Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The family dinner had gone very well last night, Fernando's uncle notwithstanding. His father clearly liked Noel and after watching a movie together, Alex had adopted Noel like he was just another little brother. It pleased Fernando immensely that Noel was so readily welcomed.

Next up: his children. Fernando had already fielded many text messages and phone calls, and more than one of his children had threatened to drop in if they didn't get a chance to be formally introduced soon. Knowing them, they'd do it, too.

But before all that, he needed to have an entirely different conversation with Noel. Frankly, Uncle Travis had hit rock bottom and then proceeded to dig. He had let it go on for long enough while waiting for reports, and Fernando refused to put his lover in any more danger.

Fernando hated to have this conversation, but as much pain as this would likely bring Noel, he had to ensure Noel's safety first. That was his utmost priority. Fernando couldn't do that until he was sure they were both on the same page.

Still. This would not be pleasant.

Alex had let the bomb drop when Noel was out of earshot that his older brother, Hunter, was now working for the family as well. Noel didn't have a clue, as Hunter worked directly for Alessandro—as a bodyguard, no less—and their paths hadn't crossed before this point while out on business matters. The Smith brothers were as opposite in personality as he was with his own brothers, but they apparently shared the trait of trying to protect the other from shouldering more burdens. But with the impending revelation of the others current employment, Fernando was sure the brothers would need a sit-down of their own to hash things out.

Today he visited the main branch—the one his father oversaw—with Noel in tow.

He hadn't told Noel the precise reason for their visit, just that he needed to be present, and Noel trusted him enough to do that without asking any questions. That level of trust meant a great deal to Fernando. He hadn't experienced it outside of his own family and children in centuries.

They went up to the topmost floor and into the office Fernando kept on the premises. Not that he used it much, but it was there for his use in case of emergencies.

Yes, they had enough emergencies in the family that the office was necessary.

No, Fernando didn't like it, but he didn't get much choice in the matter, either.

Upon arrival, he spotted Hunter already waiting for them, stiffly sitting on the couch alongside Enzo and likely wondering why he was being involved in high-ranking matters. Fernando's father looked fit to be tied, as well he should be, as no parent wanted to hear his newest children were in danger. His agitation was a clear indication he thought of Noel as his already.

Noel's hand tightened around Fernando's, clearly startled. "Uh. Hi, Bro?"

"Yeah, hi."

"Why…are you here?"

"I work for the Lombardi family." Hunter sighed before glaring at Noel. "Like you do, apparently. Security business. Really?"

"Mafia was originally in security," Noel pointed out. "You've got lots of stones to throw despite being in this glass house with me."

"Point. We'll talk more about this later." Hunter gestured to Enzo. "He said I'm not in trouble."

"You are not," Enzo assured him again. "Your bastard uncle, though—he's a dead man walking."

Well said. Fernando gave his father an approving nod. No doubt Enzo would insist on helping Fernando hunt him down, and he had no issue with that. Families that murder together stay together, as the adage went.

Fernando drew Noel onto the other couch, so they could comfortably face each other and speak. Noel followed him down onto the couch, but he was eyeing Fernando closely.

"Just what have you done?"

"Nothing." Yet. "We are here to discuss what should be done."

"Okay, that makes me feel a little better, but what are you even talking about?"

Here's where the conversation began throwing in potential pitfalls by the dozens. Fernando had rehearsed this speech in his head many times that morning, making sure the reports he'd been given were accurate. Here goes.

"My heart, first answer this question for me. Why are you paying off your uncle's debts?"

"Um. Well, he said he took out a second mortgage against the house to pay down a lot of the debts." Noel shrugged, baffled by the sudden topic. "Mainly our late parent's hospital bills, as insurance didn't cover them completely, and then he got into this depressive slump where he gambled that rest of the money and stopped paying anything off, including the mortgage. Then the house was used as collateral for one of his bigger gambling loses. If we didn't pay the bank or the loan sharks, we'd lose the house completely."

"It's not just a childhood home," Hunter inserted, also wearing a troubled frown. "Our grandfather built it for our grandmother, and we've been trying to keep it in the family."

It was as he feared. Noel didn't know the full truth of the matter. Neither did Hunter. What lies had they been spun?

"Noel." Fernando gentled his voice, wishing he didn't have to say this. "Your uncle didn't use the house as collateral for gambling."

Noel's head jerked back in confusion, shaking his head no, then paused. "What? Of course he had—"

"No. He couldn't. His name's not on the deed."

Everything froze. Noel didn't seem to know how to accept these words, as if they were lost in translation, and it took both brothers a long moment to absorb this information.

Hunter was the first to find his voice. "Of course it is. Our grandfather had it in his will to pass the house down to both of his sons—my father and uncle. Uncle Travis was able to take a second mortgage out on the house, so he had to be on the deed. Right?"

Fernando had come prepared, knowing they'd need physical evidence. From his briefcase, he drew out the deed and passed it over to them. Hunter left his spot on the opposite couch in a second flat, squeezing in next to Noel so he could see the document as well.

Very clearly, both his and Hunter's names were on the deed alongside their late father's. Their uncle's name was nowhere to be found.

