Two
TWO
REV
Twenty-One Years Old
The guesthouse we’ve been given is ace compared to where we grew up. The council estate of our childhood was nothing but a playground for drugs and violence. When we ran away at sixteen, I didn’t think we’d make it to eighteen, let alone twenty-one.
After we left home, we spent the first couple of years living mostly on the streets. We did odd jobs here and there, but we didn’t have anything stable, not until we got to Newcastle and found work in the nightclubs. At eighteen, we began to enjoy the nightlife, but I knew it would never be long-term. Now we’re here and being given a second chance by a man who we never expected to be so kind and generous.
Even though Hunt is a criminal mastermind, there’s a sense of family about his house, about him, and about his daughter, who I definitely shouldn’t be thinking about.
She’s an attractive wee lass, and one that’s too fuckin’ young for me. I should be focused on the job at hand, but I can’t stop thinkin’ about those pretty green eyes that look at me as if I’m a hero. Perhaps, she’s been reading too many of those books that girls fawn over about princes and happy endings.
This is real fucking life. There are none of those happy ever afters here.
The first night we had dinner here keeps playing in my mind. Hunt treated us as if we were part of his family rather than his employees. We were joined by some of the other men that work for him, and they were all spoken to with respect, like they were related to him.
I’d heard rumours about how he ran his organisation, but I didn’t believe them until that night. That was almost a week ago, and now we’re part of the team.
We’ve got some free time this afternoon, and when I enter the kitchen, it smells like freshly brewed coffee and bacon, a scent that’s both comforting and suffocating at the same time. I grab a mug and fill it before joining my brother in the lounge.
Hades is sprawled on a leather couch in front of the telly. He’s focused on a football game that looks like it’s going into extra time from the score. There’s a foul on a player, and Hades is quick to curse at the offender.
When it’s just the two of us, my brother can be loud and fuckin’ annoying. But when he’s working, he’s always been the silent, dangerous one. The one who hits first and asks questions later. He’s used his fists to settle arguments more times than I can count.
I’m the opposite. I’m calm, steady, and often the voice of reason. I’ve been burdened with a sense of duty that I’ve learnt, over the years, borders on self-destructive.
Hades glances away from the screen, his dark eyes narrowing as he studies me. “You look like shite, bro. What’s going on?”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I settle on the couch beside him. “I don’t know. I shouldn’t be thinking about that wee lass who’s off limits, but fuck…” I let my frustration hang in the air between us, then continue, “It’s complicated.”
“Everything with you is complicated,” he retorts, watching me with a sly grin on his face. “Spill it. The truth is, you want to be her first, and you know Hunt will kill us both if you go near his precious princess.”
I hesitate, the words sticking in my throat. Hades and I have no secrets between us. It’s been like that all our lives. It doesn’t matter that we’re twins. That has nothing to do with it. This goes much deeper. We both promised that we’d never take shite for granted and always be honest with each other.
The problem with secrets is that they tend to reveal themselves in the end. We both learnt from our father that honesty is always best, even if it hurts.
I take a deep breath and plunge in. “I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s pissing me off because she’s too young for me.”
Hades raises an eyebrow. “Aye, she is, but if you have feelings for her, it’s going to be hard to ignore them.”
“Aye, I know, but I’m not going to turn into one of those fucking arseholes we grew up around. They didn’t give a shite about girls being too young, but I do. She’s still at school, and I’m not fucking up her life by making a move and confusing her,” I admit, feeling a pang of guilt.
“It’s clear she’s got something burning for you, too,” he says, leaning forwards, suddenly all ears. “Perhaps she needs a friend. Someone who understands this life she’s growing up in. Who knows, in a couple of years when she’s eighteen, maybe things could change between the two of you.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I say, sounding less guilt-ridden and a lot calmer. “I can offer her friendship. I can’t deny she’s pretty, though, and that’s what’s fucking with me.”
Hades chuckles, shaking his head. “Well, don’t think about that. When she’s around, talk to her. Ask her about school and shite like that. But don’t be tempted to go kissin’ the lassie, because that will mess with your moral compass even more.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” I mutter, slumping in my seat.
Hades sighs, his expression softening. “Look, Hadrian, I get it. She’s pretty and smart, and she’s ace because she understands our life. She’s off limits as a girlfriend, but there’s nothing wrong with being friends with her, mate.”
“I feel like a fuckin’ knob,” I bite out as frustration takes a hold of me. I sip my coffee, and I can feel Hades chuckling beside me. “What?”
“I don’t know, Hadrian. I haven’t seen you like this before.”
“Don’t you think I know that?” I snap, immediately regretting my tone. “I’m fully aware of how I’m acting. I’m a mess, and it’s only been a few days since I first met her.”
Hades watches me for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. “Like I said, focus on the job, and when you do see her, just act natural. Don’t be givin’ off the vibe you’re into her more than you can offer.”
“I’m not fuckin’ stupid,” I bite out as I look over at my brother. “I’m going to make sure I keep my distance.”
Hades nods, but he’s still smiling.
“It’s not funny.”
“Aye, it fuckin’ is, Hadrian.”
He pushes to his feet and makes his way to the kitchen, where I can hear him making more coffee. I’m not scared of my feelings for Harley, but I know I need to do something about the tension between us. It’s been palpable these past few days.
When Hades flops back down on the couch next to me, he focuses on the match that’s gone to penalties. Later today, we’ll be collecting money from a few of the pundits who bet on the semi-final and haven’t paid up. They owe Hunt thousands of pounds, and he’ll want it all.
