Deadly Daddy (Little Lost #3)

Chapter Five

At the PlayPen, Kyson had a certain group of friends he always played with. They didn’t seem to be around as often since Jupiter married Boone and Luca married Jarek. Soren was always around to hang out with Kyson, but it was rare for the four of them to be together. Kyson was thrilled to have their little group back together for a game of Jenga.

In the corner, on the floor, they sat in a circle, taking turns and laughing every time they had to start over. Kyson desperately wanted to tell them about Banks. It had been several weeks since he had moved his things to Banks’ bedroom. He was happier than he had ever been and really wanted to share it with someone. Each time he opened his mouth to get started, his face flushed. They weren’t a secret. He just kind of liked keeping Banks to himself. Kyson wasn’t ready to share.

“I’m so happy everyone is here. We never get to see each other anymore. As a group, I mean.”

Soren nodded at Kyson’s words. He focused on Jupiter and Luca. “Married life must keep you two busy. You’re never here anymore.”

Luca laughed. “To be fair, Daddy works long hours, so I usually play at his office.”

“All alone?” Jupiter sounded horrified.

Luca blushed. “Well, sometimes, it’s fun to be alone… with Daddy.”

They roared with laughter, making Luca blush redder and heads turn their way. Kyson met Banks’ stare. They didn’t look away. Heat built between them.

Soren bumped shoulders with him, reminding Kyson it was his turn.

He bit his bottom lip and carefully pulled a block from the tower. Kyson blew out a sigh when the blocks didn’t collapse. The club went quiet for half a second. Just long enough to pull all eyes toward the door. Beau strolled into the club with a pouty-looking Adan. Littles immediately turned their backs, making it clear they wanted no part of him. Since Jupiter married Boone, all the Littles knew the story of Adan. Everyone liked Jupiter. That meant they hated Adan for loyalty’s sake.

Beau steered Adan toward their group and then left him to sit with Boone, Banks, and Jarek. For a moment, Adan stared at them sullenly. His bright green eyes flashed with resentment. Luca stood and grabbed his backpack, leaving the group without saying goodbye. He headed straight for his daddy. After a moment, Jarek stood, and the pair made their way toward the door. Luca waved over his shoulder. Kyson bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. Luca and Boone were friends. He had Luca’s loyalty forever. In no world would Luca play with Adan.

Adan tried to turn away and sit with Beau. Beau swatted him on the butt, sending him away. This time, Adan came back twice as sullen. He plopped down where Luca had been. With his arms crossed over his chest, he stared at the floor.

They exchanged glances.

Soren being Soren, and too nice for his own good, he tried including Adan. “We have a spot open, if you’d like to take Luca’s place.”

Adan narrowed his eyes at Soren. “I don’t need a fat Little, who no one wants, to pity play with me.” He kicked over their Jenga tower.

Fury slammed into Kyson at the hurt on Soren’s face. Soren gathered his things, as if he meant to leave. The rage just kept getting deeper and deeper. All Adan did was hurt people. Kyson fucking hated him.

Something snapped inside Kyson. He was tired of being weak. “Home-wrecking little bitch.” Kyson’s fist shot out and connected with Adan’s eye. It stunned Adan just enough for Kyson to launch himself on Adan. He didn’t stop scratching and hitting him until he was physically lifted away. Rage coated his vision, but he didn’t miss the way Beau sat back, smoking and smiling like the evil bastard he was.

“Take him home.” Banks sounded enraged.

That deflated Kyson and made him realize Shane was the one who held him off the ground. He spotted Soren heading for the door. Kyson twisted. “I’ll go home. Just go after Soren. Adan said something really horrible to him. He needs someone more than me. I’ll behave.” Even Kyson heard the desperation in his voice. He couldn’t let Soren leave upset.

Shane looked visibly torn. Finally, he headed for home with Kyson tucked beneath one arm.

“Seriously, Shane. You can trust me to find my way without you.”

“Hush.” The grumbled word held so much fury, Kyson immediately fell silent. “You just attacked Beau’s boy. If I don’t make a show of this until we’re out of sight, it might be him who comes after you.”

