All Is Bright: A Boys of Lake Cliff Holiday

by K. Sterling

  “Give it time. We didn’t meet under the best circumstances and look at who you work for,” Lane reminded Lavender but he sneered.

  “I don’t work for Blink. He vets and advises incoming contracts—for a cut—and I occasionally handle difficult problems for him,” he said loud enough for Blink to hear and turned so they could exchange a loaded look. “For now,” he repeated and Blink held up his drink in agreement then went back to making eyes at Elliot. Paul arrived and headed for the bar and Alon but Reginald wasn’t with him. Lavender noticed as well and leaned away from the conversation as he tried to see into the hall. “I think I’ll take a bit of a stroll,” he murmured and wandered off. Lane widened his eyes at Hawk then made sure no one else was in earshot.

  “Lavender believes Blink doesn’t know who’s behind this but he’s not convinced we owe him anything or that it’s worth sticking our necks out,” Lane whispered from behind his scotch then sipped. Hawk hummed softly in agreement.

  “Casper’s in because he’s Blink’s attack dog but he doesn’t like your husband and the rest of the civilians getting drawn into this. He thinks Blink included Sharp and hoped the other spouses would come so you’d all feel even more compelled to protect Blackhurst,” he confided and Lane’s brows slid up his forehead.

  “Is that so?” He snorted into his glass. “This place is a fortress and Blink has an army guarding him. He must be worried, indeed, if he’s lured Lavender, Toly and Denver here for additional protection.”

  “And you, Wilder, Reginald, Paul and myself. That’s not a bad lineup, in addition to the arsenal Alon and Casper have in the stables,” Hawk said and Lane didn’t like the way his gut ached as he looked around the study. Blink was preparing for a battle at Blackhurst—possibly an invasion—and he’d called in the big guns.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  Chapter 7

  “What the hell are you doing?” Lavender hissed when he caught up with Reginald in the conservatory.

  “Hmmm?” He hummed as he spun and held up his hands innocently. “Just going for a walk and a smoke before dinner,” he lied but he pulled a joint from behind his ear and lit it. Lavender looked behind Reginald to see if there was anything of concern in the foliage.

  “What are you up to?”

  “Why would you assume..?” Reginald started then laughed as he exhaled and waved it off. “Of course, I’m up to something but I’m just getting the lay of the land at the moment,” he said.

  “The lay of the land?” Lavender asked warily but Reginald nodded quickly as he checked over his shoulder then glanced at the corner behind Lavender. There had to be at least two cameras in the conservatory and Reginald would know where they were and if there were any blind spots.

  “We’re in the dragon’s lair, sir! We’ve got to watch our steps and tread carefully here. Alon and Blink are watching closely and they know we don’t trust them.”

  “No, no, no!” Lavender begged and pressed his hands together. “I don’t care if they’re watching us or think we don’t trust them. Toly’s in a panic and afraid of what you’ll do next and Ezra thinks you should spend some time in Chester with Kiera.”

  “Ezra’s not completely wrong but I’d never settle for someplace that grim and gloomy.”

  “Would you please focus?” Lavender ordered and snapped his fingers in front of Reginald’s face. “You’re already on thin ice. Do us both a favor and keep your nose clean.”

  “Mixing metaphors. It’s not like you to be so careless,” Reginald noted and Lavender’s blood pressure jumped and his eyes flared.

  “Why are you testing me? I’m trying to keep them from killing you,” he said as he pointed at the study. Reginald grinned and tapped his nose.

  “That’s part of the plan. They’re already expecting me to do something and watching my every move.”

  “Wouldn’t it make sense to behave, since they’ve all got their eyes on you?” Lavender countered but Reginald’s grin only grew wider.

  “The trick is to be quicker than the eye. I learned that from you,” he said then bowed as he backed away then spun and took a hit off a joint as he wandered deeper into the conservatory.

  “Alon will be calling us to dinner soon,” Lavender warned and Reginald waved over his head.

  “I’ll be there.”

  “I have such a terrible feeling about this,” Lavender groaned and rubbed his temple as he made his way along the path to the door. His instincts told him that Reginald was scouting out his position and would begin to gather intelligence and rearm himself. His instincts also told him that Reginald might be messy but he was never sloppy when it came to work. “Just don’t get us all killed.”

