Chapter 7

The Duke of Hargrove's cousin, William, arrived at the manor late in the morning. As he entered the library, he gave Brennan a friendly hug:

-So old man! What's going on exactly?

I was worried when I got your letter forbidding me from coming to see you but I couldn't help but come support you.

-There's no way I'm leaving you alone in this secluded mansion with Red Flam on your tail.

Brennan was happy to have an ally by his side even if it was dangerous since he had lost trust in Justin:

-I'm happy to see you but I would like you to return to London. I could never forgive myself if anything happened to you.

He clenched his fists for a moment as he thought back to his brother:

-Since Aaron died, you're the only friend I have left. I don't want you to get involved.

William put his hand on his shoulder:

-We have practically lived together since we were little and since your parents died, I have always been there for you and Aaron. For me, you are like my brother so don't leave me aside. I also want to avenge Aaron.

Moved in spite of himself, Brennan still refused to be softened:

-Sorry William. You can stay tonight but you will leave tomorrow morning. We had barely arrived when we were attacked and we barely escaped.

He briefly told him how he met Justin and the pirate attack.

For now, he preferred to keep his suspicions about Justin quiet since he didn't have enough evidence to accuse him yet.

The latter arrived just then, introduced himself and shook his hand:

-I'm Justin Thornwood, nice to meet you.

He received a cordial handshake. This tall young dark man seemed very friendly.

He wasn't as charismatic as Brennan but the latter had to eclipse more than one.

William turned to Brennan:

-You know, if I came it's mainly to give you an invitation to the governor's ball. He received from the prince of India a huge diamond that he will wear around his neck to show to whoever wants to see it. He is so full of himself that he thinks he has escaped from Red Flam.

-It is true that it is astonishing that the prince's ship was able to cross the Pacific seas without having to deal with him and since then he believes himself safe.

-This idiot tells anyone who will listen that it is a sign from heaven and that God is on his side and protecting him.

-You can be sure that Red Flam will do everything to steal the diamond from him.

- If he attacked you, it is because he is not at sea. All we have to do is not let the governor out of our sight and we will get our hands on him.

-I don't want you to get involved! It's too dangerous! Give me those invitations, I'll go alone.

-No! Justin cried. I want to come too.

Brennan's suspicious gaze rested on him for a few minutes:

-I said no and that goes for you too. You were injured, you need to rest.

-You can't leave me alone here, Brennan. What if Red Flam attacks me while you're gone?

-And I want to go to the governor's masked ball, William insisted.

Defeated, Brennan allowed them to return to London with him but they would remain at his residence until he returned from the masked ball.

Justin and William looked at each other knowingly. They had several hours to force him to change his mind.

Hidden in the governor's bedroom closet, Brennan was waiting for Red Flam.

He hadn't let go of the governor all evening, explaining to him that Red Flam would certainly come to the ball and wouldn't hesitate to kill him to get his jewel.

The governor laughed in his face:

-Let that cursed pirate come! I'm waiting for him!

Brennan frowned in disapproval. Did he honestly think Red Flam had come alone?

Since everyone was disguised, his entire band of pirates had been able to blend in with the crowd of aristocrats.

He himself had put on a wolf and a wig of long black hair so as not to be recognized.

He had managed to convince Justin and William to stay at home because he too was in danger. He would not be able to protect himself and defend them at the same time.

They had finally come around to his opinion and he had been able to leave.

And now he waited. The governor had to return to his room to deposit the jewel and lock the room.

How stupid when picking the lock had been child's play!

Suddenly he heard the doorknob turn. Someone was coming in!

His footsteps stopped in front of the closet doors. Was it the governor or Red Flam?

He ducked into the back of the closet so as not to be seen.

The doors suddenly opened to reveal a head of flaming hair.

Justin! But what was he doing there?

Despite his mask, he had recognized him!

Yet he had forbidden him to come.

Unfortunately, his suspicions about him were confirmed.

He was perhaps there to warn Red Flam himself of the danger he was in.

Justin entered the closet and closed the door quietly. He could hear the governor's footsteps.

In a few moments, he would be in his room.

He had looked everywhere for Brennan, worried to death. He had made him believe that he would stay home wisely but as soon as he had gone out, William and he had followed him.

Brennan's cousin had arranged for costumes and they had no trouble getting into the governor's house, the name Hargrove being known throughout England.

Once inside, they split up to look for him. That's when Justin saw one of his men. He pointed out the direction Brennan had gone.

The governor's room.

He was reassured, they had had their eye on him the whole time.

Now he was stuck in this closet. He opened the door very slightly. The governor was not alone.

He was with a masked woman laughing and kissing without restraint.

He had removed his jewel which he had placed under the bed.

He suddenly felt a hand placed over his mouth while an arm surrounded him and prevented him from moving:

-He distinctly heard a man's voice whisper in his ear:

-It's very naughty to spy on others.

What was he going to do! And what was this man doing in the Governor's closet?

He was trapped! If he defended himself, he too would be surprised by the governor.

He then felt the man's lips nibble his ear as his hand went down to his crotch and gently caressed it.

Furious, Justin crushed his foot. The man jumped in surprise but didn't release his grip.

Brennan was having a lot of fun! He got to touch Justin however he wanted. It was his punishment for disobeying him.

He who took him for a sweet and naive being, he realized to what extent he had been abused.

His little Justin was as cunning as a fox but he was smarter than him and he would unmask him.

Brennan then pressed her pelvis against his buttocks and ran her hand into Justin's pants:

-I'm going to make sure that little piece of flesh is much more swollen under my fingers, he murmured.

-Not even in my dreams! You filthy disgusting pervert!

Justin found himself stuck between this man and the governor on the other side of the door.

How could he get out?

He felt the man's breath slowly descend on his throat and gently nibble him while his manhood hardened against his buttocks.

He began to pant. Despite his words, his member was awakening and hardening to the rhythm of the comings and goings of the foreign hand that activated it.

He did not know why but at this moment, he thought of Brennan's burning hands on him.

His gaze blurred as his body responded indecently to the unknown fingers.

He did not want to! It was Brennan that he wanted!

He whispered so as not to be spotted by the governor:

-I'm going to kill you, you big perverted monkey!

The man's hand hung there for a moment but resumed its dance at an accelerated pace.

Brennan had been shocked at the time. The words Justin had just said...he remembered them...it was three years ago when he had made love to a little devil whose hair the color of autumn leaves shone brightly under the light of the hallway of the governor's palace.

The governor was called by a servant. He was wanted in the reception room. He grumbled and got dressed, not having had time to enjoy the charms of his companion and too drunk to realize that he had forgotten the diamond.

As soon as they left the room, as the man pressed his erect penis harder against his buttocks while activating his member, he turned his head and bit him hard on the arm.

Brennan let go of him abruptly and nearly screamed in pain as Justin burst out of the closet and ran away.

But as he reached the door, he snapped at him,

"You'll be a eunuch before daybreak, you bastard!"