grabbed his plate of partially eaten cake with the other, and rushed in the direction of the
children’s table. The floor was no better there than it had been where Hugh had been sitting,
but he made do as best he could, only stumbling once or twice, and never enough to endanger
his beloved Finch or his faithful cake.
Or was it supposed to be his faithful Finch and his beloved cake? He couldn’t tell the difference
anymore. Both were precious treasures meant to be protected at all costs.
Children swarmed him upon his approach, but all of them were smart enough to stay out from
beneath his feet. It did make progression more difficult than it had to be, but with Everard and
Harrison likely hot on his heels, it was a blessing in disguise. With a protective barrier of
nephews around him, he needn’t worry about any of Everard’s more underhanded tactics. As
long as he got to Perry first, he’d win.
“Uncle Hugh!” Maxime said. “May we please have some candy?”
A chorus of so many pleases followed that Hugh couldn’t hear himself think, but thankfully the
hubbub didn’t seem to affect Finch. He wiggled and squirmed until he’d sunk an inch or two
lower down Hugh’s back and dug into Hugh’s pockets. From there, the details were a little
foggy, but from what Hugh could ascertain, Finch took the candy he carried on him and threw
it at random across the room. The effects were instant. In a flurry of shouts and screams, the
crowd of young Drakes bolted across the room.
A second later there came a startled cry from Everard.
It gave Hugh a brilliant idea. “Use the children, Finch! The children! Throw the candy at my
brother!”
“Already done, sir.”
“You are a treasure.” Hugh came to a wobbly stop next to a baffled-looking Perry. “Hello, Perry.
Would it be an inconvenience were I to temporarily kidnap you?”
Perry tilted his head to the side in thought, the golden chains of his ear cuff brushing his delicate
shoulder. “Will Finch be there?”
“Certainly.”
“Then no.” Perry smiled prettily. “Please, kidnap away.”
It was a struggle to kidnap an omega with one already slung over his shoulder and a precious
piece of cake in hand, but Perry helped by raising his arms and allowing Hugh to lift him from