The Assassin's Blood: The Confradia Assassins 3

Chapter 8: I should have known better

Santana

I'm beyond exhausted tonight. All I feel is relieved when I get to the apartment. As usual, Connor is sitting in front of the kitchen counter with his computer in front of him. "Hey, Connor," I rest my bag on top of the living room table. Connor nods his head but never looks up from the computer screen. Nothing ever changes. I think with an exasperated smirk. "What's up?"

Connor shrugs. "Nothing." That's when I see the picture on the counter. "What are you doing, Connor?" Connor picks up the picture and points it in my direction. "I couldn't stop thinking about this picture all day. I mean, it doesn't make sense. Do I have a brother? Is this kid my brother?" He asks. From the set of his shoulder and tight lips, I can tell that he's going through something. He seems frustrated yet hopeful at the same time.

"I don't know, Connor. Maybe there's a reason why he never told us." Connor slams the picture on the counter with a snort. "Or maybe he was just a selfish prick who abandoned his family. Come on, San. You and I know that Alma and Alistair were not the best parents in the world. It would make sense that he would do something like that." I remain silent at the truth of his words. I can't deny his words. Alistair and Alma were very crappy parents. "What can we do? Better yet, what do you want to do?" Connor looks at the picture again, runs his fingers across the boy's face, then looks back at me with a lost look. "I need to know, San. I want to know who my brother is." I nod my head and take the picture from his hand and show him the date in the back.

Snorting incredulously, I ruffle his hair and playfully elbow him on the arm. "Come on, Con. I practically raised you. I know you better than that. So what did you discover?"

Connor shakes his head with bemusement then turns the silver laptop towards me. "I did a few searches and came up with four possible names. The card says Sarah and Declan. I'm guessing that Sarah must have taken Alistair's last name, so I searched for Sarah and Declan Archer. Dad told us that he had always lived here in New York, which means that Declan and Sarah also lived here. I did some research on the address in the envelope, but the address didn't pan out. However, I did find a few matches within the area. Once that was done, I sorted the people out by their age. That's when I found them. Unfortunately, there were a few possible leads, but they ended in 2005. I think Sarah might have changed her name because there are no recorded deaths with either of their names or descriptions on that year or the preceding years. I figure I can check DMV records to see if they have anything current."

I vehemently shake my head at his suggestion. "No way…no… you are not going to dig into government files." Connor opens his mouth to argue, but I slash my hand in the air with a warning glare. "No, Connor! Remember what happened last time? I don't want you to get thrown in jail or worse because you were snooping through government files. No, Find some other way." Connor sighs in resignation. "Fine. I won't." Leaning close, I narrow my eyes suspiciously. "No, Connor! Look at me!" Connor raises his chin with a childish pout. I can tell that he's hurt by my reprimand, but I know that it would be too risky.

"I'm sorry, Connor, but it's better this way. We can figure out another way to do it." I gaze into his eyes with a pleading expression. "Please, Connor, I don't have the money to bail you out if something happens. Just…just find another way."

He swallows deeply, then looks back down at his computer. "Fine, I'll find another way." Relieved, I wrap my arms around him and place a kiss on his head. "Thank you. I don't know what I'd do if something were to happen to you. You're my baby brother, and I love you." He gives me an awkward pat on the back and pushes me playfully away. "Alright, alright, I'm not a baby, you know." He utters grouchily. "You will always be the ugly little baby your parents placed in my arms. And don't you forget it." Connor rolls his eyes and slaps my hand away with a chagrined scowl. "I'm not ugly."

Laughing, I move to the other side of the counter and search through the cupboards. "Okay, I have two hours before I have to go to work. What do you want for dinner? I can make spaghetti or tacos. Your choice." He thinks for a moment. "How about some tacos." Nodding in concession, I begin making dinner, trying not to look too worried. I can't stop thinking about his resolve to find a man who might not want to meet him. Looking down at the picture, I wonder about the boy and what kind of man he is. In the picture, he looks just like Connor did at his age. I imagine he's a more adult version of Connor now. Maybe like Alistair.

Alistair was extremely good looking before the drugs and drinking ravaged his body. Connor is even more so. He has Alma's long lashes, arched brows, and a small nose. He's more pretty than rugged with his tall, wiry frame. Alistair looked rugged and manly. At this stage, Connor looks more like a member of a boy band. I have to constantly kick girls to the curve when they come around to see him. I mean, he's my little brother… gross. It annoys me that they follow him around like lost puppies. I guess I don't see him as a grown man yet. All I remember is changing his diapers and singing him lullabies. I wonder what Declan looks like. He's probably just as perfect as Connor. Once again, something in the back of my mind niggles at a forgotten memory, but I ignore it.

That night, we both eat dinner silently. I can tell that Connor's mind is elsewhere. It worries me, but short of throwing the computer out the window, there's nothing I can do. Once dinner is finished, I head to my room and dress for work. Connor moves to the living room, hauling the laptop, picture, and card with him. He seems so focused. Moving close, I lean on the armrest of the leather couch and firmly reply. "Don't spend too much time on this, Connor. Remember, you need to finish your homework. Oh, and no girls tonight. I don't want to come home to a scene." He rolls his eyes with a smug grin. "Hey, it's not my fault Tara came over. I didn't invite her." I snort and place my hand on my hip. With a quirked brow. "Yeah, well, there are some things I don't want to see my baby brother doing. I thought I was going to go blind when I saw you two making out." I hold my stomach as if the thought is making me physically sick. Connor simply laughs good-naturedly. "Well, maybe you should get a boyfriend and stop coming home at a respectable time." I sigh in exasperation. "I date." Connor snorts with a derisive jeer. "Oh yeah, name one time?" Looking up at the ceiling, I place my index finger against my lips thoughtfully. "How about Max?"

Connor falls back, holds his stomach, and begins laughing hysterically. "MAX! Are you shitting me right now? Max, the guy from the coffee place? The one that picked you up on his bicycle and took you back to the coffee place because he was given a discount on coffee? That Max? The one who asked you to pay for half the coffee?" I give him a petulant pout now remembering how bad that date went. "Well, you know it's hard for me to date. I mean, you intimidate half the guys."

His laughter dies down, remembering all of the times he sabotaged my dates. "You're right, sis. I just don't think any of those guys were good enough for you. Seriously though, you need to start dating cause you're getting old." Narrowing my eyes, I give him an affronted look and smack him hard on the shoulder. "Ouch!" He cries out. Unrepentant, I point my index finger in front of his face. "I am twenty-two years old, you little shit! I'm not old!" Connor rubs his arm and smiles. "I know. I just don't want you to be alone. You're my sister, and I love you, and I guess you're pretty. I mean, some of my friends say you're hot." He utters with a disgusted shudder.

Ignoring his comment, I go to the room and change into my ugly uniform. I hate the ugly yellow thing. It doesn't take me long to slip into the uniform, put my hair up in a ponytail, and slip into my comfortable black flats.

Once I'm done, I walk out of the room and kiss Connor on the cheek. "Gotta go kiddo. Hopefully, the bus will be on time. I should be home by eleven. Don't stay up too late. Love you." Connor grimaces and pushes away. "Love you too." He mumbles lazily. He's such a teenager.

The rest of the evening is uneventful. Unfortunately, it doesn't last long. I should have known that Connor wouldn't leave well enough alone.