Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 66: You are Under My Protection

Louis stared at Huan, nervous.

Huan cleared his throat. "It’s Darken’s men. They are skilled and trained hitmen. We’ve used them many times without problems."

"Darken Perlich?" Alexander walked into the living room and sat down, holding a small meeting with Huan and Louis.

"Darken started out in the underworld as a hitman. Now he’s in the loan shark business, easy money. But his men keep working. He disguises them as debt collectors," Huan explained.

Alexander sighed. "So you hired Darken’s men, and they’re hanging around Nathan’s school now? Perfect."

"It seems they met one of Nathan’s friends. When I asked Nathan in the car, the boy’s name is Gabriel Perlich," Louis added.

Alexander stood up. "Okay. And Nathan, did you feed him dinner? Where is he?"

"Isabel did," Louis replied. "He’s in his room. He hasn’t come out since we arrived. Malvin also tried to calm him down."

Alexander nodded once, his jaw tight. He walked past Louis and Huan without another word, his footsteps echoing sharply on the marble floors as he headed toward the stairs.

The second floor was quiet, the only sound being his footsteps. Alexander stopped in front of Nathan’s door. He took a breath before knocking.

"Nathan?" He knocked three times.

No reply.

Alexander turned the handle. The door was unlocked. He stepped inside, expecting to find Malvin or someone else. But no one was on the sofa.

He imagined the boy hiding under the covers or staring at the wall in a trance, scared. But no.

The desk lamp was still on, casting a warm yellow glow over a pile of scattered papers. Nathan was slumped over the desk, his head resting on his crossed arms.

Alexander walked closer, his eyes landing on the notes. They were covered in messy, frantic handwriting, French verb conjugations, translations, and scribbled-out sentences. Nathan had clearly been trying to catch up, pushing his exhausted brain until it simply shut down.

Alexander stood over him for a long moment. He looked at the thinness of Nathan’s shoulders, the way his fingers were still clutching a pen even in sleep. The boy had been terrified out of his mind, and yet he had sat down and tried to learn French just so he wouldn’t fail.

Alexander watched for a few seconds, taking a deep breath. Nathan’s face was calm, his breathing slow and steady. He felt a great sense of guilt. He was inflicting new trauma on this innocent child.

He reached down, sliding one arm under Nathan’s knees and the other behind his back. Nathan groaned softly in his sleep, his head lurching forward to rest against Alexander’s chest. He smelled like fresh soap and old paper.

Alexander lifted him effortlessly. Nathan was lighter than a boy his age should be, a reminder of the seventeen years of "survival".

He carried him to the bed and lowered him onto the mattress. Nathan didn’t wake up, he just curled into a ball the moment his head hit the pillow, his breathing deep and ragged.

Alexander pulled the heavy duvet over him, tucking it around his shoulders. He lingered for a second, staring at the dark circles under Nathan’s eyes.

A few minutes later, the boy stirred and woke with a start. He immediately raised his hand, as if searching for the pen he had been holding earlier. He was surprised by his current position.

Alexander sat on the edge of the bed. "Back to sleep. You can continue tomorrow."

Nathan realized his brother was in his room. Had Alexander moved him to the bed? He immediately sat up and stared intently.

"Why are you here?" His previously calm and composed face changed to his usual anxious, sharp gaze.

"Nothing. I heard you were scared because you saw a tattooed man at school," Alexander said.

Nathan sighed. He had been too scared to think clearly earlier, but he had clearly seen the same man, the kidnapper and his van. Even so, he didn’t want to show his weakness in front of Alexander.

"Are you still scared?" Alexander asked.

Nathan immediately shook his head. "No."

"Well, you need to understand that it was a mistake that will never, ever happen again," Alexander said seriously. "I will NEVER let anyone touch you. Not a single hair without your consent. It’s my first and last mistake. It will never happen again."

Nathan looked at Alexander, feeling the vibration in the man’s voice. He could only lower his gaze. Alexander’s stare was very dominant.

