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Chapter 20: Promises

The trip to Ace's tattoo parlor was easy because Marco remembered the way quite well. After all, he had helped Ace choose the place. They had decided to settle in a busy area, neither too classy nor too shady and near the local university attracting a various crowd, especially young people and students. It was set up near a few cosy shops, a beauty salon, some nice and trendy but not overpriced or too common clothes stores, a shop which sell japanese goodies, and a medieval bar, dimly lit and often overcrowded. It truly was an interesting place, full of life and possibilities.

The bell chimed as he pushed the door. Marco didn't know where Kid lived so his best bet was to go to the shop, hoping to catch the man and praying for Ace not be in. Izo had told him to wait before talking to him and that's what he intended to do. Still, he didn't have any other way to corner Kid... Anyway, Ace probably wasn't in, he had just gotten out of the hospital the day before...

As soon as Marco set foot through the door, he was assaulted by bright colors and by too many memories. Happy memories. He noticed that they weren't bitter-sweet anymore. They were tinted by his guilt and overall sadness but they didn't make him depressed and angry at his own weakness. He was filled with love, regret and above all longing.

Some things had changed over the years, a new carpet by the door, some modern lamps, new photos of tattoos on the walls. The place had aged up gracefully in the time that Marco had been away. It felt like being close to Ace once again and it left him feeling strangely nervous, as if he was intruding on Ace's sanctuary without permission.

The only person in, as far as Marco could tell, was Bartolomeo. He was behind the counter, toothy grin in place. His mope of green hair was as stricking as ever, paired with his atrocious clothes, he sure made a strange sight. The man was a bit on the weird side, somehow unapologetic and iconoclastic. He didn't care what other people thought of him and swore like a trooper. Yet, when you got to know him, you noticed that he was anything but kind and devoted, though naive to a fault. He seemed quite welcoming of him and it made Marco suspicious. When he had broken up with Ace, Bartolomeo was already working here... had Ace not told the man of their break up or the reason behind it? Anyway, not one to look a gift in a horse mouth, he decided to let it go and walked up to the counter.

"Hello Bartolomeo." He greeted.

"Hi, Marco. I haven't seen you in awhile!" The man replied, his voice as gravely as Marco remembered, seemingly unbothered by his arrival.

"I've been away." He agreed, secretly relieved that the man didn't hold any grudge against him.

"You here to see Ace? He's not in, hasn't been for a few weeks. He has decided to take some vacations. He fucking deserves it truly. He seemed goddamn overworked and tired this past few weeks. I'm glad he's resting." Bartolomeo babbled, not awaiting for Marco's reply to talk. The blond-haired man remembered then that Bartolomeo was a tireless chatterbox when he started talking. Yet, he might know where Marco could find Kid.

"Oh, I see." Marco replied slowly, thinking about what he would say next and bothered by what he had learnt about Ace . He had taken vacation time? For a few weeks? It was so strange to hear that it left Marco feeling uneasy. Was Ace really unwell?

"But we have so many fucking trouble getting everything done with Bonney now that Kid, that ass, decided to resign..." Bartolomeo complained.

"Resigned?!" Marco exclaimed, losing his cool facade at hearing such a thing. There went his idea to make Kid talk.

"Yeah. I don't have a fucking clue why. He didn't say fuck. Bonney told me Kid wouldn't come back anymore, I don't know anything else. You'll have to ask her but she's busy with a client right now."

"I'm... sad to hear that."

"Well, this bastard might have decided to do something else, it's life!"

"Life, uh? It's full of surprises..."

"That it is!"

"I just... had a question regarding Kid, I had hoped to see him but well, maybe you know. You might know of someone named Squardo, he's probably a friend of Kid and I - "

"Yes I know of him!" Bartolomeo interjected, his smile fading. "A complete motherfucker. Kid's always in a foul mood after seeing him. I really don't like that twat."

"He comes here ?" Marco asked suprised, not having thought that the man would know anything of interest. He might have been wrong. Anyway Squardo coming here didn't necessarily mean that he was in cahoots with Kid but it was something.