  Lavender’s mood only darkened when he returned to the study. Aiden, Ezra and Toly didn’t look pleased with him. He threw them a questioning look as he went to give his regards to their host. Sage was with Lane and Hawk and looked serious. Elliot was doing his best to reassure his assistant that everything was “cool” but Matteo appeared concerned and curious and his eyes were huge as they darted around the room.

  “I trust everyone is settling in and your rooms and the amenities meet with your approval,” Cyril said. He was in the alcove in the corner, resting against the edge of his desk and his ankles were crossed as he nursed a scotch. His eyes and the angles of his face were severe as he studied the men assembled around the room. Lavender knew Cyril was secretive and paranoid but was struck by just how much he didn’t want all these people in his house. Lavender wondered if it was the secrets Cyril kept hidden in his vaults and the stables or if it was his past that consumed him and made him so ruthlessly inflexible and controlling. Did you go too far or push too hard? Lavender wondered. Cyril wouldn’t have gambled his sanity or his privacy unless it was serious. At the thought, Cyril tensed then swore as Casper tossed his empty wine glass at the fireplace and waved at Alon for another. Very serious, Lavender noted, if Cyril was willing to tolerate that with a pained grin.

  “Everyone’s as happy as can be expected,” Lavender replied and Cyril’s smile became more strained when Reginald swanned in. His eyes were bloodshot and drowsy as he made a beeline for Alon and the bar.

  “Your usual, my lord?”

  “Please,” Reginald said. He winked at Paul then scanned the room. He flinched at the hard glares from Aiden, Toly and Ezra. “Thank you,” Reginald murmured when Alon handed him his gin and tonic. Alon nodded at Blink then tilted his head toward the dining room.

  “Thank God,” Blink sighed as he pushed off the desk and stood. “If we could adjourn to the dining room,” he said loudly and gestured for everyone to follow Alon.

  Dinner was tense but the menu went a long way to warming spirits. Sage, Toly and Lane were particularly impressed with the hearty fall-themed seven-course meal featuring seared pork belly and spiced fried apples, filet mignon with potatoes dauphinoise, and sticky toffee pudding with pumpkin seed brittle. Aiden enjoyed grilled cheese sandwiches, apple slices, French fries and fresh sugar cookies while Lavender dined on a raw ratatouille and a delightful vegan cashew and caramel mousse. The conversation was mostly vague and limited to the weather, the various rooms and activities available within the house and Cyril’s distillery. Which suited Lavender immensely as he mentally arranged chess pieces on a shrouded, distorted board.

  Chapter 8

  “See? It’s not so bad here,” Lane said cheerfully. He hooked his arm around Aiden’s neck as they left the gym and cut through the swimming pool. Lane did some wandering while Aiden was running on the treadmill and enjoyed the view of the midnight garden on the other side of the long, wide glass windows. The gym and the pool house were mostly glass and wrought iron and Lane learned from Alon that all the downstairs glass was tinted and one-way for safety and to keep the heating and cooling costs down.

  “It’s not bad but I prefer to run at home,” Aiden said for the tenth time.

  “I know,” Lane sighed. “Let’s cut through the library. I have a feeling
you’re going to rack out right after our shower.”

  “Yeah. I just want to get off real fast and go to bed. I’m exhausted,” Aiden said and Lane hummed.

  “I think we can manage that,” he said as he eased the massive door open. Blackhurst’s library was huge and the elegant furnishings reminded Lane of a gentlemen’s club. He would have spent hours exploring it if he had time and was visiting under more pleasant circumstances. He couldn’t think of what those circumstances could possibly be but his ears perked and he grabbed Aiden when he heard a long, ragged groan.

  “God, Ezra... Don’t stop,” Denver begged and Aiden turned to run but they heard footsteps in the hallway.

  “I was sure Sharp would be in the gym,” Reginald said and Aiden plastered himself against the wall and squeezed his eyes shut. There was another door at the other end of the library and Lane could see it but he wasn’t sure where Denver and Ezra were hiding yet. He really wanted to avoid disturbing them and the resulting awkwardness.

