by Wolfe, H. M.
”Don’t do this, Stark! It was nothing, just a couple of broken bones that healed quite nicely in the end. Anyway, a thousand times better than losing the last little piece of Sebastian I had, because, as soon as I’d have mentioned anything, you would have taken him from me.”
”If you lost everything you had, how did Hayden and his mother make it?” As soon as he asked the question, Alastair deeply regretted, because he knew it offended Vincent.
”Who said I lost everything? Who said Shannon and Hayden lacked financial support? I did everything in my power for them to have what they needed and more. I worked myself to the bones, spent my days and nights calculating risk margins and other stock market shit to make sure Hayden had the best of everything.”
"You were a stockbroker? Is that how you made money?" Alastair never saw Vincent as more than a stupid, disrespectful, uneducated troublemaker, someone who was obsessed with his nephew to the point of kidnapping him. To think that he had studied hard enough to get a degree in finances or business was inconceivable at the time. But yet again, the man was a never-ending source of surprises.
Vincent nodded. "At the time I kidnapped Sebastian, I was already enrolled in a study program specially developed to help former juvenile convicts. Before I could realize, I was sucked up in the world of stock market transactions, and I’d decided to make a name in the field. By the way, here is my business card." The man mysteriously smiled as he offered Alastair the rectangular piece of paper.
”Thank you, but I am afraid I don’t need the kind of services you provide. I don’t trust the stock market anymore. It’s too unpredictable, too volatile. Some years ago, we were at the point of losing almost everything we had invested. Fortunately, someone stepped in, helping us to recover all our investments. He was the best in the country, a man with a solid reputation. Who backed us up and fought for us.” Recalling how close to a financial ruin the Stark and Bloom families were, Alastair felt cold shivers down his spine.
”You never know," Vincent smiled, as mysteriously as earlier. "Anyway, back to the point. A week ago, Shannon died. Someone killed her. Shot to death.” The next second, the man’s look went dull, his lips tightly sealed.
"Who would do such a terrible thing? Was it one of your former associates, someone from your past?" Alastair was shocked by the revelation. He couldn’t imagine why someone would want an inoffensive woman dead.
"Blaming me, as always. I guess some things never change, huh?" Vincent’s voice was defeated and sad. ”No, it wasn’t someone from my previous life, that was the first thing I’d checked. Whoever wanted Shannon dead made sure she couldn’t escape her fate. They sent ten hit-men after her.”
”Ten assassins against one defenseless, unarmed woman? Who could have hated her that much?” Alastair tried desperately to overcome the shock he still experienced after finding out about the tragedy his great-nephew’s mother had fallen victim to.
”I don’t know, but I am going to find out. That is why I thought of placing Hayden in your care. You should stay out of this, Stark, it’s my business and mine alone. Instead, make sure the kid is safe and well cared for.” Vincent’s voice had an edge of cold warning, and so did the look in his eyes.
”Don’t worry about it, Grant, Daniel, and Tarquin will welcome Hayden and love him unconditionally. Besides, he will also have the three musketeers to keep him company. Alastair smiled brightly. ”They would be thrilled at the idea of having an older brother.”
Vincent checked his watch, surprised to see how fast time had gone by. Since the initial plan had suffered considerable changes, he was ready for the next move. Grant didn’t have any doubts about Alastair agreeing with his request, but he was nervous about the impending meeting with Hayden’s older brother and his husband.
”Alastair, I would like you to arrange a meeting between me, Daniel and the young man he is married to, as soon as possible. Preferably today, in the next hour or so.” the tone Vincent used showed how determined the man was to get what he wanted.
”I’ll see what I can do about that,” the former leader of the Dragons’ House nodded in approval. "You see, Grant, Daniel knows me as a man who sticks to his routine, and I can’t anticipate his reaction to this sudden change. He might panic and suspect the worse, so consider yourself warned.”
”How many times do I have to tell you I don’t care what happens to me? On the other hand, if you deceive me only to get your hands on Hayden and then break his spirit, as you almost did his poor father...So help me, I will come for you, hunt you down one by one and destroy you, so consider yourself warned.”
”Calm down, Vincent, none of that will happen, because I’ve learned my lesson the hard way. Let me call Daniel, and then we will speak some more. There are still a few things I would like to know.”
”OK. I will continue to trust you. It’s the best option I have. Go, call your nephew, I won’t listen to your conversation. Privacy is a word I know the meaning of. In the meantime, I am going to get in touch with the friend in whose care I temporarily placed Hayden.”
Alastair gestured to one of the two guest bedrooms. ”Perfect. You can use this room to talk over the phone with your friend, while I’ll call Daniel.”
Two minutes were more than enough for Vincent to exchange a few sentences with his most loyal, trusted friend. When the call ended, the man wiped his face with one of his hands, letting out a heavy sigh. There was, of course, the other thing, but he couldn’t ask Alastair to take care of it for him. That was his responsibility.
”I just finished talking to Daniel, he and Tarquin will be here in no more than half an hour. Did you managed to sort things out or do you need some more time?” Alastair spoke from somewhere in the house.
