The Long Road Home

“Jake, that’s your uncle, my twin brother. Say hello to your nephew, Fin.” The words echoed in Finlay’s mind. His brother, a father? It had been over twenty years since Fergus abandoned the family business and disappeared, but Finlay thought he would have contacted them if he was going to be a father. Was this really how he found out he was an uncle? How had it come to this? * * * Gus sighed as he let himself into his condo. It had been another long day at the office, but somehow, he had gotten it done so he could leave early. It meant working through lunch, but it was worth it. Now, the weekend was his, and he planned to make it up to Bianca. She had been patient with his long absences, and he intended to show her how much he appreciated it. Since their families were long-time friends, they had grown up together. She might have spent more time at their house than her own. Their affection for each other was carefully nurtured every day. He and his brother, Fin, joked and semi-competed over which one of them would eventually marry her. In the end, he won. When he presented her with the engagement ring last year, she wept actual tears. She was now planning their wedding, and he was spending long hours in the office to ensure the company was in a good place when they went on their honeymoon. He had everything arranged. Bianca had been obsessed with visiting Paris ever since Julius and Macey DaLair’s story began circulating through society several years ago. Gus was determined to make that dream a reality. They would spend a whole week in Paris. After that, they would travel across the rest of Europe and see whatever sites that sparked their fancy. It would be a trip to remember. But for now, he could plan a weekend to remember. He would start by serving her a home-cooked dinner by candlelight. Gus had read that Julius DaLair often cooked for his wife, so he had taken a few lessons, and now he was a fair hand at it. After the meal, he would take her back to his bedroom and show her his appreciation for her patience. Tomorrow, they would spend the entire day together, and he doubted they would leave the bed. It was all coming together. The life he imagined with his love at his side was well within his grasp. Tossing his keys onto the table, he saw Bianca’s purse. Gus frowned as he loosened his tie. He was certain she told him she wouldn’t be back until dinnertime. Did she return early to surprise him? The thought brought a smile to his face. Glancing around, he didn’t see any other sign of her, but a noise drew his attention to the bedroom. His smile growing wider, Gus made his way toward the slightly open door. As he reached it, he paused at the sounds of moaning, punctuated by a high-pitched whine he recognized as Bianca’s cry of ecstasy. He had lost count of how many times he heard that sound as he coaxed every bit of pleasure out of her. “Faster, Fin! Faster!” No. It couldn’t be. His hand was shaking as he pushed the door open. It soundlessly swung inward as his gaze fell upon the scene unfolding in front of him like a bad dream. Clothes were strewn across the floor, a mockery of the neatness he tried to maintain. The bed was equally askew, but nothing compared to the horror that played out in front of him. Bianca and his brother were entangled in the sheets, naked, with Fin’s member buried deep inside her. As if sensing they weren’t alone, Bianca’s eyes fluttered open, and she looked at the door. Her relaxed expression of pure bliss morphed into shock then horror. “F-Fin! Fin!” “Yeah, baby. I know what you like.” “Well, that makes one of us,” Gus suddenly spoke. Fin jerked his head around. Panicking, he hastily pulled out and practically threw himself off the bed. His brother covered himself but not before Gus was able to confirm he hadn’t bothered to wrap it. Fuckin fantastic. “G-Gus, it isn’t what it looks like.” “So, you weren’t just buried balls deep in my fiancée?” Gus scoffed. His thoughts were raging, but his expression betrayed none of it. Keeping his emotions in check was something he had schooled himself to do. When they were kids, Fin often teased him that he was like a robot, but it was a useful skill in the boardroom, and especially now. “G-Gus, it was all a mistake,” Bianca said. “We were planning a special present for you.” “And his d**k just fell into your v****a?” Gus snapped. Bianca’s cheeks burned at his callous reply. He had always been gentle toward her, his gaze soft and eyes full of adoration. Even if his face was blank, she could always see his true emotions in his eyes. Right now, his gaze simmered with rage churning just below the surface. “Gus…” “Out.” Fin froze. “Out of my fuckin’ condo!” Gus snapped. “Now!” Fin grimaced. He had never seen his brother like this before. Gus had always been so controlled, but now he was trembling with rage. This went beyond anger. Now wasn’t the proper time to talk. It was best to leave until Gus had calmed down. Bending over, he reached for his discarded clothes. “What are you doing?” Gus demanded. “Umm, getting my clothes?” Fin hesitated. “Did I say you could have them?” Gus glared. “I said OUT!” “Gus, I can’t leave with no clothes.” “You should have thought of that before you stuck your d**k where it doesn’t belong. Now, get out before I fuckin’ throw you out the fuckin’ window.” “Gus—” “OUT!” Fin hesitated. “Gus, be reasonable,” Bianca whimpered. “You want to see reasonable?” Gus advanced toward the bed. She flinched, expecting him to strike her. Instead, he reached for her hand and pulled it toward him. Bianca stared, wondering what sweet endearment he would use as he promised to make this up to her. Hopeful, she gazed at him, but his expression remained cold. Without a word, he pulled off her engagement ring and dropped her hand as if scalded. “The wedding is off,” Gus declared. “You. Leave.” “G-Gus, don’t do this,” Bianca pouted. “I love you.” “You have a funny way of showing it,” Gus sneered. “And you can fuckin’ keep it. Out!” Bianca whimpered, trying to look pitiful as she reached for her clothes. “I didn’t say you could have those,” Gus said. “Gus, it’s my clothes!” “Memory serves, I bought that dress,” Gus said. “My money, my clothes, so f**k off.” “G-Gus, you can’t expect me to go out there naked!” Bianca shrieked. “You should have thought about that before you f****d my brother.” “G-Gus.” “Out! Get the f**k out of here, you fuckin’ w***e!” “Gus.” “Out!” Gus screamed, grabbed the nearest item, which happened to be a vase, and threw it. It shattered against the wall. The threat was clear. They would be next. Fin grabbed her arm, and they rushed out of the condo with only a single bedsheet for cover between the two of them. As they stumbled out into the hallway, Gus slammed the door closed and locked it behind them. But his rage didn’t subside once they were gone. No. It only grew wilder and more out of control with nothing to focus on. Screaming in rage, he tore through the condo, smashing everything he could get his hands on: knick-knacks she insisted on cluttering up his space with, glasses, dirty dinnerware, evidence of the meal the pair shared before they desecrated his bed. Bianca kept knocking, pleading for him to open it. Grabbing a chair, he hurled it at the door and was rewarded with it splintering into pieces. The noise on the other side finally quieted and Gus sank onto the floor in exhaustion.