Chapter 21

Aaron struggled as best he could when suddenly he was released. He immediately turned around to find himself facing a burning Black with rage:

-I ordered you to stay home! Do you realize what could have happened if it had been someone other than me?

-He would have died, Aaron taunted.

Most of your men are near me and the others are inside with your uncle Jack.

I fear absolutely nothing.

It was then that Black saw several of his men appear in front of him.

-You didn't have to come! Because of you, my men can't protect my uncle or Justin!

It was a low blow but Black was blinded by anger. Just imagining him in danger, he couldn't control himself.

A primitive fear rose in him like when he had thrown himself into the sea to fish him out.

He grabbed him by the wrist and threw him into Paulie's arms.

-Watch him and if he tries to escape, knock him out!

Aaron almost slapped him. He had never been so humiliated in his entire life:

-You have no right!

Brennan tried to play it safe:

-Listen Aaron. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. Black is right.

-So you're on his side? the young man fumed.

There were more shots. Without a glance at Aaron, Black crossed the brush of the entrance followed by Brennan.

They were halfway to Justin's ship when they were caught by one of his men and informed of the situation.

Fortunately, Brennan knew the place perfectly. They could save precious time.

Tied to a chair, his arms tied behind his back, Justin remained stoic. William and his two henchmen were watching him closely.

They had all heard the gunshots.

William had unfortunately hired the entire scum of society to protect his mansion. It would be extremely difficult to reach him. His men were thieves and unscrupulous killers who would stop at nothing for a little money.

Too bad William didn't leave one or two to watch him, he could have bribed them.

-Well my dear Justin! William smiled, it looks like the reinforcements have arrived!

I am impatiently awaiting Brennan's arrival in this room. I do not doubt for a second his ability to eliminate all this waste that I would not have to pay for their dirty work.

But it is different for you. He will do anything to save your life especially since he lost his brother.

Justin answered him just as calmly:

-All that interests Brennan is to avenge his brother by killing Red Flam. I am only a means for him to achieve his ends.

I believe William that you have attacked the wrong person but at least, he will have the joy of killing the murderer of his brother.

William started to laugh:

-And I affirm that none of you will escape!

Brennan was behind the closed door.

Livid, he had heard everything. Black put his hand on his shoulder to support him.

His own cousin! The one he considered a brother thought he had murdered Aaron and had tried several times to kill him?

Unable to think coherently, he left his place to Black. He had to be at full capacity to save Justin.

The pirates had the situation downstairs under control. Uncle Jack was having a great time and most of the miscreants in the manor had fled before the pirate attack.

All that remained was to free Justin and take care of William.

They remained silent and could detect the voices of two other people in the room besides William.

How were they going to free Justin without hurting him?

-Paulie! Aaron shouted. You can't let Justin down! He's your captain. And you Logan? You don't mind staying here? And Uncle Jack? He might be hurt! And you? He asked Black's men, are you going to sit around twiddling your thumbs while your captain risks his life?

-We'd like to go and beat them up too!

-But we can't disobey the captain, a pirate simply said out loud what the others were thinking to themselves. You're more precious to him than his own life.

Our code of honor requires us to protect you, Mr. Aaron. You're his w...er, his promised one after all.

-Well, let's all go together! That way you'll protect me and at the same time finish the job your captain started!

I promise you! I'll stay behind you, that way I won't risk anything. And then I have a gun. I'm a skilled marksman!

The pirates discussed among themselves whether they should go or not, but Aaron knew he had won.

They split into two groups.

-Mister Aaron, you will stand in the middle of us. You will not risk anything like that.

Aaron was ready to accept anything as long as they entered this damned mansion!

Black decided to act. After waving to Brennan, he forced the door and shot the biggest guy, hitting him in the hip. He started screaming before falling to the ground, screaming in pain.

In that moment, he pointed his gun at William. Brennan, who was following him, shot the other guy, hitting him in the arm before he could use his gun. He screamed too before running away.

