Perhaps it was the information bombarding Shiro all at once that caused the throbbing pain on the side of his head. He should've known all of this, if this was true, he thought to himself, keeping his eyes on the man who spoke passionately of his own experiences, his family, the days before he was Enzo Drago...
He became more confused after hearing about the kidnapping when the man was a university student. His mouth parted to speak but where to begin? Certainly, Enzo was fabricating all these lies, right? There was no way their lives were that entangled. The information he received and learned through and through about Enzo Drago and his family lacked all the details the man before him was spouting out.
It was true, he came to this estate to meet Enzo Drago in secret, to find answers to the questions he had since that night the same man visited him at the safe house. This was not the answer he was expecting.
Someone was lying to him, hiding the truth. "Impossible," he muttered, lowering his gaze, left hand withdrew from his pocket and brought to rub the side of his skull. He wasn't sure to whom or to what he was pertaining the comment but he felt his head was spinning.
Was Ji-hoon hiding things from him? Malchin? How about Mi-reu? After the incident at the safe house that one night, he remembered his security was tightered. His mother ordered for his relocation that took a lot of work and effort. He didn't think much about the lack of further explanation why he was receiving a visit from Enzo in the first place? His questions about Enzo and his family were entertained but were not encouraged...
His eyes snapped back on Enzo as the man continued to reveal who was behind his attacks -
"My grandfather is the reason you were attacked both times. The alliance he made with the Russians, took priority of the one he fabricated with your mother. Then there's the matter of Orion Leos."
His eyes squinted at the mention of his mother... His mother hadn't been entirely truthful to him, he decided, missing on the particular detail that the family had been connected to the Dragos all this time. He thought of his men, the small group of people he trusted during the time he was in recovery and their assistance to make this meeting happen. Surely, they were aware of all this history with the Dragos but why did they fail to tell him?
He was finding more and more questions adding on top of the ones he had now instead of answers. The one about him leaving Enzo to die after the first attack stuck. He stepped forward, frown deepening as he reached for the same spot in Enzo's head where the other's hand had been moments ago.
"My grandfather was killed for his betrayal. For the sins against me, my father, my mother, but most importantly because he was determined to take you from me."
"You're not supposed to be near me," his voice was only meant for his ears, understanding some of the past situations without remembering...
"This alliance is not new for me. Perhaps for you. What's mine...is yours. But I don't believe the loyalty is reciprocated."
He felt a tug in the pit of his stomach, aware of the accusation in Enzo's voice. Where did he stand on all this? He thought of his mother who was kept in the dark about this meeting. His men whom he trusted had the family's best interest would advice him on the steps he'd make as the family's leader encouraged that his mother not be notified...
"Did you agree to this meeting carrying your grudge against me?" His hand caressed the side of the man's head. His mother - His mother purposely hid information about the Dragos from him perhaps in hopes he never remember a thing about Enzo Drago. "It's clear we have an unfinished business to settle," he echoed the man's words earlier. "Are you here to finish your grandfather's job?"
Shiro's reaction to his words were both expected and unexpected. He knew he should refrain but Enzo couldn't stop himself, "Did I say something you didn't like?" He could only imagine what scenarios were playing in the other's mind. What pieces of the fractured puzzle were easily coming together the more information he shared. He felt it was important to say one thing. Ease the anxiety he could see creeping across Shiro's face and darkening the man's features. "If you're questioning your circle, don't. Jihoon, Malchin, and Mireu are all trustworthy and would give their lives for you. There's no question of their loyalty."
Enzo didn't immediately know how to answer Shiro's question. It was complicated and if predicated on his own pain and misinterpretations, yes would have quickly slipped from his lips. Again, it was complicated. "A year, maybe two years ago, yes I would be here to finish what my grandfather was incapable of completing. I believed that you were behind my attack. That your concern for me was non-existent." His hand covered the one that continued to touch the side of head intermittently. A current of electricity ran through his body. Indicative of the attraction that had and continued to exist between him and Im Shiro.
He wanted to say it. Repeat the words he'd spoken months before but he knew that would only add depth to a situation where they were already drifting ten thousand leagues under the sea. "The only grudge I'm holding against you is that I was little more than a distraction or a play thing to you. Somehow I ended up as the one with feelings. While you just broke the limbs and threatened the lives of anyone who dared to interfere with your access to me. No commitment. No relationship. But no community property with other lovers. At least not on my side. How have your other distractions survived the loss of their favorite sexual deviant?"
He needed to walk away. Clear his head. Jealousy was creeping into his tone along with the fear and compassion he held for Shiro. With his back to the other, Enzo took a series of deep breaths. Counting to ten and calming both his mind and heart before returning his attention to his host.
"Did I adequately fill in the gaps? Or should I share more?" There were flashes of images that filled his mind. Nights they spent together and even his warnings and demands that Shiro protect himself and those around him more than he did. They'd never get those moments back. He was little more than a stranger and that was a fact that Enzo would have to accept.
"Why don't you tell me what you really want. What you need from me and the families who sit at my table."

















