21. Bodie
Bodie
Last night was something .
I mean… just wow.
The truth is that as much as me and Henry have butted heads, I always imagined what it would like to be with him, to have him take control and make me his. The feeling of his big Daddy dick inside me, making my legs quake and tremble was every bit as incredible as I felt sure it would be.
And it’s left me wanting more too. Much, much more.
But that was yesterday. And today is all about hopefully putting Vince out of my life for good. Sexy thoughts can resume later.
Right now it’s all about walking on the beach with my Daddy and steadying myself before the storm…
My toes dig into the cool, damp sand, the ocean’s rhythm a steady pulse to my left, whispering promises of freedom I’m not sure I can trust anymore.
Henry’s beside me, his boots leaving deep prints next to my barefoot tracks. I’m clutching my sketchpad, not drawing, just holding it like it’s Poot or Billy, something to ground me and stop me from fidgeting.
But with Vince’s threat looming and Henry’s plan to trap him at the pier tonight, I’m caught between hope and dread, my heart pounding like I’m paddling out into a storm.
We’re walking slow, the beach empty except for a lone gull circling above, its cry sharp against the waves.
Henry’s quiet, contemplative, his eyes scanning the dunes like he’s expecting Vince’s goons to pop out any second.
His Daddy vibe is in full force—protective, steady, that calm that makes me feel like he could handle a shark attack with one hand tied behind his back.
I want to lean into it, to let Henry carry all my fears, but there’s something I need to say, something I’ve been turning over since Cole’s message about the cartel...
“Henry,” I start, my voice smaller than I mean it to be, the sketchpad creaking under my grip.
“About tonight. The pier, Shred, all that… I wanna help.” I stop walking, turning to face him, my feet ever so slightly sinking into the sand.
“I mean, really help. Not just sit in the safehouse like some damsel in distress. I know Vince. He’s obsessed with me.
If I’m there, showing my face, he’ll definitely stick around long enough for you to nab him.
If he shows and doesn’t immediately see me, he might get suspicious.
In fact, I know he will. But if I’m there… he won’t be able to resist.”
I’m making a play to be a part of this. I know it’s dangerous, but it feels right. The only question is what Henry will think of my idea…
My Daddy’s eyes snap to mine, dark and intense, his jaw tightening like I’ve just suggested jumping into a rip current. He stops too, towering over me, his hands on his hips, all Daddy authority.
“Bodie, no,” Henry says, his voice low, firm, like it’s not up for debate. “You’re staying safe. That’s the plan. Cole, Connor, and me—we’ve got this. Vince’s ego will bring him out without you playing bait.”
I shake my head, my surfer boy defiance flaring.
“You don’t get it, Daddy,” I say, sassy and stubborn.
“Vince’s not just cocky—he’s fixated. He won’t trust his guys to handle me, not after I ran.
If he sees Shred but not me, he might bolt, or worse, send his cartel buddies to sniff around.
But if I’m there, even just for a second, he’ll stay.
I know him. And I can tell that you know I’m right about this too.
” My voice cracks, fear creeping in, but I lift my chin, meeting his gaze. “I can do this. For us .”
Henry’s eyes narrow, searching mine, and I see the war inside him—his Daddy need to protect me clashing with his Guard instincts to end this clean and in one operation.
Henry steps closer, his hand cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing my freckles, grounding me.
“Little One,” Henry says, his voice softer now, but still edged with steel. “You’re brave as hell, but this is my fight. I’m not putting you in the crosshairs. Vince’s desperate, and desperate men don’t think straight. Neither do cartels.”
I swallow hard, my heart twisting. I know he’s right, but the thought of sitting back, waiting, not knowing if he’ll come back—it’s worse than facing Vince myself.
“Please, Daddy,” I whisper, my hand covering his, my sketchpad dangling forgotten. “I trust you, but I can’t just hide. Let me help. I need to. And quit being so stubborn and at least admit that I’m right. Me being there will increase our chances. And that’s what you want, right?”
Henry exhales, long and slow, his eyes never leaving mine. For a moment, I think he’ll shut me down again, but then he nods, just once, like he’s made a decision he doesn’t love.
“Alright,” Henry says, his voice gruff. “You show your face—briefly, from a distance, where Connor’s got eyes on you. Then you’re back in Shred, and you drive straight to the safehouse. No arguments, no heroics. Got it?”
I nod, relief flooding me, even as my stomach knots.
“Got it, Daddy,” I say, my Little side clinging to his rules, my grownup side knowing this is the only way. “I’ll be quick. In and out, like a ninja surfer.”
I force a grin, trying to lighten the mood, and Henry chuckles, low and rough, ruffling my hair.
“Damn ninja surfer,” Henry mutters, his lips twitching. “You’re gonna be the death of me, sweet boy.”
But Henry’s eyes are warm, proud, and I feel it—that trust, growing stronger, binding us tighter.
I step closer, my toes brushing his boots, and look up at him, the ocean breeze tugging at my hair.
