Chapter 20
Chapter twenty
Ezrah
Tonight is a busy night. I hoped for one of the slower ones so I could grab a drink with Sebastian at the bar, but no such luck.
Ethan called me in his office earlier to check how I'm handling the manager role.
We talked for a while, and I brought up the VIP floor again.
Even after my promotion, I still haven't been allowed up there.
He brushed me off, same as always, saying that when the time is right, he'll take me himself.
What the hell is on that floor? And why does everyone in this place seem to orbit Ethan like he's the sun?
At least he said he doesn't have a problem with relationships in the workplace. So there's that.
I bury myself in paperwork for a while, but eventually I need a break. Maybe a non-alcoholic cold drink.
The bar is buzzing. Sebastian is pouring shots for a loud group, hips swaying, eyes catching mine like I'm the only one here.
He winks at me and says, "I'll be there in a second."
"Take your time," I answer, even as my chest tightens.
Watching him move so confidently behind the bar, I still can't believe he's mine. Except… are we even official? We never defined it as official. The question gnaws at me, and the sudden uncertainty must show on my face because Sebastian's there in a flash.
"Hey, where'd you go, D?"
"D?"
"Short for Daddy," he whispers with a grin, "since you don't want me calling you Daddy here."
I burst out laughing. "Daddy is good, boy."
"Yaay. Now what can I get…" he trails off as his eyes lock on someone near the entrance. The smile drops, and his body goes rigid.
I see a man in a dark suit, broad as a truck, with silver streaks in his hair. And he's staring at me.
I stand up from my place, but in the next second, Sebastian is next to me. He grabs my arm, physically preventing me from moving. His eyes are still locked on the man who's coming our way.
I don't like this.
I don't like this man.
When he's only a few steps away from us, Sebastian's face transforms from shock into a big, wide grin.
"Dad!" he screams, running straight into the man's arms.
Dad?
Up close, the resemblance is undeniable: the same blue-green eyes, though his are a darker shade of green, the same noise, just a body built on a different frame.
Sebastian looks at me and then drags his father my way.
Fuck. This is the moment I meet the parent.
"This is my dad, Nathaniel."
"Nice to meet you, sir," I say, offering my hand.
Nathaniel studies it like he's deciding whether to crush it, then finally takes it. "Nice to meet you too, Ezrah." He says my name like a warning.
"I'd like the three of us to grab a drink," he adds smoothly.
"We're working, Dad," Sebastian protests.
"I already cleared it with Ethan," Nathaniel says, smiling like a wolf.
Does everybody know Ethan and clear things with him? The unease in my gut tightens.
Sebastian orders wine for his father and me, and water for himself, then he leads us to a quiet corner. He takes the middle of the couch, me on one side, his father on the other. Perfect for scrutiny.
I've never been this nervous about meeting the parents of my partner. Sure, I had only one serious partner, but we were sixteen when I met his mother. Now I'm an adult and I don't know anything about Sebastian's father. Only that the man can kill with a look.
"So, I've heard a lot about you, Ezrah," Nathaniael starts.
"I hope only good things," I say lightly.
"Of course, Daddy," Sebastian blurts. I nearly choke on my wine. "I'm so happy. Daddy and Dad in one place is the best thing ever."
My eyes snap to his Dad, waiting to see his reaction. To my shock, Nathaniel actually smiles. The look he gives his son is undeniably fond, and it softens him. For a heartbeat.
Then his eyes cut back to me.
"Tell me something about yourself, Ezrah," Nathaniel says.
I take a sip of my wine before answering. "Well, I'm twenty-six years old. Sebastian and I met again here when he started working at the bar. I'm currently the manager."
"I already knew all of that," he replies. "I meant what makes you you, boy."
I stare at him, trying to read the man, but it's like trying to read a wall.
"I'm not sure I understand, sir."
Sebastian wraps his hand around my arm and leans close. His touch steadies me. God, I hope I'm not screwing this up.
"Let me ask you a few questions then," Nathaniel says, swirling his wine.
"Of course."
"What would you do if my son killed someone?"
I nearly spit my drink, coughing hard as Sebastian gasps beside me, his grip tightening on my arm.
"Dad!"
"What?" his father challenges.
"This is not a question you should ask my Daddy."
"I'll decide what questions to ask, little Seb." Turning back to me, his father pins me with his cold stare and asks, "Well?"
My mind reels. What kind of parent asks this at a first meeting? But the way Sebastian is biting his lip, wide-eyed and tense, makes something inside me shift.
"I don't believe Sebastian is capable of killing someone," I say.
The tension sharpens instantly.
"This isn't about what you believe. I didn't ask you if you think he could do it. I asked: What would you do if my Sebastian kills someone?"
Fair. His father is a tough guy who demands strict sticking to the exact question.
I take a moment to think about it. It's still hard to imagine it, so I try to suspend my beliefs. I look over at Sebastian again. One look at his uncertain expression, the way he's biting his lip, is all it takes to be hit with a frightening realization.
I would do anything for this boy. I want him to be mine. And if he's mine, that would include protecting him from everything and everyone.
"I would help him hide the body and not leave a trace behind," I answer firmly.
Sebastian's eyes widen, then curve into a slow, hungry smile.
Nathaniel hums, unimpressed or maybe intrigued. "What if it's an innocent person?"
"I would never kill an innocent!" Sebastian explodes.
My head continues to spin. How the hell did we get to debating murder?
"I don't believe he'd ever kill an innocent," I say carefully. "But if he did? I'd spank the shit out of him and make damn sure it never happened again. Then I'd still cover for him. My boy isn't going to prison."
The words spill out easily, and I know I mean them. It's probably not a good idea to speak about spanking your partner in front of their father, but fuck this, he's starting to piss me off.
"Interesting." Nathaniel murmurs, sipping his wine.
Then his eyes narrow. "How much darkness can you take before running away screaming?"
His question stuns me.
"I'm- I'm not sure I understand what you mean."
"Daaad," Sebastian whines, but I pat his hand. I can handle this.
I think.
"I don't like explaining myself, but for you I'll make an exception," Nathaniel begins. "The question says it all. We all have darkness inside. How much can you take from Sebastian before you break and run?"
It's a loaded question. A dangerous one.
I have a feeling there's so much more here that I don't know. But regardless of that, I know without a doubt that no darkness can ever send me screaming away from my boy.
"No amount of darkness would make me run. Not from him."
"You're confident," Nathaniel says.
"Because I know who I am. And I know what Sebastian means to me."
"Your relationship is moving fast."
"It is," I admit. "But it's right for us."
"Again, you're a confident guy. I wonder if you'd be the same under a real test."
"Dad, enough," Sebastian cuts in with a hard edge to his tone.
"I'm just looking out for you, son. I want the best for you, and I need to see if this guy is that."
I don't argue. I want to prove myself, not to his father, but to Sebastian.
Nathaniel looks back at me. "What about your past? Are you still holding onto feelings for Aziel?"
For a second, I just blink. This man is something else. Murder, darkness, and now my ex – all in one first meeting.
"No," I say without hesitation. "Aziel is in the past where he belongs."
His father hums while Sebastian glares at him. After that, the questions finally shift into safer territory like work, free time, plans we have. Normal fatherly things. Almost.
When he leaves, Sebastian and I steal a heated kiss before duty calls us both back to work.
But all night long, one thought gnaws at me: Nathaniel wasn't just interrogating me. He was testing me. I want his approval, but more than that, I need my boy's approval.