"Yes, sometimes, not often and they always argue. That assclown used to come a lot, about two years ago and then not so much. He began to fucking come back more regularly a few months ago. Maybe around November. A little before that? I don't remember. I just know that I hadn't seen him for a long time and good ridance, ya know ? All they do now is fucking argue! Those dumbfucks... I sometimes overhear them, I don't know what they are talking about but this Squardo-bastard is shady as hell. I'm sure he wants Kid to do something illegal with him. Kid often yells at him that he won't do anything with him anymore or that whatever they did is fucking done. I never asked, I didn't want to know too much, ya know? Don't want to be involved in shitty situations. Anyway, Squardo's visits never ended well... andworking with a foul tempered Kid is shit..." He joked, smiling roguishly.

Marco was left reeling, having learnt more from Bartolomeo than he probably would have gotten from Kid... the man was babbling so much, having no filter at all. Information and swearing-wise that is. Bartolomeo was probably awful at keeping secrets but it was working out quite well for Marco. If he was piecing all the pieces together then... there only was one conclusion he could draw. He wasn't sure. Wouldn't be as long as he hadn't asked Squardo but all clues hinted at this: Squardo had been working with Kid. He even seemed to be the instigator of it all, coming back time and time again to ask Kid to do it again now that Marco was back. November, Bartolomeo had told him. Marco had been back for a little while in November... It was all too big not to be true, it all added up like puzzle pieces. It just couldn't be untrue. Yet, a question still bothered Marco. Why ? Why had Squardo done that ? Why had he hurt Marco and Ace like that ? There was only one thing to do. He would go see him and ask for some answers.

- Letting go -

"He's fine?" Luffy asked, peering above Law's shoulder as he checked on Ace.

"Yes. He just caught a light cold and needs to rest so his fever will reduce." Law explained patiently, putting the thermometer away and fetching some pills from his bag before putting them on the bedside table.

Law hadn't expected to receive a phone call so early in the morning. It was his day off so he hadn't bothered waking up too early, his only plan for the day being to unwind from the stress of his work and seeing Luffy a little later. Thus, Law had been drinking his first cup of coffee, relaxing in his couch, looking into space when his phone had rung. Had it been any other ringtone he wouldn't have answered, but he always took Luffy's calls. He played favorite, so what?

"So he doesn't need to go to back to the hospital?" Luffy asked worriedly, still hovering above him.

"No. He just needs to rest a bit and he'll be up and running in no time." Law reassured him.

Hearing from Luffy that Ace was sick had been weird because Law thought, for a split second, that Ace had told the truth to Luffy. But no, of course not, he wouldn't have. The man had just caught a cold in the middle of winter and was sick, worrying Luffy. If it hadn't been for his lover and for the amazing blowjob he had received the last time he had helped Ace out, he wouldn't have come. Why on earth did Ace have to disturb even his quiet morning in? Couldn't he just disappear from Law's life? A twinge of guilt appeared in his mind, thinking about the irony of his words. Soon, Ace would disappear, leaving a broken hearted Luffy behind. Careful what you wish for, they say.

Luffy let out a loud sigh of relief, letting himself fall on the desk chair rather heavily...

"Thanks for coming here." Luffy murmured, looking at his lover with grateful eyes. "I know you like to relax on your day off. Chopper wasn't available..."

"Don't worry, Luffy." Law replied, an uncharacteristic smile overtaking his whole face. God, his lover had him wrapped around his little finger, without even realising it. Which was probably why Law had fallen in love with him. For the simplicity. Or maybe it was because Luffy had torn down his walls like a bulldozer. Calling out his bullshit and not letting him shut him out. Bulldozer-like.

Luffy nodded and rose, taking Law's hand in his own to guide him out of Ace's room, eyes shining with relief and love. A love so pure and so honest, it always shook Law to his core to be on the receiving end of such a look. He had never felt loved so strongly before. Luffy was clumsy and oblivious when it came to love and yet he proved his affection all the time with his actions, his looks and sometimes by just being there by Law's side.

They got out of Ace's room and ended up on the couch, snuggling up, Luffy's warm breath tickling Law's neck.

"We went for a stroll yesterday. For most of the afternoon. I think he needed to think about something else." Luffy started out of the blue, staring straight at the window.

"Well, you both should have stayed inside. It was freezing yesterday." Law replied matter of factly.

"I like walking around. Plus I didn't want to leave Ace alone and he wanted to go." Luffy explained, looking up, lips pursed tighlty.

