Chapter - 13

New Companion

Neal felt a little weight on him. He opened his drowsy eyes and the first thing he noticed is a mop of golden blonde resting on his chest.

"AAAAHH!" He jumped and pushed the little frame off his body. The person let out a yelp before hitting the floor with a soft thud.

Neal observed the person who sat there rubbing his butt. He looked like a high school boy. Small slender form, light skin, green eyes. He wore a red hoodie and denim jeans. Neal breathed in the new cologne on him. It smelt like oranges.

The boy stood up with a frown in his glorious 5'5.

"Why did you push me?" He asked with a pout, still rubbing his back.

Neal scooted back, dragging the sheets with him.

"Who...who are you? What are you doing here?" Neal wasn't afraid of a small boy. But, who knows if he has a weapon that could take his life in a blink of an eye.

The boy's face lit up at that question as someone turned on a switch inside him. He thrust his hand towards Neal for a shake.

"Hi! Dr. Derrick Rendell. Freshly graduated. You can call me Ricky if you like." He said cheerfully, too cheerful for a person who just woke up.

Neal's brows shot up in surprise. Doctor? This kid? Wait! Did he said Rendell? He was sure Arjun didn't mentioned any Derrick Rendell. Why do he look familiar though? He narrowed his eyes at the boy who waved his hand in front of him.

Neal sighed and took the small hand in his, giving a shake.

"You are Neal right? I hea―"

The door burst opened and a concerned Kaiden in his dashing black suit entered.

"What happened? I heard you scream." He enquired looking at Neal, and before he get to hear what Neal was about to say, someone crashed at his chest.

"KAIDEN! I MISSED YOU!" Derrick hollered excitedly, clinging onto a shocked Kaiden.

"Ricky!?" The older one gave a little squeeze before parting himself from the boy. Kaiden crossed his arms over his chest and glared at the hyperactive young one.

"I should have known," Kaiden shook his head, "What were you thinking? You―" He stopped midway at the sudden realisation that they weren't alone. He pinched his nose bridge sighing, "Go to your room. I will meet you there."

Derrick nodded his head with a pout. He waved bye to Neal and exit the room.

"I'm sorry if he scared you. He has a weird habit of cuddling with everyone. Don't worry, only cuddles, he won't do anything else. This may happen again, so I'm warning you." Kaiden explained.

Neal nodded his head in understanding.

"Um...that's kind of creepy." He chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Who is he?"

"Drake's little brother. He was in Dublin."

Ah...that's why the hair and eyes looked familiar. Neal nodded to himself.

"I have a meeting, you can eat in kitchen if you want." Kaiden said as he made his way to the door.

"Wait!" Neal called out. Kaiden stopped in his track and raised his brows.

Neal fidgeted. "Can I make a call? Just one. It's kind of urgent." He asked hopefully. The other one thought for a moment then shook his head.

"I'm sorry doc, I can't. You can ask Hunter tomorrow when he arrives. I can't allow you phone until he say so." Kaiden said before exiting the room closing the door behind.

Neal closed his eyes, silently cursing everything in the world and plopped back with a sigh.

**********

Kaiden stared at Derrick who was avoiding his eyes and pretending to inspect the stuffed animals he brought for Leo, for the past fifteen minutes. Kaiden was still in his suit, top two buttons of his black shirt was unbuttoned.

Ricky peeked through his eyelashes at the enraged male before going back to his inspection. The boy was sitting on the bed with crossed legs, his damped hair clung to his forehead. His attire earlier changed into an oversized yellow t-shirt and denim shorts.

"Do you think Leo will like this?" He asked quietly without looking at Kaiden.

Kaiden was leaning against the nightstand with his arms crossed. He uncrossed it and let out a frustrated sigh.

"Don't change the subject Ricky. What were you thinking? Coming all the way from there alone!? Couldn't you wait for few more days?" Kaiden roared startling the boy.

"I took private pla―"

"Still you shouldn't have done that!" Kaiden snapped.

"Don't expect me to defend you when your brother hear about this."

Ricky bite down on his lips and looked down. Tears rolled down from his eyes and he didn't bothered to wipe it. It's been a long time since he visited them. The last time he came was on homecoming and it was months ago. He couldn't wait to see his brothers and Leo. He did know the act won't end well.

Two strong arms engulfed Ricky's small shaking frame rocking side to side.

"Okay, okay. Stop crying. You are 20 now," Kaiden said softly, caressing the other's head.