”No, thank you, I ended the call some minutes ago, but I waited for you to finish as well. You said something about wanting to know things about Hayden, can you be more specific?” Vincent was ready to offer a honest answer to anything Alastair might ask him, and the other man sensed that.
”What does the kid know about his fathers? How did you justify their absence from his life?” Even from the beginning of Vincent’s story, the former head of the CIA was curious to find out the answer to this question.
”Once Shannon got through the early stages of the pregnancy without any complications, we started working on a background story for when the child would want to know more. He grew up knowing that his daddies were two very well trained, brave soldiers, who took part in long, dangerous missions far away from home. When Daniel was kidnapped, we added this detail to the story.”
”What is the kid like? What are his hobbies? What does he plan to do once he grows up?” Sensing that Vincent was becoming a little tense, Alastair cut himself short. After a brief moment of silence, he decided to make things clear. ”I’m not asking all these questions to manipulate Hayden later, forcing him to be something he doesn’t want to be. I want to know everything there is to know about him.”
Vincent let out a sigh of relief, visibly relaxing.” Just like his father, the kid is a loner, with no close friends, except one person, who...but that is not important. He oscillates between becoming a doctor and making a name as a psychologist. Some reputable universities, including NYU, sent him letters of acceptance, but I think he would like to take a break, for now at least.”
Alastair was delighted, his eyes shining with pride at the thought that Sebastian’s younger son was to become a college student at only seventeen. He also couldn’t stop from admiring the dedication of the man who, together with the kid’s mother, raised him so well. Stark was about to ask another set of questions, when the door almost flew open, Daniel and Tarquin stepping inside hurriedly.
”Great-uncle, what is wrong, what made you change plans, calling us earlier?” The raven-haired man made no efforts to hide his concern.
Heading to him, Alastair pulled the said man into a tight hug, kissing his forehead. ”Don’t worry, dear boy, nothing is wrong, on the contrary, I...”
”Sorry for abruptly interrupting you, sir, but I don’t buy it, and neither does Tarquin. Something’s wrong, I sense it, you never... Wait, who is this?” Daniel asked suddenly, his eyes landing on Vincent.
The man blinked a few times then, when no one noticed, pinched his palm as hard as he could, to convince himself he wasn’t dreaming. The older son of his beloved Sebastian stood there, in front of him, the spitting image of his father. ”Hello, Daniel, ‘I’m happy to meet you finally.”
”My boy, do you remember when I told you about your dad, I mentioned the name, Vincent Grant?”
”Yes, you told me it was that guy who kept dad safe in the juvenile detention center, the one who took care of him.” Daniel inhaled sharply, realization hitting him. ”Sir, are you Mister Grant?” he spoke to Vincent, tears in his eyes.
But the other man wasn’t able to speak. Instead, he wrapped his arms around the young Bloom, squeezing him to his chest, inhaling his scent. ”Sebastian would be proud of you," he whispered.
Daniel was overwhelmed with emotions. Ever since Alastair told him about Vincent, he wanted to know the man, to thank him for everything he had done. However, his great-uncle explained to him that Grant had cut all ties with Sebastian, no one hearing anything from him, ever since. And yet, he was back.
”Mister Grant, let me proudly introduce you to my husband and better half, Tarquin Ballard, a man like no other and the best, most loving father.” Daniel’s eyes shone with love and pride as he spoke.
”I am thrilled to meet you, Tarquin, I’ve heard great things about you. Alastair told me you have three kids of your own. I hope you don’t mind taking in another one,” Vincent offered the pair a shy smile.
The blond smiled back. ”Of course not, Mister Grant! Children are blessings in disguise, Daniel and I won’t turn down an offer to enlarge our family.”
”I am delighted that I decided to come here, Alastair,” Vincent turned to the older man, ”Tarquin here just convinced me he and his husband could offer Hayden the love he so much needs.”
”Whoever he is, the kid would be well taken care of and showered with love, my cousins excel at this job. They make great nannies, too,” Daniel smirked. ”By the way, is he also part of the family, great-uncle?”
”Yes, dear boy, he is. You, Tarquin and your children are the closest relatives Hayden has. He is your brother, Sebastian’s younger son.”
”What?! It can’t be, they were never unfaithful to one another, you said it yourself, sir.” All the light in Daniel’s eyes was gone, replaced with sadness, pain, and disbelief. He was about to continue when the sound of the intercom put an end to his intention.
”Send him in," Alastair said, pushing the button.
After a short while, the door opened again, discreetly this time, and the kid shyly entered the apartment. Visibly intimidated by the three unknown men in the living room, he stopped in his tracks, like a deer caught in the headlights of a car. The boy just stood there, unsure of what they expected of him. With his mother dead and his only real friend laying in a hospital bed, he felt utterly abandoned and forsaken.
One of the younger men, black-haired, just like him, headed to the boy, engulfing him in a warm hug. ”Nice to meet you, little brother, welcome home. I am Daniel and meeting you makes me incredibly happy and sad at the same time. I’m very sorry for everything,” the man said, looking the kid in the eyes.
”Nice to meet you, too,” the boy whispered, extending his hand. ”My name is Hayden.” Then, looking around the room, he asked, visibly disappointed and confused. ”Are our fathers not here yet? Did they miss the plane?”
