Mending the Rift (16 page)

Ducking his head, Luca placed the heap of clothes next to him and got rid of the hated hospital gown. Marcus appeared next to him. He unfolded the shirt and held it out. Luca slipped into it and afterward into Marcus’s sweater, sighing in contentment. “I really like your sweaters.”

Marcus rolled up the cuffs so Luca’s hands weren’t hidden and grinned at him. “Good to know.”

After putting on socks, Luca stuck his legs into his jeans and pulled them up. When it came to closing the button, he stared down at himself in disbelief. “I… I can’t… I don’t fit into my jeans anymore.”

Nicholas laughed, his usual warm laughter, the one Luca hadn’t heard since his rescue, and it was enough for him to forget his indignation. “Stop laughing.”

“You should’ve seen him when he didn’t fit into his pants for the first time. I thought he’d have a complete meltdown,” Gregory chimed in. “He stomped about our home for the whole day, snapping at anyone daring to cross his path.”

“I wasn’t
that
bad.” Nicholas craned his head back, smiling at his husband.

“No, you were simply horrible,” Gregory agreed.

Marcus rustled another bag, drawing Luca’s attention away from his bickering parents. “These are jeans with an adjustable waistband. I figured you might be in need of them soon.”

Luca pulled the offending jeans off and tried the new one on instead. After some fumbling with the waistband, the jeans were a comfortable fit. Luca pecked Marcus’s cheek. “Thank you.”

Marcus’s arms closed around him in a hard and encompassing hug, stealing Luca’s breath. “Only the best for my kitten.”

“You need to find a new pet name for me. I can’t be a kitten anymore when our baby boy is there.”

“He’ll get his own name. You’ll be my kitten forever,” Marcus whispered, lifting Luca off his feet for a few seconds before gently setting him down again. He cast Luca another smile, pushing Luca’s sneakers closer, and busied himself with packing away Luca’s few belongings.

Someone knocked at the door. Marcus switched into alert mode. Luca’s heart rate increased as well, even though he knew he should be safe here. The incidents of the last weeks had left marks on his psyche, no matter how much he wished they hadn’t. Marcus put himself strategically between Luca and the door, and Luca caught a glimpse of his father shielding his dad in the same manner.

“Marcus? Can I come in? It’s Keith?”

The tension inside the room evaporated in an instant. Luca slumped down on the bed, his legs shaking from too much adrenaline coursing through his system, as Marcus called Keith inside. Keith hobbled, leaning on a walking stick, his unoccupied hand in a cast. It was the first time Luca had seen him since he’d been kidnapped, and no one had prepared him for Keith’s appearance. He bolted to his feet and crossed the distance, stopping himself a few inches away from his bodyguard.

“What? No hug? I haven’t seen you in weeks and I don’t even get one simple hug? Or is your hunk not allowing that anymore?” Keith smiled and held out the arm with the cast.

Luca stepped closer, carefully giving Keith a hug. “I’m sorry about your injuries. I didn’t know they were that bad, no one told me. Only that you were all right. What about the other guys in the car behind us?”

“The others are fine, just bruised. As for myself—it’s not too bad. Got beaten up, and my right wrist is broken. I’ll be as good as new soon. The cast should be off by tomorrow. I can’t wait. It’s itching like a pest,” Keith muttered.

Luca gestured to the walking stick and Keith’s leg. “What about your leg?”

“Got shot at, and the wound got infected. Hurt like fuck, but it’s okay now. I’ll be back at work soon enough, so don’t get any ideas about hiring a new bodyguard yet.” He turned toward Luca’s parents. “The car’s here. Security is in position.”

“Are we in danger of another kidnapping attempt?” Luca asked. He couldn’t remember anyone telling him about anything like that, though his mind could’ve been occupied otherwise. They wouldn’t keep this a secret. They knew Luca needed to know, so he could prepare himself mentally.

“There have been some ugly political consequences when it became known you’d been kidnapped and that Union scientists experimented on you,” Gregory said. “It wasn’t possible to keep this information a secret, and there was an information leak, so now people know the Union is looking for breeders from the Confederacy. We’ve closed all borders, and the Union reacted by massing their army there. We’re assuming it’s a show, because the publicity has been extremely negative for their government, and there are movements forming to bring down the current regime. We’re simply taking precautions at the moment.”

