As he read, he was engrossed in all the demented and severely moral lacking activities they were involved in. When he came across the file his sister was involved in, he finally understood why he was nervous.

His sister was obsessed with him, and not in the ‘I love you’ sibling kind of way. It was more of I want to have your baby kind of way. This resulted in her targeting anyone he got involved with, including one of his more favored sex workers that he had stopped seeing as a result of Trey.

Not only did she buy him out from his employer, but she kidnapped him and locked him in her basement for a period of time. She made him reenact all the sex he’d had with Blaine and recorded it before keeping him as her sex slave for a while before getting bored.

Once she was bored, she killed him and dumped his body in the Antarctic where Leonard had someone retrieve it for proper disposal. His sister was a nutcase for sure.

“Your sister is something else, what other things does your family find interest in?”

Blaine yawned, tired as he flipped through more documents. “My family has a history that makes up an archive. Take your pick when we return home, I have a secret room filled with things that may interest you and also coincide with your profession.”

“Does that mean I get unlimited contracts from you should I decide to accept a permanent employment from you?”

“As long as you’re loyal, you get payment and me for life.”

Trey studied him seriously for a moment, realizing that their relationship may have been becoming established as a business proposal. He wasn’t having that, he wanted Blaine to be as fully committed to him as he was.

Still, as he looked over those documents, he was beginning to get really concerned. He didn’t know all their history just from reading a few sheets, but he could fill in a few gaps. Due to this, he realized one very important and dangerous thing. All his siblings were obsessed with Blaine in unhealthy ways.

It didn’t matter what they did, it was always something connected to him that made Trey realize they were trying to gain favor from their Head of Household by doing outrageous things. When they disagreed on how to go about it, it ended up in miniature wars that he needed to clean up.

Who would have imagined he’d recognize some of his hits in those documents, realizing that Blaine was the emotional target of people who controlled countries, enterprises, and more than a few dark web associates of his.

He eyed Blaine, now passed out in his comfortable chair, and moved over to Leonard. Leonard, who was still reading up on some things and taking calls, gave him an attentive look.

“Can I do something for you sir?” he asked.

“Sir? I thought we agreed on Nyx.”

“Mr. Nyx then, you are also my alternative employer.” Trey tried not to crack up laughing before clearing his throat.

“We need to talk about some things.”

“Such as?”

“Security. I think I understand just how worried you are, should I offer some assets?”

“Anything would prove useful at this point, especially considering you’re a wild card. They won’t see your movements like they see his.”

“Also, I think I’d like that list of his lovers.” Leonard gave him a casual expression, but he knew what he was thinking.

“Going to go shopping sir?” he asked.

“Not yet, just looking to see if any of those ingredients were already taken care of.” Leonard gave him an interested expression.

“Does that mean I can assume you have already supplied some of those ingredients?”

“Perhaps a few more than some, should I be concerned?”

“Only if you intend to continue with yourself. Mr. Taranis has never cared for another lover but you. He certainly favored some more than others, but you’re the first he’s been so serious with.”

Trey nodded, looking at the list. “Perhaps I can make a suggestion, sir?” Trey nodded in approval. “I’m sure you already know how to outplay someone who’s smarter than you or more resourced given your profession. However, in my boss’s case, his family is a batch of serial killers being held back from society as a result of their infatuation with a single man, himself.”

Way to sum it up. Trey wasn’t having doubts but trying to brainstorm options on how to maneuver through the group to his goal, his lover’s side and probably the position of Conjoined Head of Household or established Mistress.

“So, instead of trying to fight off the den of grizzly bears, perhaps you should join them as they try to get dinner for the one they covet the most?”

“Appease to them?”

“Through Blaine. Let him handle the conversations unless they ask something of you or approach you directly. More often than not, they will reveal their hands before someone of your stature could feel threatened.”

“Do you think Blaine will object to that?”

“No, I think he has a lot of faith in you. If he didn’t think you could handle it, he wouldn’t have brought you along.”

“And you, do you have faith in my abilities to control my emotions?”

“If I didn’t have any hope for you, I wouldn’t have reached out and brought you back.”