”Our fathers are no longer with us, I’m afraid,” the blond man spoke. ”They passed away nine years ago.”
Hayden’s expression was vacant, his eyes dull. Without saying a single word, he headed to the door. Hand on the doorknob, the kid faced the room, speaking to no one in particular. ”I don’t belong here, then. My place is next to Arnett.”
”Good.” Daniel’s voice stopped Hayden in his track. ”Because I don’t care who this guy is. He could be the greatest criminal of all times. As long as he is your friend, this Arnett fellow will live with us too.”
CHAPTER 7
Elliott watched helplessly as Eugene Brentano-Fenelli got closer and closer to the table their small group gathered around. The blond wanted to get up and leave, but he knew that his hastened action would have worried Christine and Mallory very much. Besides, he couldn't risk making a scene in front of the girl’s friend and her cousins.
So Elliott did what he learned to do so well six years earlier. He froze on the spot, held his breath and prayed not to be noticed by the man. "Just a little more, he would not stay so long, is here to say hello. You don’t have to speak to him. He doesn't have anything to do with you." The young man inhaled sharply, closing his eyes and pressing his shoulder into Christine’s.
”Hello everyone, sorry I’m late, some last minute business to take care of,” Eugene spoke in a pleasant, warm voice. ”Of course, those three adorable nephews of mine took advantage of it and twisted poor Mickey’s arm in bringing them here without me.”
”I pity him from the bottom of my heart,” the young man Elizabeth introduced as Liam said, rolling his eyes. ”With all his seven feet and three hundred pounds, he is putty in the little ones’ hands.”
”We are not that bad, Uncle Liam! And we are not little, either!" a child's voice protested energetically. "Tell him, please!"
Elliott flinched violently, as he realized one of the blond young boys was lightly pulling at the sleeve of his shirt, making him the center of everyone’s attention. "You are not bad at all," the blond mechanically said the words, speaking to no one in particular. Then he started to caress the child’s golden locks absently.
"Lochlin, that wasn't nice of you at all! What did I tell you about not disturbing people with your antics? Prove that you are a good boy by apologizing to auntie Lilibeth’s friend," the older boy, a black-haired, said in an affectionate, yet somehow stern voice.
The younger boy nodded. ”I am sincerely apologizing, sir, it won’t happen again." He looked at the blond young man with his big, beautiful, bright blue eyes.
"It's Lochlin, right? No harm done, little one, it was my fault, I guess I became lost in my thoughts. And I should also apologize for calling you little when you aren't." Elliott took the child in his arms, placing him in his lap. "Here you go."
”Sir, can I... um... would you like to take me in your lap, too?” a small voice whispered from somewhere behind the blond young man.
"Sure, here you go," he said, gently smiling to the shy little boy appearing in front of him. "Take a seat, handsome young man. You and your brother make an adorable pair."
"I am Emery," the child whispered into the blond lawyer's ear.
”I am Elliott,” the answer came in a soft, low voice.
All this time, Eugene cast discrete glances in the blond’s direction, trying hard to remember where he’d see the delicate, vulnerable man who was so good with children and so shy around grown-ups. The pain in those beautiful blue eyes was overwhelming and, strangely enough, Eugene could relate to it, he could almost feel it.
"Look at the two, how quiet they are all of a sudden! You would be a hell of a good father, Elliott. I’d bet all my money on it,” Liam exclaimed, letting out a low whistle.
”My cousin is right,” Martin Cornelius also joined the discussion. ”I can picture you surrounded by kids, once you find the other half of you. I don’t have any doubt that you will meet them, sooner or later.”
"Thank you very much, both of you, but I don't think I will ever..." Elliott abruptly stopped, then, after a short while, he continued. "I am too busy with my work and everything in between. Dating is not a priority for me. Besides, the law office where I work is known as having zero tolerance for...sexual minorities, so..."
"Screw them, then, quit and get a job elsewhere! No one should tell you who to love
and who not!" Liam’s green eyes darkened even more, his face red with anger. "I just can’t stand those kinds of bloody hypocrites!"
Elliott smiled sadly. ”I am in a very complicated situation. I was recommended for the job here by my family’s lawyer back in Boston. Since my parents passed away, he was like a father to me. I can’t disappoint him like that.”
The blond lowered his head, afraid that the others would see what he was hiding, the lies he had told so many times, that he came to believe them himself. No one should know the truth, not even Mallory and Christine. Still, Elliott felt inexplicably safe around Elizabeth and her cousins, especially Martin Cornelius, whose presence calmed him. If it weren't for Eugene Brentano-Fenelli, he would enjoy his time.
As if the man had read the thoughts of the young lawyer. He raised his head, looking at the man who had invaded his daydreams for the last half an hour or so. Suddenly, the Detroit Mafia boss remembered who the delicate blond was and the rather unfortunate circumstance their meeting was the result of.
"Elliott, I am sorry for not recognizing you from the start. Are you better now? You seemed in pretty bad shape on Thursday, when I was invited to leave your house." Eugene had a concerned look on his face as he spoke in a gentle voice.