by H. M. Wolfe
He looked at the poor excuse of a human being in front of him. He was wondering how Ronan and Alasdair could be his brothers. Allen's cruel, irrational behavior. His greed and selfishness were in stark contrast with the others' good nature, selflessness, and generosity.
And there was, of course, Ardan. His light was shining with the splendor of a thousand suns, even in the deepest darkness. He was the one who would protect his husband at all costs and loving him with everything he had. He was always believing in his potential and supporting him. At that moment, Alastair was proud of the man like never before. He was congratulating himself once again for putting him in charge of the House, along with Thaddeus, Liam, and Daniel.
He didn't snap, curse, or wrap his hand around that pathetic human being's neck. Although he would have loved squeezing until the last drop of his life left his body. Instead, here he was, keeping his temper under control. He was waiting for the patriarch and his son to decide. Decide the fate of the man who had molested his husband.
''As your grandfather and the head of the clan you belong to, I've decided the punishment for your many sins.'' Alastair harshly spoke, his dark-green eyes narrowing dangerously.
''Grandfather, please! I don't know what's happened to me! I'm not normally like that! Please, forgive me just this one time!'' Allen started to beg, sensing his chances to walk away became slimmer by the second. ''I promise to become a better man! I will straighten out all my wrongdoings! I will...''
''What do you think, Ardan? Do you believe him? Are there any chances for this evil creature to become a trustworthy, honorable man?''
''I don't believe him. Nor do I trust this beast.'' the man respectfully spoke. ''But the decision is entirely up to the two of you.''
''Of course! You don't have anything to do with this family matter, moron. I don't know why you haven't left by now.'' Allen bounced back to his usual, arrogant self.
''Because no one told me to,'' Ardan replied, smirking. ''And because like it or not, I'm part of this family, too. I'm your younger brother's husband. Just in case you've forgotten.''
''I was about to commit a huge mistake.'' Alastair coldly spoke, staring into his grandson's eyes, making him lower his gaze. ''And I almost gave in to your pleas, but you've shown me how wrong I was. So here is my final decision. You are to remain confined to a room here, at the base, for the rest of your life. And you will no longer have a connection to the outside world.''
''No, please! Don't do this to me, grandfather! I'm begging you!'' Allen started to cry, tears staining his cheeks. ''I'm taking my words back!'' he turned to Ardan. ''Please, tell my grandfather to show mercy! He listens to you!''
''The only reason you are still breathing is that your brother-in-law asked me, and I couldn't say no.'' Tyler also spoke, his voice ice-cold. ''Especially not after all the things he's done for my son and the entire family.''
''Once a year, also per Ardan's request, you'll be subjected to a thorough psychiatric examination. If the results show you are reformed and repentant for the crimes you've committed, a new chance will be given to you. If not, you'll stay here until the final day of your life.''
With those words, the three men rose to their feet. They headed to the door and climbed into their car. On the way back to Tyler's home, Ardan made considerable efforts to calm down his inner turmoil. Otherwise, he was afraid his Spitfire would sense something wasn't quite right. He didn't want to worry, the love of his life. He didn't want to see the beautiful, radiant smile on the redhead's face fade away.
When they arrived, the three men were greeted by Alasdair. He was sporting an all-knowing grin on his face. While a beet-red Ronan was doing his damnedest to prevent his younger brother from blurting out the embarrassing things he'd unwittingly shared. The image of the two behaving, like carefree teens, melted the three older men's hearts. That managed to wash away the ugliness they'd witnessed earlier.
A beautiful, bright, serene smile graced Ardan's face as soon as he held Alasdair close, inhaling his sweet scent. He was listening to how he breathed calmly evenly. That was how the man wanted his husband to be. Always happy and safe from harm. He was going to stay alive at all costs. Ardan would do everything in his power to keep the promise he'd made all those years ago. ''I'll protect you and anyone else you want me to protect. That's a promise."
