Page 10 of The Rescuer

“Come here, buddy.” Brian left his seat, crouched down, and welcomed the little boy in his arms. “Young man, you'll be talking to Dad and Papa tonight,” he whispered into the child’s hair. “Now go play, buddy.” He kissed his son on both cheeks, then turned to Joris' mom. “I'm sure it's just a stomach bug or he got overheated.”

“Yes, Papa.” Blaise nodded, his cute face brightened by a wide smile. “Joris loves oranges, just like me. Can we take Tanner and go shopping?” He gave his father the most irresistible puppy eyes. “Please?”

“Buddy, we can get oranges on the way home. I'm sure there are some here; if not, I'll send Tanner to renew the supply.” Brian’s answer came in a hesitant voice. He really hated to say no to his children, but after the attempted kidnapping of Blaise, he wasn’t a fan of the idea of leaving them out of sight, either.

The little boy must have sensed his father’s dilemma because he wrapped his thin arms around the man’s neck and whispered in his ear. “Joris wants to see his boyfriend, the Papa of the peanut.”

“Not even you can win against Blaise. He's so sweet, no one resists him.” Bartholomew Sr. shook his head, amused at his grandson’s innocent manipulation attempts.

“You can say that again.” Brian huffed out a short laugh. “All right, let's go get some oranges.” He turned to the woman. “Would it be alright if Joris goes with us? I have my guard with me.”

“Yes, sure.” Zara nodded her approval and smiled small. “He could use a bit of fresh air.”

On the way to the store, Brian examined his father-in-law’s nephew, and after discreetly coughing to get his attention, he started a conversation. “Does your boyfriend need a place to stay?”

“He...he has a hideout somewhere in the city.” Joris’s answer came in a whispered, hesitant voice. “I didn't ask him too much. We were afraid someone may be eavesdropping.”

“If he needs somewhere safer, I'll find him a place.” Brian gave the teenager an affectionate smile. “Let him know, okay?”

Joris nodded. “We only meet for a few minutes at a time because he's worried sick about me and... you know...” Blushing a light shade of pink, the teenager touched his belly. “My boyfriend only has his loyal chauffeur left. He doesn't trust strangers.”

The sadness and defeat in the youth’s voice made Brian’s heart ache. “Would he trust a Cavallieri?” he asked cautiously.

“No, I don't think so.” Joris shook his head, a weak smile playing on his lips. “Esteban doesn't believe in ghosts. Don't you know there are no more Cavallieris left?”

“My ancestor hid his family in plain sight by changing his last name.” Brian’s voice was warm and sincere. “I have two younger brothers, Edwin and Edward, who are twins. Eddie is married to Julien, and together they have four children. Your cousin Bart is my husband, and we have eight children together.”

“Whoa!” Joris exclaimed, eyes wide. “That’s a large family. Scratch that, it’s a small tribe in its own right.” He continued after a moment of silence, serenity overtaking his features, “The little peanut believes you. It didn't become restless.”

“Babies and children know who is to be trusted and who is not.” Brian smiled gently. “I'm happy your little peanut trusts me.”

“You know, I only realized it now, but my baby hasn't been restless since the day we set foot in Uncle Bartholomew’s house.” Joris protectively put a hand on his belly.

“That's because you’re safe,” Brian replied in a warm, affectionate voice. “Both of you are.” He pulled into the store’s parking lot and stopped the car’s engine. “Here we are. Blaise, Tanner, and I will go get the oranges while you and your boyfriend talk, then we meet at the exit.”

“I won’t be late.” Joris nodded, then stepped down from the car. “I have to go. He’s waiting for me.” The kid pointed to a silhouette standing outside the store.

“Hello, little peanut, how are you? Papa missed you and Dad so much!” Esteban put his arms around his boyfriend, tenderly kissed him on the lips, then saw Brian and Tanner and froze. “Who are these men?”

The librarian advanced to the pair, hand extended. “My name’s Brian Cavallieri and this is my guard Tanner.” The words were spoken in a calm voice.

Esteban shook his head and gave the librarian a doubt-filled look. “The Cavallieris are all gone. Long, long ago.”

“Like I told Joris, my ancestor hid his descendants in plain sight using the Knight surname. I didn't know who I was for a long time, but I wasn't supposed to.” Brian took his sunglasses off, revealing his mismatched eyes.

“What the...you really are who you claim to be.” Esteban gasped in shock. “Love, look, the Cavallieri trademark: different colored eyes.”

“How cool is this?” Joris rubbed his hands in excitement. “I didn't know about the eyes.” Esteban came closer to the librarian, still staring at him in disbelief. “Who's Blaise? My boyfriend here told me he was good to him.”

“That would be my son.” Brian smiled gently. “Do you want to meet him?”

“Yes, sure.” Tension left Esteban’s features, a bright smile replacing it.

“Buddy, there is someone here who wants to meet you.” The librarian gestured for his son to come closer.

Blaise extended his hand “Hi, Esteban, nice to meet you. Joris told me about you. He loves the peanut and you very much.” The little boy stopped to catch his breath. “Papa and Dad had seven smol beans together. Now they’re all big kids.”

Esteban looked at the librarian “Is it true what your son says? You and your husband are like my Joris? We were the first to each other, didn't think to use protection, and...”

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