Vaughan was silent as they were ushered into the Arya Estate, content on clutching the boy to his chest for comfort-for him or the child at this point the lines blurred.

They were filed into the front room, Vaughan sitting on the couch along with Amelia and the children. 

Xavier clutched him tighter, still unnaturally silent but Vaughan didn't encourage him to leave. He just readjusted the child so he could sit more comfortably as the other two boys flanked their mother leaving Vaughan the corner. 

Kiber had split from the group, the rushed conversation between him and Myles it seemed he was ensuring the security of the building and 'looking into' some matters at hand. 

What those matters could entail chilled Vaughan.

Morrowe sat in a chair he had pulled closer to the couch, sitting nearer Vaughan, as the various armchairs and stools were slowly filled by a few family members Vaughan knew not the names of, Arjun, Bradly and Reko the only named among them. 

Myles did not sit. 

Instead he stood, pacing as the muscles in his jaw rippled. His eyes were a blaze,  having pulled his hair down as they had entered the home, it now a dark curtain around his face.

"How did they know?! How did they find out?!?" Finally the silence was broken as Myles rounded to Morrowe who looked unimpressed at his outburst.

"clearly," the elder said as he crossed his long legs and  arms while leaning back a little to look up to Myles," Someone must have informed them."

Myles huffed at the  obviousness of the statement, glared to the man, before his eyes swept to Vaughan, flickering down to Xavier before over to his family. 

He turned, his large back to them them, crossing his own arms as he seemed to be gathering his bearings facing the fire one of the family members had began, the white dress shirt pulled tight over the wide shoulders as the guns holster moved with the motion, bringing Vaughan's attention again to the weapon. 

Had the man always carried the weapon?

"We already know there is a snake among us," Arjun said in a coaxing tone, watching his nephew as the dark eyes burned his way but the elderly man didn't so much as flinch," You must know that traitors happen. Even among the most close of families."

The muscle was rippling in his jaw again, but the fire had dimmed in his eyes as Myles gaze fell to the floor, fists clenching.

"You are well aware that we are more than familiar with when that happens," Myles finally spoke, eyes looking sharply to the group around him, a storm of emotion clouding his features," And all in the family knows the measures taken when I discover who the snake is."

Vaughan shivered despite himself, his throat tight. 

Snake? Traitors? 

"What do you mean by snake?"

It wasn't Vaughan who had voiced the question, but Xavier, who was still on his lap but now relaxed enough to pull away and blink owlishly to the adults around him. 

The child's ability to bounce back always astounded Vaughan.

"Its a bad person who lies and pretends to be apart of our family to hurt us," pipped Elliot from between Vaughan and Amelia as he pulled his face away from his mothers arm. His eyes no longer were wet but his nose was still running, cheeks red.

Xavier frowned to his friend tilting his head," why would anyone want to hurt you?"

"Because their the bad guys and my uncles are the good guys!" Elliot supplied with confidence that Xavier seemed to buy, but Vaughan was now looking to Myles imploring. 

Myles sighed, running a hand down his face and scratching at his stubble. 

"It's best the boys and I go up to the play room," Amelia said firmly already standing. 

Myles was nodding, eyes sweeping over before nodding," Bradly. Seth. The two of you go with them."

To guard his family was unsaid. Myles most likely would have need not say anything for Bradly- he had gravitated to Amelia's side as soon as the words left her lips.

"What! No!" It was the first Keaton had said anything, and Vaughan was shocked at the passion in the boys voice as he jumped from the couch," I want to help! I'm old enough I am-"

"are still a child," Myles tone left no room for argument. 

"I'm older now!" the boy clinched his fists stomping up to his uncle in challenge. 

Myles somehow became even more tense, "No."

"Why must you treat me like a child!" Keaton was stomping to his uncle now, Amelia standing not to stop him but sighing and putting her head in her hands giving Myles a pleading look.

"Listen-"

"NO," Keaton bellowed, cheeks red as he shook, eyes shining," YOU listen to ME! For ONCE just LISTEN! I can HELP! I don't need to hide away like some baby! I want to know what is happening!  YOU already said that I am a good shot-why mustn't I have a gun?!?"

"Because 'I' am your mother and 'I' said you aren't to have one," Amelia stepped forward, Elliot inched over to Vaughan and Xavier and and subconsciously Vaughan put a hand to the boys head which encouraged him to wrap his arms around them both.

Keaton whirled around, face breaking from its fury to disbelief at his mother, a crack of hurt in his eyes.

Finally Myles sighed, stepping forward, laying a hand to Keaton's shoulder," I do not intend for you to be treated like a small child. You are older. And as such, I need you to take your role seriously. For your mother, for your brother brother. Keep them safe."

The boys lips pursed at that, seeming to not buy the explanation until his mother laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Please, Keaton dear. For me. Do not fight with your uncle on this matter," the mother and son looked to one another until Keaton deflated, looking away while taking his brothers hand.

"Come on El, lets get out of here."

