Nicolai Stone

She hasn't noticed but I've been watching her for the past week, ever since our last encounter of me telling her those hateful words to leave. I knew calling her a child would've hurt the most but it was effective to keep her a mile away from me.

Watching her train her ass off gives me pride but sadness follows as I wish to touch her, to be near her. But I can't, not when I have to do what I must.

She won't see it until it happens, so I'll wait until that time comes.

She is at the shooting range when I watch Julian teach her of shooting. Only it looks like Julian isn't forcing it on her...

I knew the kid was good from rumors but I didn't think he was this good. Every shot he made was precise on every target, hell, some of them he wasn't even looking directly at the targets. Then that damn sling shot he uses is like a weapon of mass destruction by itself.

But every now and then, I see it. I see it as clear as day from a distance.

When she's not looking, Julian looks to her and something in his expression burns a bright flame of jealously within me.

Seeing it now, it's as if I've been shot in the chest.

Walking away I brush the feeling aside and head straight back into the mansion. Until dinner time comes I stay far from the array of them all. Caspian, Shina, Julian, Don, Dimitri, and my wife sitting at the dinner table, enjoying their food. My eyes then land on Julian again...

His plate has a mountain of food, too much for how small he is to be honest. Over hearing Sienna make fun of his appetite as she notices his plate. He chuckles and shrugs off her jesting. But something in his eyes doesn't set well with me, like a kindling fire.

I turn around and leave them be, not wanting to be amongst them. What I need is to focus on my mission.

Taking this opportunity I slip into my Den and see into Julian's file once more. Something about him doesn't seem right.

Whenever I did see his files before, finding out that I had an Aunt didn't seem possible but here in the file shows the truth---but still, is it possible that his background check could be false info?

When Dimitri and I went to London to recruit him. We found him in a cafe' drinking coffee and eating multiple biscuits, yet when I approached him, he didn't seem surprised in the slightest. As if he was waiting for me.

As if he knew this day was coming.

Like he was even more steps ahead of me...

Shaking my head, "damn. There is no way he could have known..." or...

Julian isn't actually Julian Masters?

If not, then who is he?

A couple days later I requested Julian into my Den. Standing here staring down at the fireplace, hearing the crackling of embers as silence consumes me. The silence used to be my friend but now--I miss the noise more. The sounds of my wife coming in and telling me how her day went.

"You requested my appearance?" Julian closes the door behind him. He is wearing a pair of dark denim jeans, boots, and a grey long sleeve hoodie. His hair is the same color as mine, his eyes the same color as mine, but more of the grey side. His skin as pale as ever, like he hasn't seen the sun light in ages.

He is short, maybe 5'7 to my 6ft. He is almost the same age as Sienna---but that could be a lie as well.

I've come to the realization long ago before tonight.

My eyes search his own until I see the truth behind them when his eyes darken and smirks, "I was wondering when you'd figure it out, I was betting sooner but I guess we can't fault you for that. I did a hell of alot of convincing, did I?"

My fingers touch the bottom of my desk as I feel for my gun that's strapped beneath, "what is it that you want?" I ask harshly.

Julian chuckles, "isn't it obvious?"

My jaw clenches, "then I wouldn't have asked if it were..."

He takes his hand and lifts it up, showing two fingers, "first, I want to destroy everything that has to do with the Galeons, for what they did to me and the others. Secondly, I'm here to claim the promise I made to Sienna long ago."

What promise? "What do you mean promise?"

Julian smiles and that's when I see his true identity. Something like this is like from a nightmare.

His eyes turn into a dark brown color, the blue eyes long gone while his hair darkens even more.

I whisper the first thing that comes to my mind, shocked beyond belief, "you're...subject...4."

He bites his bottom lip before replying, "actually, the name is Levi."

In an instant I rip my gun from the bottom of my desk and point it right at his face, "what promise?" I ask again.

He laughes as if the gun I'm holding wouldn't so much cost his life, "don't be so reckless man. I'm on the same side as you. We both want to protect her, right?"

Slowly I put down my gun, feeling my chest cave in with an odd feeling. Who is this man to Sienna?

This Levi guy combs his fingers through his dark locks of hair, "we both promised each other a future together and I promised her that it'll happen someday."

I can't help but feel angered by those words but then shove these feelings away. He wants what I want, the difference is, I'm willing to give up everything for Sienna. Would he be willing to give up anything for her?

So I decide furthermore, "she is my wife. She is mine, but...if you are wanting the same as I do in protecting her. Then I'll let you continue being in this Squad. But don't for a second think my wife is helpless without us, she is strong and capable of anything. Don't forget that." I say, each word from my bleeding heart.

Levi frowns, "I know she is capable and strong, if not I would have taken her away from the Galeons long ago. Only reason I didn't was because I knew she'd find you. I've planned everything as it should be, Stone. I was the reason she hasn't been married to anyone. I threatened Edmond with a letter that if he ever sent her to marry one of his soldiers or if he ever sends her down the basement to be bred, I would end his life. That was long ago whenever I escaped them after having that fucking S Serum shit injected into me."

He...planned all of this, "you wanted her to marry me?"

Levi nods once, a grim expression on his face, "to be fairly honest, I didn't want her to have anyone but me in her life, but selfish me wanted her to have someone who knows how it feels to live an unfair life. And that was you. I know all about you, and as much as knowing you are fucking her with two more guys---I still want her to have everything in life as you do. I'd knew she'd break you down into an honest good man behind all that devils facade you have."

My breathing escalates and heart pounds as he continues.

"She is a good girl. My little bunny has grown into a wonderful woman. I'm happy that she is happy. But you fuck it up sometimes and it pisses me off. Though I know what you are doing, what you are planning...keeping her in the dark, pushing her away." He exclaims with a knowing smile, "I'm on your side on this one though. I like your plan better. So I'll pretend to go along with the first plan with Sienna and the others, while you do your actual plans. But don't think I wont let Sienna be alone when the time comes and you are not there for her."

Looking away from him I stare into the flames of my fireplace, "so you know what I'm planning to do. You haven't told Sienna because you know it's the right plan to go for." I say in fact.

"Yeah. Pretty much. So I'm going to leave now. Let's keep this our little secret, okay?" Levi waves carelessly at me before opening the door and leaving me alone in the Den.

Levi wants to stay as Julian for now.

Meaning he doesn't want Sienna to know who he truly is.