CHAPTER 1

From the corner of his eye, Brian studied his father, who pretended to be focused on the fishing line but was deeply lost in his thoughts, his forehead creased by a frown, shoulders tensed. Something had changed about his father, in a not-so-good way, and it drove his son crazy because he couldn't figure out what it was.

It was like he was hiding something, Brian said to himself, only to dismiss the thought a few seconds later. Nonsense, he and Mama were like open books, the man continued his internal monologue. Except when they told me they were divorcing , he scoffed at the memory that suddenly popped into his head.

Well, not that you paid much attention to what happened around you back then, overwhelmed by grief and guilt, as you were. Brian didn't want to remember that period, the darkest of his life, so he shifted his thoughts back to the present. Frowning in concentration, the man tried to recall when he first noticed the changes in his father.

It started a few weeks after Liam joined our family , Brian realized, repressing a sigh. Like everyone else, Anthony welcomed his grandson with open arms, spending as much time with the youth as he could, and even taking him on fishing trips. However, from time to time, a melancholic expression crept onto the man's face when he thought no one was looking at him.

"I have to talk to you." Anthony's voice, thick with emotion, pulled his son out of his thoughts. "When you were thirteen, your mom and I were on the brink of divorce. We became two strangers who only stayed together for the sake of you kids. That's when I met this woman and started a relationship with her. Long story short, she got pregnant, told me, but didn't want me in their life. Your mom and I found the way to each other's heart again and got back together. You may have a sibling out there somewhere."

"Whoa!" Brian exclaimed, eyes wide with shock. "This is…does Mama know?" He shook his head in disbelief.

A few seconds of heavy silence followed, then Anthony cleared his throat. "About the relationship, yes, but I never told her about the baby." The answer came in a guilt-ridden voice.

"I'll look for him or her, but you have to be honest with Mama." Brian stared hard at his father when saying the last part, then his gaze softened. "Give me what information you have. My sibling would be twenty-five or so now." He smiled warmly.

"The thing is, I don't have anything about them or their mother." Anthony hesitantly replied. "And yes, I think I should talk to your mama and tell her."

"Oh, Dad." Brian frowned and pressed his lips into a thin line. "Not even a name?" He sighed when his father shook his head. "I'll see what I can do."

"I'm sorry, son, but the mother made it clear she didn't want to have anything to do with me," Anthony mumbled, staring at the bottom of the boat.

"I'll need a miracle or something, especially since I imagine you want me to keep Julien out of this." Brian slowly shook his head, then fell silent. It would be funny if I had a sister , he said to himself, repressing a smile.

************

A small smile on her lips, Stephanie Harper stepped down out of her car, heading to what was known to the residents of The Base as the administrative building. On the way, she waved to a group of kindergarten kids and stopped to chat for a bit with three of the guards assigned at the gates, calling themselves the brothers, all members of Steel Raiders MC.

As she walked into the administrative building, Stephanie let out a small sigh of contentment. She loved what she did there, all her co-workers were helpful, understanding, and compassionate, not to mention the bosses, who were among the greatest human beings she'd ever met. I really hit the jackpot with this job, the young woman congratulated herself every morning before leaving for work.

Becoming a supply manager at a sanctuary for abused and neglected children was not exactly what Stephanie had in mind when she graduated from NYU with a specialization in accountancy. She was among the few recruited as an intern by one of the biggest firms in the city, and once the program was completed, she had been offered a well-paid position.

However, after only two years, Stephanie had enough of the sexist remarks of her co-workers, their sexual innuendos and insinuations that she was there only because the big bosses, who she'd never met, salivated when they saw the picture she attached to the resume. Some of them even stole her ideas and presented them as their own, with all the others' complicity.

Nothing like that happened at Stephanie's current workplace. The hunky, tattooed guys guarding The Base greeted her with friendly smiles and watched over her with the concern loving older brothers would show to their younger sister. At the office, everyone treated her with respect and consideration, always telling her they were happy to have her on the team.

Stephanie walked into her small, but cozy office, sat in the comfortable chair behind the desk, and turned the computer on. Filling up the reports with the money cashed and spent every day at The Base was an important part of the young woman's work routine, and the one she liked the most, because it offered her the proof that kind, good, generous people still existed, and they were not just a handful.

Every day, money was flowing into the rescue center's account, and no matter how big the expenses were, it was refilled the next day. The names of some of the richest, most powerful families in the world were on the list with the ones who donated daily, much to the young woman's great, pleasant surprise.

Two hours later, Stephanie was done with filling out the morning reports, and left the office for the supply inspection, the second part of her job. She had to check every category of products in storage, from detergent, soap, shampoo to food, and based on daily necessity, keep track of what needed to be restocked.

A guard always accompanied Stephanie on her tour of the storage rooms, offering her not only a deep sense of safety but also a friendly chat. A second security staff member often joined them, the banter between the two men never failing to put a smile on her face. Also, the guard didn't just stay in the doorway and watched the young woman doing the inventory; in the most delicate and natural way, he moved the heavy boxes and packs, so she could get in the back, whenever it was necessary.

