Nathaniel started searching my body for a wound. I slapped his hands away and covered my left shoulder. Luckily, the bullet scraped the surface of my skin, so it was nothing major. It was better than being shot in the head.

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it. Did you get the locket?” I muttered, trying to calm Nathaniel down.

“Y-Yes.” He looked at the locket that was in his palm and shakily sighed.

“He almost got you killed over a fucking necklace!” Kieron snarled. He turned around and pointed his finger at Nathaniel, “What were you thinking? Putting our Boss’ life in danger, for your selfish needs!”

“I’m sorry I…” Nathaniel mumbled.

“Seriously, this guy screwed up again! After, we gave him another chance! Let me just waste him already before he....”

“Shut up, Kieron!” I yelled. The pain in my shoulder was unbearable. The last thing I need is to hear this pointless argument, “Nathaniel was looking for something. I followed him. That was my choice, not his.”

“But he still…”

“We’re OK, we got the money! Our client just texted me to say they’re OK. It’s fine! God!” I winced at the pain that was now throbbing. Nathaniel ripped something off, it was his shirt.

“Here, use this. It’s the least I can do.” He muttered, as he carefully wrapped his shirt around my shoulder. I was taken aback to refuse his offer, I quietly sat and waited for him to bandage me.

“So, what are we going to do now?” Ken asked after a long period of silence in the car.

“Can you take this car back to my place, and you guys make your own way back?” I asked.

“I was going to suggest the same thing.” Kieron murmured. Great, he was sulking now. A man twice my age and acting like a child. We pulled into my garage, and the car was silent, “Are you going to be alright, Sebastian?” He asked. It’s not every day Kieron addresses me by my name. He must be worried about what my Father will say about this. I pulled some of Nathaniel’s bandages off and noticed the bleeding was stopping, but the wound was nasty. I need to call someone over to sort this out properly. It wasn’t worth going to the hospital. It’s a family policy that we use the hospital for the most severe situations.

“I’ll be fine, honestly. I’m not a kid anymore, I can look after myself. Besides, it’s my fault for defending myself like that. I didn’t have much room to do anything else.” I assured everyone. My siblings don’t care about me, but it was comforting to see my employees concerned for my wellbeing. I wasn’t used to it.

“Yeah, because you were defending that useless idiot.” Kieron corrected. I sighed and glanced over at Nathaniel. He turned his head away and looked out of the window. We finally pulled into my apartment complex, and there was still silence.

“Why is everyone so tense? Not only are we’re alive, but we got the cash too! Where is it?” I attempted to cheer everyone up.

“In the back,” Nathaniel mumbled, I got out of the car and picked up the bag, with my spare arm. Kieron, Tyrone, and Ken got out of the vehicle.

“I’ll sort out the pay tomorrow, OK?” I informed my colleagues. They nodded. They seemed a bit more relaxed now that we’re relatively safe, and I was standing. They weren’t smiling, however.

“What are you going to do about your shoulder, boss?” Tyrone asked. The blood was staining Nathaniel’s grey bandages made from his shirt, but I knew it would be OK.

“Going to call a doctor to patch me up. Don’t worry about it.” I assured once more.

“You should tell your Father…” I pushed the three of them towards the exit.

“Good work, guys! It’s home time. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.” They hesitated, but they eventually listened. I’m their boss after all. They said their goodbyes and walked out of the garage. I sighed, I noticed Nathaniel hadn’t left the car, “Nathaniel?” I asked, peeking back into the car. He hadn’t moved. I jumped into the back and sat beside him. Nathaniel knew he was alone with me but didn’t react like he usually does. I took a gamble and place my hand on his shoulder for comfort, that’s when he responds. He flinched and snapped his head towards me, “Are you OK?” I asked. It’s not exactly in my nature to be kind towards people with an attitude, but I was concerned for him. He seemed shaken up by the whole event. Plus, I was curious about something. Nathaniel nodded at my question, I reached for his hand and he quickly snatched it away.

“Why are you touching me so much?” He mumbled, shifting in his seat. I guess I was a bit close for his liking.

“I wanted to see this locket that you almost got me killed for.” Nathaniel hesitated, but he slowly handed the locket over to me. It was the cheapest necklace ever, the ‘silver’ cover was rusting off and the chain was broken. However, when I opened the heart of it, there was a picture of a young boy holding a little girl’s hand. There was also a man standing behind them. All of them shared a smile. It was a cute picture. I smiled at Nathaniel, “Is this you and your family?”

“Yeah…”

“What’s so special about it?”

“My dad gave it to me before he went to prison.” I had wondered why he never mentioned his father.

“Ah, so he’s locked up. My mother was for a few years when I was a kid.” Nathaniel looked up from the locket to me.

“Really?”

“You’re not the first to have an incarcerated parent. For us, it’s very common. Tyrone’s father is on death’s row, right now.”

“What about your dad?” He asked after pausing for a second.

“He did for fifteen years, but not in my lifetime.”

“I see…”

“So, is your father still in prison?”

“No, he’s dead.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I wouldn’t have asked so many questions.” I sighed. Nathaniel chuckled.

“It’s OK, it’s nice to know that you have a heart and care about it.” He stared at my injured shoulder and frowned again, “What are you going to do about that?” I shrugged. I was so numb; I almost couldn’t feel it. A good sign that I needed to call the doctor. However, I didn’t want Nathaniel to worry. He shouldn’t blame himself for everything that happened tonight. We were just unlucky.

“I’ll call a doctor, no problem.”

“I’m sorry for being useless again.” He sighed. He shouldn’t be. If I’m not angry at him, then it’s not a problem. Unless Kieron’s took a blow to his confidence. Being undermined after everything goes haywire is not the most encouraging thing to hear.

“Well, your shooting was off, you almost got me killed but…you weren’t too bad this time.” I took a few stacks of bills from the bag and handed them to Nathaniel.

“As promised.” Nathaniel slowly took the money and gave a small smile.

“Thanks. I promise to do better next time.” I couldn’t stop myself from patting his shoulder. The strange thing was that he let me.

“No worries. Now let’s get out of here,” We both stepped out of the car, “Hope you can make your way back from here. Do you want me to lend you a shirt?” I just realised half of Nathaniel’s shirt was missing the whole time. I didn’t get a chance to grab a feel of him. He had a great physique though to admire with my eyes.

“No, it’s fine…but please sort out that wound quickly.”

“I will. I promise.” I couldn’t stop myself from smirking at him, “You’re really worried about me, huh? That’s cute.” I teased, winking at him. Nathaniel realised what I said and scowled at me.

“No! I was trying to be nice.” He kissed his teeth and walked off.

“Don’t keep me waiting when I call you again, you hear?” He nodded and walked out of the garage. The shoulder suddenly started to sting again, and I quickly pressed my hand to it. Nathaniel is right for once. I need to get this sorted soon before I lose an arm.