Page 33 of Winds of War

Soames let out a long sigh, wishing that for once, the deities who bestowed the special gift upon him delivered a messages that were a bit clearer. The male silhouette heading to him from the administrative building pulled the guard out of his thoughts. Soames recognized his boyfriend and managed to compose himself so Cian couldn't sense his internal turmoil. With everything he already has on his plate, seeing me troubled is the last thing he needs, the guard thought.

“Good morning, handsome,” Ardan's son gave his boyfriend a shy smile, putting his head on the man's shoulder. “On duty, as always, huh? Don't you ever take a break?” Cian peppered butterfly kisses along the other one's jaw.

“I learned from the best.” Soames lightly kissed his boyfriend's cheek, making him blush. “Your father is the first to comes to The Base and leaves only after everyone else does. Are you nervous about tomorrow?” He examined the blond's face, unable to hide his concern.

“No, not at all. Pater has everything under control. He always does, and Lorcan is so much like him.” Cian let out a soft sigh, his beautiful, turquoise eyes suddenly veiled with sadness. “I wish I wasn't so...”

“So... what?” Soames cradled his boyfriend's cheek in one hand, running the fingers of the other through his blond strands. “You have so many outstanding qualities and are special and wonderful inside and out. Anyone can see this,” he said in a tender, affectionate voice.

“I ran into Joaquin earlier,” Cian changed the subject. “He was leaving Pater's office, and we talked for a little while I was waiting for Uncle Fergus to come for our daily morning meeting. “He told me he'll go back to Detroit the day after tomorrow since there's nothing to keep him here.” Cian inhaled sharply. “I think I may go with him.”

“You can't do that,” Soames blurted out. “I mean, what are you going to do in a new city with no friends or family to turn to in case you’re in need?”

“Listen to me, please.” The young blond man took his boyfriend by the hands. Yes, it's true, all my family is at The Base, and I'm going to misseach and everyone of them, but it's time to build a life for myself.” Cian swallowed hard, then continued. I want people to see me as who I am, just how you do.”

“Did you...” Soames stopped, carefully choosing his words. “I wish you all the best luck in your enterprise, and I also wish you to have the happiest possible life.”

“Leaving New York City doesn't mean I’m giving up on us. I want you to come with me...if you want, that is.” Cian's heartbeat quickened, and he closed his eyes for a brief moment. “Joaquin wants to build a sanctuary in Detroit using The Base as a model, and he could use my expertise as a social worker while you could help him to choose the guards.”

Soames gently guided Cian to the nearest bench, helping him sit. “Did Joaquin ask you to accompany him in Detroit and help him with that project? The two of us talk quite a bit, but he didn't tell me about any of this. He is a great guy, and I care about him very much, but I don't think we should have false hopes.”

“He didn't and doesn't intend to unless I offer, and even then, Joaquin will politely reject my proposal. That's why I need you to come with me and talk to him.” Cian took another sharp inhale, then continued in an unusually firm voice. “We both need to talk to Joaquin about the feelings we have for each other...and him.”

“What...what do you mean?” Soames stuttered, the expression on his face a mix of shock and confusion. “Sure, I like the guy a lot. He's a man of his word who treats everyone as his equal, but to say that I...” The young guard stopped, realizing that it was the time to admit his feelings for the don-to-be instead of continuing to suppress them. “Even if I had feelings for him, it doesn't mean...”

“He reciprocates, Soames. I’m not a fool. I saw the way Joaquin looks at you when he thinks no one is around. He manages to mask his emotions very well when I'm around him, but sometimes his eyes are filled with yearning, sadness, and...love. I know that look very well, I've seen it in your eyes countless times before I confessed my feelings for you.”

“And what if...” Soames stopped for a moment, terrified by the possibility, then continued halfheartedly. “What if Joaquin doesn't admit to the feelings he has for you...for us? What if he chooses to sacrifice his own happiness for the sake of ours like I was about to do a few weeks ago when the two of us talked about you?”

