Page 30 of Ride the Whirlwind

That was another bastard who went crazy, the man huffed and cursed in frustration, thinking about how his boss's unpredictable actions affected his carefully laid plans. He needed that idiot Camlann there, in his bastard father's library, not hundreds, maybe thousands of miles away. He also needed that Keith whore to blame him for MacGowan's death, and the doctor to keep his boss alive until after he'd found the will.

The man's face suddenly brightened, and he plopped down on the bed, letting out a sigh of relief as tension left his body. I was a fool to worry that much over a thing so insignificant, he thought. Once the will gets into the hands of the FSB agents, it doesn't matter if Ardan MacNamara is dead or alive. Poor Ames, how foolish of him to think he could trick me into doing his dirty work. The man shook his head, an ironic smile playing on his lips.

************

“What are you and our host up to?” Brodie's question broke the silence, making Ardan roll on one side and cast him a questioning look. “Don't do that. I've come to know you pretty well, and I can tell you and MacGowan are plotting something together.”

“We don't, the others are, and we’re trying to figure out the identity of these others. We have to move fast because time is not our ally. Are you happy now?” Ardan's voice sounded neutral, bored even.

“You are not acting like your usual self,” Brodie insisted, “and don't tell me I'm wrong, because I'm not. Let me guess: somehow, you sent for cavalry, and now you're waiting for them to come here, right?”

“I miss my Pater, my beloved children, my Spitfire, and everyone else at The Base, even the kiddies' kitties, and I can't wait to meet them again. Until then, all I can do is wait,” Ardan said in a dreamy voice, which became sad at the end.

“Okay, I won't bug you on this topic.” Brodie raised his hands in surrender. “I don't think I've told you, but I found a job and a place to stay, so I'll go there as soon as the doctor gives me a clean bill.”

“That's great! I wish you would come to The Base with us, but I'm beyond happy for you.” Ardan offered his former cellmate a bright, genuine smile.

“Thank you, man. I know you mean it. Who knows, I may still pay you a visit to get to know all the people you talk my ears off about when we were in jail.” Brodie paused for a moment; his forehead creased. You said us, which means I was right. Your people will come here, am I right?”

“Wishful thinking, I guess.” Ardan's answer came in a soft, somewhat pained voice. “When you are part of a tight-knit family, by blood and by choice, your roots stay where your people, as you put it, are.”

“You're right,” Brodie nodded, then fell silent for a few minutes. You know,” he continued in a livelier voice, “I have the feeling this job I'll be starting will bring me more than I bargained for. My boss-to-be is...I don't know, maybe I set my expectations too high.” The man suddenly deflated. “He's only twenty-five, could be my son.”

“But he's not,” Ardan remarked matter-of-factly. “You are a wise, sensible man, Brodie, a very good listener, a caring soul, and that's exactly what some young guys need in their life. Guidance, understanding, support...you can offer him all these things and then some.”

A deep shade of crimson crept on Brodie's neck, advancing to his cheeks, and the man cleared his throat and changed the subject, hoping to turn Ardan's attention from his person. “What do you think about Mister MacGowan's intention to appoint Craig Darrow as his successor with Neil MacTeague as advisor?”

“That's a very wise decision, both of them are backed up by the other associates, unlike Camlann, who wasn't popular at all, or at least that's what you've told me. MacTeague knows the organization in and out, his father served as advisor for our host's father, which makes him perfect for the job. Darrow is very good when it comes to detecting business opportunities and running the organization's companies.”

“So, according to you, this is a match made in heaven.” Brodie grinned, “Except it's not. Those two can't stand each other. They will constantly be at each other's throat, and so will their supporters. The organization will go down the drain in no time.”

Ardan was about to reply, but a soft knock on the door put an end to his intention. “It's open. You can come in,” he said, wondering who could be at that time of the day.

“Sorry about the interruption, but Master sent me to accompany both of you downstairs. You have visitors,” Viggo, Graeme's personal bodyguard, cracked the door and peeked inside.

The man's words made Ardan's heart beat faster, but he managed to keep his emotions under control. The guard didn't say who the visitors came to see; they could be members of Brodie's family, who, after thirty years, finally accepted him for who he really was and were ready to take him in their hearts.

Using Brodie's arm as support, Ardan slowly climbed down the stairs, watching every step, careful not to trip and fall. It took him a great deal of effort to get downstairs, and when he finally did, he was in excruciating pain and drained of energy. But then, Ardan raised his head, and all the bad things suddenly vanished, because here he was.

Emerald eyes shining with endless love and unshed tears stared at him, telling a story of faith, endurance, and, above all, hope. The turquoises answered with the same intensity, the incandescent light they spread brightening the room. Time stopped and space contracted, the whole Universe reduced to the two who were everything for each other: husbands, lovers, best friends.

Ardan raised one hand, tentatively touched Alasdair's face, then ran his slim, elegant fingers through the young man's curly, fiery-red hair. They stayed like that for a few more moments, their eyes speaking more than their voices could, then Ardan cradled his husband's cheek in one of his hands, cupping the back of his head with the other, and brought his lips close to Alasdair's.

Brodie gasped in awe at the scene before him and expected a passionate, almost savage kiss. To his big surprise, it was all about tenderness, the two husbands' lips gently touching, caressing one another, as they let out soft moans of pleasure. Ardan's tongue wrapped around Alasdair's, hugging it and sucking its nectar.

The redhead spread his fingers, raking them through his husband's grey-blond hair, getting closer to him, surrendering completely to his seductive lips. When they broke the kiss, Ardan wrapped his arms around his Spitfire waist, pulling him in a protective, passionate embrace. Alasdair did the same, closing the space between them.

Brodie couldn't get enough of the sight before him and. As he looked at his former cellmate, the man saw how the hollow he sensed inside Ardan every time he spoke of his husband was slowly filling. He was whole again. Completed.

CHAPTER 23

Alasdair disentangled from the embrace and took two steps back, his emerald eyes continuing to shine with the same intensity. Another, older man with sapphire-blue eyes, advanced to Ardan, arms wide opened, a serene, affectionate expression on his stern but beautiful face. As he came closer, Brodie could see the tears glistening in his eyes, and he instantly knew who the man was.

Fabian Bloom, or Pater as Ardan called him, saying the words in a respectful, affectionate, reverent tone. The source of his strength, the one who gave him hope and a reason to live and fight for. The man who could take the burden of the whole Universe on his shoulders without bending under the weight if that would keep his loved ones safe or would make them happy.

Hesitantly, as if he still couldn't believe his eyes, Ardan took a few steps in Fabian's direction and let himself enveloped into an affectionate, warm, paternal hug. There was something very innocent about the way he threw himself at the older man's chest like he was a small child in his father's arms, the safest place in the Universe.

Eyes closed, Ardan inhaled the calming, familiar scent, realizing only then how much he missed Fabian, his comforting presence, words of wisdom, and reassuring voice that never failed to chase all his worries away. He hugged his protector tightly to convince himself he wasn't dreaming, then slowly opened his eyes, sighing in relief. His Pater was still there, rubbing circles on his back, lessening the tension in the muscles.

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