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But Marcus also knew that Bel used Ozzie as a way of keeping an eye on his older brother. Ozzie would fly to Marcus’s house, hang out for a night or two, and then fly to Bel. Marcus always knew he’d be back, just never knew exactly when.
“No, those must be strays looking for handouts,” Marcus murmured. But he hated saying it. He wanted to tell Ethan the truth. He wanted to tell Ethan about Bel’s amazing gift. Wanted to tell him everything, but that just wasn’t an option. “Have you been here long?”
Ethan shook his head. “Couple of hours. Just finishing up this room. Also called the piano movers again. Told them you’ve actually got three pianos in the house, not just one.” He paused and lifted one eyebrow at Marcus. “You don’t have any more hidden around here, do you?”
“No. Just the three.”
Ethan chuckled. “Yes, only three pianos.”
“I wanted to thank you for your help last night, as an employee and as a friend. You helped to save my brother’s life and we will always be grateful to you for that.”
“You’re welcome. Did you see Bel? Is he better?”
Marcus nodded. “He’s still sleeping, but he’s healing well.”
Ethan’s expression turned grim. “Do you know who attacked him?”
“Yes.”
Ethan’s frown deepened and Marcus knew he was waiting for him to continue, but this was a difficult thing for him to discuss.
“Would you mind letting Ozzie outside? I’ll step into the hallway,” he said, then turned his attention to the raven. He stroked him a couple of times more, staring into the all-too-perceptive black eyes. “Go home. He’ll be there tonight to see you.” The bird cocked his head to the side and cawed at him once before flying to the box he’d been perched on. Marcus didn’t question whether the bird understood him. Maybe he really was that smart. Or maybe it was Bel’s influence. Either way, he was ready to go.
Marcus stepped into the safety of the hallway. He could hear Ethan shoving aside the heavy curtains and opening up the old window. There were no screens on the upper floors because of Ozzie. It just made it easier for him to come and go. A flapping of wings filled the room for a moment and then a distant cry as the bird hit the air.
“It’s safe,” Ethan called out when the curtains were closed again, putting the room back into darkness.
Marcus entered the room and found his heart skipping a beat when he realized that he’d walked in without checking first. He trusted Ethan, trusted him to keep him safe. It was a feeling he’d not had with someone for a long time.
“Marcus, I know you’ve probably got plenty of people who can help you, but if your family is in trouble or if you need some help, I’m there for you. As a friend,” he quickly added at the end.
Marcus sighed, the warm feeling giving way to the weight of old worries. He paced the room, walking toward the windows, but he didn’t reach out to shove aside the curtains like he wanted. The sun was still up and would be for another few hours. He was trapped inside with Ethan and the nagging fears in his brain.
“It’s…complicated, Ethan,” he softly said. “I appreciate your concern and your offer, but there isn’t anything you can do.”
Turning at the sound of movement, he watched as Ethan closed the distance between them. Marcus only had to reach out and he could pull Ethan against him. They hadn’t yet talked about what happened in his bedroom, and he hoped that Ethan wouldn’t bring it up.
“I can listen,” Ethan offered. “Sometimes we just need someone to listen.”
Marcus nodded and looked back at the curtains. They were a deep emerald green with gold threads that made the shape of leaves. He opened his mouth to thank Ethan again, but a different set of words came tumbling out.
“My mother attacked Bel. If we hadn’t arrived when we did, I think she would have killed him,” he confessed.
Ethan’s gasp had Marcus wincing. He shouldn’t have said that, but he needed to talk to someone. His brothers were too close to the problem. None of them were thinking clearly anymore.
“Why?”
“Because she’s ill.” Marcus looked over at Ethan and only saw worry and fear in his wide gaze. “She’s been ill for a very long time, and she occasionally has these episodes. She’s not thinking clearly and doesn’t see us. She sees something evil that must be destroyed. And when it’s over, she usually doesn’t recall anything that happened.”
“Oh God, Marcus!” Ethan reached out to place a hand on his arm, but Marcus was quick to pace away from him. He was weak. If Ethan touched him, he would be pulling the slender man into his arms. He’d kiss him and he wouldn’t have the strength to stop again.
