Chapter 42: You, Me, And The Frenchman
Niko whistles a tune, hands shoved deep into his pockets as he and Orion make their way to one of their warehouses by the docks.
The sea breeze coming off the docks is cool and smells strongly of salt, kelp, and wet wood. It’s nauseating.
Every time he smells the ocean, it reminds him of that night. That very unfortunate night. When Orion decided that it would be fun to go swimming in the ocean in the middle of the night.
He hated every second of it— that’s probably where his nickname gained a resemblance to his actual physical self.
"So, let me get this straight," he says, glaring hatefully at the ocean, "you already grabbed this guy and you have him exactly where you want him?"
Orion continues striding ahead without a care in the world. "I thought I already clarified that?"
Niko glances again at the ocean, this time pretending that it’s a portrait of Orion, and glares at it with so much hate that his eyes fog a little.
"That isn’t fair, Orion. I had to sit there and talk with that old, chimney of a man while you had all the fun ploughing through his numbers."
If Niko were walking ahead of Orion, he’d turn around just in time to catch the sly tilt of his lips.
"I recall seeing you with a...man? I was under the impression you decided to be the one to speak to Antonio because you wanted to secure benefits for yourself, was I mistaken?"
At that, Niko chuckles to himself. "There’s nothing wrong with stealing from a falling empire, and besides, he was quite cute."
"Alexis Dupain," Orion hums thoughtfully. "He’s French...like duckling."
"I sent him back to my mansion for myself, Orion," Niko’s eyes narrow. "I do not want your grubby little paws all over him."
"You say it like I’m some kind of dog," Orion scoffs playfully.
"You are."
"I just want to cut him open and see what Frenchmen are made of. It’s just so that I can understand my duckling a little better."
"It’s all for research purposes." He says, sounding genuinely thoughtful.
The walk to the warehouse leans away from something easy as both their presence’s rise to combat each other.
"If you want to know your duckling a little better, why don’t you try having an actual human conversation with him? Who knows, he might just decide to speak to you?" Niko sneers.
"I can assure you that I am not the problem in our relationship, Niko. Adrien is the one with personality problems, not me."
"Of course." Niko barks out a laugh.
They’re finally at the doors of the warehouse. A massive structure of corrugated steel sat at the edge of the docks like a sleeping beast.
Several armed men straighten immediately as they approach. The heavy doors are pulled open for them.
Niko finally stops glaring at the seabed like it’s done something personal to him.
"You’re being very catty today." Orion turns back to smile at him, as his men pull open the doors of the warehouse.
"What is it? Can’t get it up?"
Niko stares at him, then smiles sweetly. "I’m not sure if I have that problem, but if you were to bend over for me, I think I could work something out."
A full second of silence passes as Niko deliberately leers at Orion. The guards visibly stop breathing. Orion and Niko stare at each other, then turn away at the same time, shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter.
"If you ever talk about bending me over again," Orion says through laughter, "I’ll bathe you in acid."
"Stay away from my entertainment, or I’ll set all your property on fire," Niko replies cheerfully. "Starting with the one your duckling is currently living in."
"Fair."
They walk into the dark warehouse, leaving the guards to exchange looks of bewilderment.
The warehouse interior was dark. Yet, both men adjusted immediately. Niko’s night vision came naturally, while Orion’s came from years of training and experience.
Niko took one look inside, then stopped. "What the fuck is that?"
The centerpiece of the warehouse is impossible to miss. A chair sat elevated several feet above the ground on a wooden platform, and strapped to it is a man.
Surrounding the platform are five tires arranged in a rough circle. At first glance, they seemed ordinary, but at second glance, they absolutely were not.
Wooden panels had been attached to the bottoms, transforming the tires into makeshift containers. Each one is filled with a liquid. A very familiar liquid. Gasoline.
Floating atop the gasoline were thin sheets of plywood. Small candles had been fixed onto each floating board, their tiny flames dancing softly in the darkness.