Enzo also spoke gently, but underneath his words was a tinge of smoldering anger. "Your grandfather must have recognized the danger of leaving the house to your uncle. He's been an addict since his youth, in and out of rehab. It was arranged so that if your parents died, the house would go to the two of you. Your uncle was only able to get the second mortgage because he technically had guardianship over the two of you, and neither of you were legal adults at the time. He wouldn't have been able to manage it, otherwise."

Noel stared at the deed for a long moment. Fernando studied his expression anxiously, not sure how his young lover would take this. Familial betrayal cut agonizingly deep, and his pain suffered throughout the years because of a clever lie was nothing to discount. If Fernando could take the pain away from him, he would.

"No one ever stopped and actually talked to us when they came to collect money." Hunter's voice was monotone, staring at the deed like it might bite him. "The thugs just showed up, asking for our uncle and demanding money. It's not like anyone ever told us he was a lying sack of shit. The mortgage bills from the bank were real enough; we didn't think to question the rest."

Fernando could easily believe this. Bill collectors wouldn't be the type to stick around and chitchat. Although a five-minute conversation would have saved considerable time and energy if someone had just thought to compare notes.

"Do gambling dens really check on collaterals they're given?" Hunter looked around at all the faces for an answer. "Or did he just use the fact he had a mortgage out on the house to prove he had an asset?"

"Probably the latter," Enzo admitted on a long sigh. "That's what it looked like from the records we found on him. His name wasn't on the deed, but with a mortgage agreement in place, it would look legit enough to not warrant a closer inspection."

Hunter folded in on himself, nearly doubled over, and he looked on the verge of tears. "When I think of all the times you landed in the hospital, and Uncle came by to check on you, and he didn't say a damn word about this …god, I'm gonna throw up."

Noel's eyes were bright with unshed tears, but he didn't cry. That withdrawn expression stabbed Fernando in the heart all over again. His Noel was too used to hiding his pain.

Fernando knew how he would solve this. He just needed Noel's blessing because truly, if anyone had the right to dictate vengeance, it was Noel. The one who had suffered the most.

He reached over, smoothing hair back from Noel's forehead, driven by the need to give some kind of comfort in the face of Noel's obvious pain.

"I will do two things. First, I will collect all the debts your uncle has accumulated and pay them off."

Noel's mouth opened on an immediate protest.

Fernando placed gentle fingers over his mouth to shush him. "This is the easiest way to safeguard you from those thugs. I could not live with myself if something happened to you."

Noel grasped his hand, taking it from his mouth, still exuding unease. "It's an insane amount of money—"

"You are worth every penny. Please do not argue with me on this. I will not miss it."

His lover still seemed upset, poised to argue, but Hunter let out a harsh breath before sitting up.

"Noel. I'm with him on this. That really is the easiest way to keep you safe. And let's be honest, it doesn't matter how hard we work, how much we do—we'll never keep up with Uncle's debt. He's going to rack it up faster than we can pay it off. It's best to give ourselves a clean slate, and whatever happens from here is on his head."

Noel grimaced and his expression was both pained and resigned. "God, I wish I could refute that, but…you're unfortunately right. Fernando, I really do not like putting this burden on you, but I'll find a way to pay you back."

"Just continue breathing and be with me for centuries to come," Fernando said simply. "That will more than suffice."

"You are such a softie." Noel sighed.

"Only for you, my heart. Now, as for your uncle. His actions dared to put you both in danger, time and again, so I think it only fitting he pay the ultimate price."

Noel still seemed torn, his morals conflicting with the obvious solution, and he grimaced. "Nothing I say is going to keep you from killing him, will it?"

"I'm afraid not." Fernando kissed his forehead, glad Noel wasn't fighting him on this. "We vampires are very protective and possessive of our mates. You know this."

"I do, yeah." Noel leaned into him, head on Fernando's shoulder, as if he didn't have the heart or strength to continue the argument. "Honestly, the man's put both mine and Hunter's lives in jeopardy several times. For years. I don't see why I should protect him."

Fernando was absolutely thrilled that his lover wouldn't fight with him. It seemed Noel's loyalty to his uncle had been broken further than he'd assumed. And for good reason.

Hunter huffed out a breath and he looked slightly murderous. "Well said. I'm on Mr. Fernando's side for this. You've got the green light from me."

"Then I will hunt the man down myself." He gathered Noel in closer and murmured against his forehead, "You will not be in danger because of him ever again. Your family home will be restored to its former glory. I promise you all of this."

"I feel very spoiled right now. This is feeling all very one-sided."

"It is my pleasure to spoil you."

Noel tilted his head back enough to lock eyes with Fernando. "You being allowed to spoil me without protest is going to be in our marriage vows, isn't it?"

He was thinking of marriage already? A thrill went through Fernando, and he couldn't tamp down his grin. "Quite possibly."

"I am forewarned. All right, go do everything you planned to. Just—and I know this is a lot to ask—but try not to go overboard?"

Fernando really couldn't make promises on that. Not when Noel was being so cute and obliging. He kissed his forehead again. "I'll do my best."

"Uh-huh." Noel deadpanned.

He didn't believe him. Look how smart his mate was.