Page 11 of Angels of the Night

CHAPTER 9

“You look exhausted, my Ardan. I'm worrying about you.” Alasdair examined his husband with a critical, professional eye, sighing softly and shaking his head. “You need a break, a long one. Mister MacNamara owes you big time. At least, try to slow down a bit, okay?”

“Oh, but I always take it slow, just the way you like it. As for me looking exhausted, it's because this sexy husband of mine drains me of energy, night after night, and I'm enjoying it too much for my own good.” Ardan delicately brushed his lips over Alasdair's soft, full ones, his gaze filled with adoration and love.

“I don't want to lose you, that's all. Go, talk to your father, then come home and have some rest, please! Lothier and the others are perfectly capable of taking care of things at The Base for one day. They did it before, and everything was fine.”

“Yes, you are right, my beautiful Spitfire. I'll do as you say. Don't worry, everything will be alright, especially since Brennan also comes home next week. I miss him like crazy, and I've also been a little worried about him, to be honest. I have to go. Father doesn't like it when someone is late. See you later, husband!” Ardan wrapped his arms around Alasdair, pulling him in a tight embrace. “Gods of heaven and hell, I already miss you.”

The older man stepped outside the house and climbed into his car, taking off to his father's headquarters, a radiant smile on his lips. He really intended to take a long break once his father discharged him of duty and was going to spend more time with Paisley and Axel, who, at two, had started to talk really well and needed to interact with both their fathers.

Ardan yearned to hug the toddlers, to hold them close, feel the beat of their little hearts and hear them sighing in contentment. He only realized how much he missed over the past few months when Zachary, the man who rescued Caleb, took upon him some of his responsibilities at The Base.

Over the almost three weeks he was there, the quiet guy managed to gain almost everyone's respect, always ready to help in a discreet manner. Because he was very disciplined and organized, Ardan suspected Zachary had a military background, and Caleb confirmed it, adding that the man hated everything military-related with a burning passion.

That added to the mystery surrounding the newcomer, but Ardan knew better than to ask him anything. He will open up sooner or later, The Base's boss thought, a melancholic smile on his lips. Judging by the way Zachary behaved around Caleb, always there when his younger brother needed someone to talk to or to listen to him, the man had a painful past. Maybe a lover who dumped him without explanation and shattered his soul, leaving the empty shell behind.

Suddenly, Ardan felt a sharp pain in his chest, like a claw wrapped around his heart, mercilessly squeezing it. His breath became shallow, vision blurred, and he had to stop the car, unable to continue driving in that condition. Fortunately, the man wasn't far from his father's organization headquarter, so, after a short pause, he arrived safely at the destination.

“Good morning, Father, Connelly. I'm happy you are home again. I trust the two of you travelled safely and comfortably.” Ardan dipped his head in the two older men's direction, when a wave of nausea hit him.

“Good morning, son. I'm glad to be finally home, though, I would have been happier if your brother were here, too. The good thing is now we are positive he's alive and well.” Godfrey MacNamara hugged his son, then examined him for a couple of minutes. “You look tired and unwell, is there something wrong with you?”

“Oh, just a night with very little sleep, but don't worry, I spent the time in the most delectable way, in the arms of my husband, indulging the pleasures of the flesh.” Ardan's smile was radiant but somewhat tired. “I feel a little guilty that you worry about me so much.” He turned to Godfrey, eyes suddenly saddened.

“You work a lot, lad. He must worry more about you, and so should I. Next time, your father will go to Scotland by himself. He's a big boy and can take care of himself. I'll stay behind and take care of things here.” Ardan's father's right hand cast an accusatory look in his boss's direction, making the man lower his gaze.

“Look, Connelly, there is no need for that. I can take care of both organizations. Dunstan helped me a lot with yours, and I had Lothier and Saint to take care of some of the things at The Base. Plus, for the last three weeks, there is also Zachary, the guy who rescued Caleb. He is a gift sent from the gods, a real treasure...”

