, I remove my jacket, unbutton my dress shirt and look out the window. The lights in Manhattan are beautiful at this time of night. I watch as the cars zip by, and a few drunken partiers stumble around the street and close my eyes. An image of her face runs through my mind. I bite my lip, remembering how good she felt against me. I wanted to take her into my arms and kiss her.

Connor was another surprise. Not just because he found me, but because of the caring way, he treats his stepsister. He was very respectful and protective of her. I wish there were some way I could help them, but I know they won't accept my help. I regret not being more articulate about my offer. I know that I hurt him with my indifference. A small part of me wishes I could have explained why I couldn't be part of his life.

Pushing away from the window, I slump down on the bed and sift my fingers through my hair. I'm at a loss for what to do. The vibration of my cell phone snaps me out of my reverie. Reaching for the phone, I look at the screen. It's Priest. I wonder if he's calling to tell me that I have another lost relative. The mere thought makes my body jump with guilt for leaving things the way I did with my little brother.

"Hello Priest, you do realize that it's after midnight and that I'm no longer on the clock. Unless there's another family member of mine that you want to introduce me to." Priest laughs amused at my quip. "Sorry to tell you, Declan, but I haven't found another family member. I just wanted to make sure that everything was okay." I shake my head in frustration. "I'm fine, Priest." He lets out an exasperated snort before he replies. "Really, Declan? You just met a brother you didn't know you had, and that's your response?"

I close my eyes again and lean my head back on the couch. "What do you want me to say, Priest? I'm not the kind of person he'd want in his life, and I told him that." I can hear his resigned sigh. "That's too bad because Hunter thinks we should make him an offer." I sit up in surprise. "What?" He lets out a bemused laugh. "I mean the kid hacked into the Confradia system. Which, believe it or not, others have attempted to do but never succeeded. Not even Hunter is able to do that, and he's the best. I figure after he the kid might be interested in joining our tech department. We can use someone with his skills."

I think over his reasoning for a moment and shrug my shoulders. "That's up to you, Priest, but I don't think the sister would be okay with that," I utter with deep assurance. His response surprises me. "Well, then maybe I can convince her." Fury infuses me at his comment. "Stay away from her." He laughs again. "Wow Outlaw, that was quite the overreaction. Hunter told me you and the sister knew each other. That you met a few years ago. He said that you and he met her at some rundown diner and that she's very beautiful." I tighten my lips at his astute assessment. Damn Priest for being so fucking perceptive. "How the hell does Hunter remember?" His husky laugh resounds through the earpiece. "He said he recognized her from the picture he pulled up when he was checking out the kid's background. Apparently, the hot waitress made an impression on both of you. At least that is what Hunter said." I keep my cool, not giving anything away. "She was pretty, but I'm not looking for attachments."

He answers back. "Hmm…it looks to me like you have no choice but to be attached. She's your brother's guardian, isn't she? According to Hunter, the poor girl has been taking care of the boy on her own for a long time. Apparently, their parents were not the nurturing type. Before you arrived, Connor told us his sister practically raised him. That she'd protect and care for him at her own expense." My mouth tightens with agitation at his words and my guilt surmounts.

"Look, Priest, I appreciate your help, but this is none of your business. If you want to hire the kid, go right ahead. But don't drag me into it." Priest sighs in frustration. "You're right; it's none of my business. I'm sure they'll be fine without you. I mean, they've survived alone for this long."

His words hit me like a ton of bricks. Feeling like shit, I tighten my hand on the phone and reply. "You're right. Now, is there anything else you need from me? I'm tired and want to go to bed." He remains silent for a moment then answers. "No, there's nothing else, Declan. Have a good night."

Angry at the whole situation, I pull the phone away from my ear and toss it on the bed. Damn Priest for voicing my thoughts out loud and damn my father for being such a bastard. Not only does he up and leave my mother, but then he starts another family whom he proceeds to screw up too. For years, I hated him. And now I find out he had another son. What the hell am I supposed to do with that? Why am I supposed to be the one to pick up his mess? I stop my turbulent thoughts at that moment because it's unfair to think this way. Santana and Connor are completely innocent in this whole mess. Santana more than anyone because she's the one who has had to care for Connor. And it looks like it hasn't been easy. How they must have struggled all of these years. Yet, they both seemed to accept the harshness of life. Connor's derision of my reaction to where they live was like a knife through the heart. Rage at my father and my own dismissal suffuses my senses. I'm just one of the many people in their lives who has let them down. Without a thought, I pick up a nearby vase and throw it against the wall. I watch as it strikes the wall and shatters into a thousand pieces. For a moment, I sit there and stare dazedly at the broken pieces. "FUCK!" I yell out, throwing my back hard against the pillow.

I remember how much my mother struggled to care for me after my father left. Unlike Santana, my mother had my grandmother and her dress shop. Santana never had a chance. For the rest of the night, I lay there thinking about a beautiful, fragile girl with lush lips and sad eyes, and I hate myself for being such a selfish bastard.