Page 27 of A Mistake of Identity (Porte du Coeur: Mistakes #1)
leaned against one of the newly installed French doors in the breakfast room, still able to smell the fresh paint beneath the lingering aroma of morning coffee. The renovation had been rushed—money buying speed and discretion if not his neighbors’ approval. Their complaints about “historical authenticity” and “property values” had fallen on deaf ears with him.
cared far more about the way sunlight now flooded the expanded space, about how the glass walls and doors brought the garden inside, letting Ellis feel connected to the outdoors even on days when leaving the house felt overwhelming.
The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the lawn, but the day’s heat still lingered in the air. The newly installed pool, another rushed to completion in just three weeks after Ellis had mentioned missing the water, sparkled in the sunlight. It had been worth every rushed permit, every expedited delivery, every contractor bonus to see Ellis slowly reclaiming his love of water in the safety of their home.
From his vantage point, he could see Ellis now, floating peacefully on his back in the crystal-clear water. Even with Aric’s booming voice claiming absolute dominion over the nearby grill, Ellis seemed perfectly at ease, as if the water itself created a bubble of serenity around him. had noticed how Ellis seemed most like himself in the water, the tension easing from his shoulders, his smile coming more naturally. It was like watching his little bird find his wings again, one gentle lap at a time.
“I’m telling you,” Aric’s voice carried across the garden, “if anyone else touches this grill, we’re all eating charcoal.” He brandished his tongs at Peter, who had been eyeing the grill with clear skepticism. Aric snapped the tongs menacingly in his direction. “That means you, mountain man. Back away slowly.”
Peter scowled but retreated, his massive frame making the strategic withdrawal look almost comical. Lottie cackled from a lounger nearby.
“Don’t look at me,” Ellis laughed from the pool, the sound still rare enough to make ’s heart catch, and raised his hands in a playful splash of surrender. “I know better than to challenge the grill master.”
The sight of Ellis relaxed, surrounded by friends, eased something in ’s chest that had been tight since the rescue. His little bird was healing, slowly but surely. The nightmares still came, and crowds still made Ellis tense, but he was making progress. Being in the pool was a victory, though noted how Ellis kept glancing at Alain, positioned discretely by the garden wall with several other security personnel.
“You’re hovering,” Lucas remarked, appearing at ’s side with two glasses of whiskey. He handed one to before following his gaze to where Jean had joined Ellis in the pool, practically draping himself across the pool’s edge to chat with Aric.
“Hard habit to break,” admitted, accepting the drink.
“How are the sessions with Dr. Chen going?”
“Better since we moved them here. Ellis is opening up more. Having familiar surroundings helps.” took a slow sip of his whiskey. “Has Jean agreed to see her yet?”
Lucas sighed, his eyes tracking his young lover’s movements. “Finally, yes. But actually getting him to commit to a start date...” He shook his head. “Every time we set one, he finds a reason to push it back. He’s determined to pretend the last three years never happened.”
nodded, watching as Lottie’s laugh rang out from across the garden. She was perched comfortably in Peter’s lap by the pool’s edge, her hands dancing through the air as she spun what appeared to be an elaborate tale. Ellis had drifted closer to listen, his arms folded on the pool’s edge, while Jean lazily commandeered one of the floating loungers nearby, occasionally kicking it closer when it started to drift too far from Lottie’s story. Aric paused in his grilling duties, all of them captivated by her storytelling. Even Peter, despite his characteristically stoic expression, betrayed his amusement with the barest hint of a smirk.
The stoic mountain of a man looked utterly besotted, though only those who knew him well would recognize the signs. still couldn’t quite figure out how that particular relationship worked, but he had to admit, they seemed good for each other. His investment in her singing career was already proving profitable—the woman had genuine talent once given the chance to showcase it.
“They’ve been good for both of them,” Lucas observed quietly. “Lottie and Aric. Having friends who understand, but weren’t there...” He trailed off, watching Jean trail his fingers through the water as he listened to Lottie’s story. “It helps. Having that bridge between then and now.”
studied Jean’s relaxed posture in the floating lounger, so different from the defiant, frightened boy they’d first brought home. The sight only hardened his resolve. “Speaking of Jean,” he said, keeping his voice carefully neutral, “Nika’s team is still unraveling the investigation into his family. The scope is extensive.”