Leaving Ace alone ? Here it was, of course. The guilt, the fear of losing his brother because of his lies. Luffy felt powerless. He hadn't told Law in so many words, but his lover understood. Standing on the sidelines is often worse than knowing everything. At least, you knew exactly what to prepare for. Luffy didn't have that opportunity. Should Law tell him ?

"He's stubborn." Luffy added, as if he wanted to prove to Law that he wasn't the only one irresponsible.

"A family trait, I expect." Law teased him, petting Luffy's hair with affection, letting his head fall back on the couch. It wasn't his secret to share. He wanted to, he didn't care about his career if it meant saving Luffy some heartache but... Ace had to tell him on his own. Hearing it from Law's mouth would break something between the brothers, he was sure of that.

"Of course!" Luffy announced proudly, the sarcasm passing way above his head.

"..." Law didn't know what to reply so he just laughed fondly. God, whatever Luffy had done to him? He squeezed his little lover closer to his chest, basking in his arms, and trying to convey his feelings through touch.

"Hey, Torao." Luffy said suddenly rising up, straddling his lover's lap, face mere centimeters away from Law's. "Do you want to do something?"

Law's face became scarlet at being propositioned in such a way, unable to keep his cool. Passing from cuddling on the couch to sex in a second ? That truly was Luffy... He had always been rather direct but then again it was daring, even for him ... Law was always up for such activities but... here? With Ace in the flat? Looking at the serious face of his lover he could only nod, feeling himself stiffen in his jeans.

"Great!" Luffy exclaimed before rising up and making a hand motion for Law to follow. Law was about to get up to follow him inside his bedroom – much better choice than the couch in those circumstances – when his lover went for the kitchen. Not so great of a choice, not worse than the couch but close enough.

"What ...?" Law started, nonplussed by this turn of events.

"So, this is your day off and I know that you like to relax so I wanted to cook for you!" Luffy announced proudly, as if the thought of cooking wasn't appaling in itself. Law had never seen Luffy cook but he had heard some fearsome tales from Sanji so he had never let his lover approach his kitchen. But more than that, after being teased in such a way... he wouldn't get to put his hands all over his lover's body? Law might have been tempted to throw Luffy over his shoulder and take him to bed right now if he didn't understand that his lover needed a distraction too. Something to take his mind away from his brother's suffering. And sex might be the last thing he wanted to do. It wasn't as if Law's plan was cancelled, just postponed for the time being.

"Thank you. I'll help you." He said gently, knowing that he prefered doing all the work than witness a disaster.

His lover threw him a grateful look before walking away, his hips swaying enticingly. Law rose in turn to follow Luffy. The young man didn't show it but this whole mess had shaken him and Ace was so far up his own ass he didn't see that... This man was a fool, thinking that Luffy didn't suffer from his foolishness. Luffy was strong on the outside, always ready to act, protect, destroy whatever harmed his friends, but he was sensitive. Law had noticed it. His lover would put up with anything, but one day it'll become too much. Seeing his brother sick in bed so soon after he got out of the hospital had probably frightened Luffy. His panicked voice over the phone had made Law rush here as quickly as he could, not bearing to hear him in such distress.

"Awesome! I don't know what we have in the fridge, though..." Luffy muttered, opening it and scanning the content with a frown.

"We can go to the store, if you want." Law told him seeing that the fridge was almost empty except for some rotten vegetables.

"Yeah! We could buy meat! Looots of meat!" Luffy shouted excitedly. "And do you know how to make soup? For Ace when he wakes up?"

Law stayed silent, only looking at this caring, thoughtful, kind man. He was otherwordly. He may be naive and downright nonsensical at times but he was just perfect.

"Do I have something on my face?" Luffy asked, getting close to Law, frowning and wipping his face with his hands.

Seizing his hands in his and kissing the tip of his lover's nose, Law smiled.

"No. No you're perfect. Just stay the same."

Luffy threw him a confused look before shrugging and closing the gap between them to press a light kiss on his lover's lips.

"Thank you." He replied, somehow bashfully. So even Luffy could feel shy when confronted with so much sincerity? Usually, all the flirting passed way above his pretty little head.

"Come on ! Meat is waiting for us!" Luffy shouted excitedly, fetching his coat and buttoning it up wrong. Law batted his hands away and redid it for him, Luffy wiggling, making small noises of displeasure at the delay.

