Wayward Sons

Edmond Cato has dreamed his whole life of becoming an engineer. But it is the dawn of WWII, and his domineering father, the affluent Admiral Guy Cato and patriarch of the Cato family, demands his son honor family tradition, and become an officer in the U.S. Navy. Edmond reluctantly agrees to follow in his father's footsteps. When he arrives to the train station, he meets Richard Walters, a fellow student of engineering who inspires him to follow his heart. Life is perfect until the admiral discovers his son hasn't reported to the Naval Academy and even worse, that he loves another man. The stony-hearted patriarch not only disinherits Edmond but goes after Richard's family.

Excerpt:

Gazing into the pitiful, frightened eyes of his physically inferior younger sibling, big brother released his grip, freeing a long pent-up breath. "I hate losing my temper with you. Proud of you, though. It's a brave thing you're doing."

"Or incredibly stupid." Subdued, Morgan tucked the controversial letter inside the inner pocket of Edmond's jacket and straightened his collar and bow tie. "Thank you for coming to my rescue all these years. No matter what, I know that will never change."

Nodding, Morgan smiled. "Damn right."

"Father's stern, but I'm confident I can reason with him."

"Reason with him?" Morgan snickered. "Have you met the man?"

Edmond knew his brother was right. "Don't suppose you'd be willing to put in a good word. Or, better yet, accompany me?"

"Really think he's going to listen to his eldest disappointment?"

"I don't understand. You graduated the Naval Academy with descent marks. Promoted to second in command of your ship. You're Father's perfect son."

"You think so? At every opportunity, he lectures me about name and legacy. By now, I should have married an insufferable socialite, of his choosing, provided him with grandchildren and occupied an office in the Pentagon. Well, that's the short list anyway." Morgan folded an arm around Edmond's shoulders. "With Father, you'll come to realize it's never enough. But like I said, I admire your backbone. Tell that old barnacle-back what's what. I've never challenged him. I could've been a professional boxer. But I gave in, did what the old man wanted. I hate the fucking Navy. But it's not too late for you, nosebleed. It's your life. Be your own man."

Morgan's words rang true. Not only pertaining to engineering, but also the fact he was sexually attracted to other men. Damn liberating to admit it . . . to actually accept it about himself.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, four-eyes, I need to finish cleaning my rifle." Morgan winked as he tugged at the long bulge in his boxers. Edmond knew he should stop gawking at it, but the thing was damn impressive. "Go get him, tiger." Big brother turned his back to Edmond and shuffled back down the hallway toward his bedroom. Halfway, he stopped and turned around. "Better bring your A-game to the ring." Morgan shadow boxed as he jogged the remainder of the way. "Heavyweight champion on the Reprisal . . . and undefeated."

"Still doing that, are we?"

"Should have taught you to defend yourself a long time ago," he yelled over his shoulder, slamming the door shut behind him.

"I'm not getting in a boxing ring with you, you big gorilla, not now, not ever. Let Bruno continue playing the role of punching bag," he mumbled aloud. But Morgan's words had inspired him. Hell, they had emboldened him.