A Journey from Bitterness to Truth

The look of fear etched on Logan’s face tugged at Adrian’s heartstrings. Poor Logan, torn from his mom’s side, neglected by his dad, and with Ella who seemed hell–bent on hist demise. Life in the upper crust certainly wasn’t a cakewalk for him. Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

“Ah, if you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine,” Adrian said, leaning back in the hospital chair. “So what’s your game plan once you’re discharged? Did you pull a Houdini and escape all by yourself?”

“I was… kidnapped,” Logan said after a long pause, unspooling his tale in fits and starts.

Adrian recoiled slightly, “I’ll never call you a runt again. You’re a downright wolf cub, kiddo! So cutthroat, you’re giving your godfather here the heebie–jeebies!”

“Are you taking advantage of the situation?” Keaton strode in, tossing out a playful jab. “Since when did you appoint yourself his godfather?”

Adrian rolled his eyes and said, “Like I’d ever want to be your godfather!”

“I wouldn’t want that either!” Keaton retorted with a chuckle. “Don’t get your hopes up, Mr. Simpson. No sugar daddy deals here.”

“Like I’m dying to sponsor you. Come here, kid, check out the new threads I got for you!”

Adrian had picked up a few new outfits for Logan, which he laid out on the couch in their spacious private room.

Keaton kicked out a folding table from behind the door and marched in, arms laden with takeout bags.

“Man, Keaton, you’re the real MVP. What did you bring?”

“Pizza,” Keaton grinned. “You like pizza?”

Keaton was the younger of the two, with a gentler air about him. Logan felt like he was the cool older brother, always ready to save the day with a heart of gold.

“Sure do!” Logan’s spirits lifted, and he called out, “Thanks, bro!”

Adrian clutched his chest, feigning injury. “Unfair! Why do you call him ‘bro‘ and me ‘uncle‘? I’m just two years older than him.”

Logan said crisply, “He’s younger!”

Adrian eyed Keaton. “I don’t see how he’s any younger than me. Am I old?”

Keaton and Logan nodded in silent agreement.

“Since when is twenty–seven old?” Adrian lamented. “That’s it, Keaton, does your hospital do Botox? Hook me up with a youth serum, will ya?”

Both Keaton and Logan burst into laughter. They set the table at the foot of Logan’s bed and spread out the feast. “You’re still healing, so no spice for you. I got you some soup, Keaton’said.

Thanks, bro!”

“Christ, you’re hooked on this ‘bro‘ thing,” Adrian grumbled from the sidelines. “Fine, call me ‘Brother Adrian‘ then.”

I’ll stick with Uncle Adrian.”

Adrian nearly choked, “Why do you have to be as infuriating as your mom?”

“Is my mommy infuriating?” Logan blinked innocently. “She’s beautiful and graceful. She can’t be infuriating!”

Adrian pondered how fiercely this kid would defend his mother. If he ever crossed Matilda, he was sure Logan would come knocking with a vengeance.

“Perfect, once you’re all patched up, I’ll take you to your mom’s. She doesn’t know about your brush with death yet, does she?” Adrian mused, sizing Logan up. “You’re going to be a force to be reckoned with when you grow up.”

“Mr. Boyd wouldn’t dare tell my mom, not anymore,” Logan puffed out his chest proudly. “I got my revenge on Yvan, and now it’s just going to be me and my mom, living our best life. No more baddies to mess with us.”

“A duo’s life can be a bit dull. How about making it a trio with me?” Adrian blurted out without thinking.