Fuck. Kyson hadn’t thought of that. He dutifully let Shane haul him out of sight. The moment they weren’t visible to the table, Shane set Kyson on his feet. Kyson shooed him away and headed for the safety of home. Reality got a little realer by the second. What the fuck had he just done? What would Beau do? His stomach hurt. With the adrenaline wearing off, he realized a few things hurt. His knuckles ached. There were scratches on his arm. He might have just lost Banks. At just the thought, Kyson’s knees gave out. He sat hard on the coffee table. Kyson couldn’t lose Banks. He had nothing else.

Soren stood in the foyer of The PlayPen and stripped. He couldn’t leave wearing his pajamas. Not only was it nearing record high temperatures for March outside, but he also thought—maybe—he was done. Maybe it was time for the shorts and t-shirt beneath his pajamas to be his full-time persona. Adan was right. No one wanted a fat Little. Every time he came here, he fed into a need that would never be met. All the men here wanted a tiny twink that fit their fantasy’s description. He would never be that. The sad part was, Soren was only unhappy with himself when he was here. Today just proved he needed to give up this dream.

“Where are you going?”

At Shane’s appearance, Soren nearly fell over, trying to get his foot out of his pajamas.

Shane rushed forward to steady him.

Soren couldn’t look at him. “Thanks. I think it’s best if I leave.”

“Why? What did that asshole say to you?”

Soren stayed focused on folding his pajamas and trying to stuff them in his backpack. “Nothing I didn’t already know.”

Shane took away the backpack and the pajamas, forcing Soren to look at him. “Tell me.”

The pleading in his cute hazel eyes only made Soren feel worse. The humiliation was too much. Tears of frustration welled in his eyes, horrifying him beyond reason.

“Tell me,” Shane repeated, sounding like he genuinely cared.

“He said he doesn’t need a fat Little like me, who no one wants, to pity play with him.” Soren’s voice shook with the confession. He fucking hated that. Soren didn’t want to be this person. He wanted to be brave.

Rage flared in Shane’s eyes. That was all the warning Soren got before Shane snagged the front of his t-shirt and hauled him forward. His mouth covered Soren’s. Soren melted. There was no other way to describe what happened to his body. It went limp. Shane’s arms were the only thing keeping him upright. He was everything Soren had fantasized he would be: strong and bold. Soren didn’t even care that it was a pity kiss. His knees shook from the powerful emotions filling his chest. He had wanted this for so long. So much longer than anyone could guess.

Shane pulled away. He swiped the moisture from Soren’s bottom lip while holding his stare. “You should probably knee me in the balls now for manhandling you.”

“I still know Judo.” Soren had no idea why he said such a stupid thing, but his brain refused to work.

A huge smile exploded across Shane’s face. He pressed the pajamas into Soren’s arms. “Put these back on. Don’t you dare let him win. Plus, I imagine Kyson will need you soon. When he fully realizes the ass he just kicked belongs to Beau, he’ll likely crack.”

Nothing could have gotten Soren back in his pajamas faster. Kyson had stood up for him in a way no one ever had. He was Soren’s best friend. Soren wouldn’t let him face the music alone.

Boone and Banks kept exchanging glances. Banks knew Boone had his back if their dad exploded. Still, Banks was too sober for this. He had cut back to only smoking his laced cigars. There weren’t nearly enough drugs in those to deal with taking on his father today. No way in hell would he let his dad harm his baby. There were lines even his father wasn’t allowed to cross.

Beau puffed on his cigar and eyed Banks.

Banks kept his face blank. He knew better than to show an ounce of weakness. Plus, Banks recognized his power too. He was the one his dad turned to when he needed someone to disappear. Banks imagined they were on equal footing.

“Well, you’ve definitely got a scrapper there, boy. Looks like he’ll fit right in with our bunch.”

Adan huffed from his chair next to Beau. He still held an ice pack against his eye. “Daddy, he hit me.”

Beau shot him an annoyed look. “I saw. I also saw you start it. Never pick a fight you can’t finish.”

Adan went back to pouting.