''M
ister Alasdair MacNamara-Stark? Eve-Marie Griesser here. I would like to talk to you.'' The woman's voice sounded agitated and somewhat troubled. ''Are you alone?''
''Yes. My husband's not at home, and neither are the boys.'' the redhead said, sighing heavily. ''Thank you for keeping your word and giving me that week I asked for. When I saw you hadn't called back, I was secretly hoping you had changed your mind about taking Cian back to Brisbane.'' Alasdair cautiously spoke.
''Actually, that is what I want to talk to you about.'' The twins' mother continued, a little bit more relaxed than at the beginning of the conversation. ''I have changed my mind. I don't want to take my son back anymore. I've concluded that his life is in New York City now.''
''May I ask what led you to make this decision? Not that I'm complaining. We love the boys to pieces, both of them. I'm just curious.''
''I wanted to bring Cian back because I found out that his father is a dangerous criminal, and I changed my mind for the same reason.''
''Look, there's more to Ardan than meets the eye.'' Alasdair started in a convincing voice. ''He's the most caring, loving, supportive, encouraging, and affectionate father Cian or any other kid on this planet could wish for. In the eyes of my husband, a child's life is sacred, and he'll do anything in his power to protect them.''
''Promise me you and his father will take good care of Cian. I need that before I sign the papers giving your husband full custody over my son.'' Eva-Marie pleaded.
''Of course, Ardan will take care of the kid. It wouldn't be any other way. He'll be loved as much as Lorcan is. You don't have to worry about him being isolated and lonely. He's already included in his brother's circle of friends. So, Cian's in good hands, all around.''
''One more question. The last time we spoke, you seemed very worried about my son's health. It was the main reason you asked for that extra week. Now, however, I don't detect the same note of defeat in your voice. Are there any changes I should know about?'' Eve-Marie asked, a note of hope in her voice.
''I'm happy to inform you that Cian is almost fully healed now,'' Alasdair said in a cheerful voice after pausing for a few seconds. ''It wasn't an irreversible condition like my colleagues at the Institute, and I feared at first. It was a poison that was successfully eliminated from his system.''
''Are you sure? Sorry, I didn't mean to sound so questioning. Of course, you are sure. All the doctors and researchers working for the Van der Meerwe Institute have an outstanding professional reputation.'' Eve-Marie apologized. ''Thank you for everything. The custody papers are already signed, and my lawyer was instructed to get in touch with yours as soon as possible.'' The woman continued in a warm voice, ending the call soon afterward.
Letting out a big sigh of relief, she relaxed into her chair. She closed her eyes and thanked all the forces above that watched over her son. Criminal or not, his father would watch over him during her forced, maybe prolonged absence. Eve-Marie Griesser was not a coward, but this time, going into hiding was the only reasonable option she had.
However, the woman wasn't going to stand with her arms crossed, waiting for her enemy to strike. No, she was going to fight back, using all the weapons they had no idea about. The amount of information she had on Claude Robillard, her husband's greedy cousin, would keep him busy for quite some time. The company would be out of his filthy paws' reach.
Eve-Marie left the office, heading to her bedroom. ''Amra,'' she called the maid through the inside intercom, ''will you please come to my room? I need your help with packing.''
''Oh, the rich little girl can't do anything without her precious minion.'' a nasty voice spok
e, making the woman start violently.
''Claude! How did you get in? What did you do to Amra?'' she regained her composure, speaking in a commanding voice.
''Oh, you mean that goddamn nosy woman? The one who couldn't keep her bloody mouth shout and spilled the beans about me sending the spoiled little brat to Hades before his time? My men cut her tongue off, and now they're having some fun somewhere in the house.'' Robillard nonchalantly shrugged.
''You poisonous serpent!'' Eve-Marie spat. ''How dare you? Get out of my house now, before I call the police!'' she headed to the door.
