Darkest Nights

Mark steepled his fingers as he looked at Hunter. He liked to think that he was a good judge of character and the man before him was cocky and confident. Two things that a good assassin or even gang leader needed to be. With a sly grin of his own he stood and held his hand out to Hunter.

"I'll give you a week. Though I'm going to say that your best bet is too be looking at local hospitals. A former hiree of mine decided to take measures into his own hands and my send baby brother nearly to meet his maker."

Mark turned away from Hunter after that and focused his gaze on a picture that hung on the wall; it was a family portrait with he and Glenn standing side by side while their mother had her hands on both their shoulders. In the background their father stood; scowling at the camera.

"He ruined my family you know. The little bastard. He was a walking reminder to the my father that my mother's affections laid elsewhere for at least a night." He turned again and nailed Hunter with a cold green stare. "I'm sure you've heard the rumors, I won't elaborate nor will I confirm or deny them but everything isn't as it seems." He chuckled darkly as he picked up a letter opener that had an edge on it that was way too sharp. "And you run into Kevin Nash, tell him that his services are no longer needed. In fact off him if you wish. I have no use for those that switch sides in the middle of a job."

The letter opener whizzed past Hunter's head and stuck itself into a wall on the other side of the room; dead chest center on a picture of Glenn at a young age.

"All I ask is that you bring him to me alive, and for those in your group that are squeamish about the killing of family members; tell them that he killed my sister and I'm seeking revenge. That should absolve their guilt over the matter. Now go, and make sure to stop by the desk on the way out as Thorn had an extensive amount of information on my wayward brother, you can use what he found to help guide you on your way. And remember Hunter, you get one chance, you fail and you're little street gang will belong to me."

---

Kevin had nodded off in the chair, one hand of his resting on the bed next to Kane's and the other resting on his own knee. He hadn't counted on being as tired as he was after all the excitement. A shift from the bed jerked him awake and he jumped, crouching down into a defensive stance as his sleep fogged mind didn't know where he was at first. The smell of disinfectant penetrated his brain finally and he allowed himself to relax somewhat as he looked around the room.

Kane was still out, but his hands were twitching and curling in the sheets and his eyes were moving rapidly under his lids. His pale lips were parted in a what had to be silent screams and Kevin could see the pulse pounding in his throat just above the ragged wound. He felt distinctively out of place in the room and he hesitantly sat down and took one of Kane's hands in his own, rubbing his thumb over the silky back of Kane's hand.

"Shhh. It's ok, calm down big guy..." The words sounded awkward to his own ears but they must have been enough to settle the other man down as he still a bit.

The shrill sound of his phone ringing cut off any other soothing sounds or words he could have made and with a sort of sigh of relief he unlocked his phone and put it to his ear.

"Nash here."

"Hey man, how is he?"

Chris' voice sounded stressed but Nash couldn't blame him. One night on the job and Kane was in the hospital looking to be the target of the psycho Vampire. He honestly wouldn't blame Santana if she dispatched both of them for the trouble it caused.

"They have him so drugged up that he's not opened one eye since we got here. After you left I came back in to sit with him and they have him strapped down to the bed. Doctor said he was too strong for the nurses to control. He's still strapped down, apparently a drugged giant is out of the realm of their comfort zone. He's sleeping right now, he's all sown up but it still looks bad. Thorn really done a number on him."

Kevin fell silent for a moment before clearing his throat.

"I know you said that Kane and I were going to stay at your place for a bit. But I can't put you in that kind of trouble. If Thorn got his apartment number, then chances are he dug enough to get yours and your dancers as well. Why don't I take him home with me. I just changed my apartment the other day; no one knows where it is and it's not even under my name so it's practically impossible to find me. It's a large place, four bedroom that over looks the city. In fact if you and your dancer want to crash at my place that's fine."

Kane started to thrash again only this time his eyes were open and he was looking around the room in a terrified manner; the straps on the bed stretched as tightly as they could go with him pulling on them.

"Hey-I have to go, sleeping beauty just woke up and he's going to..." Kevin didn't get to finish his sentence as one of straps gave way and Kane started to tear at the other one with his nails. He dropped his phone and grabbed Kane's arm, prying his fingers away from the other strap.