"Alright. Let's go." Law told him, opening the door to let out his troublemaker of a lover, who shot down the stairs in a hurry.

The trip was uneventful, if you didn't count the many times Law had to put snacks back on the shelves. They couldn't possibly eat everything that Luffy had put in shopping trolley and if they needed to, they would come back. Finally they had settled on something pretty simple, rice with curry.

Back at home, Law was busy chopping the various vegetable they were gonna put in the curry and in the soup while Luffy was watching him, sitting at the kitchen table, droll gathering at the corner of his mouth. As soon as Luffy had taken the sharp knife, making wild gestures with it like some kind of samurai, cutting a carot – and nearly half of his finger along with it – in half, Law had quickly decided to take it away from him, stating that it was his pleasure to cook for him.

"I haven't been a ball of sunshine lately." Luffy stated suddenly, looking straight in Law's eyes, surprising him. Where was this coming from ? "I'm worried about Ace... but I don't want you to feel left out."

If Luffy's words didn't sadden Law he would have found them sweet. His lover was worried about him. Of course Luffy had the right to worry about Ace even if Law didn't exactly like him, he still was his brother, and family was everything. He would have done about anything for his little sister before...

"You're my ball of sunshine." He said, and it was so cheesy he even surprised himself. Yet he didn't regret saying it. "Take care of him. You have the right not be be at one hundred percent all the time. I'm fine Lu."

"I just don't wanna neglect you." Luffy hammered passionately, staring straight in his eyes.

"Neglect? Were did you get that?" Law asked, confused by his lover's words.

"Sabo told me that when I'd have someone, I should be careful not to neglect them or they'd leave."

That was... a weird advice because Luffy was anything but caring. Maybe his brother had meant that he needed to stay attentive. It was true that Luffy's attention span tended to be rather short.

"I don't feel neglected. If anyone should feel that way, it should be you because of my work." Law reassured him.

"I don't care about yout work." Luffy asserted. "I just... I love you, okay? Even if I spend more time with Ace or don't smile all the time."

"Hey, hey, Love. Of course I know. And I'm grateful that you can love someone like me." Law murmured, wipping his hands on a towel and hugging Luffy from behind, resting his chin on his lover's head. "I never thought that I would fall in love. I didn't believe in it. I'm a scientist, to me love was just caused by chemical reaction from the brain but then... I met you and I was entranced. You showed me the way. So nothing you can do will make me love you less."

Luffy bowed his head and squeezed Law's arm with his hands.

"I'll be there if you need me. You know that, don't you?" Law said, meaning every words. He would go to Hell and back to protect his little ball of happiness. Maybe they made a weird couple, Luffy being happy all the time while Law was much more reserved – not to say cold. They were polar opposite and yet they worked. They balanced each other out quite well and Law didn't care about what others thought. He had found his so called other half and he felt content.

"Yeah. Yeah I know. Thanks Torao." Luffy replied, his voice wavering slightly, full of emotion.

"I'll protect you. No matter what, no matter against what, I'll protect you. I'll do everything in my power." Law vowed. And it was more a promise he made to himself because he knew what he had to do in order to protect Luffy and he would. Because he loved the young man that much.

"Stupid. I don't need protection. I'm strong. I'll protect you." Luffy told him, turning around and hugging Law tight.

- Letting go -

Squardo lived in a shady neighbourhood, a little oustide the busy center of the city. He had his office on the ground floor and his flat on the first floor of a derelict building, more off-white and grey than the white it must have been once. The paint was faded on some parts of the walls, and the roof seemed ready to collapse. There must have been flowers at some points in the now weed-infested flower beds. It wasn't really high, dwarfed by the buildings around it, adding to the unpleasantness of it all. There were two doors; a front door that was used to access the flats and one on the side to go inside Squardo's office. That door was greenish and didn't look like much from the oustide. A faded golden plate with Squardo's name on it proclaimed that he was a private detective in bold letters.

