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Ghazi nodded.
Raven walked towards Nalu, who had apparently calmed down since Halim left the
room.  It s okay, he told the teenager.  I think I might have an idea of what s going on. Brier
said you d agreed to talk to me after dinner.
Before Nalu could answer, Ghazi invited his guests to sit.  I d better do what he asks,
Nalu said, gesturing to the table.
 Will you meet me in the garden after dinner? Raven asked. He needed to lock Nalu
into a meeting before he had time to talk himself out of it.
 Can Brier come?
 Brier and Jared if it would make you feel more comfortable, Raven answered.
Nalu glanced around the room.  Okay.
* * * *
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After a pleasant dinner, Raven, Brier, Jared and Nalu disappeared out into the garden,
and Ghazi invited Jackie and Seb to join him on the balcony just off his private study.
 Cigar?
Seb grinned and took one. He held it up to his nose and sighed. He took the cutter
Ghazi offered and snipped the end off before handing it back.  It s been a long time since I ve
smoked one of these.
Jackie shook his head.  No thanks.
Ghazi selected one of the cigars and returned the humidor to his study. He handed the
lighter to Seb before cutting the end off of the expensive cigar.
 Did you choose this location on purpose? Jackie asked.
Ghazi took a seat and smiled at the small group of men in the garden below.  Raven
has told me many times what a jealous man Seb is. I assumed it would be the best way to
reassure Seb his partner is safe.
Seb took a puff of his cigar and grunted.  People blow my jealous tendencies out of
proportion all the time.
 Yeah, right, Jackie countered.  You don t want Raven anywhere near Jared and you
know it.
 Why? Ghazi asked. He had to admit to himself that his own jealousy was starting to
rear its ugly head.  Has he tried to get close to Jared before?
 Yes, Seb answered.
 No, Jackie said at the same time. Jackie shook his head.  We both know the only
reason he offered to drive Jared back and forth to work was because he knew it would make
you get off your stubborn ass and claim Jared as yours.
 Don t kid yourself. Raven didn t get his reputation for nothing, Seb growled.
Jackie cleared his throat.  So, he started, turning to regard Ghazi.  The two of you
looked rather cosy at dinner.
Ghazi didn t know either man well, but he resented any implication that he was one of
many in Raven s life. Announcing his feelings to the two men went against his sense of
privacy, but he intended to make damn sure they knew his feelings for Raven.  I m in love
with him.
Jackie whistled.  I bet he s in hog heaven.
Confused by the statement, Ghazi s head tilted to the side.  Hog heaven?
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64
 Happy. I bet Raven s happy, Jackie quickly clarified.
 Actually, I don t think he believes me. He keeps trying to remind me that he was
adopted. I m not sure why that would make him any less a man in his eyes, but it seems to
weigh heavily on his shoulders.
Jackie and Seb looked at each other. Ghazi couldn t read their twin expressions.
 What? he asked.
 We didn t know he was adopted. He s never talked much about his past. I mean, I m
sure Mac and Bram know, they re the ones who hired him, but I m his boss and I didn t
know. Did his biological folks die? Seb asked.
 No. I mean, I don t know anything about his father, but his mother couldn t be
bothered to stop drinking, so they took Raven away from her.
Seb stared at the end of his smouldering cigar.  Maybe we have more in common than I
thought.
 You were adopted? Ghazi asked.
 No. I wasn t that lucky, but you never completely get over the fact that you weren t
worth hanging onto. Seb set the cigar in the ashtray and stared over the balcony to the men
below.  From experience, I can tell you the only way to convince Raven that you ll stay is to
wake up every morning beside him. Words won t do it.
 Do you really think Jared would ever leave you? Jackie asked.
 Of course. I keep thinking someday he ll wake up, take a look at me and wonder why
the hell he s tied himself down to a grouchy sonofabitch like me.
Ghazi had seen the two men together over the last two days. They couldn t keep their
hands off each other. If Seb still felt the way he did, would loving Raven be a constant battle
of reassurances?
 You re wrong, Jackie said.  You re that man s entire world.
Seb nodded, never taking his eyes off Jared.  That s what he tells me. He blinked
several times before looking at Jackie.  I love him more than my own life. I m not foolish
enough to push him away, but I guess I realise what a gift every day with him is.
Seb eventually turned his attention to Ghazi.  If you love Raven, tell him, often. But
sticking by his side no matter what will do more for his sense of worth than anything.
 And when he tries to push me away? Ghazi asked, remembering the arguments
they d had lately.
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65
 He s testing you, in his own way. He may not even realise it, but he is.
 Testing me?
 He s probably still working through the reasons behind his mother s indifference.
Maybe he s trying to see how far he can go before you leave him. Seb stood and stretched
his arms over his head.  I m gonna get another beer. Anyone else?
 Sure, Jackie said, handing Seb an empty bottle.
 I m fine, Ghazi answered. He had a lot to think about.
* * * *
Once all four of them were settled on the benches beside the reflecting pond, Raven
turned to Nalu.  Can you tell me everything from the beginning? I think I already know who
the Guardian is by your reaction at dinner, but I d like to hear it from you.
 Where do I start? Nalu asked.
 How did you originally come to live on Jurru?
 My mother sold me to a man because she couldn t afford to feed me, he whispered.
 And this man brought you to Jurru? Then what?
Nalu shrugged.  He found someone else.
 And just left you here on your own? Raven asked, appalled that someone could do
such a thing.
Nalu shook his head.  He took me to Sanctuary. I didn t know why at the time, but it
was a nice place, and I got to go to school.
 And that s when you started working for the Guardian? Jared asked.
 No. It wasn t until I filled out a piece of paper asking the King if he would let me
become a citizen. He said yes, but I would have to do my part as a res& responsible citizen if
I wanted to stay.
Raven sat back and scrubbed his face with his hands. He knew from talking to Ghazi
that Nalu had become a citizen while Ghazi s father, King Jaleel Zahar was in power. How
could he possibly tell Ghazi his father had started the prostitution services on Jurru?
 And Halim? What part does he play? he forced himself to ask. Raven felt eyes on him
and looked around the garden before finally glancing up. He met Ghazi s stare and took a
deep breath. Although he would have to break his lover s heart, the heat in Ghazi s dark eyes
made him want.
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 He calls himself the Guardian, but we call him the Hammer, Nalu confessed.  He
gives us our assignments, pays for the house. Nalu shrugged.  I guess we d all be out on the [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]