"Calm down. It's ok.."

"Let me go!"

"Shh, just relax and I'll get the other one off, but I need you to relax ok?"

Kane nodded, but the wild look in his eyes made Kevin thing twice before he hesitantly unbuckled the other wide strap. The leather slid away and he took a step back, watching Kane warily.

"Do you remember why you're here?" He asked uncertainly as he watched Kane's hand gravitate up to the stitched wound.

Kane shook his head and let his hand drop away from his throat before he looked down at the backs of his hands and turned them over; inspecting them for what Kevin didn't know and he had the feeling that he didn't really want to ask. He slowly took his seat again and he patted one of Kane's large forearms.

"Well I can't say I'm surprised with all the drugs they pumped into you. You were attacked, you about had your throat ripped out but Chris and I got you here in time for them to sow you up and make sure you didn't leave the earth before your time."

Kane closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and Kevin flinched a bit from the anger and pain that was roiling in the blue depths.

"M-my brother."

The words that were croaked weren't a question it was a statement and Kevin nodded.

"Yeah, one of his hired guns." He looked down at his hand before looking back at Kane and speaking. "I have something to tell you though...I-I was working for your brother. Said he was looking for the man that killed his sister.."

"We didn't have a sister." Kane barked as he scooted away on the bed.

"I realize that now. The thought of killing family...I can't do that. I don't have any and I won't be used to eradicate someone elses. Revenge I can do, but not this." He reached over and took Kane's hand as he dug around in his pocket for the necklaces he freed earlier from Kane's fist, putting them back into his hand as he sat back. "I'm going to keep you safe. That's my promise to you."

Kane looked at the necklaces; Paul's blood still staining the one and his voice sounded thick with tears. "What if you can't?"

"Then I'll die trying."

Kevin watched as Kane flipped himself over onto his side, his free hand yanking the iv's from the back of his other and letting them drop to the ground. The large man was silent and Kevin didn't know if that was a good thing or not; he didn't have that good of a bead on him to know and he wondered if maybe the man was more mental than he let on judging by the way he seemed to easily draw into himself.

"Kane?"

The brunette didn't respond so Kevin took it as a sign to let him a have a moment to digest what was going on. Surely it wasn't every day that one's brother tried to have you offed and it must merit some time to think about the implications of what that meant.

He ducked out into the hallway and wandered down to the nurse's station where he just happened to run into the doctor that had stitched up Kane's neck. He tapped the man on the shoulder and patiently waited for him to acknowledge him.

"Ahh, Mr. Nash. How can I help you?" He asked when he finally turned around.

"Is Kane going to be discharged tonight? I think he'd rather rest at home."

"I'm sorry, with a neck wound as bad as what that is, he's going to stay here a few days for observation."

"Do you think that's wise? I mean if your crew can't handle him when he's about knocked out what makes you think you can handle him when he's wide awake and scowling?"

"Mr. Nash that what the tranq's are for. Now if you'd kindly excuse me, I have rounds to attend to."

Kevin scowled as he watched the man disappear. With a grumble he headed back to Kane's room, stopping dead when he seen that the room was empty. Panic set in but he made himself search the small room before sitting down and palming his face.

"Santana is going to kill me....well maybe not me, but definitely Kane. How can this get any worse?" He mumbled as he looked through his fingers. He picked up his phone and dialed Chris' number, leaving a short message on the Voicemail. Chris, Kane left the hospital without being discharged, I don't know where he is. Take Shawn and keep him safe; tell Santana to call me. I don't know what's going on, but I'm not going to let it touch Santana's club at all. Be safe Chris and keep a close eye on Shawn. Who knows what that crazy Vampire is capable of.

He closed his phone and let his face press into the linens on the bed, wondering what in the hell he'd done to deserve this type of problem.

---

Mark sat in quiet contemplation after Hunter left and with a shaky hand he picked up the picture of Kane again, his finger tracing over the celluloid capture of his younger brother. His hair was the same reddish brown and the pale lips were the same. But the body was something that Mark never pictured as happening to him.

