He was being watched but he didn't notice.
A small boy was with him.
He slapped the boy's hand away from a toy.
The little boy frowned and started to cry.
He sighed and yelled something.
Another man appeared instantly and took the small boy.
The first man rubbed his forehead.
He said something to the man with the child who frowned and tried to stop him.
The man furrowed his eyebrows and said something else.
The second man sighed and nodded.
The first man rolled his eyes and walked away.
He smiled.
His target was alone and distracted.
He stood up and headed towards the man.
The man was grumbling under his breath.
He didn't notice where he was going and bumped into him.
"Oh sorry," he said as he raised his head.
"It's okay," he replied. "You were obviously thinking about something very important."
The man snorted.
"Yeah right. I was complaining about my son's attitude and my lover's overprotectiveness."
He looked sympathetic.
"I hate that. Mine does that all the time."
The man's eyes widened.
"R-Really?"
He nodded.
"It's a pain, isn't it?"
"Yes!"
He laughed.
"You're interesting. Want to join me for a drink?"
Perfect. Play to his weakness.
The man shook his head.
"I can't. I was just going to the bathroom."
The man tried to go around him.
No! He couldn't slip away!
"Oh come on. He won't notice if you just get one."
"Yes he will. I had to convince him to let me go to the loo alone."
"Sounds controlling."
"No. He just worries about me."
"I wouldn't be able to stand that. I would try and slip away as often as possible to get back at him."
"I can't do that. I love him too much."
He sighed.
"Oh well. I guess you don't like to live in the edge."
He started to walk away but the man grabbed his arm.
"Scotch or rum?"
He smiled.
The man was chatting away next to him and he was pretending to listen.
As they passed an alley, he pushed the man roughly into it.
"Ow!" the man said as he fell to the ground. "What was that for?"
"Shut up!" the man said coldly.
The man stared at him.
"W-What?"
He pulled a knife out of his pocket.
"I said shut up."
The man glared at him.
"That thing won't hurt me."
"I know that Mr. Kirkland."
Arthur's eyes widened.
"H-How do you know my name?"
He laughed.
"You're quite dense. Don't you realize who I am?"
Arthur tried to back away.
"You left that note!"
"Correct."
He grabbed Arthur's foot and twisted it until it snapped.
Arthur didn't yell.
He wouldn't let the bastard know how much that hurt.
"Are you going to come or am I going to have to make you?"
Arthur glared at him.
"Like I would go anywhere with you," he spat.
He lowered his eyes and twisted Arthur's leg farther.
"You never had a choice."
He dragged Arthur down the alley to where a car was waiting and threw him in the back before climbing into the front.
"Go."
The car sped away.
Arthur managed to get the window open and stuck his head out.
"FRANCIS!"
He reached into the back and forced Arthur back into the car and shut the window.
Francis heard the yell and ran out of the store with Steven held tightly in his arms.
He looked around but didn't see anyone.
"Arthur?"
He started looking for his lover.
Francis arrived home and put his head in his hands.
He knew he shouldn't have let Arthur go to the bathroom alone. Something hadn't felt right.
He had searched for hours but hadn't found any sign of him.
Steven made a noise and Francis picked him up.
"Ssh mon petit. Papa is here."
Steven started crying and Francis rocked him in his arms.
He didn't stop so Francis got out of the car.
Food would make Steven stop crying.
He stepped onto the porch and reached for the doorknob before freezing.
Another knife held a different note.
The only thing it said was 'Arthur' with a line through it.
Francis almost dropped Steven in shock.
He tightened his grip and felt his heart burn with anger.
No one messed with his family.
No one.
And no one threatened his Angleterre.
He tore the note off his door and slammed it open.
Steven was carried into the safe room and laid in his crib.
Francis closed the door and pulled out his phone.
He looked down at the paper and noticed something written on the back.
Alfred
Matthew
Peter
He dropped the phone and ran for his car.
If he didn't get to his sons soon, he might not see them again.