Chapter 3

Golden brown... the color of his eyes was golden brown.

Justin stared at him shamelessly.

He had never been able to forget his face in three years and yet he had only seen it for a few seconds.

It was surprising, that night when Hargrove had... he shook his head, he would have sworn as he left that given his blondness he had blue eyes.

This guy had a dazzling animal beauty.

He had tried to forget it and spent his last three years in the arms of countless women but nothing had worked. Hargrove had left his mark on his body.

He would never have imagined for a second that the Duke of Hargrove and that drunkard who had forced himself on him that night were the same person.

The other probably didn't remember him and besides he had drunk so much that he probably didn't remember anything at all.

At least that's what he hoped but he still felt a little pang in his heart.

Adams brought them whiskeys and closed the door quietly behind them.

Brennan's gaze lingered on his face and then his body.

"Now tell me everything from the beginning."

Justin slowly swirled his whiskey, his eyes staring into space.

"If I may say so, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I am the captain of a merchant ship that had just returned to port. I was very happy to be back on dry land and I was walking along the docks when I overheard a conversation between two sailors.

They said that Red Flam was waiting for them to settle his score with an aristocrat."

I don't know why but I followed them. I admit that I dreamed of having the opportunity to see what Red Flam looked like.

But they suddenly disappeared into an alley and by the time I caught up with them, there was a small group that had formed around a man in a dark corner.

Brennan looked up impatiently.

"Did you see him?"

-No sorry, it was too dark. All I could see was his black hair.

I heard them say they were going to set a trap for a noble and kill him so I slipped away but they saw me and started chasing me.

They were screaming for me to be silenced but I managed to escape and found myself in front of this tavern.

When I opened the door, you were the only one who seemed like a respectable man so I ran towards you.

Brennan wasn't surprised that Red Flam was trying to eliminate this young man.

He wanted to remain completely anonymous and he thought he had seen his face.

Moreover, he too was moving heaven and earth to get him out of hiding and he probably didn't like that.

Now that this young man was in danger, he couldn't let him go.

Red Flam would want to find him to silence him and he would then be on his way to put a bullet in his head!

Brennan saw him shaking with shock and took pity on him:

-You can stay here as long as you want, I'll take care of protecting you.

-Joyfully, Justin moved and shook his hand tightly:

-I don't know how to thank you!

When Justin touched him, an electric current struck them.

Brennan felt a hot wave go through him but Justin immediately withdrew his hand, blushing violently:

-I'm sorry. By the way, my name is Justin Thornwood.

Brennan thought for a moment. It was strange, he felt like he had heard that name somewhere before:

-I'm Brennan Hargrove.

Suddenly, Justin took a step back, frightened.

"Are you the Duke of Hargrove?"

Brennan's deep laughter filled the room.

"I've never eaten anyone and you have nothing to fear with me."

Justin looked down:

-Are you sure I won't disturb you?

-Not in the least and if Red Flam is looking for you, this would be the last place he would come.

Justin sighed in relief.

"Thank you again, Duke."

"Hargrove, that will do."

Every time he laid eyes on him, an indefinable feeling invaded him.

-Have we met somewhere before? I have this vague impression of knowing you.

A quickly suppressed metallic glint passed through Justin's gaze:

-No, I don't think so, otherwise I would have remembered you. Besides, with all due respect, we don't move in the same circles.

Brennan was indeed a duke and his stature already inspired respect but if he had not been a duke, he could almost have seemed like a pirate.

Justin was fascinated by his long blond hair tied in a ponytail as well as by the ring that shone in his left ear.

It was very rare to see nobles with an earring.

Did it have a special meaning to him?

Brennan scratched her chin lightly,

"Yes, you're probably right. Adams will show you to your room. I know he won't go to bed until I'm in bed myself. We'll talk about this in the morning.

" "Okay, good night, sir...I mean Hargrove."

"Good night Justin."

As soon as Adams returned, Brennan addressed him:

-Watch him. I don't want to get attacked in my bed tonight and I don't know if I can really trust him. Time will tell.

-Tomorrow morning, we will leave for Hargrove Manor. If he is really wanted by Red Flam, it is too dangerous to stay here.

I am counting on you to hire a dozen guards who will protect us.

Adams bowed.

-Yes sir.

He owed everything to the Duke of Hargrove.

Many years ago, when he was starving, he had picked his pockets, but the Duke had noticed and instead of taking him back to the magistrate, he had asked him:

-Why?

He had then shrunk in on himself before his implacable gaze and had simply answered:

-I am hungry.

The Duke had then taken him home and he had not left his side since.

His debt to him was eternal.

Brennan sat down in a chair and thought about the little person sleeping upstairs and a rush of desire washed over him.

He had refrained from hugging him because he didn't want to scare him away but he was excited just by the thought of running his fingers through his beautiful red hair.

He almost hoped that he would come and attack him tonight, so he could devour him slowly until his hunger for him was satisfied.

He dreamed of diving endlessly into that tender body and in love he was insatiable.

It had been a long time since he had felt such desire for someone.

He then remembered a certain night when he had made love to a young man whose face he had not seen but who had haunted his dreams every night since.

He had noticed that he was not indifferent to him so why not take advantage of it a little?

As soon as Justin was in his room, he stood at the window and lit a candle.

It was the signal to let Paulie and Logan know that everything was okay.

He scanned the street but didn't see them, although he knew they were close by.

He blew out the candle and went to bed.

What a coincidence that the guy who forced himself on him three years ago was Aaron's brother.

If he recognized him, their plan would be ruined.

He then addressed his brother silently.

Black! I hope you get me out of here soon!

I'm in a real mess!