Starlight Star Bright (The Men of Dragons' House Book 1)

by H. M. Wolfe

  ''Variants two and three, but especially the last one. My so-called culinary talents would mean nothing if I failed to impress you.'' Ardan wrapped Alasdair in a protective embrace.

  ''I love you, too. Immensely.'' Spitfire placed his head on the older man's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart. The thought that, in just a couple of hours, the peace of that loving heart would be shattered by his words was gutting him. ''Never forget that.''

  ''I won't, my love, my life, my better half.'' The turquoise eyes pierced into Alasdair's soul. ''I'll keep you safe from harm forever and love you to no end.'' Ardan cradled his husband for a few seconds. Then, sighing softly, he disentangled himself from the embrace. ''Time to get a quick shower. The guests will start to arrive in about an hour.''

  ''Oh, you didn't tell me who they are.'' Alasdair followed his husband upstairs to the master bedroom. ''And where are the boys? Will they be spending the night at Dunstan's again?''

  ''No, they came home. Then they did their homework and then went out to meet one of their classmates. Does the name Thorvald ring any bells?''

  ''Oh, that one!'' Alasdair exclaimed, sighing in relief. ''Yes, he's a good kid. He's the quiet, shy, but protective type. Who are our guests, again?''

  ''Ezra, Peyton and the architect Theodore and Hugo sent for the renovation and improvement of the base. He's the one who will work with your dad. You wouldn't believe what great ideas the guy came up with. He's also a very talented landscaper.''

  ''Uh-oh,'' Alasdair chanted, taking a sneak peek through the bathroom door, left half-opened, ''this architect seems a man of many talents. What else did you discover about him?''

  ''A lot of things, actually. He's very fond of children. He dreams of a big family but hasn't found the right person to share his dream with. Also, the poor fella worked for your wretched brother until he had enough of the bastard's shit. He sports a remarkable resemblance to you, and his name is Ronan Parker.''

  ''Ronan...Parker?! Are you sure about that?'' Alasdair swallowed hard, his voice shaking. ''Absolutely, one hundred percent sure?''

  ''Of course, I am.'' Ardan stepped into the bedroom, a towel in hand, drying his hair. ''Babe? What's wrong?''

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, the redhead told his husband about the conversation he and Tyler had, leaving out the part concerning Cian. The young man also mentioned the doubts he had. All the questions the whole story had raised in his head. Ardan carefully listened to his Spitfire, then, after thinking for a while, agreed with him.

  They devised a plan to include Ezra and Peyton. They would have the role of directing the conversation, bringing up the subject of family relations and childhood. To be sure the two would participate, Alasdair messaged them, explaining the whole story. As expected, the answer was a positive one with the young Bloom also offering to conduct a discreet investigation of Doctor Myra Parker.

  The couple arrived first; Jericho in tow, watching every step Peyton took, much to their exasperation. Over time, the former marine had gotten quite attached to the two. They had, together with Darien, a special place in his heart. Now, with Ezra's spouse experiencing their second pregnancy, his mission was not to let them out of his sight and doing everything in his power to help them.

  ''I'll get it.'' Ardan gestured to the others, who turned their attention to the sound of the doorbell. ''Welcome to my home...again.'' he greeted Ronan with a grin. ''Stop staring at me like that, buddy. My husband's home this time.''

  ''Oh, he is?'' the other man exclaimed, pleasantly surprised. ''You know, I can't wait to meet him. The guy has to be very special if he captured your attention. Just saying.'' he winked.

  ''"Finally! I get the chance to look into the face of the competition, and I have to say my Ardan didn't exaggerate. On the contrary, you are an extremely good looking man.'' Alasdair tried to hide his shock at the sight of the guest behind a joking tone.

  ''I'm the one who.s impressed,'' Ronan said softly. ''You are truly beautiful, unlike me. I'm just...dull, insignificant, and plain. Mother took good care to remind me that I'm the reason father left her.''

