A pack of Wolves: Brad & Peter

2.

Peter opened his eyes and looked around. He could remember that he had lied down on the spare bed, but not that he pulled the duvet over him. He wanted to look at his watch and saw the note.

 

‘20.00- Good evening! Feeling better? If you’re hungry, food’s in the kitchen. Make yourself at home. B.C.’

 

Hm… A cheerful note. Maybe Brad wasn’t too angry with him after all. It was ten in the evening and he was hungry indeed. But first, he wanted to take a shower.

An hour later, he was refreshed, full, and totally awake. He leaned over the staircase and heard the noises downstairs. The pub seemed crowded. He heard laughing and talking. He really wanted to go downstairs and help. He walked down and opened the door to the corridor. At the right was the door to the pub, and at his left, he saw the rest rooms. A man just wanted to enter them.

“Good evening…” said the man admiringly.

“Hello,” Peter replied coolly.

“Did you just come down from upstairs?”

“Yes.”

“Really?”

Peter sighed. Dumb questions asked for dumb answers. “Yes,” he said, swallowing a sharp remark back. He nodded politely and left the man behind. He could feel the gaze in his back.

As he opened the door, a wave of noise washed over him. The pub was really crowded. Peter loved it. With a smile, he walked to the bar. “Excuse me,” he said to a customer. The man let him pass by. Again, he could feel a gaze in his back. Unruffled, he walked to Brad.

Brad was perspiring and looked exhausted. Peter put a hand on a shoulder. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Brad glanced up, smiling. “Hey, are you finally awake? Yes, I’m fine. It’s a bit busy tonight, though.”

“Quite so… Did you eat already?”

“Eat?” Brad filled a few glasses. “No. Did you?”

“Yes. Shall I make something for you?”

Brad turned away and the hand slid off his shoulder. He brought the glasses away and returned. “I don’t have time to eat, sweetie.”

Peter frowned. “Ow, come on, Brad. Do you really want to run all night without food? Is there no one to take over?”

“No.” The pub owner wanted to turn again, but Peter stopped him. “I did have help, but not anymore. I’m alone.”

Peter nodded. “Then I’ll prepare something that you can eat behind the bar. And no arguments, okay?” He didn’t wait for a reply and went to the kitchen. He didn’t notice how the pub had become a bit quieter.

*

Brad felt a bit angry. The kid acted like they were a married couple, with telling him what to do like that. But when Peter brought the plate with snacks to him, he felt grateful. His stomach betrayed him and he smiled a bit uneasily. “Thanks,” he said. Peter really was a prince in the kitchen. 

Peter tapped a few beers and asked him how he worked with the accounts. Brad explained how the book worked. He saw the grey eyes flashing over the pages.

“Very well,” Peter said. “I’ll do my very best. Keep an eye on me.” He winked at him. “But you intended to do so, anyway. Bon appétit.”

Brad followed him with his eyes. Peter was experienced with the drinks and could tap a perfect beer. The first curious customers came to the bar. It wouldn’t take long before…

“Brad!” The voice boomed through the pub.

He shut his eyes for a second. There you have it. “Coming!” he yelled back. He left Peter behind and walked to the back room.

*

The part of the pub that went around the corner, was partly closed off with thin metal chains. It was the only quiet area, while the rest of the pub was packed. Nobody dared to take a seat there. It was the property of the Wolves. A select few were present. The two leaders and a dozen of Wolves waited for Brad to arrive, grinning broadly.

“Brad, my friend!” said the Black Wolf cheerfully. “I see you have a new helper. Or isn’t he just a helper?”

The bartender heard the friendly mocking. He wanted to defend himself but Lon interrupted him.

“No, no, don’t try to deny it. Bear saw him coming down from your apartment upstairs. Tell me the truth.”

“I was intended to,” Brad snapped. “I hardly know the kid and I certainly haven’t done anything with him.” A soft ‘idiot’ shut him up. He looked up, frowning indignantly.

“Yes, idiot,” repeated Bear. “Why didn’t you do something with a kid like that?”

He didn’t have time to answer, this time because of Lin.

“What’s his name?” said the white-haired man.

“Peter Bruin. And honestly, Lin, I barely know him. Can I go back to the bar? It’s very busy and--“

“Peter Bruin?” Lin interrupted him. “I heard that name before, today…”

All the men shut up and looked at Brad. When Lin had heard a name before, it meant bad news.

“Did you have a report of theft, today?” asked Brad calmly.

Lin looked up. His eyes changed colour and he smiled. “You know it and you believe him. Mmh. I want to talk to him. Send him to the kitchen, please.”

*

Peter dried his hands and walked to the kitchen. Suddenly, he was nervous again. He tried to avoid eye contact, but looked up when he turned around. He held his breath when he saw the man leaning against the old table.

He was breathtaking. White hair crowned a tanned, young face, more beautiful than Peter had ever seen. The eyes gave him the shivers, but not unpleasantly. They were purple, but while he stared into them, they changed colour. It was hardly noticeable, but he looked into orange eyes and then they were white.

So this is Lin, he thought. Amazing…

“Peter Bruin, isn’t it?” It was a voice you just couldn’t avoid, husky, soft and persuasive, all at the same time. “You know who I am, so you know why I asked you to come here. Don’t deny it.”

Peter startled up. He had wanted to deny it…

“Did you steal the money?”

“No!” He wanted to say more, but he couldn’t.

“Then who did?”

Peter wanted to look down but Lin told him to look in his eyes. He obeyed. “I don’t know,” he said.

“You’re lying. Tell me who did it.”

Peter didn’t like it at all, being read like that. The white eyes penetrated his soul. He sighed, and decided to stick to the truth. “The cousin of my boss did it. His name is Mick. He’s the only one who had access to the till. I think he wants me out of the way.”

“Does he,” said Lin thoughtfully. “Why?”

“I don’t know, but I think he wants my job.”

“What’s so special about your job?”

Peter felt a bit offended.

“I’m sorry, Peter, you understand me wrong,” said Lin friendly. “You work in a cocktail bar. What’s so special about that?”

Peter shrugged. “I like working in a pub…”

“Good, we need a second bartender in the Ardvark. Forget about the cocktails.” He laughed when Peter stared at him. “Brad will be very happy with you,” he explained. “Whatever he says.” He smiled. “You can relax now, I believe you.”

Peter relaxed visibly, very relieved the White Wolf believed him. “Thank you so much,” he said with passion. “But what can I do about the situation?”

“Talk to your boss,” Lin shrugged.

“I keep hearing that,” said Peter. “But the man won’t listen.”

“That’s his problem, not yours… Go to him, tonight, and talk to him. Explain it. Tell him you didn’t take the money. Tell him he should ask his cousin about it.”

Peter laughed softly. “Are you serious?”

“Yes. I want you to go to him and say exactly that.”

“But those gorilla’s will go after me again!”

“Yes... Let them come after you. Lead them in here. Let your boss come in here, too. I’d love to meet him.” Lin stood up. “You’ll be back within an hour, Peter. Now, go.”

Peter felt his feet obey while his head was still spinning. He walked out of the pub, onto the street, and to the cocktail bar. He stood still in front of the door. He really was going to do this?

Yes, he was. He opened the door and went in.