“When this is over,” I say, my voice steadier now. “When Vince’s gone, I’m teaching you to surf. No excuses. You’re gonna ride a wave, Daddy, even if I have to drag you out there myself.”
I poke Henry’s strong, solid chest, teasing, my Little side bubbling up to keep the fear at bay.
Henry laughs, the sound deep and real, echoing over the waves.
“Me? Surf?” Henry says, raising an eyebrow, his scar catching the light. “I’m a Night Ops man, not a beach bum. I’d sink that board faster than you can say wipeout .”
But Henry’s grinning, his hand catching mine, squeezing gently, and I giggle, the tension easing just a bit.
“You’ll love it,” I say, bouncing on my toes, my sketchpad swinging. “I’ll pick a baby wave, nothing scary. Poot and Billy will cheer you on. Deal?”
I stick out my pinky, all Little and hopeful, and he shakes his head, amused, but hooks his pinky with mine, sealing the promise.
“Deal,” Henry replies, his voice warm, but his eyes hold mine, serious. “But only if you promise to listen tonight, Bodie. No going off-script. You follow my rules, or no surf lessons.”
I nod, my pinky still linked with his, my heart swelling.
“Promise, Daddy,” I say, and for a moment, it’s just us, the beach, the waves, a future I can almost touch. But deep down, the fear’s still there, coiling tight, a riptide I can’t ignore.
As we start walking again, the sand shifting under my feet, my grownup side takes over, heavy with worry…
This is serious. The kind of serious that you don’t walk away from if things go wrong.
The cartel’s involved now, not just Vince and his men. Cole’s message last night made that clear—they want Vince to clean up his mess, or he’s dead… and I’m the mess.
If the cartel are backing Vince, or worse, if they decide to cut him loose and come for me themselves, Henry’s walking into a war.
He’s a badass, a Night Ops Daddy who’s faced worse, but he’s not invincible.
The thought of Henry hurt—or worse—because of me, it’s a weight I can’t carry on my shoulders. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to him, if I lost him just when I’ve found him...
I glance at Henry, his profile strong, his natural aura almost radiating off him.
My chest aches, and I realize something that hits like a rogue wave: I’m not the freewheeling surfer boy I used to be.
That Bodie—chasing waves, drifting beach to beach, no roots, no regrets—feels like a memory. Being with Henry, calling him Daddy, feeling his arms around me, his rules grounding me—it’s changed me.
I want more than the open road now.
I want a home, a life, with him. I want to plant roots, deep and real, with a Daddy who makes me feel safe enough to be Little, brave enough to be big.
But what if I lose him tonight?
What if the cartel’s too much, and I’m left with nothing but Poot and Billy, sketching waves I’ll never ride again?
“Bodie?” Henry’s voice cuts through my spiral, his hand on my shoulder, steadying me. “You’re quiet. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Henry’s eyes are soft, searching, all Daddy concern, and I want to spill everything, but I can’t. Not now, not when he needs to focus.
“Just… thinking,” I say, forcing a smile, my sketchpad pressed against my chest. “About tonight. And, um , how bad you’re gonna be at surfing.”
I nudge Henry, teasing, trying to hide the fear clawing at me.
He chuckles, but his eyes don’t buy it.
“Liar,” Henry says, gentle but firm. “You’re scared, sweet boy. Talk to me.”
Henry stops, turning me to face him, his hands on my shoulders, the ocean framing him like he’s part of it.
I bite my lip, my eyes stinging.
“I’m scared for you, Daddy,” I admit, my voice small, trembling.
“The cartel… they’re not just Vince. They’re big, bad, like…
monster bad. What if they hurt you? I can’t…
” My voice breaks, and I look down, my toes curling in the sand.
“I can’t lose you. Not now. Not when I’m… when I’m falling for you.”
The words hang there, raw and real, and I feel exposed, like I’ve just bared my Little side to the world.
Henry’s quiet for a second, and I’m terrified I’ve said too much, but then his arms are around me, pulling me close, his chest warm and solid against my cheek.
“Oh, Bodie,” Henry murmurs, his voice rough with emotion, his hand stroking my hair. “You’re not losing me. I’m too damn stubborn for that. And I’m falling for you too, Little One. Hard .”
I cling to him, my sketchpad squished between us, tears slipping down my cheeks.
“Promise?” I whisper, my Little side needing his vow, needing to believe.
“Promise,” Henry answers, his lips brushing my forehead, his Daddy strength wrapping around me like a lifeline. “We’re gonna end this tonight, and then we’re gonna figure out us. You, me, Poot, Billy, and those surf lessons. Deal?”
I nod, sniffling, a shaky smile breaking through.
“Deal, Daddy,” I say, and he kisses me, soft but fierce, sealing it.
The waves crash behind us, the gull cries above, and for a moment, I let myself believe we’ll make it.
But as we turn back toward the safehouse, hand in hand, the fear lingers, a shadow I can’t outrun.
Tonight, I’ll play my part, draw Vince out, and trust Henry to come back to me.
Because if he doesn’t, I don’t know how I’ll keep paddling…