  ''Let's eat first, the young ones are starving.'' Ardan smiled tenderly, pointing to Lorcan, Cian, and Thorvald, who'd just stepped into the house. ''The twins are ours. That one is one of their classmates, but I have the feeling he will be part of the pack soon enough.''

  ''Thank you for the invitation. The food was...I can't even find a word to describe how much I enjoyed it accurately. One thing is for sure. I've never tasted something like this before.''

  ''Dad gave me the recipe.'' Ardan smiled at the memory. ''He said it was his favorite combination, and mom adored cooking it for him. I don't remember very much. I was only five when mom died.''

  ''Alasdair is also a great cook.'' Lorcan intervened, seeing the veil of sadness that was clouding his father's vision. ''Although I was already thirteen when I came to live with him and Pater, the taste of his stew will remain forever in my mind associated with childhood, love, and care.''

  ''You are a great family. You're so lucky to have each other.'' Ronan sighed heavily. ''Mother was very strict with me. She always had total control over what and how much I ate. The food she cooked was always tasteless, and she called me an ungrateful, over spoiled brat if I complained.''

  ''Speaking of families. Where are you from? Besides your mother, do you have any living relatives? Ardan and I like to know these kinds of things about people who work for us, but we also share bits and pieces of our past.''

  ''That's fair, I guess.'' Ronan timidly smiled. ''I was born and raised in Seattle. Mother was a respected doctor there, until a scandal ruined her reputation, leading to premature retirement. I had Uncle Robin, but he died seven years ago. It was in a fire, making me his sole heir. Among other things, I own thirty-five percent of an architecture firm in the city, Flemming & Parker. Oh, and my mother's name is Myra.''

  ''W

  ow, this world really is small,'' Alasdair said, eyes widened. ''I didn't know about you. My father's office at the firm was the place where I spent most of my spare time, second only to our home. I hadn't the slightest idea Mister Parker had a nephew, he never mentioned you. Not even once.''

  ''Wait a minute! Didn't you say you and my employers are cousins? What's your name? Your real one, I mean.'' Ronan exclaimed, confused, looking around the table.

  ''My father's given name was Arthur Stark. From his birth and until the age of three, his father, who was a mere teen at the time, raised him by himself. When he enrolled in the Royal Navy, they made the boy give his son up for adoption. The Flemmings adopted the three-year-old and changed his name to Tyler. For many years, dad thought grandfather had abandoned him.''

  ''What a fascinating, twisted story.'' Ronan's eyes were shining with interest and enthusiasm. ''Sometimes, when I was little, and mother was yelling at me or when I was earning myself punishment, I wished father miraculously appear. I'd imagine him telling me he's sorry and taking me from that horrid place, but it never happened, and I gradually lost hope.''

  ''I'm sorry you were put through that. It must have been a horrible experience.'' Alasdair compassionately spoke, his emerald-green eyes glistening with unshed tears. ''I wish I could do more. Help you in some way, but I don't know of anyway...''

  ''Isn't it ironic?'' Ronan said, a tinge of bitterness in his voice. ''That the brother of Allen Flemming, one of the greatest pieces of trash in the Universe, is a sweet, caring, empathic guy like you?''

  ''Well, it's equally ironic that a sensible, considerate, respectful, creative, and hard-working man like yourself has a monster for a mother, like the one you described,'' Alasdair replied, revolted. ''She should not have been allowed to have children. She didn't deserve them.''

  ''You know, that's another funny thing.'' a huff accompanied Ronan's words. ''There was this woman, Pamela, who lost her baby at birth. Mother was under investigation for the incident. Mother blamed her for the whole situation, saying she didn't take care of hers
elf during the pregnancy.''

  ''No! She is a goddamn liar! That I know for sure!'' Alasdair balled his hands into fists under the table. ''Because the woman whose name she was trashing is my mom and the baby was my brother Ronan. He was the one she stole from his parents.''

