Chapter 2

Three years later, London.

Brennan Hargrove, Duke of Hargrove sat with his back to the wall and facing the door of the most disreputable tavern in town.

He wore simple clothes and had hidden his blond hair under a headband that he wore in the style of pirates to avoid being noticed.

But it was quite difficult given his stature.

He was surrounded by sailors who were returning to port to spend their pay on women and drinking after several months at sea, but also by scum of all kinds excited at the mere idea of ​​sticking a knife in the belly of anyone who would pick a fight with them.

There were also certainly a few pirates who were drowning in this motley crowd, but it was difficult to recognize them.

He was not crazy enough to measure himself against them and besides, he was not there for that.

As soon as someone entered, he pointed his weapon well hidden under the table towards the door.

He was waiting for Red Flam, the most untouchable of pirates and he was going to kill him.

The problem was that no one knew what he looked like.

He had been looking for her for a month. He had questioned a good number of sailors and pirates for a pint of beer for some and even gold for others, but none of their information matched.

For some, he was huge and never left his sabers even to sleep and for others, he had the presence of a prince and the strength of a lion.

He was also called by other names such as Red Satan or Black Le Noir.

Ridiculous!

This man had been a legend for three years. He had plundered dozens of merchant ships of the English navy, keeping a good part of the booty for himself. The rest was shared among his men.

Why had he murdered his brother?

Aaron was kindness personified. Being the youngest son, he had decided to work in a big shipping company because he loved boats.

If their father had still been alive, he would have prevented it because a duke's son did not work like a commoner.

But he saw no reason to oppose his brother's wishes when he had studied for several years to finally realize his dream.

In less than six months he had become a partner in Blacknight Maritime, which owned a considerable fleet of merchant ships and whose profits increased every year.

His brother seemed so pleased that he was himself very glad to have let him do what he wanted.

He understood Aaron because he too was not a man to live off his income all his life and leave the work to others.

He took care of the management of all his estates himself and this is certainly what made him one of the richest men in England.

But now Aaron was no longer because of that piece of shit Red Flam and he was going to avenge him!

That pirate was playing the English navy with impunity and he didn't give a damn but that he had dared to attack Aaron for no reason, that!

He was going to pay for it with his life!

He tightened his fingers a little more on his weapon as the pain of having lost a loved one pierced him again.

He had done everything he could to track down this damn pirate and it had worked. He finally had a lead.

Normally, he was supposed to come to this tavern to meet him.

He had managed to discredit him in the slums of London and it hadn't taken long for him to receive a message from him.

He was leaving his house when an old drunk stopped him, asking for a coin.

The latter grabbed him by the arm and gave him a message before stumbling and leaving.

When he read it, a wicked grin marked his face.

Finally! Red Flam had fallen into his trap!

He wanted to see him in the tavern "of lost souls" in two days at midnight and he would be there to skin him!

Now that he was close to the goal, nothing could stop him.

He was looking at the door for the hundredth time when suddenly everything happened very quickly.

A young man wearing a cape with a hood came rushing in. He stopped for a moment, frightened, when he met his gaze.

He immediately headed in his direction.

Intrigued, Brennan waited for him to speak. It was definitely not Red Flam. He was too young.

-Please! Help me! Red Flam is after me! He wants to kill me!

All the sailors turned to him in fear as Brennan stood up:

-Where is he?

-I don't know! I managed to lose him.

Brennan ran to the door but instantly became suspicious of this story. It might have been a trap and he was waiting for him in front of the door with his gun in his hand ready to shoot him.

So he pointed his gun forward as he went out but there was no one there.

He hadn't noticed that the young man was following him closely. As he turned around, he bumped into him but barely caught up with him:

-Are you okay?

The latter nodded:

-Can we leave here? I can't take it anymore.

Brennan couldn't see his face well but seeing him trembling, he decided to take him home.

Red Flam had made fun of him. He hadn't come but if this young man was indeed in danger, he just had to take him home.

It was the best way to lure the pirate into his nets.

So he took him by the shoulders and went out.

Outside, there was nothing suspicious. Everything seemed as usual.

Prostitutes were shouting on the sidewalk to attract potential sailors who had not yet squandered their money on whiskey, and a few drunks were singing on the sidewalk opposite.

Yet his instincts told him that there was great danger nearby.

-Let's hurry. My cab is two blocks away.

So they moved quickly but Brennan realized that they were being chased by three shady guys.

-They're men from Red Flam! the young man shouted.

Brennan had no chance of taking them down if he had to protect his companion at the same time, who seemed very frail and incapable of fighting.

They both ran out of breath and finally found themselves in the cab.

-Quick, James! Home!

The coach whipped the horses and they galloped off. They were safe.

They didn't say a word until they arrived at Brennan's London residence.

He was sick. He had been so close and everything had gone to hell.

He had thrown himself into the lion's den like a fool but at least he now had a chance of facing Red Flam if he was indeed looking for this young man.

The cab finally stopped in front of his house.

He didn't need to knock, his butler Adams had already opened the door.

-We're going to my office. Could you bring us some strong alcohol? We really need it.

-Thank you, my good Adams, and go to bed, it's late. I told you not to wait for me.

-Yes, sir.

The young man raised his eyebrows and followed him without arguing.

He was surprised at the way Brennan Hargrove Duke of Hargrove spoke to his employees. It was unusual among nobles but he respected his servants.

Brennan settled into a couch as the young man removed his cape.

He stood there transfixed by the angelic face with flaming hair that faced him.