Page 21 of Winds of War

“No,” Cian warmly protested, “it's nothing like that. We are closer than ever since we found the courage to confess our love for each other, but...I don't know. Every time I see Joaquin, I feel sad for him. He's a very nice, sensible guy who deserves the best, and...” Cian sighed heavily. “I suggested to Soames for us to play the matchmakers for him, but he keeps saying we shouldn't interfere in Fate's plans.”

“Threesome for the win.” Tarrin wiggled his fist into the air, winking in Elias, Abernathy, and Ira's direction, making the three boys blush. “What?” he turned to Cian, who stared at him in shock. “I think both you and Soames have feelings for Joaquin, even if you don't realize it. Talking to Joaquin, letting him know what the two of you feel for him, is the best way to solve this dilemma.”

“All this talk about boyfriends and relationships has made me miss my crazy-ass fiancé even more than I already did.” Nico let out a long sigh. “Seamus may be a lot older than me, and he also may be considered weird by some people, but he loves me very much,” the boy added in a dreamy voice. “Guys, I'm worried sick about him.” He stared blankly ahead.

“He’ll be fine,” Ira calmly spoke. “Look, from what you, Granddad, your father, and all the others who know him told me, Seamus is a very intelligent and calculated guy who always finds a way out even from the most desperate situation. He carefully plans every move, so, when your brilliant fiancé launches his attack, that arrogant Montemayor bastard won't see it coming.”

Ira's words, spoken in a reassuring voice, made Nico relax and let out a soft sigh. All the boys fell silent and closed their eyes again, enjoying the moment of peace and reveling in the serenity in the atmosphere. All except Evon, whose heart was heavy with sadness and guilt. This is not right, he thought, feeling a pang in his chest.

Nico, Tarrin, Ira, Cian, and all the others cared about him and listened to him. They were his friends. Those boys are more than that, Evon thought. They were the older brothers who protected him and worried over him. Suddenly, the realization hit the blond kid with the force of a sucker punch: in the short weeks that passed since he came to The Base, the sanctuary had become his home. A warm, welcoming one where everyone knew him and greeted him in the morning.

The Base was Leon, with his kind, warm eyes and tender smile, soft voice that took all Evon's worries away, strong arms that held him tight, and broad chest where he burrowed his head. The Base were also the bearded, tattooed bikers who looked scary but, just like Leon, were fluffy teddy bears on the inside.

Evon's chest constricted in pain at the thought that his boyfriend was hellbent on destroying that corner of paradise, having that human-faced beast Montemayor as ally. I have to find a way to convince Cahal to come here, spend a few days, and see this place as it really is—a safe haven for both of us.

“So, cousin, you and Soames...besides kissing...what do you do when you're alone in your bedroom? Or his, it doesn't matter. I need some ideas for when my man comes home.” All his worries gone, at least for the moment, Nico was the first who broke the silence.

“You are barking at the wrong tree, cousin.” Tarrin cutely grinned. “Cian and Soames are still in the kissing and holding hands stage, you won't see those two getting into any action so soon. They are from the same cult as Thorvald and Lorcan, the boyfriends who took a chastity oath.”

“How come you are so sure about what my boyfriend and I do behind closed doors, little brother?” Cian realized that he fell into Tarrin's trap a few seconds too late. “Well, we decided to take it slow. Real slow,” he mumbled, blushing violently.

At that point, Kieran discreetly retreated and headed to the gates. He felt the need to take a walk, clear his head, and filter everything he just found out. Dunbar was right, the man thought, sometimes, eavesdropping was the best method to find out interesting things. Like the fact that Seamus and a handful of men were inside the beast's den, trying to destroy Montemayor's organization from the inside.

The guy is crazy. He'll never make it, Kieran continued the internal monolog Not with only a few men. No matter how well they were trained and armed, the guards accompanying Seamus in New Mexico wouldn't stand a chance against Montemayor's army of mercenaries.