  But the architect wasn't paying to his host's words anymore. With a frantic expression on his face, he was typing at his phone, stopping only to wipe the tears that were freely running down his cheeks. After a couple of minutes, that seemed like an eternity; the man sent the message. Then, with his head propped in both hands, he started to cry, sobbing loudly and uncontrollably.

  The sight broke Ardan and Alasdair's hearts. Especially since they were fully convinced Ronan was the child, Tyler believed to be dead and mourned for so long. The older of the two started to massage their guest's tense shoulders, while his red-haired husband was rubbing soothing circles on his long-lost brother's back.

  ''You can tell us what your problem is.'' Ardan calmly spoke as soon as the sobs died down. ''And we'll do our best to help you with it.''

  ''You can't help me. No one can.'' the architect looked at him, his stare pained. ''My friend is dying two thousand miles away, and there's nothing I or anyone else in this room can do to prevent it.''

  ''Is this friend of yours terminally ill? If yes, we can get access to his medical records and transfer him here, to the Institute. The possibilities here are much more...'' Alasdair started in a hope-filled voice, but his older brother cut him short.

  ''It's nothing like that. Kaden's boyfriend, the greatest scumbag I know, has found the safe house and is going to get him. It's just a question of hours, minutes even. And when he does, Allen Flemming won't show mercy! He won't hold back!''

  ''We need your friend's full name and the location of the safe house.'' Ardan's voice was firm, although it also retained a bit of gentleness. ''Ezra, message Mister Stark. The plane won't do this time! We need a military helicopter. Also, send messages to Leon, Daniel, Liam, Elias, and Seymour. Jericho, go to the base and get Landon.''

  ''I already messaged the guys.'' Ezra"s voice was as calm as Ardan's. ''Also, I thought about alerting Tarquin and Darien. We'll need them once we get there. Anything else I can do for you? Oh, I arranged for all the permits we need for the helicopter to land and take off from here, and I sent Uncle Rayne a message for some emergency medical equipment and a doctor, who most likely will be Maxine.''

  ''To say that I'm impressed would be an understatement.'' Ardan patted the black-haired man on the shoulder. ''But, on the other hand, we are talking about Ezra Bloom here.''

  ''What's happened!?'' Landon stepped inside the living-room, a worried expression on his face. ''Jericho told me we are going on a rescue mission. What's the destination, and who do we have to save? Oh, mighty bearded gods!'' he gasped at the sight of Ronan.

  The architect didn't notice the man's reaction, as he was overwhelmed by Ardan's response to his, or better said Kaden's desperate cry for help. The redhead had a hard time believing some strangers would go to such great extents to save that poor, helpless soul from the claws of the bastard who'd rewarded his love and trust with pain.

  The efforts those men were making, all the resources they were using made a compelling impression on Ronan. He was starting to wonder who they really were. Ardan's sudden change of attitude, from the well-mannered, refined host to the man in front of him, giving orders in a firm voice, amazed him the most. It was making him suspect the guy had a formal military education.

  ''My love, you stay here. I need you to take care of Peyton and the boys while we are away. I'll try to stay in touch with you for as long as I can, before the rescue.'' Ardan's voice was tender again, as he touched Alasdair's cheek.

  ''I will do my best. Please stay safe.'' the redhead whispered. ''If that heartless bastard harms the boy, teach him a lesson.'' he continued in a harsher voice.

  ''Your wish is my command.'' the older man bowed his head, kissing Alasdair's hand. ''Come on, Ronan. It's time to leave. The helicopter's here.''

  ''In a sec,'' he answered, turning to Alasdair and hugging him tightly. ''Words can't describe what I feel for you.'' Then, the architect hurried to catch up with the others from behind.

  ''Are you alright?'' Tyler's long-lost son heard a worried voice, about fifteen minutes after the helicopter took off. ''Are you airsick? There's no shame if you are not well. We won't laugh at you or shit like that. Ardan would throw out of the 'copter anyone who tried.'' the voice continued, a little amused.