“Rescued Caleb from what? Or who? Where were you at the time, wasn't that your duty as his older brother? Why didn't you tell me until now?” Godfrey's voice was cold as ice, every word a dagger striking straight through his older son's heart.

“Caleb and I talked, and we decided not to cause you unnecessary worries, but you are right, I should have known better. I am deeply sorry.” Ardan lowered his gaze, regret, shame and guilt washing over him.

Suddenly, the room started to spin around him, and he grabbed the edge of the desk for stability, but it didn't help him very much. Under Connelly's and Godfrey's terrified stares, he collapsed to the floor, his heart beating erratically, breath shallow. Ardan was aware of the panic he created and was desperately trying to regulate his breath but failed. After a while, he stopped fighting, surrendering to the darkness that descended over him.

The man woke up on a hospital bed, connected to a few monitors, an IV hooked in his arm. Alasdair was at his bedside, making hard, futile efforts to hide the despair filling his emerald-green eyes. Ardan smiled reassuringly, took his husband's hand in his and lightly squeezed it, then closed his eyes, sighing softly. He was tired, a short nap will do, the man thought, as darkness enveloped him again.

The news of Ardan laying on a hospital bed, after he collapsed on the floor in his father's office spread like a fire, throwing almost everyone at The Base in a state of panic and disorientation. Rumors were a harsh confrontation between Alasdair and his father-in-law followed, but no one could tell how much of it was true, if any.

Some people said they heard Ardan's husband engaged in a very heated conversation with his brother-in-law Brennan. He was on a sort of engagement trip in Sabahaddin, the prosperous Tuareg emirate where his boyfriend's family lived. The official protocols the two had to observe during their stay there prolonged considerably the duration of the visit, depriving Ardan of his brother's help, so essential while Godfrey MacNamara was away.

Heated or not, the conversation between Alasdair and Brennan produced immediate effects. The emir himself offered the two his private plane, and they were to embark the next day for a flight back home. However, the other men Ardan relied on in helping him run The Base didn't have time to waste, so they held and emergency meeting in his absence, inviting Zachary to join them.

Although most of those who were at Ardan's side from the very start came to trust and respect the man who rescued Caleb from a potentially dangerous situation, some of the oldest guards were not happy about the man's sudden ascension. They messaged Brennan, describing Zachary as a power-hungry bastard and riling him against the man.

Oblivious to these petty machinations targeting him, the newcomer took an active part in the meeting, coming up with solutions to some of the problems Ardan's prolonged absence produced. Once the meeting ended, Caleb left his seat, seeking comfort in Zachary's warm, protective embrace.

Caressing the platinum blond, almost white strands, the older man cradled Ardan's younger brother back and forth, when the sound of a man's voice behind them made the two freeze on the spot.

“Hello, are you Zachary Jacobs? My name is Godfrey MacNamara. I would like to talk to you a little, if it's not too much. Caleb, son, would you leave the two of us alone for a few minutes, please?” The man's voice had a note of firmness in it, in spite of the soft, gentle tone.

“You came here to either threaten or beg me not to break your son's heart, maybe a combination of both. You don't know me, Mister MacNamara. I don't steal. That special something your younger son has is not mine to take.” Zachary bore his light-green eyes into Godfrey's turquoise ones, the older man pleasantly surprised by the sincerity in his look.

“Actually, I came to thank you for being at the right time and place. Your prompt intervention saved Caleb's life, and I'm eternally indebted to you.” The man's voice was low and soft, just like Ardan's, the note of firmness from earlier completely gone.

“There is no need to thank me. Your younger son has the spirit of a warrior. He would have managed to get out of that messy situation even if I wasn't there.” Zachary lowered his head, a very light blush colouring his usually pale cheeks.

“Also, not that it matters very much since Caleb is of legal age, a grown-up man who can make decisions on his own, but I want to give you my blessing. My son Ardan must think very highly of you, if he included you among the ones who help him run this place, and this alone speaks in your favor.”

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