“I thought you just wanted to avoid cleaning up after dead bodies?”

“That too.”

The conversation was put on hold, Leonard taking a call in order to set up snipers around the estate. While he wasn’t keen to being watched, he felt a little better knowing someone would be taking out any threats.

“Are you sure all your men can be trusted?” he asked.

“I certainly expect so. They know what happens if they betray Mr. Taranis.”

“What does happen?” he asked.

“It usually ends up with eternal suffering until they die of old age, everyone around them dying off first. He usually does it nice and slow, painful to make his point proven. He doesn’t offer second chances, and doesn’t spare anyone. Everyone likes him because he offers full benefits, great pay, hazard pay even, and sets whole families up.”

“Sounds like it happened once and then that was it.”

“Yes, he cleaned house except for me.” That meant he had made it clear he could do it.

“May I ask what prompted that?”

Leonard looked over towards Blaine, making sure he was sleeping before continuing. It seemed it wasn’t a safe topic to cover in front of him.

“His father was involved with something concerning one of his sisters and himself. I cannot offer details since even I don’t know much. What I do know is that it resulted in a complete change of power from his father to him. His father-in-law’s tongue was cut out and he was made to eat it before being subjected to twenty-three years of torture.”

“Why twenty-three?”

“It was the amount of time he spent within the family, I can only assume it was to account for the years he was under his father’s watch.”

“His father and sister, what happened to them?”

“His father died while under torture. His sister hung herself shortly after.” It seemed there had been a back story that deeply affected Blaine, to the point where he wanted to wipe it clean from his memory. Was this another sign to tread carefully?

“What exactly is his relationship with his family?”

“If I were you, I would be prepared to see some very unnatural things. You wanted to be close to Mr. Taranis, I just hope you’re prepared to do whatever you must in order to accomplish that. You should get some sleep sir, we will be arriving in a few hours and it will be a switch to a helicopter.” It was clear Leonard didn’t want to talk more on that subject, so he let it go.

“How far remote is this estate?”

“So far remote, we can only fly out to it.”

***

They had switched over, having already traveled by helicopter for a couple hours. Trey kept an eye on Blaine’s behavior, trying to see if he was bothered by this forced meeting of the family incident. If he was, he was doing well hiding it.

“I would like to run down some general rules sirs, before we arrive,” Leonard expressed through the mike.

“Go ahead,” Blaine responded.

“First, don’t take anything they offer you without it being inspected first. Second, don’t accept anything to drink or eat unless handed directly to you through myself. I will check personally to make sure nothing is contaminated. Third, should you need assistance in anyway, I have arranged guards all throughout the property under assumption of foreign threat. Two will be posted at every entrance and exit, and seven snipers have been situated around every visible point of access in order to eliminate threats.”

“So the usual?”

“Well, almost. Since we have included Mr. Nyx this time, I made sure to let them each include another bodyguard for safety as compensation.”

Like that would help them, Mr. Nyx was very good at what he did for a living. Blaine had seen a video of him once out of curiosity, which was another reason why he even agreed to his request.

“Make sure to stay within five paces of Mr. Taranis at all times. Do not wander unless given permission, and if you do, make sure you aren’t seen by one of the siblings in a private room alone. Also, if you value your standing, don’t go into the basement.”

“Wow, am I your servant now?” Trey asked.

“It’s just for your safety sir, I assure you.”

Blaine didn’t respond or say anything in response, so he took it at face value. Shortly after, their helicopter landed in a wide open grassland. In the middle was a single building made up of concrete, glass, and paint. Its metal roof, covered by snow, was still wet from a storm recently.

He instantly spotted a few other helicopters, realizing that the others had already arrived. Was this a set up? Or were they just eager to see their brother? Trey was looking forward to this altercation more than he thought. Especially after they entered the home, getting a security sweep before walking into the living room.

They were met immediately by what Trey assumed was one of his sisters. She smiled brightly at Blaine, showing no hint of hostility. She looked like she was young, in her twenty or thirties, but her skin care made her look so much younger.

“Brother! How good it is to see you.”