Boone stood. “My husband and I have dinner reservations.” He nodded at everyone and left Banks with the drama. Banks couldn’t blame him. Adan had been engaged to Boone before Boone caught him cheating with their dad. He couldn’t imagine how Boone felt every time he saw the two together. It had nothing to do with Adan. He loved his husband more than life. But Boone shouldn’t have to endure a betrayal like that from family.

Banks decided to pretend as if nothing happened. “What brought you by tonight?”

“Your mother said she wanted the house to herself for a few hours. We had some time to kill before dinner. I thought I’d see my boys.”

Banks nodded. At least his dad had respected his mom’s wishes on something. They owned a huge estate, but it seemed as if his dad always purposely tracked her down with Adan in tow. He never gave her a moment’s peace from his open affair. The saddest part was, if his mom ever so much as looked at another man, that guy would be dead on the spot. Yet his father spent every day tormenting her. Banks needed a drink.

He motioned for a server.

The guy didn’t hesitate to bring Banks a Jack and Coke. He put the glass to his lips and immediately set it back down without drinking. The smell turned his stomach, and Kyson needed him clearheaded.

Beau checked his watch. “We should probably head out for dinner as well, so I can grab something for your mom too while we’re out. Otherwise, she’ll choose not to eat if we stay out too late.”

Banks’ gaze slid Adan’s way. It was out of his control. More times than he could count, Banks had wondered how Adan truly felt about this arrangement. The guy was pushing thirty. He had lived as Beau’s whore for ten years. Surely, he harbored some sort of resentment or anything at all. The dude obviously had no shame or pride. Not to mention his lack of care for others, but goddamn. Did he feel nothing? Adan’s gaze was locked on his lap, stealing Banks’ chance to get a read on him.

“It was good seeing you, Dad.”

Beau stood and squeezed his shoulder before heading toward the door with Adan in tow.

Banks counted to ten and then went in search of Kyson. He didn’t want to look too eager. His dad might reappear any second, and Beau Bosi excelled at destroying things. Before he made it to the hallway that led to his personal space, the door to the club opened and Axton stepped inside. Banks froze. He had given Axton free passes to check out the place, but the guy had never taken him up on the offer.

His eerie light gaze slid across the room before landing on Banks. A smile touched his lips. He closed the distance between them. “Hey.”

Banks couldn’t help but smile. He genuinely liked Axton. “Hey. I honestly never expected to see you here.”

Axton looked around again. “Yeah. It’s not really my scene, but I get bored sometimes.” He focused on Banks again. “I hadn’t heard from you in a while. As fucked up as you were the last time I saw you, I worried you were dead somewhere.”

Banks chuckled. “Nah. I’ve just been busy.” He motioned for Axton to follow. “Come on.” Banks made his way down the hallway until he reached his door. He half expected to find Kyson in tears. Axton’s visit was inconvenient timing, but he could hardly boot the guy from the building when he’d come to check on Banks. He opened the door to chaos. The living room furniture had been pushed against the walls and the tent was back. Pillows surrounded a tiny indoor s’mores maker. Shane, Kyson, and Soren were all in their pajamas, taking turns toasting marshmallows.

A smile exploded across Banks’ face. “What’s going on here? Are you having a camp-out without me?”

Kyson beamed at him. He patted a pillow beside him. “I saved you a seat. Go put your pjs on.”

Banks stepped farther into the room, revealing Axton behind him. “This is my friend, Axton. Axton, you know Shane, of course.”

Shane gave him a nod, greeting him.

Banks motioned toward Soren. “This is Soren, and,” he moved to Kyson’s side and sat, “this is my baby, Kyson.”

“Take your shoes off. You’ll get the pillows dirty.”

“Oops.” Banks pulled off his shoes and tossed them aside at Kyson’s reminder. He stole a kiss before focusing on Axton again.

Axton looked uncomfortable and unsure of his welcome.

Kyson motioned toward an empty pillow. “Come on. We have plenty.”

Even though he still looked like he might bail, Axton tugged off his biker boots and awkwardly sat on the pillow on the floor. He looked out of place as hell in his leather pants and tattoos. No one batted an eye. He openly eyed Kyson. “What happened to your hand?”

