BLOODY LOVE'S
Episode 191

Rolan wanted to urge Jose further to approach Maria, but then immediately reminded himself that it was none of his business. After all their current priority was to safely pass the eclipse.

"Marco wanted to kill Sir William in the usual way" he said. "By using a firearm."

Jose nodded. "I knew. Uncle's gonna rent it from the black market, right?"

Rolan. "Lord Greyland can lend us, he just called. Right now the men are doing weapons checks for us, they're coming here as soon as possible."

"Fast means tomorrow morning." Jose stretched his neck muscles, still looking half sleepy. "Uncle seems unhappy."

"Would he be killed that easily? This plan can only be used once, on one occasion. If we're wrong ..."

"Then we're dead."

Jose said the sentence in a calm tone so that Rolan became suspicious. "What do you want to do, Jose?" tanyakanya. "What's your plan?"

"Lho, you don't know yet? I thought Uncle stole yesterday when I was talking to my friends?"

"I didn't steal listen" Rolan said sourly. He shook his nephew's forehead. "You accidentally opened a little bit of the door. You know I'll come right away as soon as you get home. The conclusion is that you were waiting for me, you fucking deer."

Jose laughs. "I opened the door for Uncle to come in, not stick and listen from the outside."

"You're being serious, I don't want to bother you." Rolan frowned when he saw Jose move up. "Where are you going?"

"Change clothes, I'm gonna go out for a second."

Rolan got up. He intended to hit Jose's head again until he collapsed or injected him with a sedative. Marco and Jose were only immune to the drugs they were taking, so the ones injected would definitely work. He only considered using which method when he realized the way Jose looked at him. Those black eyes shot out coldly, warning, as if announcing that Jose would kill anyone who touched him even if it was just a fingertip.

"I managed to convince Renata that you're nosebleed from the cold" Rolan said. He was sure his sister did not believe him. Renata only gave up for a while. "But that's not the real reason? No sign of impact on your head. Last night your window was tightly shut and your fireplace didn't die, so your excuse was obviously just a wreath." Rolan put his index finger on Jose's chest. "If you're curious, I know all that because I check you regularly! Every four hours! Know why? For fear that you'll be leaving in the middle of the night doing something to endanger your life!"

"I won't do anything" Jose said carefully, his voice reassuring. But Randy was not impressed. He knows all Argent can make themselves look or sound convincing if they want—even though they are not sure themselves.

"You're bleeding, Jose. And it's obviously nothing. If you get hurt—"

"Many will bother, I know," cut Jose. He took off his knit scarf, threw it roughly until it got stuck in the lampshade of the table, then walked into his wardrobe behind the partition of the bed. He took out a suit from there and threw it on the bed, then picked a vest and tie with it. "Uncle knows what others are saying about me in the back?" when I take off the sweater. He looked, giving a faint smile. "Spare. Jose 'Spare' Argent."

Rolan stayed in place, behind the coffee table. Argent Spare. Argent reserves. He also heard the nickname. It's unclear who started, but people have started to refer to Jose as Marco's backup since the young man appeared officially as Marco's representative on several occasions. It was a nickname given with the intention of insulting, they laughed at Jose who they thought was the spare tire of the Argent Family. Not a Landlord, not a God, but always rubberized.

"I don't mind" said Jose, choosing his pale blue shirt. "In reality, I am a substitute. Reserve that Uncle can't do something. I know why Uncle Marco did all this, why he tried so hard to make Bjork more modern, more open. Uncle has been telling me what his purpose is for a long time. Maybe because I'm so obedient, he feels he owes me an explanation."

Jose finished wearing a suit and buttoning his cuff. "I myself don't mind going through all the training from him. So that kind of nickname I don't think about." His gaze softened as he continued, "Although so, I want Uncle to remember that I am still me. I'm Jose Argent. I have my own life, my own life, my own dependents and my own goals that are different from Uncle Marco." He nodded at Rolan. "I'm not a doll that can be kept and removed at will."

"I've never treated you as a puppet" Rolan said in surprise.

"I'm keeping you here because I'm worried about your safety, Jose."

"Because Uncle is worried that if I get hurt then there will be no more backup to arrange a bouncer in Bjork." Jose laughed dryly. "Because they only obey two people: Uncle Marco or me."

"Crip's dead!" Rolan rushed to the door of the room and leaned there, preventing Jose from opening it. He watched his nephews look well, grateful when he saw a human expression appear there. "Corpse's dry. Just like Higgins. He died somewhere else, but was put on the doorstep of this house. George found it. Chances are he was killed last night, on his way home from the Archive Center. Sir William killed him. That's a warning from him. The threat!"

"Centre Archive?" Jose frowned. "What is he looking for?"

"The workers have been sent to find out about it." Rolan gripped the doorknob tightly, just in case Jose ambushed suddenly. "Now you know why I'm preventing you from getting out, right? I'm thinking about your safety!"

"His family has been told?" Jose ignored the self-defense just now. "How's courtesy? Her funeral? Uncle Marco took care of it?"

"I don't think he could think of that." Rolan himself did not have time to think about it either. All things come so hard that he feels there is not enough time to even catch his breath. "His family has not been told anything."

"I'll take care of it. He came to this house under my protection, he is in my charge. Uncle Marco would have agreed. Where's the body? Treatment room?"

Rolan nodded.

"I'll be there. Alone." Jose looked at Rolan with an indisputable highlight. "Calm down, I'm not leaving. At least until Clearwater or Marsh come."

"I'll take you, '" Rolan insisted. He did not want to risk Jose jumping out of the window and doing dangerous things.

Jose shakes. "This is my home" he said coldly. "I know where the treatment room is without having to be escorted. Excuse me, Uncle. Give. I'm. The street."

Rolan remained for almost a minute, then sighed in defeat. He opened the door and let Jose walk out.

***

As soon as he got down to the first floor and confirmed to himself that the one lying on the bed of the treatment room was indeed Krip, Jose fell to his knees on the floor, his head bowed deeply, and his head was bowed deeply, trying to focus on staring at the gap on the parakeet wood floor. Both his hands on the bed, grasping the hands of a Krip kisut who lives a bone wrapped in thin skin.

Jose closed his eyes tightly, resisting the urge to roar loudly or hit something. He knew grief could hurt him physically. His throat was like a sharp, painful hook and his breathing began to sting.

Jose raised his head. He looked at the pale white skin in his grasp, then lowered his face again.

He remembered the rice barrel where he used to sit telling stories. Krip used to listen while peeling coins in the cash register. The aroma of gingerbread cake seemed to faintly smell in the nursery. There would be no one else calling him Little Master in a blaring voice in that shop.

First Higgins, now you. I should have protected you better.

Her tears fell onto the wooden floor.

***