She approached him, but didn’t go in for a hug without permission. The act caught his attention, because normally family so close would do hugs openly. Her eyes darted to him, the hostility evident.

“Who is this? I wasn’t aware you were bringing someone.” Her words were intentional, grabbing the attention of everyone in the room. He had now officially become the center of attention.

“Magnolia, behave.” She was caught off guard by his warning, not expecting it.

“Come now brother, please introduce us,” another man smiled. His smile was one Trey had seen often in the entertainment industry or by lawyers. Easily faked, yet not very noticeable and attached with hidden intentions.

“Everyone, this is Mr. Needless. I brought him here today to introduce you all because he is my lover.”

There was a sudden drop in temperature, even though it was rather warm. There was six siblings all together excluding Blaine and each and every one of them looked uncomfortable, startled, and more than unhappy. He noticed one was missing, that one must have been the one that had died.

“You mean just another lover,” Magnolia tried to confirm. This prompted an alarming response from Trey, one she hadn’t anticipated. He stepped forward, sizing her up and looking down on her. He didn’t like the idea of someone else being with his man without his permission.

“No, I am his partner.”

“Wait, Mr. Needless? You’re the famous assassin for hire that everyone’s been trying to book? Word is, you need at least three years to get on the list,” the same brother joked.

“That’s correct.” His response left them in silence as Leonard offered refreshments. Leon was impressed with his decision to make use of her words for his gain. However, he hadn’t anticipated one thing Blaine was heavily aware of.

Trey was egotistical and pathological, so there was no way he wouldn’t jump at a chance to have fun in a dangerous situation. Especially if it involved a whole family of people like himself.

“Then tell me, Mr. Needless, is it true that you only accept contracts of special nature?”

“It is.”

“So, if I put a hit out on my brother Blaine, would you take it?” There it was, their sad attempt to bury him and take him out of their brother’s good graces. It seemed these siblings hadn’t met a decent challenge since each other and had grown bored and rusty.

Blaine recognized the spark in Trey’s eyes, hoping he could diffuse it by offering words of support. Unfortunately, that only made it worse.

“Mr. Needless is under a mutual contract with me. He won’t accept hits on me, unless it’s to kill the person who contracted it out. Even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t mind. I’d rather die by his hands than some idiot thirsting for power but no means to use it properly.” Trey smiled, drinking his wine with satisfaction. The spark had grown wilder, setting a fire within him.

“Yes, that is the truth. However, I think you misunderstand how my family does business. So perhaps I should enlighten you?” He stepped closer to the brother, but not so close he was without five steps away from Blaine. Blaine almost thought it was cute, wondering what in the world he was thinking about.

“Sure, enlighten me.”

“First, once a contract is put out it cannot be revoked. Second, there are only two ways someone can terminate the contract. Either kill the target, or kill the contractor. So, knowing this, are you still in need of my services?” There was silence again, his point proven.

“Mr. Needless is passionate about his work and holds a pristine reputation. I should hope you wouldn’t question that,” Blaine offered.“Of course not, I would never do such a thing to my lovely brother. I may ask you to handle other ones though. I have a long list of people I want to kill.”

“Then, as long as our interests don’t collide, I can consider it with proper compensation.”

“It’s kind of funny you chose to bed an assassin,” Magnolia spoke up, “at least Olly will need you more than the rest of us since he can’t seem to stay out of gambling houses.”

“Shut up Magnolia, your no better with your pets,” Olly jabbed, stepping away from Trey to grab another drink.

“I forgot to mention something though, an assassin always has the right to decline a contract just like the contractor has the right to decline an assassin and look for another. Although if I declined a contract, I guarantee there will only be a handful that would take the job.”

He could feel Blaine shooting daggers at his back, it seemed he had let it slip how his contracts had been unanswered for so long. However, Trey really wanted to tease him.

“So does that mean you would do anything for our dearest brother?” another one of his sisters asked.

“Yes, I would. Even if he asked me to wipe out my whole family tree or fuck someone while he watched, even one of you.” There it was, he wanted to see their reactions so he put the bait out there. What he didn’t anticipate, was the burning desire that was met in their eyes.