Page 30 of Angels of the Night

“Why? What made them to act like that? Didn't you explain what happened? Didn't you tell them you were just a victim of circumstance?” Fabian spoke passionately, convinced of the other man's innocence.

“I did, and suddenly, I wasn't their golden boy anymore, becoming the target of everyone's suspicion, distrust, hate even. My career, instead of progressing, went up in smoke, my wife asked for divorce and my son became estranged.”

At that point, Lance's voice broke, and he stopped for a few minutes. Fabian sensed that the next part of the story was more painful than the first one, so he waited in silence, taking the chauffeur's big, rough hands between his smaller and softer ones. Sighing heavily, Fabian thought of his own three sons, whom he had driven away, realizing too late how much he’d hurt them.

Regaining his composure, Lance started his story again, telling his boss about how Zev, his son, refused to communicate with him for almost fourteen years. Even after they built a quasi-normal relationship, the young man obstinately refused to talk about the causes of the dramatic change that occurred in him at such a young age. It seemed that, every time he brought the subject into the discussion, the man opened a wound that never really healed, so he eventually gave up.

The buzz of his phone interrupted Lance's story, the man feverishly checking the inbox. A mix of worry and joy took over the chauffeur's face as he was reading the message, the green eyes shining with newfound hope.

“Sorry, boss, I have to leave you for a while. My son asked me to help him in a very pressing matter, and I can't say no to him.” There was no trace of regret in Lance's voice, like he was happy he had to leave.

“Of course, the bond between a father and his son is sacred. It has to be placed before everything else. I wish I could’ve understood that a while ago.” Regret and melancholy mixed in Fabian's voice as he gazed over Lance, only to see him grinning in amusement.

“I know my son. He is going to give me hell, but that's the only way. Ardan MacNamara formed a rescue party to bring Rowan back, and he put him in charge.”

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