CHAPTER 3

If his childhood friend Brian worked at that military base, or whatever that place was, he and his children will be safe and protected. The thought renewed Albert’s hope in a better future for the three of them, without him constantly having to look over his shoulder to see if Rick was not following them. Now, with Old Jim dead, nothing and no one was standing between that predator and his vulnerable prey.

Money. This was what the muscular, tattooed biker saw in Albert the whole time, but he was gullible enough to believe the other one’s compliments on his look and fun conversation. Not gullible, Albert mentally scoffed at himself, but vain and stupid.He should have imagined that someone leading a nomadic life was attracted by a widowed homebody, with roots and a routine, predictable life.

The man shook his head, the gesture meant to help him push the bad memories and thoughts back in the furthest corner of his memory. It worked, Albert starting to think instead about Brian the librarian whose name was featured on that list, but his mood remained gloomy. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he was that his childhood friend and the librarian were two different persons.

The Brian Albert knew had high dreams and hopes, he wanted to study to become a teacher for special needs children, like his mother he adored and admired. The boy was also great at track running, the best of their school, already having a few trophies under his belt at the age of fourteen, before their ways parted so unexpectedly.

Albert was sure his best friend, hard-working and stubborn as he knew him, didn’t abandon track running; on the contrary, he most likely used it to secure a college scholarship, if his love for study faded away during high school. Brian had a lot of options to choose from, he wouldn’t have settled for something so underpaid.

Sleep, elusive until then, started to circle Albert, making his eyes droopy and lids heavy, so he shrugged all the thoughts off, put the piece of paper back on the nightstand, and, turning the light off, got on the bed, pulling the blankets over him.For the first time in so long, tension left his mind and body, replaced by relaxation and serenity.

***********

“Hello, mister, where to?” The biker member of Steel Raiders MC guarding The Base’s gates scanned the man in front of him from head to toe.

“I…um…I want to get inside.” The imposing stature and somewhat harsh voice of the guard intimidated Albert, who started to stutter. “I’ve heard the victims of…um…domestic abuse can find protection and shelter here and…”

The biker cut him short. “You don’t look like a victim of domestic violence to me, buddy, and trust me, I saw a lot. Sorry, but you better go back to where you came from.”

“Oh, come on, Wheeler, give the poor guy a break!” A long-haired, bearded man on the other side of the gate exclaimed, a hint of amusement in his deep, rich voice. “He almost pissed his pants off. We have to welcome and help those in need, not scare them.”

“You are absolutely right, Digger.” The guard from outside replied in a bit softer, even submissive voice. “On the other hand, this one is well-fed, with a clean face. No bruises, no black eyes, and he doesn’t look terrified either.” The edge from earlier was back in the biker’s voice.

“Didn’t anyone tell you not to judge a book by its cover?” The guard going by the name of Digger calmly spoke, casting a concern-filled look in Albert’s direction. “I’d say you let the guy in and escort him to the clinic. He may be bleeding internally, have a broken rib or another injury that’s not visible with the naked eye.”

Not very convinced by his fellow guard’s words, Wheeler was about to reply, when Albert put an end to his tentative. “I want to see Brian, the librarian.” He blurted the first name on the list that came into his mind. “A relative of my best friend told me he helps people in my situation.” The man swallowed hard, then continued after a few moments. “My name is Albert Finkel.”

Digger’s eyes went wide with shock and disbelief, as he shook his head. “Will you… will you please repeat the last part? I…I’m not sure I heard you right.” It was his turn to stutter.

“Albert Finkel. Is there anything wrong, mister…Digger?” Suddenly, he wasn’t so sure coming here was such a great idea.

“First class private Lawrence Barnes, at your service.” A broad smile spread on the guard’s face, making his dark-brown eyes shine. “I’m very happy to meet you.” He extended his hand in the other one’s direction. “And no, on the contrary, everything is great. My friend Brian will have the surprise of his life. Come on, I’m taking you there.”

“To his house or to the…library?” The disappointment Albert felt the night before at the thought of his friend being a mere librarian was back.

“Well, the working day just started, so…”Lawrence checked his watch. “In fact, right now, he’s teaching the special needs kids, and then there are the daily classes for those who have difficulties adjusting to the normal school schedule.” As he talked, the biker gestured to the semi-opened gate, then stepped on The Base’s territory. “Please, follow me.”

They walked the first few yards in silence, glancing at each other, then Albert cleared his throat. “You said earlier that Brian works at the library, then that he teaches some special categories of kids. What is he, in fact, a librarian or a teacher?”

Lawrence’s smile became brighter. “Oh, man, this is a really difficult question.He’s the Librarian, teacher, teaches Braille, ASL interpreter, sometimes supervisor during the arts and crafts classes…” The guard shook his head with admiration. “I don’t think there’s something our mutual friend couldn’t do if he sets his mind on that thing.”