  “Marston!” Blink called from somewhere around the stairs and Aiden’s eyes flared and he shook his head so Lane decided they’d take their chances with Denver and Ezra. He grabbed Aiden’s sleeve and gave it a tug to get him moving. They slowly tiptoed past the tables and the seating area and Lane carefully peeked around shelves as they clung to the shadows. They passed a statue of Avalokiteśvara and Lane grabbed Aiden before Denver could see him.

  “Fuck. That’s it!” Denver whispered weakly. He had his hand braced on a bookshelf and Ezra had his back to Denver and was grinding against him. Their pants were down and it was obvious that Ezra was riding Denver like a stolen bike. Lane glanced at Aiden and he was on his toes and his neck stretched as he watched them. His eyes and his lips were tight, as if he was assessing and comparing. Lane gave him a shove and a hard stare and Aiden held up his hands. They both looked as Denver groaned loudly and locked his arm around Ezra’s chest as he rolled his hips hard.

  “I think I’ll check the library,” Reginald said. Lane’s and Aiden’s eyes widened and swung to the door. Lane grabbed Aiden and they hurried to intercept Reginald as the door swung open.

  “Right here,” Aiden grumbled and gave him half a wave. The library was utterly silent around them and Lane’s teeth scraped over his lip as he tried to find a way to minimize the awkwardness later. He discreetly swiped a book off a shelf and held it up.

  “I left this right here earlier and we just popped in to grab it.”

  “Oh?” Reginald asked as he plucked it from Lane’s fingers and checked the spine and snorted at the almanac.

  “I can smell the sex but it’s not you,” he whispered very softly then smiled and waved the book at Aiden. “You reek of sweat but you’re fresh as a daisy,” he told Lane then leaned so he could look around them but Lane turned him.

  “Were you looking for Aiden for a reason?” He asked and Reginald cut his eyes at him but he consented and allowed Lane to lead him back into the hall. Lane shut the door behind them then crossed his arms over his chest, blocking the door.

  “As we are all trapped at Blackhurst for an impromptu house party, I thought Sharp and I might collaborate on something special. Since it’s the holidays,” Reginald said to Aiden. He didn’t respond and just squinted at Reginald as if he’d said it in Swahili.

  “I think he’s trying to figure out how much of that is sarcasm and euphemisms. You might want to explain,” Lane explained.

  “Ah. Gotcha,” Reginald said and reached for Aiden as if they were going to have a word in private but Aiden leaned back and gave him a wary look.

  “I’d feel better with a witness present,” he said and Reginald’s lip pushed out.

  “Don’t be like that! We were making such good progress and I’ve been so looking forward to our first Christmas together!” He pleaded and Aiden shook his head quickly and looked at Lane.

  “We’re not spending Christmas with him,” he said but Lane cringed as he held up his hands.

  “Who knows how long we’ll be here,” he warned. Aiden slouched and groaned hard.

  “Noooooo! I like our Christmas just the way it was.”

  “I will make it up to you,” Lane promised as he reached for Aiden’s shoulders. He saw the library door at the end of the hall open slightly and turned to Reginald. “Why don’t you tell me what you had in mind,” he said as he steered Reginald around and headed for the stairs. Reginald’s nose wrinkled and he shook his head.

  “You can be a bit stodgy...” he said and Aiden hurried to get ahead of them and pointed as he climbed the stairs sideways.

  “There. You have to ask Lane first,” he said then raced up the steps. Lane widened his eyes at Reginald but he just chuckled and waved it off.

  “He’ll come around. Do you think he’d be up for a skit and possibly a duet?” He asked hopefully. Lane bit down on his lips so hard it made his eyes water. He nodded and took a deep breath through his nose until he could trust himself not to howl.

  “Probably not but I’d give anything to see it.”

  “Let’s see what we can do. I have a set of darling matching coats that says otherwise but go on,” Reginald said and shooed Lane. “I think I’ll take a stroll through the library and find myself something to read.”

  “Well. Enjoy that,” Lane said with a salute and laughed to himself as he went to see how much the idea would horrify Aiden. “Actually...” Lane slowed when he reached the gallery and the massive picture window. “If I tell Aiden we need him to babysit Reginald...” He knew Aiden would hate everything about the idea but the comedic payoff could be amazing.

  Chapter 9

  “All clear?” Cyril asked a pair of footmen as they shut the ballroom doors and they replied with terse nods.