The effect is disturbingly beautiful, like lotus blossoms drifting across a moonlit pond. Only if one ignored the overwhelming scent of fuel, and the terrified man tied to the chair.
Coupled with the very obvious threat of burning alive.
The ropes binding the prisoner descend from the chair in several strands, each rope already soaked in fuel, dangles into the gasoline-filled tires.
Niko walks up to the weirdly-aesthetic contraption and touches one of the dangling ropes, then brings his fingers to his nose.
It reeks of gasoline. Just as he expected.
"Huh," he shrugs, "this one is actually kind of pleasing to look at. You’ve outdone yourself this time, Orion."
Orion walks up to him, a smug smile firmly in place. Seeing Orion approach, the prisoner begins thrashing violently. His reaction was immediate. Pure, instinctive terror.
"Honestly," Orion sighs, "It would look even better if that idiot would stop trying to move every ten minutes."
Niko raises a brow. "I thought the whole point of this thing," he gestures to the torture contraption, "was that moving would eventually knock over a candle?"
It’s genius and still easy to look at. That’s why he leaves the aesthetic torture moments to Orion. He’ll handle the more gritty ones.
"Yes, it was." Orion sighs and leans on his shoulder, "But he didn’t realize that at first, now he already has rope-burn marks. He isn’t fresh enough to present to Adrien."
He must be really upset if he used his pet’s actual name.
Niko looks closer. Now that he’s paying attention, he notices the angry, charred skin around the prisoner’s body in the shape of the ropes.
"I wasn’t aware you were planning to present this to your pet." Niko pats his head twice, then shoves him off his shoulder, ignoring the offended look he gets.
Having a man almost the same size as himself lean with all his weight on his body is nothing short of annoying.
Orion tilts his head slightly. "Why wouldn’t I?"
"I assumed this was an ownership thing," Niko shrugs. "You were pissed because he touched your pet, so you’re torturing him because of it...that’s what I thought."
Niko and Orion had no interest in Don Antonio’s family before Adrien’s involvement. Though, it is true that they dislike the thought of using minors for exchanges, or to suit their sexual needs.
But, it still doesn’t change the fact that without Adrien’s involvement, they wouldn’t have known of this, and if they did, they’d silently dismantle the pig’s business.
And the pig would also disappear. Silently. But, that would be all. They wouldn’t have gone after Antonio, either.
The death of his brother would merely serve as a warning.
Besides, how could two people who could casually order and discuss the ending of a man’s bloodline be seen as morally justifiable?
Everyone acts according to their self-interests.
"I am pissed because he touched Adrien." Orion states, sounding surprisingly clearheaded for once. "But this isn’t an ownership thing. I don’t own Adrien’s trauma, so I can’t own his revenge."
The prisoner whimpers. Neither of them acknowledges it.
Niko stares at Orion, then visibly shivers. "Sometimes I forget you can do that."
"What?"
"Sound normal."
Orion looks genuinely offended. They both stare at each other for a moment, then burst into laughter again.
The prisoner makes a choking noise behind them. A dark stain spreads down one leg of his trousers. Neither of them noticed. Or maybe they didn’t care enough to.
Eventually, the laughter dies down. Orion leans against a nearby crate with a sigh. For once, his expression lacks its usual manic edge. His eyes seem clearer and more grounded.
"I don’t know how," he admits quietly, "but for the first time in a while, I’m feeling surprisingly clearheaded."
Niko studies him pointedly. "You kind of look like you’re coming down from a high."
"Maybe."
"I guess this is one of those days for you." Niko nods in understanding.
"I think so too."
"You know what?" Niko turns towards the doors. "You can stay here and play with him for a while."
"Where are you going?" Orion asks, watching him with tired, clear eyes.
"I have a date with a lovely, bratty Frenchman whom I’d love to take my time breaking," he rubs his hands together gleefully as he walks out the doors of the warehouse.
"You better be talking about your Frenchman, Niko!" Orion calls after him.
"Pohtato potahto."