He set the photo aside and leaned back in his chair; closing his eyes as he spoke quietly. "Soon Baby Brother...soon."

---

Kane had dressed and snuck down the hall when he seen Kevin chatting up the doctor. He didn't want to spend the night in the hospital, nor did he want to cause any more trouble. He doubled around the building before making his escape through the front door; heading down the road til he found a cheap hotel.

He paid with his money he earned from dancing and as he sat on the bed he started to scowl; his mind plotting ways to make his brother pay for all the torture and maltreatment that he'd suffered over the years. He laid back; wincing as pain rocketed through his neck, Paul's necklace held tightly in his fist.

"You will pay Brother for the harm you've done to me and those around me."

Kevin's phone rang and he swallowed hard as he slid down the lock bar on the phone and answered.

"Santana I don't know whats going on. Kane's told me the entire story and then as I went to check with the doctor to see if he was going to be discharged he disappeared. I'm not going to let this touch the club Santana. Ans from I've managed to learn about Kane is that he cares for those around him and I'm sure he's going to try and take care of this himself. Give me a few days Santana to get him and see what he trying to do."

Kevin fell silent as he waited, even though he was certain that he probably wasn't going live to see the morning.

---

Mark sighed as he stood the picture in his hands replacing the picture on the dart board and then being impaled with the darts that were laying on the desk. Anger roiled in Marks gut as he eyed the pale face of the one that held responsible for all the things that had gone wrong between their parents.

"You slut. Bearer? You spread your legs for Bearer. What was going through your mind? Is it not enough that I have provided a stable home for you and our son?"

"You spend all your time with the dead that you barely have time for the living. Your son hasn't seen you in over a week!"

"I'm sorry that I'm the only one that brings home a check."

The fight that night raged on and on in his head and he scowled as he took the last dart and threw it with all his might, embedding it fully in the wood.

---

Kane sat quietly on his bed, his eyes dead as he looked at the mirror where the pictures were still hanging. On wooden legs he got up and ruffled through the top drawer where he had hidden the cell phone that Paul had given him.

He turned it on and punched in the number that Santana had put on his hiring papers; leaving a message for her.

"Mistress Santana. I owe my life, I'm going to finish this...whatever it is that my brother has started. And if I can't protect you and the club then I will gladly get on my knees and let you take my head Mistress."

He flipped the phone shut and put it back in the drawer, putting on the still blood stained necklace of Pauls and pulling his hair back as tight has he could as he took a deep breath. If his brother wanted him dead then he was going to meet him face to face and end it once and for all. Now if only he could find out how to get to him.

Kevin shut his phone and let out a sigh of relief. He knew that he'd just barely dodged a bullet and that the next time his eyes would be glassey as he looked up at either the ceiling or sky, where ever Santana had him plugged.

With a scowl he stood and left the hotel room. He had a vague idea where Kane might be; but his job didn't hinge on vague, or hunches. He dealt in hard facts. However with one as elusive as Kane seemed to be a hunch was all he had. A twenty minute car ride later Kevin was staring up at Kane apartment; the sillouete on the blind telling Kevin what he needed to know.

With a sigh he locked his car and headed up, not bothering to knock as the door had been left ajar. From the bedroom he heard muttering and he cautiously headed into the room, stopping to knock on the door frame.

"Hey Dancer Boy. Thought I might find you here."

The look he got in return was enough to freeze the devil and he wondered slightly if it was worth it.

---

Mark fired up his computer and went to work. He wanted to find out as much as he could about the place that had hired his baby brother. He wasn't looking to strike out against the place, they'd done nothing wrong. But he was thinking of paying a visit. He smiled wryly as he pulled the address. Perhaps he'd watch his brother preform once and then take him out.

The wait was becoming unbearable. Mark Calaway was not someone who waited. He was also someone that didn't get their hands dirty. And since they went hand and hand with each other it was inviteable that he either take things into his own hands (which he wasn't fool enough to do; no great mob boss did their own dirty work anyways anymore) or he become steadily angrier and angrier until he had his intelligence and the best way to strike down the continual thorn in his side.

