Bound by the Mark of Lies (BL) Chapter 27 - 22: The return (3)

"Then what the fuck are you doing here?"

For the first ti in ages, Gabriel felt like he was going to lose his mind. He could not believe what he was hearing at first, maybe the fever and dications were causing him to misinterpret things. But no. The words had been clear, and the aning behind them even clearer.

"Gabriel, please calm down. We can talk about this." Maximilian said, his voice asured, though he knew the attempt was futile. He had anticipated resistance, but Gabriel's rage was sothing else entirely.

"There's nothing to discuss. Not unless you want to throw you out the fucking window."

Gabriel leaned back against the window fra, trying to rein himself in. His hands clenched into fists, nails biting into his palms. The room was too warm, the air too heavy. It felt like a cage. He exhaled sharply, pushed his black hair back, and spoke again, his voice dangerously low.

"Maximilian," he started, barely audible over the rustling curtains. "I don't know what kind of grand plan you have, but listen to carefully. Even if I were stupid enough to accept whatever bullshit proposal you've co up with, my family would hunt you down for sure."

Gabriel took a slow breath. He was proud of himself for not punching Maximilian right then and there, but God, he was close. His whole body thrumd with the need for action. He could not even look at Maximilian; he could not bear the thought that after everything—after all his efforts—he was supposed to be a sidekick for the Claymores.

"Does George know?" Gabriel finally asked, folding his arms across his chest.

Maximilian hesitated for half a second before answering. "Yes. He knows everything."

Gabriel let out a dry, humorless laugh. "Hah... and what exactly did he expect to do? Do you even realize what kind of position I'm in? I'm not so fucking toy that does whatever George wants, and I sure as hell won't do anything I don't want to do."

He took a step forward, his gaze burning into Maximilian's.

"I've made it clear from the start—this only happens on my terms. But it seems none of you listened."

Maximilian exhaled, his expression unreadable. "Gabriel, I marked my partner years ago. Did you want to keep it a secret from you? To lie?"

Gabriel scoffed. "Oh, don't act like you're so saint for telling the truth. You ca here knowing damn well what this ant for . You knew and still let it play out like this."

Maximilian was at a loss for words. He had assud Gabriel would choose the pragmatic solution, just as he always did in his work. But this was different. And for the first ti, he wasn't sure if Gabriel would ever forgive him for it.

"Not only did you barge in here without my permission, I must say, but you threw this bullshit at in my weakest monts. Does your partner know? What will he do when he feels all my pheromones on you?"

Maximilian tensed, his jaw tightening. "He trusts ."

Gabriel laughed, low and scathing. "Trusts you? You expect to believe that? That he'll just turn a blind eye to this ss? You think he'll stand by while you play along with whatever George has planned?"

Maximilian didn't answer imdiately, and that silence told Gabriel everything he needed to know. He shook his head, disgust curling in his stomach.

"You're a damn coward, Maximilian. You should've said no the mont they dragged you into this."

Maximilian sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I didn't have a choice."

"There is always a choice. You just made the wrong one."

Maximilian's shoulders tensed, his voice strained as he finally spoke. "You think I don't know that? You think I didn't try?" He took a step closer, his expression grim. "George has at his fingertips. I had to choose between you or my brother, Damian."

Gabriel's breath hitched. Damian. The weight of that na and the implications of it settled over him like a storm cloud.

Maximilian clenched his fists. "If I refused, George would make sure Damian paid the price. You know what kind of man he is. Do you think I could let that happen?"

Gabriel's jaw tightened, his fury warring with sothing else—sothing bitter, sothing painful. He turned away, staring out the window as if the answer lay sowhere beyond the glass. His voice, when he spoke, was quieter but no less sharp.

"And what if I refuse? What if I walk away from this bullshit altogether? Do you realize that Damian, a fucking Emperor, has more chances to defend himself than ?" Gabriel's tone was bitter; once again, he would be used to benefit the imperials, and he had nothing to say.

Maximilian's silence was heavy, filled with unspoken things neither of them wanted to acknowledge.

"You know what happened five years ago; you know that i almost died helping you and Damian, and you ask once again for to give up on life for you two." Gabriel looked Max in the eyes; he was discarded once again. Olivier did it, and Claymore now wanted to use his power as a von Jaunez to get rid of him once everything was over.

"I know, I thought you understood more than anyone else why this is so important." Maximilian's voice was low; he didn't have a plan. George was pushing him to et Gabriel and mark him as soon as possible. He was torn between the man who raised him and his brother.

Gabriel could see the battle that Maximilian had inside; his jaw was clenched and his body tensed. But what Max was asking of Gabriel was too much. His fake mark was sothing that would fade eventually, but if Max was to mark him, then all his life he will depend on this man. Gabriel will not have a partner in any way; he will develop feelings for a man who does not want to have any kind of relationship with him.

"I can help, but on my terms." Gabriel's gaze didn't waver.