  “The ballroom is empty and all the doors have been locked.”

  “We’ll take the conservatory,” Alon said and the footmen left to check the library. “Lord Marston has been spending a great deal of time in the conservatory,” Alon noted as they continued down the long “East Hallway.”

  “We might take a pass through there and see if there’s anything we should be concerned about,” Cyril said and caught a soft smile as they crossed through a shaft of moonlight but the older man glanced at the window to check the rose garden and the smile was gone when Alon reached for the conservatory’s door.

  “He’s licking his wounds and snooping but as far as we can tell, Lord Marston likes to smoke and pace here. As the terrace is off limits,” Alon stated and Cyril was curious about the softening of his tone and the hint of a chuckle. It was very unlike him and if Cyril didn’t know him better, he’d think Alon had a crush...

  “He does behave when his husband and Lavender are here to keep him in check,” Cyril said and there was a faint trace of pink to Alon’s cheek. How unfortunate, Cyril thought, even though he knew without a doubt that Alon wouldn’t let his heart or his dick distract him from work. And Marston was utterly devoted to Agent Sloan. But Alon had his chance the handful of times Marston visited Blackhurst before he met Sloan. The wayward royal was in full Terror Mode and had come on to anything that moved, in addition to voicing interest in having a train ran on him, if Alon would just give his minions the order.

  “He has improved since marrying Agent Sloan,” Alon murmured and stopped Cyril when they reached the fork in the path and pointed at the koi pond in the corner. Cyril listened and he heard a soft laugh so he gestured for Alon to follow quietly. They crept through the orchids and did their best to avoid disturbing the wide, waxy leaves of the tropical plants that lined the narrow path. They heard another even more excited giggle and Cyril mouthed “Ivanof.” Alon nodded and they edged closer until they could see Martinez and Ivanof through the leaves of a massive dracaena. Martinez was relaxed and reclining on the marble bench by the pond as Ivanof crouched next to the water. Ivanof had changed back into one of his oversized hoodies, jeans and sneakers but Martinez was still in his shirt and trousers from dinner. He was enchanted as he watched his
waif of a husband charm the koi.

  “Wilder!” Ivanof cried with glee as he snatched his hand back and spun away from the water. “I did it! I touched one!” He laughed as he launched himself at Martinez and Cyril was surprised at Ivanof’s innocent joy as the larger man chuckled and rocked him.

  “You did it!” Martinez said, then captured Ivanof’s cheek. “Maybe you won’t panic next time we go fishing,” he said but Ivanof’s face scrunched adorably and he shook his head.

  “I like eating fried fish but I don’t like seeing you kill them,” he grumbled before he brightened and pointed at the pond. “This is like the zoo in Moscow, when my parents would take me! After that, I didn’t get to see animals very often until I met Rosemary,” Ivanof explained. Martinez groaned sadly as he kissed him and Cyril and Alon understood. Ivanof was taken from his family as a young boy, after it was discovered that he was profoundly gifted with computers and had already mastered the early internet. He was an orphan and Cyril coveted him and his talents long before Marston recruited Ivanof to help overhaul Blackhurst’s security.

  “I think it’s time for us to adopt a dog and a cat. Maybe two cats,” Martinez said and Ivanof’s head bounced quickly.

  “Your mother and Hawk said my allergies should be under control now!” He replied and Cyril stifled a pained sigh at how clearly Ivanof was looking forward to it.

  “The yard’s ready to go. We can turn the sunroom into a nursery with perches and beds and you can design the ultimate self-cleaning litter box,” Martinez mused and Ivanof’s giggle caused Alon to bite down on his lips and his eyes sparkled. Don’t you dare laugh, Cyril threatened silently but it was impossible to remain unmoved. Ivanof, usually stoic and shy, was also capable of terrifying acts of violence and destruction. It was a revelation to see him childlike and vulnerable. Cyril wasn’t surprised that Martinez was tender and nurturing, despite his size. He had a quiet deliberateness that could be dangerous because of his size and skill set. Alon approached Martinez but in hindsight, he would have been wasted as a footman. And he wouldn’t have met Ivanof. They were obviously meant for each other. When did you become such a romantic? Cyril scoffed.