Page 18 of Winds of War

”That's right, you don't, but this didn't stop you from deciding they must die. Ravyn is the boy I paid two hundred thousand dollars for. He's very scared, which is understandable, so I've thought that he would relax a bit in the company of someone his own age. You also seem the protective type, so...”

“Of course you can bring him here,” Cahalexclaimed. A smile brightened his face, only to vanish a few seconds later. “I still don't understand the part about me deciding the fate of your fiancé and those who are close to you.”

“You gave Montemayor an idea on how to destroy Nico's uncle and the sanctuary he built with his own two hands. Everything will be as you predicted. The father will sacrifice his life to save his son's, but there will be nothing left to save, even if Cian or Lorcan will still be alive.” Seamus buried his face in both hands, fighting the urge to cry.

“The Base? I...Ardan MacNamara is a vile man, a criminal, a creature of hell who deserves everything that's coming to him, but I don't have anything against anyone else living within those walls. Well, everything will change if...” Realizing that he was about to reveal Evon's presence at The Base, Cahal abruptly stopped.

Seamus studied the boy with great attention for a few seconds, his forehead creased by a frown. “You seem such a nice kid,” he murmured. “That goddamn motherfucker scares the hell out of you. I wonder why you’d do this. Why are you hellbent on destroying so many good people who haven't wronged you.”

“Because I need money.” Cahal's answer came in a cold voice. “And getting rid of MacNamara, then making Montemayor and Ames eliminate each other would give me access to my father's colossal fortune.” The kid swallowed hard, then continued. “Look, I don't need billions; a couple of hundred thousand to buy a house for me and my boyfriend to keep him warm, safe and well-fed is all I need.”

What if there would be another, less dangerous way to get everything the two of you need? A risk-free way. Would you abandon this dangerous game?” Seamus's voice was lively, his eyes filled with renewed hope.

“In a heartbeat.”

***********

Ardan looked out the window of his office at The Base, a smile brightening his face and making his turquoise eyes shine incandescently at the sight Abernathy, Tarrin, Elias, Ira, and their new friend Evon offered. The five of them sat on a bench and ate muffins from a huge brown bag, and although Ardan couldn't see them very clearly, he suspected the kids were all silly grins and goofy faces.

Leon and his muffins, the man said to himself, his heart melting when he thought of his friend, whose outside, intimidating appearance was in stark contrast with his affectionate, caring nature and heart made of gold. A last-minute problem with the school's plumbing system was keeping him away from the five kids this time, but otherwise he was a permanent fixture in the group.

Letting out a soft sigh, Ardan remembered the conversation he and Cian had about Evon about two weeks earlier, the day his son confessed to Soames the feelings he had for him. In a sad, low voice, Cian told his father about everything the poor kid endured at the hands of the two bastards he lived with, making the man's blood boil with anger.

Ardan's first impulse was to call Arman Bedrossian and tell him about Evon being at The Base, but after some more internal debate, he changed his mind. According to Cian, the poor kid was distrustful as a direct result of his traumatic experiences and needed time to make some friends and start getting used to his new life.

Ardan also talked to Leon about making Evon part of the little group formed of Elias, Abernathy, Ira, Tarrin, and Nico. That, The Base's boss said, would help the boy integrate into the community's life and enlarge his circle of friends. Leon, who shared a tight bond with Evon, wholeheartedly approved Ardan's plan.

Two weeks passed by then, and the blond, fragile kid mingled with the other teens like he’d known them since forever. He laughed at their jokes, listened to their stories, and stuffed his cute face with brownies like Tarrin and Abernathy did, to Elias, Ira, and Nico's amusement.

From the window of his office, Ardan saw Leon walking out of one of the school's annexes and head to the group of kids, who acclaimed his arrival, making room for him on the long, wide bench. Like always, the sight of the long-haired, solidly-built man surrounded by all those kids melted Ardan's heart.

After a few more minutes, The Base's boss checked his watch and got behind the desk, getting ready to welcome his guest. If the rumors about his proverbial punctuality are true, Arman Bedrossian should be here any minute, Ardan thought. His body became tense as he wondered if he would be able to keep the other man under control and make him agree with his plan.

A soft knock on the door pulled The Base's boss from his thoughts. “Come in, it's always open,” he said, leaving his seat and heading to the door to greet his guest, who let himself in. “Welcome to The Base, and thank you for answering so promptly to my call.” Ardan smiled, extending his hand to the other man.

“I'm beyond happy to be here and express my gratitude to the one who found my son and brought him to safety.” Arman Bedrossian took a deep bow, his voice filled with admiration and respect.

“Come on. Let me show you something.” Ardan softly spoke, gesturing to the window. “See that slim blond kid over there with his head buried in the man's chest? That's your son, Evon.”

“He's so delicate and vulnerable, so...” Tears started to fall from the Armenian gangster's eyes, leaving two streaks on his cheeks covered with a neatly trimmed beard. “That woman got his name wrong. It's Levon. His…other father's name was Leo, but I called him Lev, which means the same thing in Russian.”

”Lion. There's a very interesting coincidence here.” Ardan gave his guest a small smile. “The name of the man holding Evon is Leon. The two of them bonded almost instantly, my son said.” The Base's boss paused briefly, studying Bedrossian with the corner of his eye. “May I suggest that, for now, we should use the name your son is familiar with? It would save everyone from a lot of trouble.”

“Everything you say. I don't have words to thank you. I'll need ten lifetimes to repay the immense favor you’ve done for me.” Arman's voice was filled with gratitude and somewhat submissive like he would have spoken to a superior or a god. “Please, tell me more about the life my poor child had before he came here. I promise to reign my temper in.”

“Good, because your son had it pretty rough before coming to us,” Ardan said in a pained voice. “The other blond kid, sitting at the edge of the bench, is my younger son Tarrin, Evon opened up to him about a lot. The husband of the woman who raised him and his son starved the poor boy, humiliated and beat him.”

“Goddamn...” Bedrossian clenched his hands into fists, anger overtaking his features. “Don't worry, my friend.” He inhaled sharply and turned to Ardan. “I won't act recklessly. I don't want my son to be afraid of me.”

“You are a wise man.” The Base's boss put a hand on the Armenian's shoulder, staring into the other one's greenish-blue eyes. “There will be enough time to take care of the two bastards after you go back to Chicago so no one could link you to...whatever will happen to them.”

“Thank you very much for the valuable advice.” Arman took another bow. ”Please bear with me a little longer, I would have one more question: when can I see my son up close?”

“Every Saturday and Sunday morning, his friends take Evon to this little, cozy, welcoming Russian tea house to drink Miss Nicky's famous tea and stuff their cute little faces with cake.” Ardan grinned. “One of the guards will drive you there and will wait for you outside.”

Saturday. Arman Bedrossian cast an incredulous look in The Base's boss direction. That is tomorrow, the man thought, his heart already jumping with joy.

The happy expression on his guest's face made Ardan smile inwardly. With the Armenian gangster as ally, he could stop the senseless war that threatened to swipe everything in its way. The Base will be safe. He looked at the ceiling, giving thanks to the deities who, in their immense generosity, helped him once again.