Page 10 of Wolf's Whistle
“Oh my God, I’ve read all of your stuff. You make it all seem so real. Wouldn’t it be nice if it was?” Richard stood up to shake Colin’s hand. “You got me through a lot of difficult nights at the hospice.”
“I’m Kane Brady-Martin. I teach high school English at the Garou Academy.”
Richard turned his attention to the next young man. “Even I’ve heard of Garou Academy. It’s a very prestigious school. You must be an excellent teacher.”
Kane blushed.
“I’m Donal Berne-Davidoff, and if I can get in, I’m going to Juilliard in the fall.”
“That’s a hard get, but even your speaking voice is musical.”
“Thank you. I used to sing very well before—”
“Not now, Donal,” Julio admonished.
“Okay.” Donal nodded and looked down.
“You know who I am, Richard.” Julio grinned and chuckled. “In September, I start school to become a hair stylist. I’m also taking courses at NYU for business management. Etienne is opening a high-end salon for me.”
“It’s nice to meet everyone. As you must know by now, I’m Richard Kerrigan. I graduated from MIT and worked at Switched Power Designs until I blew the whistle on them to Congress for making a defective power supply for the Cougar II transport vehicle. They fired me and had me blacklisted. Up until today, I worked as a clerk in a grocery store and as a bartender at a dive bar a few blocks from my studio apartment. I’m grateful to Julio for remembering me and making it possible for me to work in my field again.”
“We all have more to our stories than what we’ve said, but we’ll have to get to know you better before we bare our souls.” Sean blew out a breath. “Donal and Julio had it particularly tough, so go easy on your friend when he tells you what happened to him. I married Armand first, then Ian, Rémy; Colin, Marc; Kane, Gabriel; Donal, Alexei; and finally Julio, Etienne. It’s difficult to make friends when your husbands are such powerful men. That’s why we are all so tight. We each have a guard for our own safety, and as long as you’re living with Julien, you’ll get one too. Each of us has come with troubles.”
“We ran into Richard’s trouble when we went to pack his things. A Serbian mobster regarded Richard as his personal property despite Richard telling him no too many times to mention.” Julio went to the refrigerator and grabbed a can of Coke. “Anyone want something?”
“Yeah,” said Ian. “Supper.”
“Don’t mind Ian, his appetite is legendary. We all eat very well, but Ian is a spectacular trencherman.” Sean poked Ian in the ribs.
Armand knocked on the doorframe. “Baby?”
“Supper?” Sean asked.
“Yes, but Martin and Rene are packing. We decided to leave tonight. The flight is only two and a half hours, and we’ll miss the traffic. We can all sleep late tomorrow. Richard, is that all right with you? You don’t have anything you need to see to before we leave?”
“No, Mr. La Marche. I’m good.”
“When we’re not in company, Armand will do. Now, Bianca has made filets and potatoes with leftover vegetables. Let’s go eat.”
Dinner was served and eaten quickly, and everyone except Richard went upstairs to change into their traveling clothes. He waited for the others in the library.
Etienne, Julien, and Julio were the first down the stairs.
“We put all of your things in the trunk of the limousine. You have your satchel with your computer, mon ange, so I believe that’s everything. I hear the others. Are you ready to go?” Julien asked.
Julio skipped over to Richard and patted him on the back.
“Yes, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be. I didn’t get a chance to thank you for dealing with Kasun. I took Krav Maga with Julio as a kid, but I don’t think I’d like to go up against Kasun’s goons.” Richard shook his head. “The man must like redheads because I was called Howdy Doody as a kid, and he still wouldn’t leave me alone.” Richard got up from the sofa.
“You do not resemble that ridiculous puppet. You’re very attractive, mon ange. You have a smattering of freckles across your nose, and your hair is dark auburn, not fire-engine red.” Julien touched the top of his head.
“But I have big ears,” Richard countered.
Julio sighed. “Richard, you grew into your ears. You formed a negative self-image when we were kids because you were teased for being a ginger. I’m telling you now, just like I did then, you’re handsome. You stand out in a crowd. Not because you have red hair and a few freckles, but because you’re an attractive man. So, no more of that. We do, however, have to take you clothes shopping.”
“You always were more stylish than I was. I’m an engineer, remember. That means horn-rimmed glasses and a pocket protector.”
Everyone laughed.
