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The following story contains sexual content and deals with homosexual relationships. It is not for people under the legal age. If you are offended by the contents of this story, or it is illegal in your location to view this type of material, leave now
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Chapter 4 - The Con
Sometimes being the good guy just didn't pay off. At least that was how Evan was feeling. Evan Blue, Brian's and Vincent's brother. That's how he was known to most people. Even some of the family referred to him like that, it had stopped being cute since he was four and he could actually understand it as a insulting commodity. But life seemed to be going that way. Sometimes he would just hide in his room and try to suppress all the feelings of loneliness he felt, worse, the feelings of complete abandonment. He truly felt alone. Alone with a very big family. The only thing missing would be the Italian heritage and a boat arriving near the statue of liberty. It wasn't easy being his brothers little brother, mostly because of the age difference. They were both out of the house when he was 12, and with both parent still working at that time, he had spent a lonely childhood. The problem was, no one seem to notice.
College hadn't change things. He had hoped that he would make at least a couple of friends, but it wasn't looking promising. All the years being a social recluse didn't exactly help. He never really bonded with his family, all the men seemed to be like his brothers, tall and built. He was on the slim side, he was shorter and nowhere near built. He was cute though, with the dark hair and the green eyes that no one could explain. But that was it. He was cute. Apparently for him, cute just got him attention until age 4.
He had spent the last 18 years of his life being the best son he could be. He had top grades, he did his own laundry, he cooked, he mowed the lawn, he was almost perfect... on the outside. He felt lost, most of the times his mind was far from his body, searching for somewhere to be where people would actually give a damn about what he had to say and about him. The apparent perfect almost stepford son had two secrets. The first one was being gay. He knew that his family would probably be OK with it, his fear though, would be if his family reacted like they always did to anything he did, with indifference. He knew he was probably exaggerating, but at that time, his mind was not his own anymore. The second secret was a specific date. On this date, or day, he had tried to commit suicide. A very pitiful attempt he realized, but an attempt none the less.
Sometimes he actually wondered if would have had the guts to go through with it, had his brother not come early to dinner that night. He doubted it. He was sick of these parties. All the family was there, reunited celebrating one more milestone in the lives of anyone else. He was past loneliness now, he was angry. Angry with himself mostly, for being such a coward that he couldn't even face his brother. When he saw him, there looking miserable, his first instinct had been, as always, of protection. Now he was asking himself why? Why? Just to be rejected like some common idiot who would be just trying to distract himself from his own problems. He wanted to help damn it. And it wasn't like he was getting any help in return. No. To everyone else he didn't need any help. He was perfect.
He got out of the bathroom after cleaning his face of the tears. He was actually surprised he had some left after all the years of crying himself to sleep. He went to the garden where the ceremony was being held. The engagement party. There was everyone. The groom to be, the bride to be, the once groom and all the family and friends. All bathing under the sun that had had the decency to clear the skies for them.
"Evan!" He heard his mother calling him. He turned to find her by the beverage table. Yes, because everything had to be organized when his mother was involved. "Here" She said once he got to her "be a sweetie and take these to your brother will you?" She passed him a couple of drinks.
He didn't even respond, he didn't talk much nowadays anyway, he just turned with the drinks and started for his brother. Brian. The groom to be. He reached them, all 3 of them, the awkward trio, and started passing them the beverages. It was when he was about to pass the one to Andrea, the future Mrs Blue for the second time, that he heard it. "Where's Evan?"
He just stopped. His hand was just hanging in the air with the drink motionless. He couldn't believe it. It was like bursting all of a sudden, all the pain, all the loneliness reacting to than one sentence that said it all: he was invisible. He was angry, but most of all he was tired, tired of people. He didn't think twice, he just dropped the drink at her feet. She screamed, something about a dress, and everyone turned. This time he was gonna be heard, and even if it would be the last time, they would remember it.
"What are you doing Evan?" He heard Brian ask angrily.
"Fuck you!" No one moved for what it seemed an eternity.
"EVAN!" His father said starting to cross the garden fast in his direction.
"WHAT? WHAT THE HELL IS IT DAD?" His reaction surprised Bill Blue and made him stop in his tracks. "I'm so tired of this family. Where am i?" he asked looking at Andrea "Where am i? WHY DON'T YOU LOOK YOU BITCH!"
He didn't even saw it coming. He just felt it on his face. Brian had hit him. He covered his cheek, now red from the slap, and looked at his brother who was looking at his own hand with big eyes. Evan was shocked, but he didn't care, he wasn't going to stop, today they would hear him.