Unfortunately, William had positioned himself behind Justin and was pointing a knife at his throat:

-Well, my dear cousin! Here we are all gathered for the final act!

He began to cut Justin's throat, who pursed his lips in helplessness:

-I strongly advise you to drop your weapons, gentlemen, if you don't want me to slit his throat like a pig. It would be a shame to dirty my brand new carpet.

Brennan and Black exchanged a brief glance before gently placing their weapons on the ground.

Brennan stared at Justin, who was very pale:

-Are you okay?

-Yes.

He then addressed William:

-Why?

William's man was still moaning in the corner of the room.

-Excuse me, one moment, we can't hear each other anymore with this noise.

He then took a pistol out of his pocket and killed his accomplice without any qualms.

He then smiled as he turned to them:

-That's better!

Dismayed, Brennan and Black stood there with their arms hanging in front of William.

Only Justin, who had already seen what he was capable of, remained unmoved by the horror of the situation they found themselves in.

He was therefore not surprised to see him kill one of his accomplices. He was completely crazy and he hoped that his brother and his lover had planned a backup plan otherwise they were all doomed.

William, now that he had his gun out, pulled the knife out of Justin's throat. He pointed it at Brennan:

-You ask me why I want you dead? But for the money of course! I had to endure seeing you and your brother having the good life and enjoying the profits of Hargroves Manor while my father who was the youngest son only had this small country residence and a house in London.

So when my father died, I said to myself:

-Why not kill my nice cousins? Then I will inherit everything they have.

I am really sorry for Aaron, you know! I loved him very much but you don't have to worry you will join him soon.

-I didn't think you hated us so much, Brennan said, when you were like a brother to us.

William smiled coldly, worryingly:

-You didn't understand what I told you? I loved you and Aaron like brothers too. It's not personal. I just want to become the heir to Hargroves Manor.

Brennan shook his head, stunned by the perversity.

"My plan didn't go quite as planned," William continued, "but I'm going to fix that."

Black's deep voice suddenly rose in the room. They had to buy time while waiting for his uncle and his men to come to the rescue. He was their last lifeline:

-And how do you plan to get out of this? The manor is surrounded by my men and all your accomplices have fled or are dead.

-Easy! William replied. I kill Brennan, I kill you and I keep Justin hostage to get out of here. Then I kill him and I become the heir in title.

I will say that we were attacked by Red Flam and that I am the only one who got out.

All of London knows of Brennan's hatred towards Red Flam who killed his brother and the fact that he wants revenge on him by killing him.

But Red Flam got there first and he is the one who got caught!

William then pointed his gun at Brennan:

-I will never forget you, my dear cousin. Say hello to Aaron for me!

-No need, replied Aaron, I hear you perfectly!

And he fired.

Eyes bulging William received the bullet in the head. He had not touched the ground that he was already dead.

Brennan ran to free Justin to hug him while with trembling hands, Aaron dropped his gun.

Black did not have time to tell him anything that Paulie and Logan already entered the room to check that their captain had nothing.

His men also rushed into the room:

-Sorry captain. Mr. Aaron is a better shot than us and we thought that with the element of surprise the madman would let go of his guard for a few seconds just enough time for Mr. Aaron to act.

-That was well played. Thank you. You saved our lives.

-It's not us who should be thanked but Mr. Aaron. He's the one who did everything.

Aaron who at first had been shocked by William's words, had quickly recovered.

They all returned to Hargroves Manor finally free from the threat that weighed on them.

Brennan called the police and went to lock himself in the library. It was too much for him. He needed a drink.

After thinking Aaron was dead, having fallen in love with Justin who was none other than Red Flam, almost losing him too, he learned that his cousin was a murderer and that without Aaron they would all be dead.

He poured himself a glass of whiskey. Now everything was finally over. He was going to be able to resume his activities and manage his lands with Justin.

There was a knock at the door and Justin stuck his head through the crack:

-Can I come in? I need to talk to you.