Marcus nodded in agreement. “I doubt they’ll try anything again, but you never know. Better safe than sorry.”

“What about Smith and your brother?” Luca asked.

“Smith has vanished without a trace. Kyle is in the hospital under tight observation. The doctors are treating him for the malnourishment of the last months, and he’s trying to regain his strength.” Marcus frowned before he added, “About the house hunting…. How about we postpone it and stay in your parents’ house? It’s the safest building anywhere in the Confederacy, after the president’s home, and I need you to be safe.”

“As long as you don’t mind living with me in my room, I’m fine with it. I’d rather help with the house hunting anyway, as you know.” His remark gained him a smile from Marcus, and besides that the knowledge of being under the same roof as his parents brought a tidal wave of relief and comfort with it. He needed all the familiarity he could get. They formed a group, with Luca and Nicholas in the middle of a bulk of armed men, all of them at least vaguely familiar to Luca. He’d grown up in a household with bodyguards and security personnel, but this… this was different. He cast a glance at his dad, who remained quiet and tense during their short walk to the elevator. Luca followed his example, taking in the men around him. They all looked grimmer than normal. Anyone daring to come too close to Luca or Nicholas would be in pain, that much was sure.

Despite a tiny part inside of him protesting that he shouldn’t need to be protected—after all he was a grown man—a bigger part sighed in contentment and the knowledge of being safe. Nothing bad would happen to him or his baby. No one would stick any more needles inside him, or strap him to cold examination tables, prodding at his swollen belly. He expelled a shaky breath and swiped a hand swiftly over his eyes, hoping no one realized how unhinged he was.

Luca jumped when Nicholas looped an arm around his, anchoring him. From close up, the dark circles under his dad’s eyes seemed almost black, yet he smiled at Luca, a genuine smile. Everything would be okay; Luca only had to trust his instinct. It didn’t prevent him from cradling the swell of his abdomen protectively with his free hand.

LUCA SPENT
the next two weeks at home, mostly catching up on sleep and gaining a pound or two. His parents or Marcus were with him at any time during the day or night. The house, and especially the garden and stables, were swarmed with additional security personnel. Even his dad started growling after a while because Gregory forbade any rides outside the training paddock.

Nicholas stomped up the small porch to the kitchen, heeling off his riding boots at the front and wiping sweat from his forehead, while Luca buttered slices of freshly baked white bread for lunch.

“Tomorrow I’m going for a long ride, several hours actually, just thought I’d inform you,” Nicholas bit off as he slid on sock-clad feet through the kitchen, leveling a finger at Gregory.

“You will do no such thing.”

“Watch me,” Nicholas replied.

“Nicholas,” Gregory snapped. Luca’s knife clattered on the counter. He’d never in his entire life thought he’d hear his father speak in such an icy voice. His dad seemed as taken aback as Luca felt, because he stopped on the threshold connecting the kitchen with a small hall and turned around. His father placed a piece of cheese on a slice of bread before he looked over at his husband. “This is not up for discussion.”

Nicholas’s shocked expression turned into anger, his expressive eyes flashing with pent-up frustration. “You can’t coop us up in here forever. No one’s going to snatch us away—another kidnapping attempt would be a suicide mission.”

“That’s my decision to make, not yours.”

Luca took a step away from the counter, holding up his hands. “Um, how about you two have your argument
after
I’ve beat a hasty retreat? That would suit me real fine.”

“There will be no argument,” his parents said in unison.

Luca burst into laughter. “Yes, I can see that.”

Marcus appeared behind Nicholas, caught Luca’s eye, and raised his eyebrows in silent question. Luca lifted a shoulder, grinning when his parents eyed each other with hard-to-interpret expressions. Marcus tapped Nicholas’s shoulder, and Nicholas gave a startled cry. Marcus took a quick step backward while Gregory strode toward Nicholas.

Nicholas’s breathing came in strained puffs when Gregory slung an arm around his waist and towed him out of the kitchen. Marcus looked after them. “What was that about?”

“Dad testing the boundaries,” Luca replied. “Come on, you can help me. I’m not preparing sandwiches on my own.”

Marcus sidled up behind him, enveloping him. His hands came to a rest on the rounding bump. Luca leaned back into the offered embrace, craning his head for a quick kiss. “That’s not going to help me.”