''I wouldn't go there if I were you, cousin dearest.'' Claude's voice was cold and warning. ''You see, the two men who accompanied me to the door of your boudoir are frustrated because they haven't gotten any action...yet.'' The man cracked the door, peeking outside. ''You can come in,'' he said to the two henchmen.
''Bloody bastard! How dare you!?" Eve-Marie plunged at her husband's cousin, a pair of scissors in her hand. Her attempt, though, was stopped by the two guards. They managed to remove the weapon from the woman after a short fight.
''I thought I could have a reasonable discussion with you.'' Claude wiped a minuscule drop of blood off of his cheek. ''But you're a tigress, I see. So I'll have to treat you like the wild beast you are.''
He disappeared shortly from the room, returning with a syringe in hand. While the two guards were holding Eve-Marie firmly, making it impossible for her to move, the man injected its content into her neck. Darkness enveloped the woman as she fell into a bottomless abyss, her mind emptied of any thought.
A combination of grunts, acrid smells, and the sensation of heaviness on her chest woke Eve-Marie up, but she wasn't able to open her eyes. When she was finally capable, the woman screamed in terror at the image, a huge mirror mounted on the ceiling was reflecting. She was naked, tied to a bed, legs widely spread, the two guards looking at her with predatory, hungry eyes.
''You know,'' Claude dragged out the words, as he lazily tucked his cock back inside his underwear. ''If you had wanted a child so desperately, I'm sure we could have worked this thing out, just fine and to the benefit of both parties. Even now, you are a great fuck.'' he evilly smirked.
''Go to hell!'' she vehemently replied. ''Your nothing but a pathetic excuse of a man! One who couldn't get a woman, unless you took her by force. Goddamn, coward!''
''Oh, don't be such a hypocrite.'' The man shook his head, the same evil smirk on his face. ''You did the same thing when you conceived the little brat. Didn't you?''
''I don't know what you are talking about.'' Eve-Marie swallowed hard, closing her eyes. She fought hard against the urge to snap at the man. She wanted to insult him, but she needed to know how much he knew.
''So you claim that teenage prostitute slept with you willingly? That's not what my friends in low places told me. And unlike you, they have no reason to lie to me. So you see, if I'm a rapist, that makes two of us.'' Claude's ironic voice got on Eve-Marie's last nerve.
''What do you want, Robillard?'' the woman asked in the coldest possible voice. The anger boiled inside her, threatening to explode. Just a little more, she thought, and everything will be over. But before that, I'll send that detestable man straight to hell. ''Let's put an end to this. You've taken up enough of my valuable time.''
”Now we're acting reasonably, aren't we?'' he leaned over, squeezing one of her tits. ''Tell me where the little brat is, and I'm out of your sight for eternity.''
''Cian lives in New York, with his father's family. Here is the complete address,'' Eve-Marie started to dictate.
''Thank you very much, dear cousin. It was a pleasure, but now I have important matters to attend. I'll leave you in good company, though.'' Robillard coldly smiled, firing his gun twice into the woman's stomach.
''You'll never know what hits you, you bastard. He's going to kill you all.'' she thought as she welcomed the darkness bringing eternal peace.
''Welcome home, boss.'' Landon greeted a fresh-looking, brightly-smiling Ardan. ''How was vacation?''
''Hello, big guy. I missed you.'' The answer came along with a bear hug. ''And don't boss me, as I've told you a million times. As for the vacation, Connecticut is at its best. Liam is right, you know. That place is blessed. Every time I go there, I feel its energies flowing through me, purifying my body, soul, and mind.''
''You sure do look changed for the better.'' Landon smiled in approval. ''There's an aura of happiness and serenity surrounding you. I can see it with the naked eye. How are Alasdair and the kids?''
''Spitfire is my rock, as always. His love keeps me grounded. Every time I look at that beautiful face, I remember how incredibly lucky I am. The boys are doing great. It couldn't be any other way, with my beloved husband taking care of them. Speaking of children. I talked to Tarquin; he's going to start searching for the perfect surrogate mother.''