Marco approached the green door and entered. At this hour it was open and Squardo was taking clients. As soon as he had set foot inside, a moldy smell mixed with cheap perfume assaulted his nose making him cringe. A secretary smiled at him from the other side of a desk, tucked in the far corner of a room that looked like a corridor. Indeed the room, if it could be called that, was long and narrow, half cast in permanent darkness as the single window by the door wasn't sufficient to provide enough light. A door on the right side had a sign for the toilet and the other door probably led to Squardo's office. A red couch, stained, ripped in some places and probably as old as Marco was stuck against a wall looking ready to crumble. Truly, it didn't inspire trust but well, if Squardo managed to find clients...

"Hello, what can I do for you?" the secretary greeted him, pasting a well practiced sunny smile on her youthful face. Marco didn't know her, had never seen her and even if he had, he probably wouldn't have remembered her. She had one of those faces that you forget, not really pretty just blend, unremarkable. And maybe it was why Squardo had hired her, with a face and presence like hers, she had to be good at tailing people. Or he was mistaken and just assuming based on appearance alone. Still, he didn't care much for her.

"I'm here to see Squardo." He replied simply, a bit angrily if he had to be honest. He wasn't here to chit-chat, he was here to hear Squardo's version and if it proved unsatisfying, he would process to make his life a living hell.

"He's with a client right now but you can wait." She replied, her practiced smile still firmly in place despite his rudness. "I just have a few prelimary questions before introducing you, if you will."

Marco glared daggers at her and sighed loudly, pissed by this delay. He had had to wait the whole night to come and confront a person he thought was family and now he had to wait some more? He had thought about it all night and now he was practically convinced of Squardo's guilt. He just didn't understand why. They had never been close like he was with Izo, Thatch or Haruta but they had spent a few of their childhood years playing together in the orphanage. They had taken different paths in life but they still talked and went out together, the whole family. So why? Why had Squardo betrayed him like that? Deep down, Marco hoped it was all a huge misunderstanding, but the more time passed the more he knew he was simply deluding himself.

"I'll need your name, adress, phone number and the reason why you are in need of a private detective." The woman went on, still unbothered by Marco's attitude.

"I'm here for a private reason." He replied scathingly.

"I just want to fill out a form to make it easier for Mr Aracnovortice to understand why you're here and help you in the best way possible."

She was good, Marco could give her that, but she was also pissing him off.

"I'll just wait for him." He told her before making his way to the couch, deciding after looking at it not to sit down. He wasn't going to risk being eaten alive by this monster. He laid back against the wall and purposefully looked in front of him, ignoring the pesky secretary. She didn't make any move to talk to him again and just went back to her computer. Good.

After what seemed like an eternity but must have only been about fifteen minutes, a large woman with too much make-up on her round face came out of the door leading to Squardo's office. She wore a heavy fur coat that was a bit too tight on several places that were better left unsaid and a tiny handbag that looked lost in her beefy hand.

"I'm counting on you, Mr Aracnovortice." She drawled with an air of importance, her voice raspy as if she smoked too much cigarettes and drank too much whiskey.

She left, her gait slow and heavy, leaving a trail of heady perfume behind her. She didn't stop to look at Marco or even acknowledge him and then she was gone, the door banging shut behind her.

"Oh, Marco!" Squardo exclaimed upon seeing him. His toothy grin made Marco wince, feeling unsettled all of a sudden. Now that he had serious doubts about Squardo's integrity, his brain couldn't help but see things and this grin seemed bitting and full of disdain.

"You know this gentleman?" The secretary asked Squardo, trying to keep her voice calm and respectful, but the strain was showing in the way her mouth was pulling down at the corners. Marco must have pissed her off after all. It only made him want to smirk but he refrained from doing so.

"Yeah, he's family!" Squardo replied good-naturedly.

But the words didn't ring true. In Izo's mouth, they had felt comforting; Marco knew that Izo said them with love and care. The words held so much meaning, so many feelings. Yet, in Squardo's mouth, they sounded empty, hollow as if he, himself, didn't really believe in the word family. And maybe he didn't.

"Can we talk?" Marco said brutally not even greeting him or taking time for niceties.

Even if he was taken aback, Squardo didn't show it and gestured him inside his office.

"Of course. Come in." He invited him and then closed the door behind themselves.