He had a sort of faith in Helmsley and his gang; he'd heard good things about them through the underground grape vine. But then he'd also heard good things about Thorn and look where he was.

With a smirk he looked over at the glass cased Vampire's skull; the empty eye sockets and fangs a feral decoration and fitting for the room. With a laugh he pushed himself from his chair and stood; pulling a leather jacket on and heading out the door. He had a plan for tonight--let Helmsley do his stake out of his brother, he was going to see where his brother worked; and maybe dig up some information on him while he was there.

---

Kevin watched in exasperation as Kane paced the small apartment. There was a dangerous grace in his movements and when they made eye contact it was enough to make him think twice about keeping him cooped up.

"I want to dance Kevin, or do something. I don't want to wait here for him to come and get me." Kane thundered as he looked over at the tall dark haired man.

"Sorry Sweet Cheeks, you ain't going no where until Santana decides on how she wants to use you as bait for your brother. And if it means staying here until he shows his face then so be it." Kevin smirked as bit Kane scowled and used a long leg to kick over one of the chairs.

The extension he had on his long limbs was nothing short of amazing and Kevin ruefully had to admit that he impeccable legs. He himself was fond of the manlier looking men; though the girly ones like Shawn caught his eyes from time to time. At this time he found it hard to keep his eyes off of Kane's rear. The large man had changed into a pair of light blue denim jeans that hugged and cupped him all the right ways and he'd decided to go shirtless.

As if Kevin's gaze was a physical caress Kane turned and pinned him with a look. Offering a shoulder shrug as his only explanation Kevin found himself a little breathless as Kane stalked over to him, pushing him against the wall and getting right in his face.

"See something you like or are you just browsing?" He all but purred.

"I'm an avid lover of the finer things in life Kane. And I appreciate a well taken care of body."

Kane laughed and leaned in a bit closer, his lips teasing the shell of Kevin's ear and making him shiver hard as he whispered. "I bet you do Kevin....tell me, how do you appreciate them?"

With a wicked smile he tangled his hands in Kane's curls and tugged; pulling the larger man's head back and smirking as lust flitted across Kane's face.

"Ohh, let me show you."

Mark had been so preoccupied with looking around for sign of his brother that he didn't see the dancer drop down into his lap until the last minute. Instinct told him to shove him off and go back to work; common sense told him however that that would look suspicious and he wasn't there to draw attention to himself. Instead he gave the blonde dancer a smirk and let his hand rest high up on his thigh.

"Sounds right pleasing to me. I'll take whatever it is that yer having." He gruffed.

As he studied the blonde dancer he wondered how much he knew. There was intelligence sparkling behind his blue eyes and he smirked as he decided to try and get as much information out the man as possible...without him knowing of course.

---

Kevin laid in shock; still buried inside of Kane's body and a blush crept across his cheeks. Santana is going to really have my head this time. I knew better. Slowly he pulled free and moved away from the curly haired man; not bothering to hide himself, after all they were all men--they all had the same working parts.

On the floor Kane stayed; his eyes flashing as he leaned up on his elbows. Whatever was going through his mind was dangerous and Kevin was almost afraid to find out what it was. Thankfully for his scattered peace of mind he didn't have to wait long.

"Who said I was going to argue." He smirked coyly at the standing blonde. "I'll go along willingly...on one condition....see you two just interrupted us and now my orgasm has died. Now I like sex; I like it alot and when I get interrupted and am not allowed to finish I get cranky." He got to his feet, his hand curled around the shaft as he slowly walked towards the other two men. "Now I suggest one of two opportunities. Either you allow us to finish, or one or even the both you finish me. I just want to get off boys and then I'll go."

Kevin stood with his mouth hanging open in disbelief. Kane's plan was insane..was it even a plan? Still he stayed quiet, weighing the possibilities of what the distraction could bring and one he liked; he just needed to have one or the other two take Kane's bait. He cleared his throat to get their attention.

"You two; I've had my fill. He's nothing more than a whining little slut that craves cock." He yawned and moved over to sit on one of the chair, crossing his legs. "You can put your guns down. I'm unarmed and naked. What could I possibly do?"