Unless... Kieran shook his head at the idea that crossed his mind, but the longer he thought about it, the more convinced he became that Seamus had thought of a way to get rid of all Montemayor's henchmen and guards, isolating the piece of shit in his huge-ass mansion or maybe luring him out of there. Seamus, my friend, Kieran thought, grinning, you are a cunning bastard.

CHAPTER 17

“I can't take it anymore. I just...Every time the lecherous bastard says the word ‘boyfriend,’ he gives me a look filled with dirty innuendos, waiting for me to say Evon will be pleased to meet him or something along those lines. I'm scared, and the thought that he's poorly treated there, too...” Cahal sat on the edge of the bed, his voice small and pained.

“I've told you a thousand times; your boyfriend is safe at The Base, loved and taken care of.” Seamus crouched down in front of the youth, lifted his chin, and met his gaze. “Stop worrying over Evon and pull yourself together. I know you can do it. You are a thousand times better than this pile of shit.”

“Yesterday, I heard you talking with the guy with an exotic name, and you told him the plans have changed, and you may have to stay here longer than initially planned. What did you mean?” Cahal cast his eyes down, voice barely a whisper. “I didn't eavesdrop, but it's okay if you don't believe me.”

“Of course I believe you.” Seamus inhaled sharply, examining the kid in front of him. “You are the one who still doubts me, but I can understand you. I would react the same way if I grew up with Nigel Warthon's lies.” The man blinked a few times, then continued. “What I'm going to tell you can bring the end to everything I've come to love, but I'm crazy enough to hope it won't happen.”

“I’d realized an alliance with Montemayor was out of the question from the moment I saw the lust in his eyes when he first brought Evon into the discussion. I swear on my life and his that I won't sell you down the river.”

“I've managed to talk to one of my friends using a secure connection. He had a better idea of how to get rid of Montemayor once and for all, but it's going to take a while, about two, even three more weeks. Anyway, you are going to The Base with Ravyn tomorrow morning, as planned. I'll need you there to help us...if you want, that is.”

“What do you need me to do?” Cahal still didn't fully believe what Seamus told him about The Base being heaven on Earth but decided to keep the comments for himself. “I'm up to anything as long as it doesn't put Evon in danger.”

“No, he doesn't even need to know about this,” Seamus replied, making the boy sigh in relief. “I need you to go to The Base and lure Montemayor there. The bastard will be greeted properly when he arrives.” The man coldly smiled. “The piece of shit won't see it coming.”

“Yeah, as if he'd go there unaccompanied.” Cahal cast Seamus a doubt-filled look. “Did you see how many guards the bastard has? They’re swarming all over this goddamn place, and I bet my life that what we saw is only the tip of the iceberg.”

“This is now, but in two weeks' time, all his little army will be on board two military helicopters on their way to the African jungle. Who knows, they may never make it to the destination and end up in the ocean instead.”

The cruel smile on Seamus's lips had a strange effect on Cahal, making him feel safe. “Remind me to never get on your bad side.” The boy grinned. “Whose idea was it?”

“Ian's. The guy has friends in the highest places, and he thought isolating Montemayor was much better than compromising his business reputation as I initially intended. The greedy bastard sold the highly addictive shit I gave him to the spoiled brats who come to his posh clubs, and now the junkies want more of it. I made the fucker eat from my hand.” Seamus let out a contemptuous huff.

Cahal's eyes went wide with surprise, his mouth agape as he started to understand the man's plan, beautiful in its simplicity. The rich kids who came to Montemayor's clubs to blow their parents' money loved Seamus's stuff, and he was taking advantage of it to move freely under the pretext of bringing more drugs to his new associate.

Blinded by the cash flowing into his pockets, Montemayor wouldn't pay attention to Seamus's actions until it was too late, and he would already be completely isolated from his allies with no one to protect him. Whoever that Ian fellow is who devised the second plan, he has a brilliant mind, Cahal said to himself, the shadow of a smile playing on his lips.

Seamus is a great guy, too, the boy continued his trail of thoughts, giving the man an affectionate look. He couldn't resist the impulse to wrap his arms around Seamus and put the head on his chest, taking him by surprise. However, the man reciprocated, rubbing Cahal's back the same way he did to his younger brother Tobias.

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