Excerpt from A Stolen Heart
Tropes include: Single Dad, Gay Dad, Adopted Child, Bad Breakup, Dark Past, Found Family, LGBTQ, MM Romance, Working With the Ex, Genetic Engineering
A Stolen Heart is a full length novel set in the Thieves' Guild Academy, a Science Fiction MM Romance series. The scene below is the critical moment when Luc Saint-Cyr meets Senthys (Senth) Antonello for the first time. This massive, enhanced warrior turned businessman has the empire by the tail -- as long as no one discovers Luc's real nature. Enter a tiny three-year-old boy running as if fleeing a monster. The monster (a cruel teacher) showed up, and while Senth hid, Luc directed her elsewhere. | The image of little Senth is taken from the original cover for this book.
After she left, Luc motioned to the boy. "It's safe to come out now. She's gone."
Sticking one finger into his mouth, the boy crept forward, peeked around the door, and burst into tears.
Even Luc, whose experience with children could be recorded on his palm, could tell his cry reflected genuine relief. The boy had been terrified.
Monster chasing him indeed. What had that woman done?
The little one ran, but instead of heading for the door, he made a beeline for Luc and threw both arms around one of his legs, sobbing.
Luc stiffened.
Children didn't run to him. They fled.
Imperturbable, Pietas had called him. Seeing him now, his king would guffaw. What did it matter what Pietas thought anyway? Could he not excise that man from his thoughts for a single day?
How did one coax a child to cease crying? Luc bent at the knees only enough to pat the boy on the head. "There, there."
The child cried harder.
What if the headmistress showed up and found him with a sobbing child? What would she think? Worse, would she accuse him of some misdeed?
Her office held no toys or amusements. This room was all business, a showcase for prospective clients, not children.
"Stop crying, little boy." He tacked on, "Please."
Wailing harder, the boy looked up at him, blue eyes red-rimmed.
Heart in his throat, Luc took stock.
A terrified child. Him.
That ratio was supposed to work only one way.
He showed up. Children ran.
Why didn't this one?
An adult with issues, Luc could handle. That was territory he knew. When one lived with Pietas, one became an expert at adults with issues, as a matter of necessity.
Training, both military and in commerce had taught him three steps.
Identify the problem.
Acknowledge the problem.
Solve the problem.
He knew the problem, so he must acknowledge and solve it. First order of business was not to stand there like a dolt, but instead treat this child with respect.
Like a tiny Pietas.
Luc went down on one knee. "You're afraid," he acknowledged. "It's okay." He brushed the mass of curly hair away from the boy's tear-soaked face. "I won't let anyone hurt you."
Hiccupping, the boy reached up to him.
What was Luc supposed to do? He couldn't pick the boy up.
But this little one looked at him with such plaintive eyes, how could he ignore the unspoken plea?