We sit quietly for a while, the only sound the ticking of the old clock on the wall. Hades finally breaks the silence, his tone more serious than I’ve ever heard it before. “Hadrian, you have to stay strong. This thing between you and her can’t happen. Not now, maybe not ever. You have to protect her, even if it means protecting her from yourself.”
I nod, knowing he’s right. “I know, and I don’t want Hunt killing me for even thinking about his daughter.”
“Take a step back for a couple of weeks,” Hades suggests. “Create some distance. Focus on work, on anything else. And remember, it’s for her own good as well as yours.”
His words resonate with me, and I realise I have no choice but to follow his advice. For Harley’s sake, I have to keep my distance.
As I leave our guesthouse for a breather, I feel as if my thoughts and feelings are sorted out. I know what I have to do now. Even if Harley wants more, I can only offer her friendship. I have to keep her at arm’s length for both our sakes.
The days pass in a blur of work and avoidance. I make a conscious effort to stay away from Harley and keep any interactions I have with her as short as possible. But it’s not easy. She’s always there, always watching me with those hopeful, trusting eyes.
One evening, after Hunt has gone out with some of his contacts, I’m working late in the office when Harley walks in. I look up, and my heart skips a beat at the sight of her with her dark hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. She’s wearing a pair of light blue jeans, trainers, and a tight-fitting concert T-shirt. I’ve never heard of the band emblazoned on the front, and I make a mental note to look it up.
“Hadrian,” she says softly, her voice filled with uncertainty. “Can we talk?”
I feel a pang of dread, but I nod, setting my pen down. “Of course.”
She sits in the chair across from me, her eyes searching mine.
“Why are you avoiding me?” There’s a tinge of sadness in her tone, and I want nothing more than to reassure her everything is fine. But it’s not. I fancy her, and I know she likes me.
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “Harley, it’s not that I’m avoiding you,” I lie. “I’ve been busy. Your father is a demanding man.”
“I know,” she says softly. “Growing up around him and his men hasn’t been easy. I can’t do any of the things my mates do. Going out with them to have fun is out of the question because of the danger it poses to me.”
“I can imagine it’s difficult being watched all the time,” I say gently as I consider my own freedoms while living all those years with my father. “I didn’t grow up like that. My father didn’t give a shite about where Hades and I went. In fact, he didn’t give a shite about us at all, but he did teach us how to protect ourselves.”
“Is that why you came here to work for my da?” she asks, her eyes locked on mine, and I have to fight the urge to tell her all my darkest fucking secrets.
“We’ve been drifting ever since we left home. Your father offered us something more permanent, He’s only trying to protect you by keeping you at home. I get that sometimes it’s shite, but what matters most is that you’re safe,” I tell her, my voice firm but tender.
She looks down, her shoulders slumping. “I guess.”
The sadness in her tone makes my chest ache. This is her at her most vulnerable. She wants to be a normal teenager, but with her father’s notoriety, she can’t.
“I know it’s difficult,” I tell her as empathy takes a hold of me. It’s the gentle side of my personality that Hades always takes the piss out of, but it causes Harley to smile.
She looks up at me, her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t even have a boyfriend.”
“It won’t be forever,” I say, my voice staying firm when I realise where her talk of boyfriends is heading. “Focus on school, and when you turn eighteen, you’ll have more freedom from your father.”
“What if it’s still like this when I’m older?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Harley, things may seem overwhelming now, but it’s not going to be forever. You will have your own life to live, soon enough. Don’t wish to grow up too quickly,” I say, my heart aching for the sweetness this lass exudes. “But for now, you have to be patient. You have to do what keeps you safe.”
She nods, wiping her eyes as she puts on a fake confidence that I can see right through. “Okay. I’ll try.”
“Okay, Harley,” I say softly. “One day, you’ll find your own happiness, and when you do, I want you to tell me all about it, okay?”
She stands up, looking at me with a mixture of affection and determination. “I will, I promise. Goodnight, Hadrian.”
“Goodnight, Harley,” I reply, watching her leave.
As the door closes behind her, I feel a sense of relief mixed with a deep, aching sadness. I know I’ve done the right thing, but it doesn’t make it any easier. I bury my face in my hands, taking a deep, shuddering breath.
The next couple of weeks are a struggle. I throw myself into my work, trying to keep my mind off Harley. But she’s always there in my thoughts. A constant reminder of what I can’t have.
One afternoon, as I’m leaving the study, I run into her in the hallway. She’s carrying a stack of books, and I can see the strain on her face. Without thinking, I step forwards to help her.
“Let me take those,” I say, reaching for the books.
“Thanks,” she replies, handing them to me.
We walk together to her room, the silence between us heavy with unspoken emotions. As I set the books down on her desk, she looks at me, her eyes filled with gratitude and something else—something forbidden.
“Thank you, Hadrian,” she says softly.
“Anytime,” I reply, my voice rough with emotion.
She steps closer, her eyes searching mine. “I miss talking to you.”
“I miss it too,” I admit, feeling a pang of longing.
“Can we be friends?” she asks, her voice tentative.
I take a deep breath, knowing how dangerous it is but unable to deny her. “Yes, we can be friends. But we have to be careful.”
She nods, a small smile playing on her lips. “I can do careful.”
“Good,” I say, my heart aching with the effort it takes to keep my distance.
We stand there for a moment, the air between us charged with emotion. Then I step back, giving her a reassuring smile. “Goodnight, Harley.”
“Goodnight, Hadrian,” she replies, her eyes lingering on mine.
As I walk away, I feel a sense of hope mixed with fear. I know that being friends is a risky move, but it’s the best I can offer her.
I just hope I’m strong enough to keep my promise—to protect her, even it’s from myself.