Page 12 of Family Matters

And then, when Martino settled into his new life, Luca stormed into the library, asking Brian in an arrogant voice to hand the red-haired kid over to him, talking about the kid like he was his property. The Sicilian’s attitude infuriated Brian to no end, and he refused to even allow Luca to see Martino or talk to him over the phone.

Bart recalled amused that his husband went as far as putting a gun to Luca’s head and threatening him to fire it, if he didn’t stop talking about the boy and the things he intended to do to him in such a disrespectful, deprecating manner. However, the Sicilian didn’t even blink; he continued to claim his rights with the same determination.

Papa found someone as stubborn as him, Liam thought, amused, as he listened fascinated to Bart’s story, which was far to be over. He started to see how all those circumstances and events interwoven, creating the tapestry the relationship between the four men was.Finally, he started to see its beauty and complexity, and couldn’t wait for the continuation.

CHAPTER 9

“Luca loves Martino to no end, he risked losing everything, even his life, to keep him out of harm’s way, and he would do it again. As many times as it would be necessary, without batting an eyelash.” Bart had a dreamy expression when he continued after pausing for a bit. “However, your father is the only person he ever let look into his soul, see his insecurities and vulnerabilities.”

“What about you?” Liam asked, looking straight into his stepfather’s eyes. “You love papa because he’s your soulmate and Martino, because you feel the need to protect him and offer him compensation for everything he went through since the death of his father.” He stopped, looking for the right words. “Of course, they both reciprocate, but what about Luca? Is there a relationship between the two of you, if any?”

“Of course we have a relationship, we care deeply about each other.” Bart inhaled sharply. “I love him, and he loves me back, but things were complicated when it came to the two of us, and that’s because of the loyalty and respect Luca has for your papa. You see, even after he and Brian got together as sub and Dom, he saw me as having the first place in your papa’s heart.”

“His first love.” Liam nodded in understanding. “So, even if Luca had feelings for you, he repressed or carefully hid them.” He shook his head. “That’s so like him.”

Bart sighed. “Yes, and some of the reasons why he doesn’t express the feelings he has for me or anyone else, for that matter,have roots in his childhood and teenage years, in the way he was treated by his father and…” He stopped abruptly and shook his head, sadness creeping suddenly in his eyes. “I’m sorry, son, it’s a sad story, and it’s not mine to tell.”

“It’s alright, really.” Liam gave his stepfather a reassuring look. “I’m sure Luca will share it, if he considers it necessary. And even if it’s not going to happen, he has the right to keep things away from me; after all, I’m only his lover’s son who appeared out of the blue.” He grinned. “Have you guys ever been…you know…intimate?”

“By us, you mean Luca and I?” Bart blushed when his stepson nodded. “Well, not yet, but it’s on my to-do list.” He cleared his throat. “There are some things I want very much to try with him, but I don’t know if…” The man grinned. “If I learned anything over the past eleven years or so, it’s to never say never.”

“That’s right.” Liam offered the other man a warm, sincere smile. “Until a few months ago, I thought I was condemned to live forever with the bunch of people who marginalized me for the way I look and kept reminding me what a freak with weird eyes I was. And yet, here I am, surrounded with love by you, papa, and all my siblings, and having so many cool friends. Never say never.”

“You are right, son.” Bart stretched with his hands above his head as he left the chair. “Look how the time flies!” He exclaimed, heading to the door. “I better leave, before that husband of mine notices I’m missing and sends all the Mafia soldiers to search for me.”

“Yeah, the professional worrier.” Liam grinned cutely, then his expression became serious. “Thank you, dad. For thisconversation and…everything else. I’m lucky and grateful to have you in my life. You welcomed me with open arms in your life and home, and treated me from the very start like I was your own flesh and blood.”

“Because that’s what you are to me.” Bart enveloped the younger man in a tight hug. “There is nothing anyone could say or do that would change that. Just like your siblings, you’ll be my baby even when you’reold and gray.”

The two stayed like that for a long moment, then the older of them disentangled from the embrace and, after kissing his stepson on the forehead, left the room. Once alone, Liam plopped down on the bed, then lay on his back, hands folded under his head, and started to reflect at the conversation that just ended.

Although Bart’s story offered him a big, clear picture of the relationship Brian had with him, Luca, and Martino, Liam sensed there were a lot of things his stepfather left out, and he wondered why he did that. While most of the events were told in detail, some of them were rushed, glossed over, or completely missing.

Since Brian told him about the roots of their family and the Old-World Mafia, Liam dedicated a lot of time to the study of the Laws governing the organization. He knew a lot about the often cruel treatment those born out of wedlock were subjected to by the very people who should have taken care of and protected them, so he understood Bart’s hesitation in revealing things from Luca’s past.

It was the same in Martino’s case; Liam once heard Baldassare, his soon-to-be husband, Elyan, Gabriele, and Nicola talking in Sicilian about Ottavio, the redhead’s older brother. From what he could understand, the guy was a horrible person, who hurt a lot of people, out of sheer greed and ambition, and also because he was obsessed with Luca.

However, what intrigued Liam the most was Bart skipping eight years, from the moment he got pregnant with Blaise to when Gabriele showed up at the library. The young man doubted that period was lacking events worth mentioning; on the contrary, he suspected something happened, very important, but painful to mention at the same time.

Liam wished he knew what that thing was, not only to satisfy his curiosity, but also because he could learn more about his family and could use the newly gained knowledge to help them deal with different situations and get over them. The youth sighed and closed his eyes; when the time comes, I’ll know everything there is to know, he smiled at the thought.

*********

Another day, another of Margaret’s annoying visits, Brian thought, repressing a sigh of frustration and rubbing his temples. San Gennaro, please, give me the patience I need to deal with this woman in a civilized manner, he exasperatedly looked at the ceiling, hoping that the patron saint of Naples was there, somewhere, and listened to his prayer.

Her strategy of turning Imogen against me didn’t work, so now she’s trying something else, Brian continued his internal monologue. My dear ex-high school crush must have found out I’m filthy rich, too. Otherwise she wouldn’t put so much time and effort into taking our son Liam back into her house. A son she only saw as an embarrassment for more than nineteen years, he bitterly thought.

“Boss, you should have seen this! Young Liam almost kicked Luca's ass.” Tanner stormed into the library, shock written all over his face. “By Odin's beard, the kid is good!” He exclaimed with enthusiasm. “Ten times better than you!”

“That's my son.” Brian’s face was radiating paternal pride, his voice warm and affectionate. “He really is great.” He then huffed a laugh and turned to the guard. “Thanks, Tanner. You just reminded me how old I am.”

“Is this a military camp of sorts?” Margaret, who was not happy that both men were ignoring her, asked in a high-pitched voice. “Because that boy is not fit for a military life, he's too skinny.” She added, trying hard to seem concerned.

“No, this place is a rescue center and sanctuary for abused and neglected children, I told you before.” Brian huffed, exasperated. “However, learning self-defense is important, as it can make the difference between life and death. And yes, I agree, Liam is a bit underweight for his age, but he was skinnier when he lived with you.”

“I think you already heard the news, your firstborn almost kicked my sorry ass.” A shirtless Luca walked into a library, sporting a huge grin on his face.

“I heard.” Brian scanned the Sicilian’s naked torso with hungry eyes. “I’m one proud papa right now.” He made great efforts to hide the irritation Margaret produced him, but the other two men sensed it and gave him sympathetic looks.

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