The office was in a better state than the entrance but not by far and it still reeked of mold and perfume, the smell even thicker in there. The blinds were all closed, casting the room in the same mysterious half-light as those old 50's noir films. It was nearly laughable. Squardo's desk was large, files piled up haphazardly on it and it was a wonder that nothing had fallen to the floor yet. Talking about the floor, you wouldn't have walked on it barefoot; balls of dust had gathered in the corners and some unidentified dark stains marred it. There were two rickety chairs in front of the desk and a brownish couch in the same state as the one in the other room against the far wall, near a small liquor cabinet.

Marco carefully took a sit on one of the chair, not wanting it to crumble under his weight.

"So what it is you wanted to talk about? In need of some detectives' help?" Squardo asked upon settling in his plushy desk chair, the only modern and seemingly comfortable piece of furniture in the office.

"No." Marco spat, unable to keep his cool. "I came here to ask you a single question."

Frowning, Squardo nodded as if to say ask away, not really looking nervous despite Marco's tone.

"Did you or did you not plot to sabotage my relationship with Ace?" Marco enunciated carefully, his voice cold as ice and his eyes throwing daggers. He held himself rigidly, waiting for the answer to know if he should become violent or not.

Squardo looked a bit fazed, visibly surprised by the question. He stayed dumbfounded a little while before defending himself.

"What ? What are you talking about? Of course not! Why would I have anything to do with that?"

Marco's eyes narrowed. Squardo played the surprised party quite well but it seemed wrong, as if his surprise was faked.

"Tell me the truth."

"But it's the truth! I don't even know what you're talking about!" He wasn't panicking as if he was cornered, he just seemed shocked. Was Marco reading too much in his attitude? Though, he wasn't really cornered... as long as he lied – because Marco was more and more positive about the fact he was being played – the blond-haired man wouldn't get anything out of him. He let out a snort followed by a bitter laugh.

"I really have nothing to do with anything! I swear! I mean, why would I even do something like that? We're family!" Squardo defended himself, looking apologetic and confused, his face smooth, clear of any guilt.

"Stop bullshitting me. I was trying to give you a way to explain yourself." Marco began slowly, managing his effect. He had finally found an angle he could use to make Squardo spit out the truth. He was gonna make him show his damn true fucking colors. And make him spit out his teeth in the process.

"I'm not bullshitting you!" Squardo cried out, looking innocent, eyes wide, mouth pulled in a sad line as if he was hurt by Marco's apparent distrust.

"I talked to Kid." Marco dropped out.

The change in behaviour wasn't immediate. Squardo kept his facade for a while but Marco didn't budge and the man probably thought the truth was out and that there was no need to lie anymore. From slouched and apologetic he was now holding himself upright, sporting a wide grin on his ugly mug. His shoulders were quacking from restrained laughter and he was shaking his head in disbelief, his eyes full of a disdain he wasn't covering up anymore.

"And here I thought he wouldn't tell you anything... That's what you get, associating yourself with idiots." He shrugged, laughing at Marco's face.

The man was frozen on the spot, not really knowing how to reply, how to react. He had known, but to have the truth so harshly thrown in his face was hard. Harder than he had thought because there still had been this sliver of doubt in his mind. Now, it was gone. His brother had betrayed him. Even if he wasn't close to him, it hurt. He was having trouble breathing and his vision narrowed, fogged by a red haze. He felt rage simmer in his guts and he had to clench his fists to refrain from getting up and teaching a lesson to this smarmy son of a bitch.

"You put a wrench in my plan by coming back. You were hurting so perfectly in New York, throwing your life away! I knew that there always was a chance you would find out the truth but anyway it's too late now, isn't it?"

He was explaining his plan like a villain from a cheesy spy movie, resting his chin on his linked hands, looking fearless and all too happy with what he had done.

"Ace hates you. I didn't have anything against him, truly. I'm sorry for what happened to him but you can't make omelettes without breaking any eggs, can you?"

Marco was on his feet under a second and had already thrown a punch at Squardo's face, wipping his face clean of his smile, blood spraying on his face and Marco's fingers. Squardo tumbled down, chair thrown back and he hit his head harshly on the ground. The man groaned and tried to entangled himself to get up but Marco was on him too fast for him to react. Another punch to the face made him see double. Marco didn't even understand what he was doing, too blinded by the deep seated rage that was burning his whole body. This bastard. This fucking bastard. He had broken everything, hurting Ace in the process when admittedly Marco was the only one he wanted to hurt. God helped him, he was gonna kill him.

