Basic Need

Ch 3: Jeremy Butler

Harry, being the stubborn teenager he was, wouldn't go to sleep until Blake received Ace's report.

The email the skilled hacker sent said: Kyle Austin, also known as Jeremy Butler, Irish, grandson of Brian Butler who is in the prêt-à-porter industry but is supposedly known for running the largest gang in Ireland, which deals with drugs and weapons among other things. Jeremy Butler has fled the family home three years ago after being accused by the police of shooting someone.

"Charming," Blake observed after finishing the report.

"Indeed," his mate bit out acidly.

"But what does he want with Alice?" Harry asked while nervously rearranging his hair.

"I think it's more about you," Blake stated after a while.

"Come again!" Maria exclaimed, worry clear in her voice, "What does he want with my baby brother?"

"I'm not a baby anymore," Harry grunted, "but I don't see your point, Blake. He went after Alice, not me."

"Exactly," Blake pointed a finger at him.

"I still don't understand," Harry shook his head.

"Neither do I," Maria supplied, a perplexed frown adorning her usually smiling face.

"Look, it's midnight," he started matter-of-factly, "we don't want you late for school tomorrow."

"Seriously Blake," Harry rolled his eyes, "I will be 18 in three months. I'm not a kid anymore."

"Not a kid yeah, but still human, you need your 6 hours of sleep," Blake told him with a sardonic smile, "Besides, this bit of info will keep you up enough as it is."

"But..." the protest died on Harry's lips as he saw the determination in Blake's eyes.

"We'll talk in the morning."

"You and I both know that tone, Harry." Maria deposited a reassuring hand on her brother's shoulder, "There's no arguing with him anymore."

"Fine," Harry huffed before turning to leave the living-room.

"At least, you now know what you're dealing with," Maria rushed to his side and kissed him softly on the forehead.

"Not exactly, since Blake won't tell me everything."

"As he said, we'll talk in the morning. Wake up at 6 am as per usual and we'll have plenty of time before you go to school." Were her soothing words.

"You bet."

********************

"Wakey, wakey, you two lovebirds," Harry knocked on the door of Maria's and Blake's room.

"We're awake, sweetheart," came his sister's sweet response.

"Yes, I figured, but are you dressed?" He chuckled.

"We are, kiddo," Blake told him flatly, "It's not like I want to keep messing with your head."

"Well, you messed with it enough as it is yesterday," Harry retorted bitterly before opening the door, finding his sister buttoning up her blouse while Blake tidied up the bed.

"That was not my intention, and it's not what I meant, you know that." Blake c****d an eyebrow at his brother-in-law who just nodded before saying, "Yeah. Yeah."

"We've had to erase your memory twice already because you don't have enough manners to knock on the damned door," Maria reprimanded, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly.

"Going at it like rabbits after I don't know how many years of mating is kind of overkill too." Harry commented sarcastically.

Maria threw a pillow at him. He deftly dodged it and chuckled in amusement.

"You don't know how to throw a pillow even though you're a vampire?" He taunted.

"Blake has trained you well," she shrugged, "You're both fast and strong even though human. So I just used my human speed so as not to hit you hard on the face."

"You could always try." Harry crossed his arms on his chest in a provoking manner.

"You asked for it, brat."

The second the words flew out of her mouth, he received a pillow on his face. And although the pillow was made of feathers, it kind of hurt.

That was a vampire's strength for you.

"Shall we stop this childish contest of strength of yours and talk business?"

Harry straightened up immediately.

And Maria's laughter ceased. "I'll make breakfast," she offered, leaving the two to discuss the matter of Kyle Austin, or rather Jeremy Butler.