“Blaise Dominique Dufour!” Blaise’s mother shouted at him. “I received a call from the police.”
Blaise glared at her, unflinching, even as she yelled in his face. “I’m right here, mother. Stop screaming.”
“Don’t take that tone with me, Blaise!”
“I graffitied a few buildings. I know.”
“You spray painted ‘fuck the police’ directly on the station’s wall.”
“It’s not like they tried to stop me.”
“That is NOT the point!”
“Then what is the point, mother?”
“You are a disgraceful brat. It made the news.”
“Who do you think tipped the press?” Blaise countered, his practiced calmness contrasting his mother’s fury. “Not gonna be so easy to cover up this time, I hope.”
He took in her shock with extreme satisfaction. She wasn’t aware of that detail, it seemed.
“If you don’t shape up, I’ll…” she let her voice trail off, attempting to intimidate Blaise.
“You’ll what? Finally admit that you can’t control your own child? Cry? I’d pay good money to see that. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I—”
He felt the stinging pain on his cheek before he processed what happened. She hit him. Hard.
Blaise was too shocked to retaliate.
“Next time you act up, your brother will be punished too,” she hissed.
“You fucking sadist piece of shit bitch,” Blaise growled. “You touch him, you die.”
She slapped him again.
Someone gasped. Blaise saw Jay out of the corner of his eye. His blood ran cold as he understood that Jay was in danger living here.
Blaise was so scared, but he was also furious. He could kill his mother for this. Easily. He’d be entirely justified too.
His eyes flashed orange, but he swallowed his anger.
“You’re lucky I don’t want to traumatize my brother,” he said, quietly enough that only she could hear him. “But I could set this entire mansion on fire without breaking a sweat if I wanted to. Don’t you dare fucking forget that.”
His mother was speechless. He must have scared her good.
He went over to Jay and hugged him. “Let’s go upstairs,” he said softly.
Jay nodded into Blaise’s stomach, and Blaise picked him up, carrying him to his room.
Late that night, Blaise’s bedroom door opened.
“Blaise?”
Blaise yawned. He hadn’t fallen asleep quite yet. A sudden rush of fear pulsed through him.
“Jay? Are you okay?”
“Can’t sleep. I’m too scared.”
Blaise got up from his bed and turned on a light. “You want to sleep in here?”
Jay nodded. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Blaise said. “I’ll protect you from anything.”
Blaise couldn’t risk staying any longer. He needed to get Jay out. He would do what his sister should have done all those years ago. When running away, he would take his brother with him.
He’d have to quit smoking, and get a job. He could do it. He didn’t have a choice, really.
He had people he could contact. Maybe they were even friends. He wasn’t entirely sure what Max’s friends thought of him. Regardless, he wouldn’t be alone in figuring this out.
He quietly packed his bags, carefully not to wake his brother up. He waited for Jay to wake up before leaving the room— he didn’t want Jay to wake up alone.
He packed food, and clothes for Jay, and spoke to Gerard. Gerard helped him pack a few of Caldera’s toys and a bag of dog treats.
“I’m not going to let them hurt him,” Blaise told Gerard. “You’ll have to pretend you didn’t know my plans.”
Gerard nodded. “Do what you must to keep your brother safe, Master Blaise.”
Blaise took a moment to study his butler. He’d never really thought about him as much more than his job, but he realized now that he trusted Gerard.
“Take care, Gerard,” Blaise said.
Blaise left everything else unsaid; His gratitude and his apologies hung in the air, and Gerard smiled. “It’s been a pleasure to know you, Master Blaise, even if it hasn’t been pleasant for anyone else.”
Jay didn’t ask him any questions when Blaise explained the plan.
“I love you, big bro,” was all he said.
“I love you too,” Blaise said, “and I’ll keep you safe.”
They didn’t say anything else. Blaise knew that Jay was the one who deserved better. This was all for Jay, and Blaise knew he would never be able to express just how much he’d needed someone to protect.