"I spent the last 18 years of my life being perfect, PERFECT, the perfect brother, the perfect student and the PERFECT SON!" he said now turning to his parents. His mother was standing by now at his fathers side. he could see tears forming in her eyes. "WHAT GOOD DID THAT DO HUM? TELL ME!" He was screaming as loud as he could. "NONE. I GOT NOTHING, MY PARENTS IGNORE ME" he could see his father was going to object so he started screaming more "MY BROTHERS JUST DON'T CARE, APPARENTLY ONE HITS ME AND..." his voice suddenly tuned down. "All this for what?" He couldn't take it anymore, he felt alone and he knew he was crying. He started again slowly. "I feel so alone you have no idea, i have no friends, i have nothing. Do you know dad, how many times when i was crying myself to sleep, i wished that you for once could support one of my hobbies?" His father just looked at him still not believing that his perfect son cried himself to sleep. "Or how i would settle for a hug once in a while? Do you know that if it weren't for Bill arriving early one time for dinner, i would be dead by now?" He could here people gasping, his own mother was sobbing. "I am so freaking alone and you guys don't even notice..." his voice died down for a few seconds and he bent his head low.
Vincent started to put a hand on his shoulder but he jerked it away. "I'm not perfect, I'm sorry, but i think i make a good act even without incentive. This is me, sorry and alone surrounded by no one." He started moving forward towards the house. He stopped by his parents. "I'm going to leave, I'm going to take my things and leave." His mother was ready for protests but again he was quicker. "And by the way, mom, dad... I'm gay."
Michael was getting restless. Six days was all he could think about. He had 6 days to rob the Royal Bank in London and still no sign of Bennie. He had accepted Charlie's offer to sleep at his house. It was better anyway, he couldn't risk being caught in a Hotel. Things looked good though. Charlie's plans were good as always and if everything went as he hoped it would, he could be back in the states by Thursday. It was Monday, almost Tuesday.
Some things had been covered though. Things they were certain they needed to take care of. Stuart had gone to chat with an old friend of his to brush up on the video feed, better to be safe. The pressure pads were no problem, it just meant that Michael would be the one to be lifted since he was the one in the best shape. He remembered the conversation.
"So what about the pressure pads? You up for it?" Charlie asked him after they had decided on what to order for dinner.
"Yeah why wouldn't i be?"
"Well, its just that your "Vacation" has made you less... fit."
"I'm fine Charlie, i said I'll do it." Michael snapped.
"Fine Fine" Charlie said raising his arms "I just don't want the cable to snap."
He saw him smirking and just let it go, he knew there was no use.
That had been 4 hours ago.
'Damn it Bennie.' he thought.
It was no use, he finally relented and went to sleep, they would have a long day tomorrow, and he wanted to be focused. He started for his bedroom, Charlies guestroom, and opened the door. The room was big enough. It was all painted in dark blue that made it look smaller than it really was. The window faced east so he knew the sun would come knocking early. He took his tooth brush, that he had made Stuart buy at the local supermarket, and went to the bathroom. After brushing his teeth he waled back to his room and made his way to the bed. Sleep didn't come easy. He spent an hour just thinking about Vincent and Niko. Even though Niko hadn't shown, Michael knew him well enough to know that his best friend was pissed. But most of all, he was worried. He had made his friend worry about something that he would wholeheartedly disapprove. But he told himself again that he had no choice. Then there was Vincent. The man for whom he didn't know how he felt. He was hot, no doubt about it, and he was nice. Most of all, he liked him, and he had to admit, he liked him too. The week that they had spent getting to know each other had been great for Michael, but as usually, life got in the way.
He turned one more time on the bed and the last thought on his mind before falling asleep was of home.
"So?"
"I got it! Why? Where you doubting me?"
Bennie looked amused at Michael who was looking mildly irritated. Bennie had just returned from the Chief of security's house.
"No, i was just expecting you last nigh!" Michael said wanting to go on to more pressing matters. "SO lets see it!"
Bennie took the blueprints from the briefcase and passed them to Michael. "You know... i am a master, i cant just seduce a woman and then leave her, that doest build trust..."
"Or you are not doing it right." Michael said deciding to play a little.
"Yes, said the gay guy."
"Lets not forget that the gay guy seduces any woman." By now Charlie was laughing hard. Stuart was just looking at the group saying nothing.
"OK look, i love her what can i say?"
"Oh please..." Michael said smirking "You love her? You're sick!"
"You're just jealous."
"Are you freaking kidding me? You just met her and she's the daughter of the Chief of Security of the Bank you are gonna rob. Don't you think that that's twisted?"
"That's just details... you know... love is whats important..."
"Oh shut up!" Michael said finally moving to the table in the living room and unfolding the specs.
"OK let me see... wow..." Charlie said inspecting the blueprints.
"What?" Stuart asked finally entering the conversation.
"Well we have a small problem. The video feed... they have two sets."
"So?" asked Bennie not understanding the problem.
Michael stepped in "Because we can only hack one, the one that has the controls outside, this one" he said pointing at the second video feed line "has the control panel inside the safe, we could hack it but we would have to drill and we don't have time."
"So what do we do?" Bennie asked again.
"Someone has to be in there, inside the safe before we go in." Charlie said finally.
"How?"