Until Axton posed the question, Banks hadn’t noticed Kyson’s knuckles were bandaged.

Kyson blushed. “I beat up Banks’ dad’s affair partner.”

Axton’s eyebrows lifted. “And you lived to tell about it?”

Kyson shifted nervously, but didn’t respond.

Banks answered for him. “First off, no one, not even my dad, is about to lay one goddamn finger on my baby.”

Kyson stroked his thigh.

Banks continued. “But you also know my dad. He’s a cold-hearted bastard. I’m pretty sure he thought the whole thing was funny. He told Adan not to pick a fight he couldn’t finish next time.”

Shane laughed.

Axton eyed Kyson again before focusing on Banks. “I take it Adan is the affair partner.”

“Home-wrecking little bitch,” Kyson muttered under his breath.

Banks bit his bottom lip to keep from laughing. Once he had himself under control, he answered. “Yeah.” He turned his head and focused on Kyson. “What happened, by the way?”

Kyson had just taken a bite of his s’more, so he couldn’t answer.

Banks grabbed a napkin and wiped the melted chocolate from his face while he chewed.

He swallowed. “He said something he shouldn’t have.”

Axton laughed. “Well, I guess he’ll think before he speaks next time.”

“Probably not,” Banks, Kyson, and Shane said simultaneously.

Everyone laughed.

Axton’s shoulders relaxed.

Kyson cocked his head to one side and studied Axton. “Why do you look slightly familiar to me?”

Axton shrugged.

Banks filled him in. “He’s Jarek’s younger brother.”

“Oh, yeah,” Kyson cried. “I see it now. You two have different colorations, but your face is very similar.”

Banks had never really noticed that before, but Kyson was right.

Axton only nodded. He wasn’t on the best of terms with his older lawyer brother. Banks had never really understood why. He assumed they were just too different.

“We should get drunk and play Truth or Dare.”

Everyone looked at Soren at his suggestion.

Soren shrugged. “I think we’ve earned it.”

A laugh burst from Kyson.

Shane pushed to his feet. “I’ll grab the game board.”

Kyson jumped to his feet. “Can I run to the bar and grab the liquor, Daddy?”

Banks’ throat swelled so fast and unexpectedly, it took him a second to recover. It was the first time Kyson had called him Daddy without stopping himself. Kyson sounded so much like the Little he had been before Jack that Banks nearly teared up. It was like he had healed someone. Him. That meant Kyson truly was saving him. “Of course, baby. Get whatever you want for the group. The guys know to give you anything you want.”

Kyson did a cute, happy clap.

Soren stood too. “Can I come? I know it was my idea, but you know I don’t really like the taste of alcohol. Maybe I can find something tolerable.”

Kyson linked his arm through Soren’s and steered toward the door. “Good idea. Maybe they’ll have a suggestion for you.”

They disappeared, chatting, and leaving Banks alone with Axton.

Axton cleared his throat. “So, you’re a daddy. I knew you owned this place, but I still never pictured that about you. Is this why I haven’t seen you in a while?”

Banks didn’t know what to make of Axton’s words or tone. He sounded oddly serious. Banks decided to be fully honest, especially since he always got his most fucked up when they were together. “The last time we went out, I don’t know how I made it home. I scared Kyson. He had to be the one who kept me from choking on my own vomit on the bathroom floor. I don’t know, man. The idea of failing him like that. It doesn’t sit right with me. In his heart, he’s a Little. He should never be the caretaker. There’s something fucked up in me.” Banks knew he wasn’t explaining himself well. They never had meaningful discussions. Banks didn’t like being serious.

“He deserves better. I get it.”

Banks’ shoulders relaxed. “Exactly. If anything were to happen to me, all this would become his. But he’s not equipped for that, and I don’t want to force him to be that person.” The way it was forced on Banks. “I love him. He needs me to be better.”

Axton nodded.

Shane returned with the game board. Banks had a feeling he had been hovering out of sight, letting Banks have his private conversation and waiting for his chance to return without it being awkward. Shane focused on Axton as he reclaimed his pillow on the floor. “Are you up for this?”

