Chapter 20

Aaron was eating breakfast quietly while he was making plans to make Black bend.

Should he knock him out and tie him to his bed? Or maybe have him kidnapped and lock himself up alone with him until he saw reason?

Still hesitant about what to do, he saw Brennan arrive:

-Have you seen Justin?

-No, sorry Aaron replied while buttering his bread. I just came down.

Brennan frowned worriedly:

-He left me this morning at the inn. I thought he had come back directly here but if that's not the case, I don't see where he could be.

He was hesitant about what to do.

After confessing his love to her during the night, why had he left without saying anything?

He was starting to get seriously worried. At the inn everyone was asleep so he hadn't been able to question anyone.

Paulie and Logan had still gotten up with difficulty before following him.

When Black came down, he felt Aaron's scathing gaze fall on him. Very calm, he asked:

-What's going on?

-Justin gave my brother the slip. But it runs in the family, doesn't it, Black?

The latter glared at him before addressing Brennan directly:

-This is not normal. I will send two men to his ship. He is surely there but I am certain that everything is fine.

However Brennan was not fooled. Black's voice was uncertain. He was also worried about Justin.

-I am accompanying your men. There is no way I am waiting here.

-Me too, I am coming! cried Aaron. If Justin has problems I want to help him.

-No! Black interrupted him. If Justin has struggled so far, it is to find your murderer. You must stay hidden here.

He then fixed Brennan with his icy gaze:

-I'm counting on you to find him and bring him back safe and sound.

He then pointed at Paulie and Logan:

-Go with him!

The two pirates nodded:

-We thought you would never ask us! If anyone touches our captain, he's dead!

As soon as they set off, Black began to stamp his feet. He could feel Aaron's burning gaze piercing him:

-What's wrong?

Aaron got up from the table and walked towards him:

-I'm sorry about Justin. You shouldn't stay with me here. My brother isn't far away, you can still catch him.

Please go ahead, I have a bad feeling about this. Anyway, Uncle Jack is here and there are pirates hidden in every flowerbed in the garden. I'm not at risk.

Uncertain, the pirate then placed his hand on his and squeezed it tenderly:

-Are you sure it'll be okay for you?

-But yes, finally! Hurry up!

Black finally felt the weight that was blocking his stomach fly away:

-Thank you, Aaron. I'll repay you for that.

-In a bed I hope!

Black began to blush:

-You never miss an opportunity, do you?

Aaron was about to answer him when a pirate burst in, holding a man by the scruff of his back:

-We found this one snooping around near the house, boss.

The man struggled as best he could until the pirate let him go:

-I wasn't snooping! I'm Monsieur le Marquis's lawyer!

Black nodded.

"Indeed, Mr. Tafford. I didn't expect you so soon."

"Who is it?" Aaron asked, intrigued.

"It's my notary."

Tafford adjusted his glasses and ran his hand through the little hair he had left to straighten it before addressing Black,

"You told me these documents were extremely important to you, so I brought them back myself for safekeeping."

Black walked over to the old man who handed him the documents.

He read them with little interest, eager to join Brennan:

-That's perfect. You can go. You will be paid accordingly for the effort provided.

-Thank you, Mr. Marquis! Thank you!!

Black put the documents on the table and picked up a pen. He then turned to Aaron:

-Can you sign, please? Then I can go find Brennan.

Curious, Aaron began to read.

Black saw his hands shaking as he paled visibly.

However, it was in a very calm voice that Aaron questioned him:

-A marriage annulment? We only got back yesterday and this morning there is already a lawyer at my door to make me sign this rag? You didn't waste any time, my dear husband!

Black, nervous, felt that Aaron was going to cry. What would he do then? He was unable to fight against his tears.

Yet against all expectations, Aaron's golden gaze became thunderous. He took the pen and put his signature on it.

He then instantly turned to Black and slapped him hard before throwing the file at his face:

-I hate you!! I will never forgive you!

Black went to the entrance, furious:

-You're lucky I don't have time to take care of you, otherwise I would have given you a good spanking!

-I'm not a child, you poor brainless moron! You stupid pirate!

But Black had already left.

Uncle Jack, who had witnessed the whole scene, finally showed up:

-So, son? You can't even keep a man after putting a rope around his neck?

I admit that you really disappointed me by signing that paper. I thought you would have gouged his eyes out instead.

Aaron snickered,

"Don't take me for an idiot, old man! Who said I signed anything?"

Uncle Jack smiled broadly and patted him on the back:

-Ah!! I recognize the pirates' sneakiness there! You are worthy of being part of the family!

As Black and Brennan galloped towards the port where Justin's ship was docked, William and his cronies moved him to his second home in the countryside.

They had gagged him and wrapped him in a rug to make sure he couldn't escape.

Although William wasn't too worried, Justin was relatively weak.

He would have no trouble killing him as soon as he had Brennan in his hands.

All he had to do was carry out his plan.

He had one of his servants send a letter informing his cousin that he had found Justin collapsed on the road and had taken him home to heal him. According to him, Red Flam had tried to kill him.

Brennan must have gone home. He would not suspect for a second that he was going to fall into his trap.

It was Aaron who retrieved the letter. The pirates who were guarding the entrance to the manor did not allow the servant to go inside.

So he gave them the letter, which they quickly gave to Aaron.

When he had finished reading it, he addressed Uncle Jack:

-We must warn Black and Brennan! But I don't understand. Why would Justin have told William that Red Flam had tried to kill him?

Uncle Jack sat down, sniffing under his breath:

-That's not very clear. We should be careful. Does this letter really come from your cousin?

-Yes, I'm sure of it. I recognized the livery of his servant.

-Oh my! There's something fishy going on. I can feel it!

-Let's have my brother and Black warned and go see what's going on over there on our side.

We'll get there faster than them.

-Did you hear Black, son? You're not moving from here!

-The problem is that you don't know where William's manor is.

-Well, make me a map.

-No. Either I come or you figure it out on your own! Justin and William are certainly in danger and you're wasting our precious time.

Upset, Uncle Jack hit the ground with his cane:

-You dirty kid! Do you know who you're talking to?

Stubborn, Aaron continued to defy him.

Uncle Jack then sighed:

-Okay, you won. I'll take you. But at least draw me a plan that I can give to my men.

-You really take me for an idiot!

Uncle Jack smiled:

-Well, I tried at least! I'll let Black correct you when we all come back safe and sound.

Aaron knew William's residence perfectly well, having stayed there when he was a child. He preferred not to go through the main entrance. He had to remember that he was supposed to be dead.

So he showed Uncle Jack a small entrance behind the manor blocked by brush:

-Go through there and you will arrive directly at the kitchen door. I will hide in these bushes next door. No one will be able to see me.

-Good idea, little one. Me and my men, we will quickly recover Justin and William and we will come back quickly.

-Above all, avoid scaring William and explain to him that you are Justin's uncle.

Uncle Jack raised his hand to stop his tirade:

-Yes, yes, I know. You on the other hand, do not show yourself under any circumstances. I am leaving men to protect you. Brennan and Black should arrive soon so wait for them wisely, understood?

-Yes, cross of wood, cross of iron!!

Uncle Jack chuckled:

-A real pirate, that one!

Aaron felt like he had been waiting forever huddled in his bush when he heard several gunshots. He got up right away. What was going on? Should he go see? He headed for the door. Luckily Uncle Jack had given him a gun.

He absolutely had to know what was going on so he could warn Brennan and Black if necessary. So he headed for the entrance before one of Black's men could stop him.

He gently lifted the bushes when he felt himself belted around the waist while a rough hand was placed over his mouth.

He was trapped!