Charlie continued "We'll have to change plans, we need a diversion outside the Bank before they close, a big one, enough to drag the guards that are watching the monitors, off their posts. Then someone has to get in the safe rewire the feed, tape it and put in on loop. So... we'll have to make sure that the diversion is after the last check on the safe. Then we can focus on the motion detectors and the pressure pads."
"How do i get in and avoid the pressure pads and the motion detectors?" Michael asked Charlie.
"Wait a minute... you?"
"Yes Bennie... me, OK? I am much more experienced, no discussion. Charlie?"
"OK, well, we can cut the power, but there is a problem they will notice the glitch, it will be like 30 seconds, but they will only check it the day after and by then we should be out of there."
"OK, so what do we do about a diversion? And how do we find the timetables for the checks on the safe?"
"I can take care of the diversion." Bennie suggested.
"We need you in the safe." Michael said.
"No idiot, i mean i can arrange one, not be in it."
"Bennie!" Stuart scolded.
"OK OK, sorry Pietro." Michael just looked at the specs. "But i can do it" Bennie pressed "Just leave it to me."
"OK fine, so that leaves the timetables, how do we get them? Do we send the horny love boy in again?" Michael asked smirking still not looking up.
"No that wont do, we have to get that from the bank." Charlie explained.
"OK, i can do that." Stuart voiced.
"OK well, until we have it we cant do anything." Charlie looked at Michael to see his friend's preoccupied face. "Don't worry my friend, we have time, Stuart will get the timetables." He looked at Stuart and the man got the message.
"On it." With that he left the living room.
Brian was still in shock. It had been two days since his brother made them all feel like crap. He really felt like crap. It was all true. He was trying, he had been trying for the last couple of days but he just couldn't remember ever having a real conversation with Evan. His guilt was becoming unbearable. He still couldn't believe it. He had hit Evan. The one person that always tried to be the best he could for everyone... and he had hit him. He didn't feel like crying anymore, he was cried out at the moment. After everyone had gone home that day, he took Andrea to their house and told her he was going to look for Evan, she agreed, after all she liked him like a brother. He looked everywhere he could think of, Vincent had gone with him. They went to their parents house again to tell Bill and Janice what they were afraid to hear. There was no sign of Evan. His mother was going into hysterics, she was worried about what Evan had said, about the suicide. Brian had put a strong front, but after 2 days he was beyond scared, he was petrified. His chest was hurting, the thought of the loneliness on his brother's face that afternoon made his insides turn. All the anguish he had seen, all because of him.
He was looking at the phone, not expecting it to ring. It had been 48 hours, he could call the police now and they would take action, but without knowing why, he couldn't bring himself to do it. That was the moment the phone rang. First he just looked at it like he was transfixed, then he managed to get out of his stupor and answered it.
"Hello?" he said urgently.
"Bry..." he heard the voice he had been waiting to hear for two days, but it was faint.
"Evan? Evan where are you?" he was happy to hear his brother, and at moment he realized, this was the first time he had been worried about him.
"Bry" he heard Evan saying in almost a whisper "I'm not well."
"Evan? Evan please where are you?"
"Bry? Bry please help me." he could hear faint sobs, he wanted to hurt himself for causing this, for causing this much pain on someone so innocent.
"I will bro, i will i love you, I'll get you, but you have to tell me where you are OK?"
"The swings." was all he heard before the line went dead.
The swings, where he used to take him when he was little. Images of him pushing Evan higher and higher filled his mind, he could see the blue sky and Evan's shadow on the green grass. He grabbed his car keys and ran out of the apartment. He had to find his brother. His sense of urgency moved him forward. He got to his car and just stepped on it not caring about speed limits. He made it to the park in less than 5 minutes. He got out of the car and just kept running. He could see the swings in the distance. He was getting closer, when he finally saw him. Evan lying on the ground. He ran to his brother.
"Evan, Evan please please talk to me bro, wake up." He couldn't control it, tears were coming down like never before, and even though he knew he was imagining it, he could see the red mark of his hand on his brothers face. "Please... Even, oh God please Evan."
"Bry..." He pushed his little brother back to look at his face. His eyes were open and he could see he was sweating.
"Shhh, don't talk, I'll take you to the hospital." As soon as he said it he saw his brother's face turn to one of fear.
"No! please... Bry... home Bry... please..." He wanted to say no, to insist on taking him to the hospital, but he couldn't, not after what they all had done to him.
"Sure bro, home it is." He saw his brother become calmer and he made a mental note to call his parents so they could call his uncle. He could take a look at Evan. "Lets go bro." He positioned his arms around his brother and took him against his chest and off the ground.
As he walked to the car, Evan turned in his arms and whispered in his year.
"I love you Bry."
And then he passed out.
Ok one more chapter, i hope you're liking the story.
Fell free to email, to say that you like it or to say you hate it, either way, fell free.
Any comments are welcomed and can be send to gridlinked@gmail.com
All the best
Mike