It was risky, it was insane, but as long as it worked Kevin didn't care. He sat waiting; to see what their reactions were going to be and hoping that he could at least get some sort of distraction to try and get them out alive.

Kevin's face fell as Kane's half concocted plan failed. Well he hadn't had much hope in it to begin with. A moment of hope had been then when the darker complected man had spoken but it dashed as the gun was waved at him. With a sigh he pushed himself to his feet and followed after Dave, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

He studied the man he was with and he decided to play on the ticked off attitude that Dave had in place due to not being able to get some satisfaction.

"You think he's really just waiting for Kane to put some pants on? I've been with that dark haired man, I've looked and acted just like your friend in there until I was able to get him alone. And look they're alone now." He chuckled a bit as he looked at his nails. "Pity. Maybe he'll let you taste him before he turns him over to his 'old friend'."

---

Kane studied the man in front of him. It was plan to see that he was ruthless and he knew without question that he was sent to bring him back to his brother. With a sigh he moved over and grabbed a pair of sweats. In his condition he didn't think it would be wise to try a pair of jeans. As he bent over he looked over his shoulder and asked conversationally.

"How much is he paying you?" He waited a moment before adding on, "My brother I mean." One his pants were in place he turned back to stare at Hunter. "Do you even know why he wants me? Because I sure as hell don't." He spread his arms and turned slowly. "Do I look like someone to be worried about? I'm a prostitute, no, I'm a dancer now. I don't mess with anyone, and I mind my own. What do I have to do to get you to let me go on about my way?"

---

Mark regarded the blonde in his lap with cool scrutiny. By the faint blush that covered his face when he was caught staring at him it was a fact that he was used to studying people without their knowledge. He did let his lips twitch into a grin at the fruity drink comment and he was grateful for the whiskey; it helped things go down a lot smoother.

"Very astute. I am new here in New York. Fresh from Austin." He took a sip of his drink, looking over the rim of his glass at Shawn. "I'm looking for someone....close to me. My brother. We were separated years ago due to tragedy and for so long I've thought he was dead only to find out that he's alive. I heard he was in the club business. Is he the owner perhaps? A bartender? Or maybe you know the club he works at if he's not here."

He's probably laid his cards on the table but he took the risk, it was a long shot that the blonde knew his brother more intimately other than a pass on the stage.

Kevin shrugged and continued to lean against the wall. It was clear that he wasn't going to get the larger man off his game plan. It had been a long shot anyways. He cleared his throat and held out his hand.

"You got another one of those? I'm in the need for one after my aborted fuck." He yawned.

The absence of noise from the other side of the door was telling and worrying. He knew that Kane could handle himself; but the man was wounded, had been nearly dead not even 24 hours ago and yet now he was being forced to return to a man that wanted him dead.

All in all it made his head swim and he needed something to take his mind off of it.

---

"I know I don't have much to offer, I just....I don't understand." Kane's head dropped as he put on a shirt, wincing when he seen the blood that still covered it. "If I knew then maybe I....nevermind." He moved over and stood next to Hunter looking the man dead in his eyes. "Now what?"

---

Mark cocked his head to the side. The blonde dancer had stopped moving and was acting odd. He narrowed his eyes as he took another drink. It was obvious that he knew something. With an off handed comment he set his glass down.

"His name is Glenn. Perhaps you've heard of him then." He screwed up his face as if he was trying to think hard. "But I think he's going by the name of....Ken? Konan? Cane?" He shrugged. "I don't know, but it's something exotic or something." He shrugged again as if it didn't matter and signaled for another drink, waiting for the dancers next move or revealing action.

Kevin shrugged. "I didn't see the point in killing someone that has been on his own since the age of 18 and has been selling his body to make it by. He's never asked for anything and from what I can tell other than being a prostitute has never done anything else on the wrong side of the law." He took a long drag of his cigarette, blowing the smoke towards the ceiling. "I guess I still have a sense of morals yet."

---

Kane looked away, his voice soft. "I know why you're doing it, but what I means was I don't know why my brother is doing it. Why he wants me dead. I've left him and allowed him to live his own life." With a soft shoulder shrug he motioned towards the door. "I'm ready when you are."

