Now Comes the Night Read Free

small smile glimmered suddenly on Damian’s lips. “Yes. Again, I’m sorry. I’m afraid it could not be helped. The orderly with whom I’m used to dealing had been given the night off. Inconsiderate of him, I know, but it is a holiday, so what can you do? It took a little bit of persuading before I was finally able to convincehis replacement to give me everything I wanted. He had some…reservations that had to be overcome. I gather he generally prefers women, otherwise I’m sure I’d have been quicker.”
    Conrad winced. He knew Damian hadn’t meant it, but his words carried an unintended sting. It was all Conrad could do to suppress a furious growl when graphic visions began to play in his head, images of everything Damian had likely been doing in order to bring his new orderly around to his way of thinking. Things he’d once been in the habit of doing only with Conrad.
    Conrad stamped violently on his burgeoning emotions. He was not jealous, damn it. He had neither the right any longer nor any rational reason to be so. He and Damian had not been lovers for many years. What they’d had was over long ago. They’d both moved on. It was better that way, safer for them both. It would be beyond foolish for them to even think about taking up with each other again—especially now, with so much else at stake. He cleared his throat. “I see. Well, that is unfortunate. I’m sorry to hear it.”
    “Oh, no, on the contrary.” Damian’s smile grew wider. “I quite enjoyed myself. It was such a novelty. I do believe I’ve given him a whole new perspective on life. In fact, I may have to make a habit of stopping by, from time to time, just to see him.”
    Conrad’s jaw clenched. “Splendid.”
    “It is, isn’t it? One of life’s little silver linings.” Still smiling, Damian swept past Conrad and into the living room, headed for the closer of the two armchairs. He was on the verge of tossing his coat over the back of it when he stopped, seemingly frozen in place. The coat dropped to the floor. “ ¡Mis bebés! ” With a startled cry, he sprang forward and snatched the blanket off the chair. He went down on his knees and quickly gathered the infants into his arms. “Conrad, what were you thinking? Why would you leave them here, and all covered up like this! Did you want them to roll off onto the floor, where we might have stepped on them? Were you perhaps trying to suffocate them? Que im pobre niños lo siento ,” he murmured softly to the infants . “ Why so quiet, little ones?Are you quite terrified? Don’t be frightened, niños. Your Uncle Damian is back to take care of you. Everything will be fine now.”
    “Step on them?” Conrad snarled viciously, his temper evaporating into white-hot rage. “Suffocate them? You imbecile! You dare suggest I would intentionally do them harm? After everything that’s been sacrificed on their behalf? After the promise I’ve given their mother and all I’ve done to ensure their safety—since the day they were born?”
    “What?” Still on his knees, Damian turned to look at Conrad. His eyes widened in alarm and he twisted, until he was seated with his back to the chair. He tightened his arms protectively around the children and he hugged them closer to his chest. “Calm yourself, querido . I was upset. It was merely a figure of speech. You must know I didn’t mean anything by it.” He continued for a moment longer to study Conrad warily, then his expression changed, softened, relaxed. “Are you quite all right, Conrad?” he asked, his voice gentler than before. “You seem…unusually jumpy tonight.”
    That look in Damian’s eyes… What was that? Was that…pity? Conrad turned away in disgust. “ Uncle Damian?” he repeated quizzically. “Is that what you’re calling yourself now?”
    “They’ll have to call me something when they’re a little older, won’t they? I might as well begin to lay the groundwork now. And seeing as it was you who sired both