“Hello, Uncle! We meet again,” Vaughn’s bright voice cut through the surrounding noise, drawing Rowan’s attention away from the sea of people.
Rowan glanced down, his dark gaze softening slightly as he spotted the boy standing before him. “Vaughn,” he greeted, his deep voice somehow warmer when he addressed the child.
Vaughn smiled up at him, his eyes twinkling with excitement. “You’re here for Mommy’s birthday too!”
Rowan nodded, his lips twitching into a faint smile. “Yes.”
Vaughn’s face beamed as if this was the best news he’d heard all night. He shifted closer, his small hands tucked behind his back as he leaned in conspiratorially. “So… when are you marrying my mommy?”
The question hung in the air for a second, catching Rowan off-guard. He raised an eyebrow, his amusement barely concealed, but before he could respond, Vaughn continued, his tone serious.
“You know, there’s this uncle… I don’t like him, but he just doesn’t leave Mommy alone.”
Rowan’s smile faded, his dark gaze sharpening as he knelt down to Vaughn’s level, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Oh? Which uncle?”
Vaughn glanced around the room before pointing in a particular direction. “That one,” he said, his voice full of childish frustration.
Rowan followed Vaughn’s gaze until it settled on the group of men standing near the bar, their stiff posture and tailored suits making them look like they belonged in some high-stakes negotiation rather than a birthday party.
And among them, Alessandro stood out.
“Alessandro?” Rowan asked, already knowing the answer but wanting to confirm it.
Vaughn nodded eagerly. “Yes! He’s always talking to Mommy, and I don’t like it. He’s not nice like you.”
Rowan’s eyes darkened as his gaze lingered on Alessandro, a flicker of something dangerous passing over his face. He turned back to Vaughn and smiled “Ah, same choice, buddy. I don’t like him either.”
Vaughn’s face lit up at Rowan’s agreement. “I knew it! He doesn’t belong with Mommy.”
Rowan chuckled, the sound low and almost dangerous, as he ruffled Vaughn’s hair. “You’re a smart kid.”
Vaughn blushed at the praise, looking up at Rowan with wide, admiring eyes. After a brief pause, the boy shifted on his feet, glancing down shyly before speaking again. “Uncle Rowan…”
Rowan raised an eyebrow, his gaze focused entirely on Vaughn. “Yes?”
“Can you… can you rub my head again?” Vaughn asked, his voice small and hesitant.
Rowan’s expression softened, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He chuckled, the sound more genuine this time, as he reached out to ruffle Vaughn’s hair again, his large hand moving gently over the boy’s head.
“Of course,” Rowan said, his voice quieter, almost affectionate.
Vaughn closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the simple act of kindness from someone he saw as a protector. For a fleeting moment, the chaotic energy of the room seemed to vanish, and all that remained was the small bond between the boy and the man standing before him.
After a few moments, Vaughn looked up at Rowan, his eyes shining with something like awe. “You’re the best, Uncle Rowan. You’re like… like a knight, protecting Mommy.”
Rowan’s smile twisted into something darker, though Vaughn didn’t notice. He wasn’t sure if he could be called a knight… his methods were far from noble… but he did have a deep, relentless desire to protect Amara, to keep her in his world. He would go to any lengths to ensure she remained safe from men like Alessandro, even if it meant playing dirty.
“I do what I have to,” Rowan replied, his voice taking on a more serious tone.
Vaughn nodded sagely, as if he understood far more than a child his age should. “Good. Mommy needs people like you around.”
Rowan glanced over at Amara, who was across the room, speaking to a guest while Vincent stood beside her.
She looked poised and elegant, but Rowan could see the tension in her shoulders, the weariness in her eyes. She was surrounded by people who wanted pieces of her… alliances, power, influence… but none of them saw her the way he did.
None of them truly knew her like he did.
And then, as if sensing his gaze, Amara turned her head slightly, her eyes locking with Rowan’s across the room.
For a brief moment, the noise and movement around them faded, and all that existed was the silent, unspoken connection between them.
Rowan’s dark eyes conveyed something more than just desire…. they held a promise, a vow that went far beyond what words could express.
Amara’s breath hitched slightly, but she quickly broke the eye contact, returning her attention to the guest beside her. Rowan watched her for a moment longer before turning back to Vaughn, who was still standing there, looking up at him with absolute trust.
“Uncle Rowan,” Vaughn asked suddenly, his voice quiet, “can you keep Mommy safe from that bad uncle? Alessandro?”
Rowan’s expression darkened, his jaw tightening at the mention of Alessandro’s name. He knelt back down to Vaughn’s level, placing a hand on the boy’s shoulder, his voice low and steady. “I’ll do more than that, Vaughn. I’ll make sure he stays far away from your mother.”
Vaughn smiled, satisfied with Rowan’s answer. “I knew you would.”
Rowan stood up, his eyes scanning the room, lingering once again on Alessandro. The man was laughing, engaged in conversation with other powerful men, unaware of the storm brewing around him. Rowan’s gaze turned icy, the possessiveness over Amara burning hot in his chest.
Just then Rowan’s phone buzzed in his pocket, he glanced at the screen. Kyle. A brief shadow crossed his face before he turned to Harvey, who was standing beside him, and then down at Vaughn.
“I’m sorry, buddy, I’ve got a call,” Rowan said, his voice firm but not unkind. Vaughn nodded, his expression slightly disappointed, but he didn’t protest.
Rowan gave Vaughn a small smile before turning on his heel and walking outside, the air around him shifting from composed to focused.
Harvey noticed the boy watching him closely, his eyes bright with curiosity and something far more observant for his age. Vaughn’s gaze flicked to the empty spot where Rowan had stood just moments ago, then back to Harvey.
“You have good taste,” Harvey said with a smile, unable to resist Vaughn’s confident, almost grown-up demeanor.
“Of course I do,” Vaughn replied with a sense of pride, puffing out his little chest as if the statement was a given.
Harvey laughed, a low rumble of amusement escaping him. There was something refreshing about the way Vaughn carried himself… so innocent yet so sure of his place in the world.
Vaughn tilted his head slightly, as if a thought had just occurred to him. “I saw you at Leo Uncle’s wedding. Are you Mommy’s friend too?”
Harvey nodded, his smile softening. “Yes, I am.”
Vaughn seemed to process this information, a small crease forming between his brows as he thought it over. “And how are you related to Rowan Uncle?”
A flicker of surprise crossed Harvey’s face, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by a knowing smile. “He’s my big brother.”
Vaughn’s eyes widened with understanding. “Oh, I see.” He paused, glancing down at the floor for a moment before looking back up at Harvey. “So does that mean you help him protect Mommy too?”
Harvey chuckled, though there was an underlying seriousness in his gaze as he looked at the boy. “In a way, yes. Your uncle Rowan’s got that job mostly covered, but I’ll always help where I can.”