''Wow! Don't tell me the two of you are planning to have a baby.'' Landon gasped in shock. ''I thought you guys were more inclined to adopt than to raise a baby from the very first day of life. Congratulations are in order.'' he shook hands with his best friend.
''Well,'' Ardan smiled, ''this was the only thing Alasdair has ever asked from me, overall the years since the two of us got together. I want it too, so...''
''It's natural for him to want a child who would continue his father's bloodline, seeing as you have the twins. I'm happy for you guys. You deserve all the best things in life and then some.'' Landon warmly spoke, hugging his best friend once again.
''Thank you, my friend. I know you mean every word.'' Ardan gave him another of his bright, beautiful smiles. ''I'm eternally grateful to you and Luca for offering to take care of the base so that we could enjoy this vacation. By the way, how is everyone doing?''
''We're all good, except for Jericho, who's a bit of an airhead these days. He acts weird every time Ronan's around. I explained to him that the guy is straight as a pole, but he just can't or won't understand. And then, there's also the new guy.''
''W
hat new guy?'' Ardan's forehead creased as he frowned. ''You didn't mention any new guy in the messages and emails you sent me.''
''I know, and I'm sorry.'' Landon lowered his head. ''I shouldn't have listened to Gaspard, but I thought...Never mind, my behavior was inexcusable. I'm the only one responsible for not informing you.''
''Don't do this to yourself.'' Ardan put a hand on his friend's shoulder. ''I put you in charge because I trust your judgment, and I'm convinced you did your best. Your mate must have had a good reason to ask you not to tell me about this mysterious new guy while I was on vacation. We both know he's gifted with otherworldly powers. But I'm back now, and you can tell me what you know about this mystery guy.'' Ardan smiled.
''Mystery guy, indeed,'' Landon answered. ''Because I only know his name, Soames. Plus the fact that he was a biker gang member. According to him, some rival gang shot him. Then his own gang abandoned him not far from here.''
''Did you ask him where he comes from or how he find out about the base? What's this Soames guy like?'' the questions started to fly out of Ardan's mouth.
''According to him, it was a rebellion, and he was among the leaders. They were betrayed, caught, and punished. He was the only one who survived. He's a taciturn and reserved fellow. He carries on with his duties and nothing more. He doesn't like to hang out and chat with the other guards. He maintains communication to a minimum.''
''A very intriguing fellow, to say the least,'' Ardan spoke, his voice laced with interest.
''You can say that again.'' Landon nodded. ''Although he avoids the other guards like the plague, the guy is always around children. He likes choosing the most vulnerable and scared, hugging, and helping them, with a charming smile on his face. However, when he thinks no one is looking at him, Soames cries his heart out, cursing the divinity. He...I haven't seen anything like this before, but the guy cries until he passes out.''
''That's terrible, poor soul.'' A veil
of sadness clouded Ardan's turquoise eyes. ''I would like to talk to him when his shift is over.''
Landon opened his mouth, intending to reply when a soft knock at the door put an end to his attempt. A few seconds later, the newest addition to the base's staff, Soames, cautiously stepped inside, stopping right next to the door. He was in his late teens, early twenties at the most. He had a wild, fiery red and thick, waist-long mane. He also sported strange purple eyes with red specks and pale-pink lips that were smiling kindly.
From that distance, Soames stared into the depths of Ardan's soul, shook to his very core by what he discovered there. Not even his unfortunate friends had endured so much. Neither of them had experienced such horrible treatment at the hands of their tormentors. His admiration was amplified by the fact that they were demons, while the man in front of him was a mere mortal.
Thinking that his stare would make Ardan feel uncomfortable, Soames wanted to lower his gaze when he saw it. Bright, incandescent, and pure, the light was shining from within the man. It was covering all the wounds in his soul and healing all the scars. It was also filling his heart with forgiveness and washing away all the bitterness.