Albert nodded his approval. “Yes, this is the Brian I know, hard-working, always ready to help, and putting passion in everything he does. I, on the other hand…” He waved his hand in a dismissive gesture.

Lawrence didn’t reply; he suspected that apparently nonchalant gesture was hiding a whole story, more likely marked by sorrow and abandoned dreams. He wanted to say something that would soothe the ache in the other one’s soul, visible on his face, but gave up, because he felt guilty of praising Brian too much to someone who didn’t seem so happy with his own life.

From the corner of his eye, Lawrence studied the other man discreetly, like he did so many times during the high-risk operations his division was involved in. Back then, the scanning, as he and his brothers-in-arms called the discreet glances they cast around them, served to identify the potential enemies and determine how dangerous they were. Now, he was using it in an attempt to figure out the secrets of the man walking next to him.

However, Lawrence also wanted to examine the other man without seeming rude; for the first time in years, he thought about a romantic relationship, and, for a reason he couldn’t explain, Albert Finkel seemed the perfect candidate. At this point, the biker internally shook his head, come on, dude, get a grip, you don’t know anything about the guy, except he was Brian’s friend back when they were kids.

Over the years that passed since the now-librarian arrived at The Base, Lawrence came to know a lot of things about the man, including that he only surrounded himself with people who shared his moral values. Of course, people could change dramatically, especially after so many years, but the biker had the feeling it wasn’t the case here.

Longish, blond, slightly wavy hair, warm hazel eyes, sensual lips, facial hair that made the man even more attractive—Lawrence really liked what he saw. His gaze went lower, to the arms of the other man, not very muscular, but not too thin, either, ending in hands with somewhat delicate, but also strong fingers.

The rest of Albert’s body was also well-proportioned, with ropes and planes of muscles flexing discreetly under the thin fabric of his t-shirt and pants with every move the man made. He had the physique of someone perfectly capable of defending himself, and that made the biker frown, as he remembered his fellow guard’s words from a few minutes earlier.

No, Lawrence didn’t doubt Albert was a victim of domestic violence, like Wheeler suggested; he just wondered what could possibly make an attractive, fit guy stay in an abusive relationship and what kind of abuse it was, since, as the other guard remarked, there were no visible signs of physical violence.

He was afraid to leave his aggressor, not for himself, but for someone close to him, who would have to suffer if he would have left, Lawrence said to himself, his heart aching at the thought. Something must have happened for the poor guy to gather his courage and walk away without looking back and come to hide at The Base.

Maybe he managed to get the ones he sacrificed himself for someplace safe, or maybe they are not among the living anymore, Lawrence continued his internal monologue, hoping the first version was the real one. He put so much of him into that thought, that he found himself balling his hands into fists until the knuckles turned white.

The biker shook his head internally again. Dude, you’re losing it over a guy whose plans don’t include dating, at least not for the next few centuries. And, anyway, even if he would be ready to mingle, you’d be the last person he’d do it with; your construction would remind him too much of his abuser.

“Is this the library?” Albert’s voice, filled with admiration and disbelief, brought the biker back to reality. “Because it looks…wow!” The man exclaimed, pleasantly impressed by the building and its surroundings, with the thick, old, shadowy trees and wooden tables and benches which gave the place a rustic air.

“I know, right?” Lawrence smiled warmly, his eyes shining with pride and affection. “Everyone who comes here for the first time has the same reaction. Wait until you see the inside.”

Albert smiled shyly “The Brian I know loved to read, so I have the image of a place full of bookshelves containing books and magazines on all the subjects a human mind could express interest in.” He cleared his throat. “I…um…need you to do something for me, if it’s not too much.”

“Of course, go ahead.” Lawrence’s voice was warm and friendly, as he tried to figure out what the other man could possibly want from him. “I’d be happy to help you.”

“I know it may sound silly,” Albert started hesitantly, “but I’m not sure if the librarian is really my friend Brian, and I don’t want you to say my name before I come into the library.”

Lawrence let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding and smiled mysteriously. “The librarian and your childhood friend are the same person, I know it for sure. However, your idea is great; he will have the surprise of his life.”

Albert nodded, his voice still heavily laced with doubt. “I only hope it’s a nice surprise, not a nasty one.” Then he fell silent and got behind the biker, whose impressive stature covered him entirely.

“No classes?” Lawrence asked as he walked into the library, surprised to see Brian at his usual spot behind the counter, two neat stacks of books in front of him. “And good morning,” he added, smiling sheepishly.

“Not this morning, the special needs children have open air activities under Miss Martha’s and Miss Bianca’s supervision.” The librarian pointed to the books. “These are for this afternoon’s meeting of the reading club.” He showed all his teeth in a wide grin “Good morning to you, too.”

“I totally forgot it’s Wednesday.” Lawrence slapped his forehead, then swallowed hard. “Anyway, we have a newcomer, and he wanted to see you, so I brought him here.”