Marcus brushed a hand over Luca’s crotch, smiling at Luca’s hiss. “Are you sure?”

A thump followed by some shouted words reverberated through the house. Marcus went from teasing to protective mode within seconds. Without knowing how, Luca found himself hunkered on the floor, with Marcus shielding him.

“Marcus, that’s only Dad and Father yelling at each other.”

Marcus shot him a disbelieving look. “I’ve seen them arguing, and so far those arguments never shook the house.”

“You haven’t been in my parents’ employ for very long.”

“Over a year isn’t long to you?” Marcus asked, tapping his communicator on his breast. “Wilkins, status.”

“All clear, sir. The Walkers are having a disagreement. The vice president is trying to relocate further arguing to their bedroom.” Wilkins, one of their security personnel, replied promptly, and without any kind of inflection in his voice.

Keith’s voice floated through the communicator. “Nicholas is indulging in a tantrum, that’s all.”

“That’s all?” Marcus echoed. “Keith, the floor
shook
.”

“Be glad it’s only the floor and not the walls as well.” Keith chuckled. “Seriously, Marcus, it’s all right. They’re almost at the bedroom door. Once there, the ruckus will die down soon.”

“Ew! That’s more information than anyone needs, Keith. These are my parents after all,” Luca chimed in, rising to his feet and pressing his hand against his left side where the baby had just kicked him.

“Didn’t know you were listening in, kid. In any case, they’re at their door now.”

A door slammed shut, shaking the walls. Luca shook his head. “Wow, Dad’s not doing too well with being tethered to home and hearth. Aren’t you glad I’m not as hot-tempered as he is?”

“I can’t express how very glad I am.” Marcus expelled a long, drawn-out breath, and the tension slowly seeped out of his body. “He’s such a nice guy and then—boom! It’s really disconcerting sometimes.”

“It’s like uncorking a volcano from time to time. Father’s good at calming him down, and he never minds those explosions. Sometimes I think it’s one of the things he really loves about Dad, that he doesn’t hold back when he’s mad or happy.” Luca took up the knife again and buttered another piece of bread. “You’re still very… vigilant. I haven’t asked before, because I hoped you’d tell me on your own, but I’m guessing that’s not working. Is there still a concrete threat of another kidnapping?”

Marcus sighed, grabbed a chair, and sat astride on it. “Militarization at the borders is still going strong, and the Southern Union government still denies any knowledge of your kidnapping. They also claim they’ve no knowledge of the facility we found or of the way their scientists did their research.”

“That’s bullshit. The one that was assigned to me, Mia, wasn’t only a doctor, she was one of their designed war machines. She didn’t act on her own impulse, she followed orders. You know these war machines followed orders to a
T
.” Luca gave up on buttering more bread. Instead, he slapped slices of cheese and cold meat on them at random. After finishing his task, he piled them on plates and carried these to the square oak table, placing them in the middle. “Eat up.”

Luca wandered back to retrieve some glasses and jars of water and juices, aware of Marcus’s stare on him. When he sat down, Marcus asked, “Are you mad at me for keeping you in the dark?”

“It’s like living in a bubble, Marcus. I’m seriously not that delicate. I know there are bad people, and that whole kidnapping incident has brought the fragile peace between our Confederacy and the Union into jeopardy. Are we… are we in danger of another world war?” Luca swallowed, his hands rubbing over the bump, receiving a light kick in return.

“Not even the Southern Union is that dumb. We’ll have to figure out a way to keep the peace without any of the government losing face. Our people want retaliation, as a kind of power demonstration and because they fear more of our breeders are in danger. The Union fights to keep their structures intact as the movement to overthrow the current government gets stronger by the day. We suspect Smith has his fingers in this.” Marcus helped himself to a slice of bread with cold turkey and bit into it.

“How was it possible for Smith to escape?” Luca asked, not for the first time.

“Our mission was to find and rescue you. Capturing Smith was secondary, and there was a lot of confusion by the time we entered the picture.”

“Yeah, and there was Kyle too.” Luca peered at Marcus, noting the way Marcus’s brows creased, forming a ridge between them. He leaned over the table and smoothed a fingertip over it, earning himself a startled smile. “How is he? You’ve seen him today, haven’t you? Don’t think I don’t know you’re checking up on him every day. If I didn’t know he was your brother, I might become jealous.”