Lunch break came before Stephanie knew it, and she went to The Base's dinner hall; there was the option to have the food delivered at the office, but she preferred to be surrounded by the guards and other people who worked there. The discreet buzz of the conversation and the savory food were a great combination, which made lunch a very pleasant experience.

There was a break of about an hour between the end of lunch and the arrival of the receipts and checks that had to be registered in the second series of reports, and Stephanie loved to spend it at The Base's library. The head librarian, Brian Cavallieri, was a fascinating man, with his long hair, beautiful, mismatched eyes and soft voice.

Some of the children who were brought to the rescue center suffered unspeakable horrors, sometimes at the hands of their own family, and didn't trust anyone. However, the librarian, with his gentle ways, attracted them like a magnet, and sooner or later, the poor, abused souls opened up to him.

There were also those who had a hard time integrating at school and following the teachers' explanations in class; they, and the special needs children, came in small groups to the library, where Brian taught them the same subjects, but at their own pace. Over the few weeks since she worked at The Base, Stephanie assisted in some of those special classes and was always moved by the affection, patience, and understanding the librarian showed each and every kid.

Last, but not least, there was the group of young men, all of them in their early twenties, gravitating around Brian, whose eyes were shining with paternal love and pride every time they were around. The star of the bunch was a redhead named Martino, married to a guy named Luca, who Stephanie hadn't gotten to meet yet, but who was very present in the others' discussions.

However, her personal favorites were Ian and Oisin, who were studying to become vets, and worked at The Base's veterinary clinic and animal rescue center. They, too, were married to each other, the tenderness and care they showed to one another melting Stephanie's heart. Both young men were very attached to Brian, who cared deeply about them.

Lately, Oisin, who was slightly younger and had a more delicate constitution than his husband, was pale and complained about headaches and nausea for about a week, but hadn't been to see a doctor yet. It was baby season at the vet clinic, he said when Stephanie suggested that, and finding a replacement, even for a few hours, was mission impossible.

As she walked into the library, the young woman made a mental note to talk to Ian and Brian about Oisin's health; she suspected he was hiding his poor state from his husband and their friend, hoping it was temporary and not wanting them to worry. That day, when he greeted her, the young vet looked even paler than usual.

"He doesn't look so good, poor thing." Covering her mouth with one hand, Stephanie rushed to the chair the young vet was sitting on and put a hand on his forehead. "Is it only me, or is he feverish?" She turned to the librarian, who was standing next to the young man, rubbing soft circles on his back.

"I think so, too." Brian nodded worriedly. "Let me take you to the clinic." He softly spoke to the one sitting on the chair.

"Yes, please." Oisin whimpered, doubling over. "I'm sicker than a sick dog," he continued in a barely audible voice.

"I'm really sorry, but I must get our friend here to the doctor," Brian said in an apologetic voice to the group of four teens who showed up for the daily classes. "I can meet you in about…"

"I'll drive him, if you are busy," Stephanie offered, cutting the librarian short. "I just need someone to show me the way. I know it's not far from here, but I never wandered outside the sanctuary complex, so…" She left the sentence unfinished.

Brian nodded, then dialed Lawrence's number. "Hey, big guy, we have a situation here. Poor Oisin is sick, and Stephanie from the administration department offered to drive him to the clinic, but she needs a copilot." He stopped, listening to the other man's answer, a smile brightening his face when he talked again. "Thank you a million times. You are a great friend and an angel in disguise."

"Will you please call Ian?" Oisin whispered, standing and pressing a hand on his stomach. "You know what to tell him, so he doesn't worry very much."

"Right away." Brian nodded, then turned to a teen wearing a bright red tank top who just walked into the library. "Cosimo, will you please message everyone and tell them not to worry? I think I'll be a little late today. Oisin needs to be examined by a doctor." He then turned to the assistant librarian. "Sorry, Jamie, I promise to make it up to you."

"I have everything covered here, Boss. Oisin and Ian need you," Jamie said.

"Thank you, Jamie," Brian said with gratitude in his voice.

"The cavalry's here," Lawrence said with a grin as he stepped into the library. "I know I'm a bit late, but I stopped to pick Ian up. I bought a van, so it's enough room for everyone." He took Oisin in his arms and gestured with his head to the door. "Let's go."

Lawrence stared at Brian for a few good seconds, then shook his head and let out a clear, loud laugh. "So you're going, after all! I should have known, once a worrier, always a worrier." He turned to Stephanie. "The stubborn librarian really appreciates your offer, but this is the way he is, always putting the kids above anything and everything, always wanting to see by himself things are the way they are supposed to be."

Stephanie looked at Oisin, so vulnerable in that moment, looking so much like a lost, scared teen. She nodded and smiled. "I understand that. I really do."