It was hard for him to swallow and he didn't want to follow the blonde anywhere but with his wounded body and taxed reserves he didn't have much of a choice. He could only hope that when he came face to face with his brother that he could talk some sense into him or even just get the answer as to why his brother hated him so much would be a good thing to have before he died.

---

Mark wanted to call his bluff, he had seen the look of realization come across his face but he chewed his lip to keep quiet. He nodded and pulled an extra 200 from his pocket and stuffed down the side of the dancer's pants, smirking as he drank his whiskey.

"Maybe when you're done collecting wallets you can come and keep me company again for a bit."

Kevin had to agree with Dave and he had the stray thought that if they'd met under different circumstances that they might have been able to strike up a friendly sort of truce in the return of exchanging information. However that wasn't how the world worked and was standing across from the large man wondering what in the hell he'd have to do to get both him and Kane out of dangers way for the time being.

The door to the apartment opened and Kane came following the large blonde out; his head hung down so that his hair covered his entire face. There was an eerie silence about the sight and Kevin couldn't help but shiver a bit as he watched Kane take his place right behind Hunter. The barked command at himself and Dave brought a growl from Dave but nothing more was said as they walked single file down the hall.

Curious on lookers would peek their head out of the doors but none came out to question the odd caravan of people. Granted most of them were probably drug addicts and as soon as they were gone they'd walk into the open door of Kane's apartment and take everything they could, but Kevin couldn't believe that no one found it strange for the two extremely well dressed men to be escorting to fellow degenerates from the building.

Out in the parking lot Hunter waved them over to his vechile and motioned for them all to get in. Dave jumped in the drivers seat so that left Kane and Kevin in the back. The interior was roomy and very clean but Kevin moved as close to Kane as he could, keeping an eye on the two up front. Finally he took the chance and murmured lowly to the brunette.

"We'll get out of this..."

"No, this has to end Kevin."

The soft words sent a fissure of fear through Kevin but Kane didn't elaborate and as the miles fell away he let the taller man just think; his hand reaching over and laying on top of Kane's in what he hoped was a reassuring manner.

----

Mark's smirk felt as if it was going to split his entire face in two. He knew that the dancer knew who he was; he could see it in the way the blonde man acted. And when he'd mentioned his brother's real name it only confirmed it.

Glenn worked here at the club and he was going to get his hands on his wayward brother if it was the last thing he was going to do.

Kevin scowled as he sat next to Dave, his eyes straying to Kane from time to time. When Hunter brought Shawn's attention to them he made sure to keep his face in a neutral grin.

"Whatever is the heaviest thing you'll serve." He looked back over to Kane and his scowl came back. "And make it a double."

He hated this waiting on pins and needles but there was nothing that he could do in the club. Not if he wanted to make sure that he and Kane left with their lives. Next to him Dave shifted and he flicked his gaze back over to him for a moment and watched the way his eyes roamed the blonde dancer.

---

The pain in his neck was throbbing and Kane wanted nothing more than to reach up and press his hand to it to stifle it somewhat but he remained unmoving; his hair still curtaining his face. His mind was awhirl with possibilities of how he could get away but the only thing that was keeping him in his spot was that he promised Tana that he'd take care of his brother.

The power play that Hunter was trying to win at was going to be his downfall one day, and for a moment Kane hoped that he'd be the one to watch his face something blew up in it. He heard Shawn talking but didn't look up; he didn't want to face the other dancer and show the weakness that he knew was on his face from the lack of blood.

The floor was interesting to him and he mapped out the diamond pattern of the carpet before it started to go fuzzy on him; black encroaching into his line of vision.

Well hell, this isn't good. I can't meet Tana all passed out or else she'll just finish off the job and I won't even able to plead for some sort of an extension. His mental words were accompanied by a rush of warmth down his throat and he knew without seeing that his wound was bleeding profusely. Huh, guess if I bleed out then no one will have to kill me. The thought was morosely amusing and he chuckled just a bit; the exertion of the expression making him wince.

---

Mark kept his eyes trained on the crowd; watching as those around him paid for dances and drinks while he continued to nurse the Whiskey that his dancer had brought him. His attention wasn't so divided that he didn't see any of the new comers into the club but he had been looking away when Hunter and their troop had entered.

