Chapter 2
"No." An audible groan punctuated the room.
"Regulus, come on,"
"No, Barty, I am not doing it."
"It is just this once, and they won't even know it's you!" Evan countered, kneeling to look Regulus in the eyes. Regulus stared into solemn sincere blues, closed his eyes against them and shook his head.
"It does not matter, they will figure it out. You are talking about an investigative team that is apparently the best in the government. I am not going to do it. I cannot. Do not ask again, I beg you," The last words were so soft, so quiet, that despite Evan and Barty sighing, they agreed. They would not ask again. They could not make Regulus want to work with his estranged brother and his best friend and boyfriend, and they would not make him either. He did have a point, they were the best group of detectives, and that was why them not managing this case was concerning.
-
"There's been a development." Regulus tiled his head back and groaned.
"I told you, Evan, and... you promised you would not bring it up again!" Tears of frustration began to well in his eyes at the annoyance. They had promised, and yet now there they were, breaking it. It had barely been a month since Barty had come begging him to take part in this investigation. to basically sit in a room with his brother and pretend like nothing happened. Like he did not know them, did not resent them and everything they stood on.
"He killed a boy...ten...Regulus...I know that you are against this, but please. We are no closer than we were before, and you have the qualifications to consult, and even more so...you have the knowledge."
"Knowledge that was gained because of mother...because of father. It is painful knowledge, Barty and I swore I would help the government gather a case against my mother and father, but I promised nothing more!"
"You have internal knowledge of every gang, mafia, small rival group in the entire country...and some more besides. You do not have to join the case...not if you really do not want to but please, just sit in...one briefing...who knows, maybe it will go okay and you will want to join the case." Regulus narrowed his eyes, yanking his body straight to look at Evan and Barty in the eyes. One was guilty, and the latter just seemed tired.
"What is it?" Regulus asked softly, his fingers twitching at his sides, before digging their way into the leather of the sofa. "You would not say such a thing unless there was a disturbing development, so what happened?" Evan shook his head.
"We cannot speak of it outside of an official capacity, Reggie, you know this." Regulus growled, throwing the pillow off the bed and watching blankly as it smacked against the wall since Evan dodged and dropped to the floor. He was heaving, his breathes barely registering.
"Fine. One briefing. That is all I agree to."
-
Regulus tried to run the moment they got to the building, but Evan wrestled him up the stairs and into the elevator. He growled, glaring towards him, angry, feeling trapped and wanting desperataely to run off. This had been a mistake, he knew it now. He had to get out of here.
"Calm down, love," Barty whispered softly, rubbing his arms in an attempt to soothe him. Regulus shrugged away from him, the feeling as if he was being stabbed with hundreds of needles at once. He could not do this. Not anymore. He had agreed once but no...he just could not do it anymore.
-
Regulus glared, growling and every bit the feral feline he looked. He did not care about the alarmed gazes of the members of the unit he was supposed to be helping. Tried to ignore what he knew was his brother's dark assessing gaze as he launched a mania file towards Barty, who did little but laugh. His next attempt at escaping was foiled due to Evan gripping him tightly about the waist and a quick but stern order to sit. Which he did, every bit the petulant, angry mountain lion.
-
It was Lily who started the brief.