Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

family drama
    word count: 8,699
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    UNDERWATER SECRETS
    by Charlie Richards
    "So you're him, huh?"
    Kyle's brows knit and he couldn't hide his confusion. "What?"
    The stranger who stood in the doorway snorted, as if Kyle's ignorance was truly an inconvenience for him. Sweeping his gaze over the frustrated stranger, Kyle admitted, at least to himself, that the guy was good-looking, with high cheekbones, a straight nose, full lips, and a full head of thick brown hair. But the look in his eyes worried him. They were cool, calculating, and the slate gray color seemed to see right through him.
    "You're Damian's Adelfi Psychi . His mate." The guy rolled his eyes, shifting his weight in agitation, and muttered, "Gods, has he really not said anything to you yet?" After running a bronzed hand through his hair again, he returned his focus to Kyle. "His husband?"
    The man's wording confused him, and the erratic emotions flitting across his face concerned Kyle. Instead of answering, he asked, "I'm sorry. Who are you?"
    "Babe, who's at the door?"
    Damian's voice echoed through their lakeshore home. The stranger's lips curved into a shit-eating grin and relief filled his gray eyes. "Damian's home! Fantastic! Let him know Darius is here."
    Kyle still didn't like the way the guy was looking at him, or his attitude, but he could see no reason to deny the man's request. Especially since Darius already knew that his husband was home. "Wait here," he growled. Pushing the door halfway closed, Kyle walked the few steps down the hallway to the dining room where Damian waited at the table for him, so they could continue eating their supper.
    "There's a guy named Darius at the door asking for you," he said. Kyle was surprised to see his husband's naturally golden skin pale at his words.
    "Darius?" He whispered the question, as if he didn't want the words to be true.
    Kyle nodded, his concern increasing at his lover's reaction. Just who is this guy? He crossed the room and sank his fingers into Damian's thick dark hair, surprised when he realized the brown shade was nearly identical to the guy at the door. He tilted Damian's head back and stared into his husband's vibrant green eyes. Damian's distress caused lines of tension around his full lips, and Kyle felt an almost overwhelming urge to soothe him. He pecked a kiss on his lips. "Yes, honey. He said his name is Darius. Do you know him?"
    Damian's lips parted, and his tongue darted out, wetting them. "Yeah. Maybe. I have a brother named Darius," he admitted.
    Kyle cocked his head and stared at his husband of two and a half years. He didn't even bother hiding his shock. "You mean from your family that disowned you for being gay? What do you think he's doing here?"
    "Aw, is that what you told him, Damian? That we kicked you out of the family for being gay? Couldn't you have come up with something more original?"
    Kyle jerked his head around, anger flooding him. How dare the stranger have the audacity to just walk into their home without an invitation! And to find him leaning against the kitchen bar, his arms crossed, and a cocky grin on his face, no less. Kyle wanted to deck the guy. But if Darius really was his husband's brother, that wouldn't be appropriate.
    "Hello, Damian. It's good to see you again," Darius murmured, the mirth in his eyes fading to be replaced by affection as he stared at Damian. It certainly wasn't the look of a man who was disgusted with his brother.
    Looking down at his husband, Kyle became even more perplexed. He watched Damian rise from the chair, cross the room, and pull Darius into a back-pounding hug. When they drew apart, Damian was grinning widely. "It's good to see you, too, brother." Concern flickered over his lover's expression, dimming his happiness. "But what are you doing here?"
    Darius's gaze glanced toward Kyle, who waited by the table, still confused and waiting to see what would happen next. This had to be the oddest reunion he'd ever witnessed.
    "I'm sorry, Damian. I couldn't stop it. Father found out."
    Damian's skin once again paled. "He found out," he choked out. Not liking the near agony resonating in his husband's tone, Kyle crossed to the man. Pleasure immediately filled him when Damian pulled Kyle close into a tight embrace. He heard Damian swallow hard. "Is he coming here?"
    "Yes. I wanted to give you warning, but I think he's only a day behind me," Darius admitted.
    "A day," Damian whispered.
    Kyle felt his