Page 13 of Winds of War

Evon nodded and followed Ardan's son into the huge dining hall. He sat at the table the older boy indicated. Waiting for Cian to get back from the kitchen, the slim kid did a recap of the plan Cahal devised. According to it, Evon had to become close friends with one of Ardan MacNamara's sons and win his trust so he could lure him out of The Base when the time would finally come.

Evon felt bad about the last part because he knew that, once out, Ardan MacNamara's son would be kidnapped by Montemayor's men. He told Cahal what he thought about the whole thing, but his boyfriend reassured him. The Mexican drug cartel leader, Cahal said, wouldn't harm MacNamara's son. He just needed him to gain the upper hand against the boy's father, one of his main business rivals.

Even so, in his heart, Evon didn't agree with Cahal's plan. The blond, Cian, was super-nice to him earlier, soothing the pain in his heart, chasing his worries away, talking to him like he was his kid brother and not a stray in search of food like Bob and Tim would have called him.

Cian came with a huge plate filled with an omelet, roast sausages, an assortment of cutleries, cream cheese, and toast. He put it on the table in front of Evon, who was staring at it in disbelief and, with a smile and a gesture of his hand, invited the boy to enjoy his meal. After a few more seconds of hesitation, the fragile kid started to dig into the food, casting fearful glances around.

Poor soul, Cian thought, his heart aching for Evon, he's like a hungry animal, afraid that a larger, stronger rival will come out of the blue and snatch the prey away. Jaw tightened and with the turquoise eyes darkened and narrowed to slits, Ardan's son mentally cursed the two bastards who deprived Evon of food for so long.

Suddenly, Cian froze, the realization hitting him in full force: the boy in front of him was the son of that powerful Chicago gangster his father spoke about the evening before at dinner, Arman Bedrossian. He even showed him, Lorcan, and their friends from the crazy gang Evon's photo, but busy as he was calming the boy down, Cian forgot about that conversation.

His first impulse was to call Ardan and tell him about the kid, but then he changed his mind. Finding out more about Evon's past and giving him time to adjust with his new life is better than throwing the kid in the arms of a father he most likely would be terrified of, Cian thought as he swept a tender gaze over the younger boy, who had almost emptied his plate.

The expression on Ardan son's face cut like a sharp knife through Evon's heart. It's all my fault, he thought, guilt washing over him. If Cahal wouldn't have been so concerned about my wellbeing, he wouldn't have started this dangerous game. Deep down inside his soul, Evon knew The Base wasn't the center of an arm or drug dealing operation, but a completely different kind of place.

“Hi, Cian, how are you today? Hello, little one, I'm very happy to see you.” A familiar, soft voice pulled Evon out of his thoughts, bringing a small smile to his pale lips. “Did you have a comfortable sleep last night?”

“Hello, Uncle Leon.” Cian left his seat, letting himself be enveloped in a bear hug. “Evon here asked about you a few minutes ago. It seems your fan club just got a new member, which makes me very jealous,” he said in a playful voice. “I spend the whole day with the kiddies, and still you’re ranked higher than me in their preferences.”

“Is that so? I doubt it very much since you are the one always surrounded by a lot of kids of all ages. What do you think, little one? Oh, my name is Leon, by the way. What's yours?” The man spoke in the same deep, warm voice that gave Evon a sense of safety like he hadn't experienced before, not even in Cahal's presence.

“I...I really don't know what to say. I just came yesterday.” The boy shyly smiled. “I think you, sir, are a great father,” he blurted, then covered his mouth with one hand, blushing a delicate shade of pink. “Sorry, that's not what you asked. My name is Evon, and I'm seventeen.”

“Well, Evon, to answer your indirect question, I have two sons, Elias and Abernathy, who are best friends with Cian's younger brother Tarrin, and with another kid, Ira. I'm sure they'll be happy to hang out with you,” Leon softly spoke.