Axton shrugged. “Why not? I’ve got nowhere else to be.”

It hit Banks. Axton likely didn’t feel like he had anyone. The guy barely spoke to his brother. The biker gang he had done time for were still around, but ten years in prison was a long time. Things changed. Feelings changed.

Kyson and Soren returned laughing and arms laden with bottles.

Soren shook a glass canister. “They mixed me a whole bottle of something called a Buttery Nipple.”

Shane groaned.

Soren’s face fell. “What? Is it nasty?”

Shane shook his head. “It’s good, but it’s sweet. Don’t make yourself sick.”

The smile returned to Soren’s face. “Oh. I’ll try. But throwing up is still probably less embarrassing than me showing off my sick dance moves.”

Shane chuckled and shook his head.

Banks looked between the two. Kyson was right. Soren did have a crush, and judging by Shane’s smile, it wasn’t one-sided.

After reclaiming their spots, they set their haul on the floor. Kyson tried arranging the bottles where they were easy to reach for everyone. “I didn’t know what everyone liked.” He pushed a bottle of Coke and Jack Banks’ way. “Except you, of course.”

Banks didn’t touch it. “Thanks, baby.”

Kyson beamed.

Axton sat forward and eyed the haul. He reached for Banks’ bottles. “Do you mind? We have similar tastes.”

Banks flashed him a grateful smile. “Go for it. I’ll catch up later.”

Axton winked and filled one of the Solo cups Soren supplied.

Shane grabbed a bottle of vodka. “I’ll just drink from the bottle. I’m the only vodka person.”

Kyson nodded. He held up his bottle of wine. “Then, same.”

With everyone having their chosen drinks, they rearranged things to have the game board in the center.

Soren explained as Shane ensured the board was set up properly with each person having a Truth or Dare pie slice facing their direction. “Okay. All you have to do is flick the little arrow thing and if it lands on your truth or dare, then that’s what you have to do. Simple.”

Axton’s eyebrows rose. “Who gets to choose what truth or dare we have to do?”

“We just take turns,” Kyson explained. “That way, there’s no pressure on anyone who can’t think of anything to do.” Kyson looked around. “Who wants to go first?”

Banks wrapped his arm around Kyson’s waist. “I think you should.”

Kyson shrugged and flicked the arrow. It landed on Soren.

Soren was mid drink. His shoulders fell when it landed on truth. “Oh, dear.”

An evil-sounding laugh fell from Banks’ lips before he could stop it. He saw his chance. “Do you have a crush on anyone?”

Soren blushed hard. “Yes.”

It was impossible not to miss the way Shane went still.

Soren immediately flicked the arrow before anyone asked him who. It landed on Banks for truth. Soren sat forward so fast to focus on Banks, Banks wondered if he pulled a muscle in his back. “What are your intentions with my best friend?”

Kyson looked horrified.

Everyone else looked curious.

Banks didn’t even hesitate. “I hope one of these days, he’ll give in and marry me.”

Everyone looked shocked except Axton.

Axton merely nodded and flicked the arrow. It landed on Soren again, but for dare.

“Oh, dear.”

Banks laughed at his reaction. “This was your idea.”

He didn’t have time to respond before Shane shouted, “Show us your sick dance moves,” and then proceeded to fire up some music on his phone.

Soren covered his face with both hands, but then dutifully stood.

Every face was turned his way and smiling.

Even blushing brightly, Soren fulfilled his dare. To Banks’ shock, he was truly badass. He had the moves he claimed. After a few seconds, he reclaimed his pillow. His face couldn’t get redder.

Shane shook his head. “Holy shit. That was amazing.”

An uncomfortable-sounding chuckle fell from Soren’s lips. “It was Dad who made me take Judo. My mom put me in dance.”

“Well, I’m impressed,” Banks said before flicking the arrow. It landed on truth for Shane. Banks didn’t miss a beat. “Do you have a crush on anyone?”

“Yes.” He looked serious as hell.

Kyson squeezed his thigh. A silent message passed between them. They would have to do something to get these two together. Soren and Shane both deserved all the happiness in the world, and they would look good together. Banks would find a way to make it happen.