When he'd looked back all he had seen was the tail end of Kane, but since all he could see were curly brown locks he didn't know whom he was looking at and dismissed it.

Dancers came and went from the stage and even though he knew that his brother wouldn't be preforming any time soon he wanted to get a good taste for the way the club ran; that way when he finally got his hands around his brother's neck he'd wouldn't be taking any unnecessary lives with him.

The sound of his brothers name, and the information that he was here in the club--waiting was enough to make Kane go rigid. He hadn't seen his brother when they entered the VIP area, which wasn't a surprise, Mark wouldn't want attention drawn to him for any reason; which could only mean that he was somewhere on the main floor.

He heard Hunter and Dave talking, about what he couldn't be sure, the blood leaving him was making him dizzy and he couldn't tell what was said and what was cottony fluff brought on by his waning consciousness. He felt a hand on his elbow and he blinked his slowly unfocusing eyes on Kevin's face.

With a grunt he heaved himself to his feet and followed Kevin on shuffling feet after the large man.

"What are you trying to do Kane? Keel over and get us all killed?" Kevin hissed at him.

Kane's tongue felt like lead in his mouth and for a moment he wondered if this was what death felt like; the slow ebbing away of all pain--which he was surprised to feel none at the moment despite the large gapping hole in his throat. Of course he'd never really had a good sense of pain in his life; he'd been diagnosed with a rare disorder that left him with a higher pain thresh hold.

"Iffn I snufsh it, no one can kill me..." He slurred as he was pulled through a door into a brightly lit bathroom.

"We're trying to keep you alive. I'm sure Paul would have some words to say about the way you're acting." Kevin scolded as he pushed him down on to the male bathroom attendants chair and peeled the bandage away. "Oh god Kane.." Blood was running freely, soaking his shirt collar and chest. "There's no cleaning this up."

Kane struggled and turned his head, ignoring the burning of the ragged wound to look at it. He could see the sinew of his neck through the wound and he gave a wry smile. "Damn. It'd make a nice scar if I live. And you know what they, chicks--and certain men--dig scars."

He didn't get a chance to say anything else because the bathroom door opened and a calm voice filled the air.

"Hello Brother. Fancy seeing you here."

Kane still didn't get a chance to respond because he passed out and slipped off the chair.

----

Mark watched cooly as his brother's body hit the ground in a boneless tangle. It didn't take long until a nice sized circle of blood lay puddled around his head and he looked over at Kevin whom hadn't even moved.

"Pick him up and clean him up. I want him alive for when I kill him."

Kevin snarled as he knelt, turning Kane over to his back and pressing a large wad of paper towel to the wound.

"You're a fucking sick fuck. Can't see he's about dead anyways. You'll get your wish; Thorn did his job...sort of. I'm sure he wanted it to be a lot quicker and the results a lot more permanent."

Mark rolled a shoulder and watched quietly as the towels turned a bright ruby red and Kevin scowled and threw them to the side and pressed more there in an attempt of stave off the bleeding.

"Well Thorn was a liability. I should have known better than to align myself with a Vampire. All he cared about was feeding. You however...you're just a traitor..changing sides during a job."

He watched as Kevin froze for a moment but then shook it off, looking at him with cool eyes. "I never changed sides, I just thought that someone else here in this establishment was the person you were looking for. I took on the job to observe things. Guess I was closer to the actual person than I thought."

"So then you won't mind if I kill him." He said offhandedly.

"N-no."

Mark's lips curved into a dark smile as he aimed a kick to Kane's ribs; the unconscious man emitting a small moan. "Good. Clean him up as best as you can and then take him out of here. We're leaving."

He didn't say any more he just turned on his heel and left, smirking at his exceptional good luck.

----

Kevin sighed as the door closed and he looked down at Kane, the pale skin even paler until all the veins were prominent on his face. He was stuck between a rock and hard place and neither one showed a better outcome.

"Dammit Kane, if I didn't like you so much I'd kill you myself." He huffed as he looked down at the still man on the floor.