“He won't.” Cian gave a radiant smile, his turquoise eyes becoming incandescent. “Joaquin is very much like me, keeps everything to himself, and will never take the first step. This is one of the things you and him have in common.” Ardan's son grinned. “Don't you see how well the three of us complete each other?”

His boyfriend's words touched Soames in the very core of his soul, the realization hitting him in full force. Cian was right, the two of them and Joaquin were a unit, the sum of their strengths and weaknesses creating a beautiful whole. They were meant to be together in body, mind, and soul.

With the same care he'd have in handling a precious art object, Soames helped his boyfriend to his feet, then took his hand, gesturing to the Remembrance Hall where Ardan and Fabian set a temporary office for Joaquin Montemayor. As they headed to the building that sheltered Ardan and the group of kids he saved from hell, Soames raised his eyes to the clear sky above, expressing his gratitude to the deities.

Earlier, he asked for a less cryptic message, and they, benevolent and generous, granted his wish. In the middle of his humble prayer, the young guard realized the signals he got from his sixth sense were clear as daylight. Happy times were waiting just around the corner, beginning with a new life together with the two men who meant the world to him.

Meanwhile, in the small room that served as his office, Joaquin Montemayor finished packing his personal belongings and was sealing the box. By this time tomorrow, he thought, the bastard who took my father's life will pay the ultimate price for spilling his brother's blood, and I will be embarking on a the plane taking me to Detroit.

Joaquin didn't want to prolong his stay at The Base, in spite of knowing that his grandfather, Don Giuseppe Fenelli, would have not objected to that. The don-to-be decided to take advantage of the old man's experience and learn from him how to be the best possible leader of the organization he was going to rule one day.

Of course, marriage played an important part in Joaquin's future plans, as it was one of the best ways of strengthening the Fenelli family's position in the Detroit Mafia world. He already decided to leave the choice of his future bride or groom to his grandfather, as the old Don knew better the most suitable candidates and the families they came from.

Sometimes, arranged marriages proved to be as durable and harmonious as those forged out of love. Joaquin intended to offer his future life partner respect, if not affection, support, encouragement and, one way or another, children. He was also determined to put tenderness and care in performing his marital duty and to treat his spouse as an equal in and out of the bedroom.

Joaquin was ready to give the one his grandfather would choose as his spouse everything, except his heart. From the moment he laid his eyes on Cian, Ardan's beautiful, intelligent son, it didn't belong to him anymore. Captivated by the delicate blond, Joaquin didn't realize he’d stolen his heart until it was too late.

And then it was Soames, the young guard who wouldn't have hesitated to keep his own feelings for Cian under wraps. The loyalty, care, and protectiveness he showed for Ardan's son left a powerful impression on Joaquin, and the young don-to-be found himself craving for the kind of relationship Soames and Cian had.

Joaquin went to the large window and stared blankly ahead, the sound of children's laughter making him smile. His mind started to wander, writing beautiful but impossible scenarios of him, Soames, and Cian together. Joaquin started to wonder how their life would have been had they met under other circumstances when a swoosh in the air alerted him about the presence of another person into the room.

He turned around, and here they were, holding hands, their eyes shining radiantly, the love they had for each other almost tangible. Cian and Soames, the men Joaquin wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Strangely enough, instead of making him sad, the sight the two of them offered filled the heart of the don-to-be with joy and happiness.

“Um...hi.” Cian grinned adorably, melting Joaquin's heart. “Wow, you were fast.” He gestured to the four cardboard boxes neatly stacked on the floor. “Had you asked me, I would have helped you with packing. Now I think it's going to be the other way around.” The blond gave Joaquin another cute grin.

“Are you going somewhere, too? Sure you can count on me to help you pack. I intended to pay your father a visit later in the afternoon, anyway, to thank him for all the valuable lessons he has taught me, and...” Joaquin let the sentence unfinished, swallowing hard and blinking away the tears that threatened to spill.

“What time is your flight scheduled to leave? Or are you going to use one of your Uncle Eugene's jets? Honestly, I would prefer the second version because the three of us can fly to Detroit at the same time.” Soames went next to Joaquin, protectively draping an arm around his shoulders.

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