They trailed to the door as Amelia turned to Vaughan," Come Xavier. You should join us."

The boys hands clenched his sweater and Vaughan rubbed a soothing hand on his back as he stood.

"You should," he said with some effort to look to the boys face," And don't go arguing about it, it will do you little good. If you are scared, know that Elliot is scared as well but has done as we have asked. And you wouldn't want to abandon your friend when he is scared, no?"

A snotty nose rubbed against his shoulder, and inwardly Vaughan sighed. He would need to change. 

The boy allowed himself to be settled on the ground, holding Amelia's hand delicately as he followed the other two boys at the door, but paused before passing the threshold. 

Turning to his uncle he looked up, and Vaughan nodded gesturing to the door, until the boy turned and left with Amelia. 

A moment after the boys disappeared, Vaughan took a breath to steel himself before squaring his shoulders and looking up at Myles who seemed to be eyeing him wearily.

"Care to share just what is going on?" He glared.

"Well a 'thank you' first would be more appreciated," Myles folded his arms.

Vaughan felt heat rise to his face as he jumped to his feet and he stopped over to the taller man.

"Are you telling me," he hissed," I am to be THANKFUL that somehow, by association, you have endangered not only me- but my nephew as well!?!"

Myles' dark eyes flashed but he didn't budge as the blond stood at his tallest in attempt to gain some size on the man. 

"More so," Myles growled, and he leaned down so that Vaughan felt the heat of breath over his face," more like 'thank you' for keeping you and your nephew safe."

"This does not seem to be a very safe place," Vaughan countered, nodding his head over to the gun holstered against Myles side," who in the name all things good carries guns around their home anyway!"

"Well, clearly, those of us with the common sense to keep ourselves safe. Unlike some," Myles snapped and Vaughan felt his mouth open and close several times before he found his voice.

"Why. You. . . Impossible man," Vaughan punctuated his words with a finger jabbing into Myles' chest. He lowered his hand to nurse the sore finger when noticing Myles did not even blink at the jab and the only one scathed from the assault was himself,"  I would like to think I have enough common sense to not deal with -with ruffians such as those. And how did they come to be wanting to 'speak to me' anyway? It surely is of no association of my own!"

"No association,' Myles puffed, stepping back if only to run a hand through his hair looking around as if to find an answer, a twisted smile marring his face," why 'you' are 'the' association! "

"Me," Vaughan laughed incredulously," what ever do you mean by 'that?!?" 

"Can you really be so oblivious as to those your linked to?!?" spat Myles, his eyes fire as he shook cheeks darkening.

Vaughan blew up," What?!? You think I would ever speak to the like of men such as that?!?"

"None of my business the men you speak to," spat Myles in what seemed to be a challenge.

"What could you mean by that," Vaughan was sure his voice was a squeak, his heart hammering heating his cheeks as his fists tightened when Myles leaned down close to him, dwarfing his small frame, though he refused to back down from the intimidation.

"Myles! Vaughan!"

Morrowes voice could prove to be quite booming when given the chance, and it did the trick in gaining both bickering men's attention.

He stood, nearing the two, and Vaughan suddenly stepped back realizing how close to Myles he had became. 

Morrowe strode over, cane tapping the floor as he moved, his pipe unlit between clinched teeth. He glared to both the younger men before setting a heavy gaze to Vaughan, slowly looking more apologetic than he ever had.

"Myles is not wrong, though the way he delivers news could be improved with a elementary education in general communication- as Amelia is always telling me."

Vaughan's brows knit together, frown marring his features, "What do you mean Morrowe? You know everyone I work with, and for certian you must know I would never-."

"Not you yourself, no," Morrowe shook his head gravely," But your brother. And prior to that your mother."

At his gaping mouth and inability to comment Vaughan merely shook his head. His brother?!? His mother?!? When-?

"Oh for-Fine! You want to know?" Myles neared them, brows furrowed even further and his voice even louder than Morrowes own," Fine! I'll tell you the whole blasted deal!"

"Myles," Arjun and Reko seemed to be working as a duo standing between the pair, Arjun soothing his nephew," Allow Morrowe to speak. It is best if Vaughan hears it from someone- well Morrowe has been a close family friend. Allow him to speak."

" These men," Morrowe continued unperturbed, gesturing around the room ending on Myles," Are a part of a family-a clan per se. A sort of. .. A group that blends the lines of business and family. Better known to many as the mafia. Those men you saw today were apart of a rivaling family. And you, Vaughan, are one of the last survivors from your mothers family-that of illicit activities and untowardly acquaintances- such as those who you have had the pleasure of meeting today. You are the last of the McClellan family-which is one of the strongest living families to this day on several continents. You. And Xavier."

Morrowe silenced, looking to Vaughan for any reaction aside from wordless shock.

There was probably more. There had to be a lot more after such a reveal. 

But Vaughan could only take so much. And soon the room that had begun to spin painted black, and he felt himself fall in a dead faint.