"As long as you obey and take the bodyguards I provide, you don’t need to worry. As for the van, it’s just a school logistics vehicle. I’ve checked it. You don’t need to worry. I’ve taken care of the people who kidnapped you before, so there’s no way you’ll see them again. They’re dust now," Alexander continued.

Nathan looked at Alexander in horror. He remembered the explosion at the old house. Was it true that his brother had killed them all? He didn’t know whether he should be afraid of the kidnappers or his brother now.

"I’m fine. You don’t need to worry," Nathan said.

Alexander reached for his head, causing Nathan to flinch, but the large hand managed to stroke the side of his head.

"I know you are strong. I shouldn’t worry about you. But I want to make sure you know that you are under my protection. So please, don’t be afraid. I’m the most reliable person in the country when it comes to protection."

Or the other way around, Alexander thought to himself.

Nathan stared at his brother without blinking, Alexander’s words making his body tremble.

"Are you part of the mafia?" Nathan asked suddenly, remembering Zane’s words.

Alexander frowned, a little surprised. He hadn’t expected that question at all.

Nathan became even more curious when Alexander didn’t answer. "Are you really an evil mafia boss who kills innocent people?"

Alexander finally chuckled. "You watch too many movies. Salazar has many lines of business in most countries. We have to make sure every business runs and grows, whatever it takes. You’ll understand when the time comes. Now focus on your studies."

"I want to know. I’m mature enough to understand," Nathan insisted.

Alexander chuckled at the seventeen-year-old’s claim of adulthood, then nodded. "All right. After you graduate, I’ll take you on a tour of the company."

Nathan pouted. "That’s too long."

"One step at a time. You still have to focus on your studies. I don’t want to overload your brain," Alexander said. Before Nathan could protest, he was already standing, gently pushing the boy back down onto the bed.

"Sleep. I will be here," Alexander said.

Nathan pulled up his blanket and stared at his brother. "No, just get out. I don’t need your protection here."

"Better close your eyes. I won’t go anywhere before you sleep." Alexander grabbed a book— a history book—pulled up a study chair, and sat quietly beside the bed, ignoring Nathan’s whining for him to leave.

Nathan finally gave up. He stared at Alexander, who seemed engrossed in the book in his hands. Annoying as it was, his presence calmed him down.

And after an unknown amount of time in silence, Nathan finally fell asleep.

Alexander then went out and ordered Huan to make sure the tattooed man did not enter the school grounds.

"I don’t want today’s incident to happen again. If he has business with Perlich’s son, make sure they send someone else. And tell Perlich not to use the van," Alexander ordered.

Huan cleared his throat. Louis was there too.

"That’s too much. What will they say?" Huan asked.

"If they can’t replace it, send a new car. They are paid to disappear after the mission is complete. They shouldn’t object."

Alexander’s jaw tightened. He felt a surge of irrational possessiveness. He had spent weeks making sure Nathan understood that the Salazar home was the only safe place on earth. Now, the messiness of Gabriel Perlich’s men was leaking into Nathan’s world, ruining all of Alexander’s psychological conditioning.

"And send them a warning," Alexander continued.

"A warning?" Huan asked.

"A reminder," Alexander corrected. "Remind Mr. Perlich that we will maintain our relationship and respect each other. But if his men appear at the school again and scare my brother, I’ll buy up every cent of his debt and bury him under it."

Louis left Alexander’s study holding his head. It was all because of that man, yet he himself had asked the group of hired assassins to back down.

He just hoped Darken Perlich wouldn’t be offended and cause new problems.

Alexander took Huan to his room. A dinner set menu was already laid out there. Serene, the young chef, was still arranging some cutlery.

"Good night, Master. Perfect timing, your dinner is ready," the woman said with a sweet smile.

"Thank you, Serene. You can leave us. I will call you when we are ready," Alexander said.

Huan looked at the table full of food with a warm smile. He did not know what Alexander had planned next, putting him between life and death.

The man’s gaze was so calm it was difficult to guess what was on his mind.

"Enjoy, Huan..."