  ''No, I'm fine. Only that...why are you doing all of this? What favors will you owe after that, and to whom? And everything to rescue a boy you don't know, based on the words of a man of whose existence you were not aware of until today.'' Ronan raised his head, meeting the man's dark-brown, warm eyes.

  ''We weren't properly introduced. You're right on that one.'' he extended a hand.

  ''Jeremiah Stanley, but my friends call me Jericho. I'm the brother of Leon over there. Our dad served under Colonel Stark's command. That will be your granddad if I've figured things out, right. So you aren't a stranger, but part of the family. Plus, I'd follow Ardan to the hell and back.''

  ''I can relate to that. He's a remarkable man.'' Ronan nodded, unmasked admiration in his voice. ''What about the others? What's their reason?''

  ''Leon does it for the family and to honor the memory of our father. Liam is Alasdair's and, well, your cousin. Elias is his husband. Landon and Seymour owe Ardan their lives, literally. And Daniel is also your cousin, from the Bloom branch of the family.''

  ''So, my family is quite numerous.'' Ronan softly spoke, a shadow of a smile playing on his sensual lips. ''Cousins, a loving brother...dreams come true, sometimes.'' he sighed.

  ''Yes, they do. Although not always in the way you expect. I also dreamed of being surrounded by a lot of children. Of raising a family, but the bosses up in the sky had other plans for me. I can't complain, though. I have all the kids I want at the base.''

  A comfortable silence followed. The presence of the man was having a calming, relaxing effect on Ronan. He felt more confident in their chances of finding Kaden alive and bringing him to New York City. However, the architect still blamed himself for the dire situation the kid had landed in. He should have stayed instead of leaving Seattle, or at least he should have taken the nineteen-year-old with him.

  But the man knew that it wasn't possible. Not as long as Kaden's grandfather was still alive. The old gentleman was the only person, besides Ronan, who cared about that boy. He would've noticed his absence right away. Ironically, the love the two of them shared played a crucial role in that goddamn bastard getting his filthy claws on him again.

  Minutes turned to hours, but the atmosphere wasn't tense, not even a bit. It began making the architect suspect everything was under control. They must've communicated via messages because none of them had moved from their place during the flight. Maxine, the doctor accompanying the party, seemed as calm and relaxed as the rest of the team.

  Finally, the helicopter started to descend to the heliport of an old military base that was still used from time to time. There, two vehicles were waiting for them, Jericho and Leon hopping into the driver's seat. After about half an hour, they stopped in front of a house.

  ''Come on, boys! It's showtime!'' Ardan said, his colder than ice voice giving Ronan shivers.

  ''Are you sure this is the place?'' he asked. ''I mean...Allen only rarely spends time here; it's his least favorite...''

  A series of blood-curdling screams put an abrupt stop to the man's questions. They came like a confirmation of the fact that someone was still fighting desperately, but was running out of time.

  ''S

  hut up, whore, and take it all!'' Allen spat, as he brutally thrust into the shivering, terrified boy. ''This and taking it into that filthy mouth of yours are the only things you are good for.'' he continued in the same harsh voice.

  ''It hurts, please...'' Kaden barely whispered, on the ed
ge of passing out. ''I'm sorry. I'll be good. I'm begging you...''

  ''Then beg. I like it when you do that.'' Allen thrust deeper and harder, making his victim scream in pain. ''Does it hurt? You should have thought about that when you dropped off of the face of the Earth without a word. Did you find someone else? Tell me, how did it feel with his cock in your ass?''

  ''It wasn't someone else. I swear! You've been the only man, my first. I...I love you, Allen. Please, don't hurt me anymore.'' With the last of his remaining strength, Kaden let out a desperate, long, strident cry. Then, his head lulled to the side, as darkness surrounded him.

  ''Stupid bitch!'' Allen shot his release inside the boy's ass and sinking his teeth into his shoulder. ''What did you hope to achieve with that? Who do you think would help you? My guards? Once I'm finished with you, I'll let them take turns at your delicious ass until there's nothing left to take.''