"We warn you first time when you did this, didn't we? Now we have enemies not only outside Ricky, what if someone attacked you? Abducted you? I don't fucking trust anyone outside other than your brother in law." Kaiden let out his concerns and thoughts.

Ricky nodded his head and sat up straight. He wiped the tears with the back of his hand and sniffed.

"I'm sorry. I promise, this won't happen again." He mumbled.

"That's what you said last time, look what happened." Kaiden raised his brow.

"That was then! Now I'm graduated. I'm not going anywhere anymore." Ricky protested.

Kaiden sighed with a nod, "Good. Well....how was the ceremony? Did you have fun? Are you happy?" He asked with a genuine smile. At that, the boy's face lit up.

"Yes!! Who cares about the ceremony? We had a farewell party. Oh Kaiden, you won't believe me, there was this guy―"

"Uh-uh.. That's enough. I don't want to hear your sex life, and stop sleeping around. You are still young." Kaiden interrupted the excited blabbering of Ricky and point a finger at him sternly.

"Ah....you are one to talk. What do you think I crashed at Neal's room? I heard moans in your room yesterday night, Wren again?" Ricky wiggled his brows with teasing smile.

Kaiden cleared his throat, "None of your business. Can you do me a favor?" He asked changing the subject to which the boy nod his head vigorously.

"I think Neal is bored, just give him company. I don't know...watch a movie or something?" Kaiden shrugged.

"Where are you going?" Ricky asked confused.

Kaiden rolled his eyes with an exaggerated sigh. "I have another meeting in an hour. Hunter put all responsibilities on my shoulder and bring your poker face brother with him." He complained.

Derrick giggled seeing the whining man, "Well..you have a history with Jayce, so I'm not surprised big bro did that." He said shrugging his shoulder.

"But still...ugh I don't want to talk about it." The guy groaned and stood up. He looked at his watch, "Gotta go, see you later. Don't forget the favor." He said making his way towards the door.

"Yeah, yeah." Rick said stuffing the toys in another bag.

**********

Neal was sitting on the windowsill, munching on the chocolate chip cookies Jino gave him.

"BOO!"

Neal jumped, almost throwing himself out of the window. He turned to look at the laughing guy.

"Sorry, that was dangerous." Ricky said chuckling, and walked towards the window.

"It's fine." Neal said smiling awkwardly at the little devil. Of course, the boy belongs to a psychotic family after all, what did he expect?

"What are you doing?" Ricky asked stealing a cookie from Neal which he didn't mind.

Neal shrugged and point to the people with his chin, "Just... watching them. What are they doing? It looks...serious." He asked gazing at the crowd outside. There were almost thirty young men lining in the right side of the yard.

Ricky followed his gaze. "Ah..they? They are new recruits."

"For what?"

"You wouldn't want to know." Ricky said with a smile.

"Oh." Neal nodded, going back to watching them. Ricky stared at the frown on the doctor's face and chuckled. Neal turned to him at that sound.

"I can introduce them though." Ricky started looking outside, "See that guy with crossed arms?" He pointed his finger at a tall african american guy, "That's Caleb, and the japanese one beside him is Shino. He is Jino's son."

Neal looked at the people Ricky pointed.

"They train new guards. Not many people here good with knives, but Shino is an expert, like me." Ricky grinned pointing a finger at himself. Neal nodded his head, he remembers Kaiden said only three person here mastered knife skills. So....other ones are Shino and Ricky. Neal gulped down at the thought this boy could slit his throat in a flash.

"Why do they need new guards?" He asked.

Ricky smiled looking at Neal, "Kaiden said you are a curious one."

Neal smiled sheepishly, it soon replaced with a horror look at the guy's next words.

"Curiosity kills the cat, you know?"

Neal gaped at the young one in terror. That was enough for Ricky to burst into laughter.

"Kaiden was right, you are so fun to tease." He said between giggles. Neal let out a breath that he didn't realize he was holding.

"Hunter is tightening the security." Ricky said when the laugh died down. "We have a mole inside." He whispered holding his palm beside his mouth.

"Mole? As in spy?" Neal asked as his curiosity kicked in.

Ricky nodded his head and looked at Caleb and Shino.

"We think he is inside the Circle." He stated.

"Circle? What is that?"

Ricky turned to Neal. He stared for a while and sighed.

"I'm telling you this because it's you."

Neal didn't understand that statement, but he nodded, eager to hear the rest.

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