"Why?" Marco roared, fist red, straddling his opponent whose smile had made a come back on his bloody face. "Why!"

"To see you hurting." Squardo spat out, blood trickling down his face as he bucked, throwing Marco's off and punching him harshly in the chin. He got up shakily, trying to put some distance between the two of them, a sneering laugh escaping him, making him choke on the blood in his mouth.

Marco tried to get to him but Squardo was faster and had already rounded the desk, putting it between them to stop any other assault.

"I wanted to hurt you. The perfect little son. The one who got everything. I wanted to throw you off your pedestal, see you grovel in the mud. Broken." Squardo admitted, a mean smile lighting his whole face. "How did it feel? To have your whole world crumble down? I felt such an immense joy at seeing you that night, after you had seen Kid and your lover. How broken you were. It was amazing."

Squardo's voice was filled with such a deep seated hatred that it shook Marco to the core. It made him want to settle the score even more. Had he done that only because he hated Marco? Because he was jealous? Marco jumped over the desk to get in Squardo's face but the man had the time to throw his office door open.

"Mary, call the police!" He shouted, running and taking refuge behind his secretary.

Marco got out of the office seething, seeing the girl already with the phone in hand. Sneering, he made no more move toward the man he had once called family, understanding that he needed to stop hitting Squardo before killing him and getting himself arrested. There were other way to ruin a person's life.

"You're a coward." He spat. "Using underhanded methods to hurt me. What did you gain from it?"

"The pleasure of seeing you down." Squardo replied scornfully. "You always had everything. You and the others. And me, I was just a spare. You the golden son. The one who always did best, who had everything he so desired! How much I hate you." His voice was dripping with contempt but he was still hidding behind this Mary girl. A common name for a nondescript person, how fitting.

"You were jealous?" Marco said, phrasing it as a question as disbelief mixed with his confusion.

"I wasn't jealous!" Squardo shouted out, beside himself. "You, the first adopted, the golden boy, you always had everything and I was left with nothing. Everything was handed over to you! Love from Father, friends, brothers, money! I got nothing! Nothing! I had to make efforts! I had to struggle to get where I am!"

Mary was now talking rapidly on the phone to what was probably the nearest precint and Marco knew he didn't have time to settle his score with this man. He had to leave but it wasn't over. He would ruin him.

"You're wrong in thinking I got everything. Our father gives love equally to all of us and I worked hard to get where I am."

"Lies! I hate your guts and I'm glad, thrilled even, to have ruined your entire life. How sweet was it. And even now, you're reaping what I sowed. Your little lover hates you and the truth is hurting you so much now. It's delightful to see."

Mary had finished her phone call and was slowly trying to open a drawer of her desk. For what purpose, Marco couldn't tell but he didn't want to stay and find out if it was a gun or not.

"It's not over. I'll ruin you. Break you. There's nowhere you'll be able to run that will be far enough. I'll find you wherever and I'll make your life a living hell." Marco threatened him, knowing he had to leave but disgusted at having to do so when this man was right in front of him, begging to be punched, to be gutted alive, to be killed. But Marco wasn't a killer and the police was on its way. He would find ways to make Squardo pay. Oh yes, the man would pay.

"I'd like to see you try. But I did what I had to do and I'm quite happy with that. Shame that Kid is a snitch. I tried to make him see that you needed to be hurt more but he didn't took the bait this time."

He sounded so proud of himself, having exposed his master plan that had ruined Marco's life and led him to run away from the love of his life.

Marco had troubled countaining himself, making a huge effort not to jump over the counter to just be done with the man. How much he would have liked to punch him to a bloody pulp... but he would have to be satisfied with the probably broken nose he had given him and the blood that was sluggishly dripping down his face. Rage was still simmering in his veins but he knew that it wouldn't be the right decision. There were other ways. And beating Squardo up wouldn't help to redeem himself in Ace's eyes. Bitting the bullet, he turned around quickly, leaving with a last threat, a last promise to this man he had considered family and who had backstabbed him.

"I'll hunt you down. You'll have nothing left."

That's it for this chapter ! I hope you enjoyed it! Tell me if you thought that Squardo had anything to do with the breakup ;) And I added a little LawLu scene for those of you who asked to see more of them so I hope it was okay ! Let me know !

See you next chapter and thank you for reading ! :D