Lucas’s expression darkened. “Olivier Saint-Clair’s connections to the South African?”
“Among other things. It goes deeper than we thought.” took a slow sip of his whiskey, watching Nika prowl along the garden’s edge, phone pressed to his ear. The lawyer had been working his contacts relentlessly, each new revelation darker than the last. “We’ll need to handle it carefully. Henri...”
“Have you found any connection?” Lucas asked quietly. “Between Henri and the Saint-Clair operations?”
“No.” For the first time discussing Henri, smiled. “That’s the one bright spot in this mess. Everything we’ve uncovered suggests Henri was just another pawn in their game. One they used against both the company and me.” His smile hardened. “One I intend to take back.”
“How is he?”
“Working. But Marc’s influence...” trailed off, watching Nika approach Alain with that predatory smile that seemed to be his default expression. Alain steadfastly ignored him, though noted how his security chief’s posture changed subtly, becoming more alert. “I’m considering sending Henri to London for the EcoSphere acquisition. Get him some distance while we dismantle the Saint-Clairs’ empire.”
“Does he want distance?”
“No. But he needs it.” ’s grip tightened on his glass. “I failed to protect him once. I won’t make that mistake again, whether he likes it or not. Speaking of distance, the board meeting went well?”
Lucas’s smile was sharp. “Maximilien’s ban is official. Antoine Dufort has been encouraged to pursue other opportunities. The old guard is falling, one by one.” He paused, swirling his whiskey. “A few board members noted your absence, of course, but most understood. Even Miller admitted that being with Ellis during these first weeks of recovery was important.”
“Good.” watched as Jacob emerged from the house with another tray of food, Annabelle directing traffic from the kitchen door with her usual efficiency.
“Have you told him about the boat yet?”
shook his head. “Not yet. Dr. Chen says he’s making excellent progress in therapy, but leaving the manor is still difficult.” He paused, remembering Ellis’s panicked breathing after their one attempt to visit the grocery store. “The nightmares about being taken again are still frequent. He doesn’t feel safe beyond these walls yet.”
“So getting to the marina...”
“Will happen when he’s ready,” finished firmly. “The boat isn’t going anywhere. Neither are the keys. We have time.”
“He’ll get there,” Lucas assured him. “You both will.”
A burst of laughter drew their attention back to the pool area. Jean had said something that had Ellis doubled over, while Aric threatened them both with his tongs. The sight of Ellis so relaxed, so genuinely happy, made ’s chest tight in the best way.
“Yes,” he agreed softly. “We will.”
The sky was fading toward dusk, the first stars appearing in the east. Soon, the massive fireworks display had arranged would begin in Lafayette Park, perfectly visible from their garden. He’d made sure Ellis could enjoy the celebration without having to leave the safety of the manor grounds. That their neighbors would benefit from the display was merely a fortunate side effect, one that might even soften their ongoing complaints about the pool construction.
pushed off from the doorframe, deciding it was time to join his guests properly. As he crossed the garden, Ellis looked up and smiled, that real, unguarded smile that still took ’s breath away. Yes, they had survived the storm. Now it was time to learn how to sail in calmer waters.
First, though, he had a Fourth of July celebration to host, a family to protect, and a little bird to keep safe within these walls until his confidence returned. The rest would come in its own time.
“Come save me from these two,” Ellis called as approached, though his eyes were bright with laughter. “They’re going to burn dinner arguing about marinades.”
“I never burn anything,” Aric protested with mock offense.
stepped into the shallow end of the pool, still in his slacks and dress shirt, ignoring Aric’s snort of amusement. “I trust your expertise completely,” he assured Aric solemnly as he scooped Ellis from the water, earning an approving nod from the self-proclaimed grill master and a surprised laugh from Ellis.
“Your clothes,” Ellis protested weakly, though he wrapped his arms around ’s neck as he was carried to one of the cushioned loungers.
“Just clothes,” murmured, settling them both onto the chair. Ellis immediately curled against his chest, water-warm skin soaking through ’s expensive shirt. pressed a soft kiss to his temple, then another when Ellis tilted his face up, seeking his lips. The kiss was gentle, unhurried.
As the sun set over Lafayette Square, held his little bird close and watched their makeshift family gather for the coming fireworks display. It wasn’t perfect—they all carried too many scars for perfect—but it was real. It was theirs. And for now, that was more than enough.