Page 34 of Memories of the Dark

“There is nothing to be sorry for, son.” Fergus’s brain worked feverishly, trying to decipher the message behind Nico’s words and gestures.Most likely, he wants to buy us some time,he thought, but couldn’t figure out whose help the boy was counting on. “And yes, you’re right. We will talk this through like the civilized people all of us are.”

“The little one is wiser and smarter than I imagined, most likely he is taking after his mother.” Although still acid and mean, Greenwood’s voice softened for a moment. “I came here to take what’s mine, you included. I’m not open to negotiations.”

“I’ll write everything I own into your name. You’ll have the papers first thing in the morning. You don’t have any use for me, you said that more times than I could count, including the last time the two of us met. I don’t see the point of having me back when you hate me so much.”

“You’ve changed a lot since our last meeting. The Fergus I knew would have crawled and kissed my feet, begging me not to hurt him and his son.” Greenwood made no effort to hide the fact that he was impressed by his husband’s attitude.

Fergus was about to answer, when a little, shiny fragment of an object, almost totally hidden under the decorative pillows piled on the couch got his attention. Careful not to be noticed by Greenwood, the man squinted his eyes, looking better at the piece of material he finally identified as being a part from a phone.

Suddenly, the mystery behind Nico’s calmness was brought to light: one of the kids’ phone was turned on, and someone was listening to the conversation between them and the intruder, most likely coming to their help. The discovery made Fergus sigh with relief, and he relaxed into the armchair, much to Greenwood’s surprise.

A discreet noise coming from the hallway indicated that at least one person had stepped inside the apartment. Listening intently, Fergus heard the same noise two more times, and it took a great effort to control his emotions. For a brief moment, the frightening thought that maybe the men in the hallway were there to help Greenwood crossed his mind, making his blood freeze.

“Judgement day, lousy bastard! Time to pay for hurting your poor husband like you did. I prepared a special corner of hell for you.” Seamus MacAtee stepped into the living room, holding a beyond shocked Greenwood at gunpoint.

“Tobias is the best. I haven’t seen such speed of reaction and quick thinking. As soon as he saw the guy behind us, he knew we were in big trouble and activated the special alarm function on his phone, directing a distress call to his brother’s phone. Once in the house, I found the perfect hiding spot, and the rest is history.” Once the danger was neutralized, Nico was back to his chatterbox mode.

“This is not the end, you pathetic, worthless worms! If you think you’ve seen the last of me, you’re bitterly wrong!” With a surprising speed and flexibility, Greenwood took the gun of one of the guards accompanying Seamus, pointing it in Nico’s and Tobias’s direction. “Suddenly, you are not so tough anymore, aren’t you, MacAtee?”

“Easy, boy. Put that down, you may hurt yourself with it.” Flannagan spoke in a cold, ironic voice, nudging Greenwood in the back with his gun. “Take the scumbag out of here and do with him as instructed.” He turned to the two guards, speaking in an ice-cold voice. “Tie him up tightly; he’s a master of escape.”

“What is going to happen to... Blair? Where are you taking him?” There was no trace of emotion in Fergus’s voice when he spoke, only a great curiosity.

“In a dark hole in the ground where he will get food and water once a day for as long as I’m going to live, which isn’t very long.” Flannagan turned to Seamus and Tobias, who were looking at him with pained, teary eyes. “Sorry, boys. I didn’t want you to find out this way, but sometimes, things don’t turn out as planned. Fergus, I’m so happy to finally meet you face-to-face. Your mother and uncle would have been immensely proud of the man you’ve become.”

“I’m Seamus, honored to meet you in person. Had we married each other, I would haved loved you and treated you right, but the Fates decided otherwise. Anyway, I’m happy knowing that you found your soulmates, and I wish the three of you well. Maybe, one day, who knows...” MacAtee gently swept his gaze over Nico, a melancholic smile playing on his lips.

“If the feelings are reciprocated, I don’t see why not.” Fergus gave the other man a bright smile, warming his heart. “My son may look shy but is very strong-willed, courageous and always stands for his opinions and beliefs, so consider yourself warned.”

“These are exactly the qualities I look for in a husband.” Seamus extended a hand, and Nico took and shook it, looking in the man’s eyes with an expression that gave him hope for the future.

****

Later that night, Fergus lay in bed on his back, protectively flanked by Xavier and Dehaan, who peppered his face with feather-light kisses, descending down his jawline, advancing to his neck, where they start to nip on the sensitive flesh. Writhing on the bed, Fergus moaned quietly to his boyfriends’ satisfaction.

A few hours earlier, when Roger Mills told them about Greenwood getting into the apartment and threatening their lover and his son, Xavier and Dehaan feared the worst. A few seconds later, when they found out about the outcome of the incident, the two men ran home to hold Fergus in their arms, calm and comfort him, their hearts filled with joy.

Tenderly, Dehaan kissed his lover’s neck while Xavier sucked on the collarbone, deeper, louder sounds of pleasure escaping from Fergus’s seductive lips. Under the action of his boyfriends’ tender but heated kissing and nipping, the older man’s breath became laboured, his chest heaving. Tears started to fall from his tightly shut eyes, sliding down his cheeks and soaking into the pillow.

“What is it, sweet boy? Did we hurt you in any way?” Dehaan raised his head, speaking in a concerned voice. “We shouldn’t have started this, not after what you’ve been through today.”

“Everly, pet, are you with us? Talk to me, tell me what’s wrong with Fergus. You already know Dehaan can be trusted, he nursed the two of you back to health. Breathe, relax and tell me what bothers Fergus.”

“N—nothing, everything is fine.” The answer, although spoken in a hesitant voice, made the two younger men relax a bit. “Fergus remembered how rough Greenwood was treating him when they had sex and compared it with what he has now. The tears were of gratitude, not of fear or pain.” Everly spoke in a dreamy, faraway voice, a serene smile brightening his face.

“That goddamn bastard! I hope he rots in hell for all the evil he’s done!” Xavier’s cobalt-blue eyes darkened as he muttered a curse under his breath. “Fergus is safe with us. I hope he knows it by now, and so are you. We never got to talk about this, but now is a good moment: what are your plans for the future? Are you going to stick around? Because I’d love to continue our relationship as dominant and submissive.”

The affection in Xavier’s voice and the light in the man’s cobalt-blue eyes made Everly feel safe and valued. “I’ll stay around. Fergus still needs me; he always will. Not only for protection, but also to voice his most secret desires, those he doesn’t dare to express by himself. I’m deeply honored by your offer, sir, and I accept it wholeheartedly.”

“I love you, Fergus and Everly MacNamara, and you, Xavier Mills, and I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much. My strength, my reason to live, my men.” Dehaan’s words, spoken in a sweet voice, reverberated through the serene atmosphere, bringing peaceful smiles to Xavier’s and Fergus’s faces.

My soulmates. Mine.With this thought in mind, Fergus drifted asleep, dreaming of a happy life and the perfect house for his family.

EPILOGUE

Blair Greenwood stared into the darkness, trying to figure out if it was day or night, winter or summer. He couldn’t tell, not even when he was wide awake and lucid, like in that moment. Most of the time, especially since no food or water were delivered to him, the man slept, or better said tried to because thirst and hunger tormented him.

Greenwood’s evil deeds turned into nightmares plaguing his sleep, the pale faces of those he’d tortured and killed looking at him with accusatory expressions, cursing him without moving their lips. Invariably, the images made the man’s blood freeze, and he woke up covered in sweat and screaming in terror.

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