“I...I have no friends, except Cahal, who is sort of my boyfriend. Not in that sense, though. He respects me, doesn't want us to do anything sexual before I turn eighteen. He...he would do anything for me.” Evon lowered his head, voice tinged with defeat.

“I'm sure Cahal is the best boyfriend in the world.” The deep rumble in Leon's chest soothed the blond boy's tensed nerves. “And I'm also positive he would be very happy knowing you have some friends your age. When the two of you reunite, he'll be part of this group, too, of course.” Leon tentatively caressed Evon on the top of his head.

“Well”—Cian left his seat—“it's time for me to move my small ass, like Spitfire would say, and get to work. See you around.” He waved to Leon and the blond kid.

“Have a nice, easy day.” Leon gave Ardan's son an affectionate look. “I'll give Evon here a tour of The Base and introduce him to Lothier, Brennan, and the rest of the gang. Maybe we'll also pay a visit to Peyton to find the best schooling option for my little friend here.”

Cian left the building with a big, bright smile on his face. Four years after he first met Leon, the man's caring nature, generosity, and selflessness still amazed him. The tall, solidly built man with his surprisingly soft voice and kind eyes must have sensed Cian had another important-for-him matter to attend and stepped in, lending him the so-needed hand.

Helping Evon to become familiar with The Base and some of its inhabitants, getting the boy to meet Peyton, and talking with the principal about the kid's schooling options was part of Cian's duty, but Leon took it upon himself so the young man could have time for whatever required his attention so early in the morning.

Ardan's son stepped into the administrative building, heading to the daily meeting with his uncle Fergus, the one who ensured the regular communication between The Base and the Social Services. That morning was less busy than usual with less matters to discuss, so when the meeting was over, Cian still had plenty of time to talk to Soames. Heart hammering in his chest, he headed to the guard's patrolling area, ready to open his heart.

***********

Abandoned by a mother who suddenly decided the quiet three-year-old boy was too much for her, Soames was raised by a clan of nomadic people who owned a small circus. They treated him well and, when he was a little older, trained him to become the next star of their team of acrobats.

Soames couldn't tell if that was because of the time he spent in the company of Miranda, the clan's fortune teller, or if it was an ability he was born with, but he had a sixth sense of sorts, feeling things before they happened. The nomads asked for his opinion every time they made important decisions...except one time, and that came with devastating consequences for the clan.

Soames closed his eyes, blocking the tragic memories and focusing on the events that were going to happen that day. Finally, the object of his attention and affection for the last four years, the keeper of his heart, Cian MacNamara, was going to tell Soames that he loved him, too. Suddenly, a cloud covered the sun just when a man was heading to the guard's patrolling perimeter.

Although he couldn't see the man from that distance, Soames felt that he was mysteriously connected to him. Maybe the happiest day of my life wouldn't be as happy as he thought, the guard said to himself. Or maybe it will.

CHAPTER 11

“Hello, Soames. Happy to finally meet you face-to-face. I’ve heard a lot of great things about you.” The young man gave the guard a charming smile, extending a hand in his direction. “My name's Joaquin Montemayor-Fenelli, and I am the grandson of Don Giuseppe Fenelli.”

“I'm the truly honored one.” Soames bowed his head. “To be honest,” he said after a few moments of silence, “I don't see what a powerful don like you has to talk about with a humble guard like me.”

“I'm not a don yet. My grandfather is only in his late sixties, still going strong and full of energy in spite of being wheelchair-bound. And you are not a humble guard, either. Everybody says you watched over Cian MacNamara from the very first day you arrived at The Base. I'm interested in a union with him, and I need your blessing,” Joaquin spoke in a voice thick with emotion.

“You don't need that since everything was already established between you and Cian's father.” Soames inhaled sharply, pausing for a brief moment. “I know arranged marriages are a common occurrence in the Mafia world, but I didn't believe Ardan MacNamara capable of forcing it on one of his sons. Then again, it's about sacrificing the happiness of an individual for the greater good.” Soames sighed in defeat.

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