Saved By My Step-Brother

Chapter 9 - "Nobody can come save you, friend."

Hanzo was surprised when he opened the door to find James on the other side. He had not been told he was receiving a visit, but since he was not busy, he welcomed James within his appartement. From James' stance, he could instantly tell that he was in distress, and Hanzo closed the door behind him, "Are you alright?"

"There's something I need to talk to you about," James whispered in a shaky breath.

Hanzo nodded his head, observing the manner James' fingers trembled, and guided him to the living room. He could hear James' sharp inhales as they walked, and his own worry grew hurriedly. When they were both seated, facing one another, James sighed and finally met his gaze, "I'm in a really bad problem. I'm coming to you, since you're the closest friend I have." That had been true; their friendship had deepened throughout the years he had been here, and even now, he was unable to truly believe Hanzo to be involved with the kidnapping of August.

However, he sighed. The plan was in action, and he had reached this far. There was no turning back now.

Hanzo nodded his head, reaching his kitchen and pouring a alcohol and a soda within a glass. When he returned to the living room, he noticed how James was attempting to settle his nerves quivering his fingers, but Hanzo soon placed a glass in-front of him. "It'll calm you down, drink."

James did not hesitate to reach forward, and take a few sips of his glass. When he settled the glass down, the taste twirling in his mouth, he finally nodded his head, a bit of confidence beginning to spread through his bones. After a short sigh, he cleared his throat and said, "I was affiliated with a group that I should not have been. Now they're after me to complete a task, and they'll kill me if I don't."

Hanzo's eyes widened and he leaned forward in his seat, "James, I did not expect this."

"And the problem is," his lips shivered, "they want me to deliver August's head to the Hawk's doorsteps."

Suddenly, Hanzo felt cold fingers run along his spine. He had seriously not expected to hear this information, and needed a pause, his jaw clenching. He took another sip of his drink, which James did the same. However, in order for James not to panic, he needed to remain calm and comfort him, which was exactly his motive to help his friend. "Listen James, you have to tell me who you're dealing with here?"

"I can't," James whispered in a shaky breath, "they'll kill me if they find out I told you—"

"We're friends right?" Hanzo insistes, raising an eyebrow, "I would never betray you." The irony almost caused James to burst out in curses, leaping over to slam his knuckles against his jaw. He had already betrayed him, and he fought the urge to cause the scene. However, the worry behind Hanzo's eyes was almost believe.

James cleared his throat, "Dante's clan."

Hanzo's eyes widened in pure shock, and he tilted his head to the side. "James, are you f*****g serious? Do you know how dangerous those guys are?"

"Yes, I do—"

"Then why did you get involved with them?"

"I needed the money," James sighed stressfully, his fingers playing with one another. However, his brain seemed to become a bit woozy, and he blinked in hopes to stay focused. "I don't want to die," he breathed and his breath was cut short.

"That's the business Mr. Hawk is in; do you see all the scars he has? The ones Mike has as well? They were shot way too many times to even count."

James felt his spine run cold, "Please don't say that—"

"That's the reality of things in the underworld James. I can't believe you would let yourself f**k up like this."

When James merely lowered his head in embarrassment, Hanzo sighed. "I don't want to die..." he whispered.

"Relax James," Hanzo comforted amicably, "You're not going to die. They're not going to kill you." James nodded his head, but was not too certain of Hanzo's statement. However, Hanzo tilted his head to the side and said, "So who is going to kill her? You?"

James frowned, raising an eyebrow; his eyes were barely focusing anymore, his brain becoming foggy to an extreme extent. "What do you mean?" James was able to slip out, but blinked his eyes forcefully. He reached for his glass, but he was unable to.

He heard a deep victorious chuckle, as Hanzo stood from his seat. "I meant, are you going to have to kill her? Because August isn't dead," he hissed, grabbing James' glass from the table. James was near fainting, and leaned over to the side, laying on the couch and barely being able to hear Hanzo properly. His vision had doubled, his muscles had fallen numb, and he could barely even breathe.

Hanzo snickered, "You thought you could trick me, right friend?" He shook his head condescendingly, "Your drink was laced. I'm surprised you even thought I would fall for your trap."

As James began slipping from consciousness, Hanzo began sadistically laughing. "And for your information, if you had an earbud or something, it would not work in this appartement. I made sure that any conversation that happened in here, would stay in here. Therefore, it's just you, and I. Nobody can come save you, friend."

He bent down, examining James' face becoming pale as his eyes slowly closed. After a short chuckle, Hanzo whispered, "I never betrayed you, and you were just about to betray me. It's a shame James, I really did consider you my closest friend."

He straightened his spine, and with one last look at James, he left the living room and headed for the attic. He had an attic in his apartment, and that was where his true self was kept hidden. Hanzo had been part of this business for a while now, therefore he kept the weapons necessary in order to protect himself. However, he was also part of the cleaning crew, therefore he kept a large electric saw, plastic wrappings, cleaning supplies, and gloves.

He grabbed all the equipment he needed, and headed back down the stairs.