It was a good year, Brian continued the mental retrospective, smiling at the thought. The young members of thenew Council already made their first decisions in their positions, earning the admiration and respect of the parties involved in the conflicts they mediated. The matters brought to them weren’t of extreme importance, but they successfully avoided a few wars between different organizations, counting as huge wins.
Stephanie didn’t change her mind about the Mafia lifestyle, on the contrary; under Baldassare’s guidance, she studied all their Laws, and Don Calogero took it upon himself to teach her about the unwritten traditions. Luca was also proud of the progress she made in wielding different weapons and how she came to master the self-defense techniques.
As for Bailey, they were living the good life they deserved, surrounded by Lennox’s love. The man treats my sibling like they were the most precious treasure on Earth, and for him, they really are, Brian thought, the smile from earlier becoming even more radiant. He congratulated himself for giving his now-brother-in-law the chance to prove the feelings he had for Bailey were real, and not based on some petty interest of a financial nature.
Brian let another long sigh of contentment, grateful for that moment of total relaxation, when he could look back at the last year like he would have watched a movie. The librarian somehow regretted now that he didn’t offer peaceful moments like this to himself and Bart more often, but Jamie, the assistant librarian, was exhausted from working all the extra shifts, and he wanted to make it up to them.
Although Brian’s eyes were closed, he was very much awake, so, when the water started to hit the inflatable mattress harder than before, he knew one of the other three men was up to no good.His money was on Bart, and indeed, looking through his eyelashes, he saw his husband slowly swimming in his direction, careful not to make waves.
“Do it, brat, and your ass will be redder than a firetruck,” Brian warningly growled, his words met with a burst of laughter from Luca and his husband.
Martino flashed a cute grin in the guilty party’s direction. “Oops, the librarian caught you red-handed. I told you he wasn't asleep,” he said in a sing-song voice.
“Come on, Mafia Daddy,” Bart pouted, ignoring the redhead’s words, “you promised me fun and this is anything but.”
Brian chuckled. “Alright, let’s give this irresistible brat what he wants.” Jumping into the water, the man guided his horny husband at the edge of the pool and initiated an intense lovemaking session.
“Oh-wow,” Martino exclaimed, eyes wide, jaw dropping on thefloor, “they are doing it right here, in front of us. Isn’t this hot?”
Luca jumped off the inflatable mattress and swam to the edge of the pool, where his husband sat, hitting the water with his feet. “I'll show you hot, so hot you’re going to scream with pleasure and ask for more.” He grabbed the red-haired, younger man by the hands, dragged him into the pool, and covered his face and torso with kisses, then started to make love to him.”
Brian looked at his sub and grinned while he was ploughing his husband’s ass. “Always give ‘em what they ask for, this is how you keep ‘em happy.”
“I know, I learned from the best,” Luca winked. “Aren't we the luckiest guys on earth?” He asked no one in particular, as he was driving his husband crazy with lust and ecstasy.
Bart let out a deep, long moan. “Fuck yes we are, with each other as partners. “Harder, Mafia Daddy,” he urged his soulmate.
“Yes, bratty boy,” Brian replied between two pants. “I love you all so damn much,” he rasped, looking between the three men who made his life worth living.
The four men came almost simultaneously and gazed at each other, sated smiles on their lips. They were happy.
CHAPTER 14
“What’s this?” Jamie gestured with his head to the object his boss was carrying. “Where did you find it?”
“This,” Brian demonstratively lifted the object, “it’s a cat carrier. With a cat inside.” He grinned affectionately.
“Oh,” Jamie smiled, “is the cat for your children?” They nodded, eyes filled with understanding. “It’s about time to get another cat, after Miss Daisy and Chester passed away. I don’t know why you didn’t do this earlier.”
“No,” Brian shook his head. “This beauty here will be The Base’s official library cat.” He crouched down and put the carrier on the floor, opening it. “Come on, sweetie, Jamie here wants to meet you.” He gestured to the inside of the portable cage. “This is Magick, a ball of white fur and a lot of purrs.
Jamie came from behind the counter and imitated the librarian. “Hello, beautiful,” they cooed at the shy feline, extending their hand so she could sniff it and catch their scent. “Welcome to The Base’s library, your new home and workplace at the same time. Your job will be to put a smile on the children’s faces, and I think you’ll be stellar at it.”
The immaculately white cat meowed softly, making Brian smile. “Now that you two have been officially and formally introduced to each other, I better go and unload Magick’s stuff.” With these words, the librarian went outside, unlocked the trunkof his car, and was about to start emptying it, when a familiar voice made him stop and turn around.
“Good morning, Zio,” Baldassare gave the librarian a radiant smile and a warm, tight hug. “Busy as always,” he continued, shaking his head. “I think you could use a hand,” the young man offered, gesturing to the car.
“Good morning,” Brian returned the hug, kissing the other on the forehead. “Long time no see, and it’s only my fault, but I reorganized my schedule, so I could have more time for everyone in my extended family.” He started to unload the trunk. “And yes, I’d appreciate the help.”
“Cat bed, cat food, cat litter, cat scratching post…” Baldassare frowned in confusion. “Um…didn’t you forget something essential? I mean, I don’t see any cat around,” he explained, seeing the expression on the librarian’s face.
“Oh, she’s inside,” Brian’s face brightened from the smile that reached his eyes. “Shortly, you’ll meet Magick, the library cat. I have to warn you, though, she’s very shy, and might not want to get out from wherever she found a comfy spot.”
“No worries, we have plenty of time to meet, greet, and come to like each other.” Baldassare gazed over the librarian, his expression a mix of admiration and familial affection. “You are always thinking of ways to make the life of the kids at the sanctuary better, to fill it with peace and joy. The library is already a safe haven for them, a fountain of knowledge, you want to make it a place of emotional healing, too.”
“Petting a cat can be very therapeutic,” Brian nodded in approval as he headed to the library’s entrance, arms full of bags and packages. “I have to admit I didn’t think about this when Ifirst saw Magick; all I wanted was to get her out of that place as soon as possible.” Brian cleared his throat before continuing in a thick voice. “However, as you brought the subject up, I remembered how many times, in my darkest moments, Miss Daisy offered me comfort and emotional support by her simple presence.”
Baldassare didn’t say anything; he knew the story of physical, mental, and verbal abuse Brian suffered at the hands of his deranged then-boyfriend, Cole, and offering a reply would only have reopened old wounds. Instead, he gave the man a warm, sympathetic look as he followed him into the library, where the two of them, helped by Jamie, put the food away and found the best places for the cat bed and scratching post.
