Chapter One #3
Law knew that he needed to be careful. Jude had already read him the riot act when Law had first admitted to being attracted to Nicky Valentine. Jude had warned Law that Nicky was looking for his forever partner, lover, and most importantly Daddy.
At the time he’d first had that conversation, Law hadn’t been ready to commit to anything. He’d been opening the first expansion office of his business, new to town, and still reeling from a bad breakup.
Now that he’d spent time with Liam and as Liam spoke about his best friend Nicky all the time, Law was even more intrigued.
He hadn’t minded the call from Liam and Jude that put Law in the position of rescuer.
It was obvious that Nicky had reached his absolute breaking point.
Law hated to see the normally cheerful and fun young man on the brink of tears.
He was nearly certain tears might have already fallen.
Leaning over the boy in his passenger seat who sat with his eyes closed, Law brushed the hair off Nicky’s forehead. “You just relax. Everything is going to be okay.”
Nicky sniffed. “Thanks.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Law grabbed the seat belt and fastened it over Nicky before backing away and closing the door gently. On his way to his side, Law sent Jude a text.
‘Got him. He looks exhausted.’
‘Take him to Liam’s. We’ll grab the food and be there soon. There are clothes in the playroom that will fit him if he wants to change.’ Jude sent back.
‘I’ll take care of it.’ Law replied to Jude before opening another text message chain.
He sent the details to his assistant about Nicky’s car with orders to have the tire fixed and the car towed to Liam’s house.
It was something that he could easily handle, allowing Nicky to get the break he needed.
After taking care of the pressing business of the vehicle, Law pocketed his cell. Now it was time to take care of the boy who was in obvious need of spoiling.
Waiting until the traffic passed, Law hurried to climb behind the wheel. He already had the seat warmers programmed and was happy that he’d thought ahead. Nicky appeared so comfortable.
Law buckled himself up then turned on his blinker. He smoothly merged into traffic, driving them away from the town center.
“I messed up dinner,” Nicky said softly.
“You didn’t mess up anything,” Law assured him. He gave a quick glance over to find Nicky staring out the window. “From what Jude said, Liam already made a new friend with the chef, which might not have happened if he hadn’t drawn attention being so worried about you.”
Nicky sighed. “I don’t want him to worry about me.”
Law snorted, he couldn’t help it. “Liam is going to worry no matter what. Now he gets dinner from the chef he wanted to meet and gets to have a night with his bestest friend. Overall, I’m thinking that Liam isn’t going to complain one bit.”
“Yeah, it’s been over a month since we’ve seen each other,” Nicky told him. “Too long.”
“I’ve had dinner with them a couple of times,” Law shared. “He mentioned that he wanted you back home.”
“Did you spend Thanksgiving with them?” Nicky asked. “Was it amazing?”
The poor boy. Liam had been upset that Nicky had been out of town. Law hadn’t considered how the trip must have affected Nicky, who was the one that was all alone for the holiday. “It was a very enjoyable day. Liam was nervous since Josh came to town and he hadn’t met our other teammate yet.”
“He told me he was nervous,” Nicky revealed. “He said Josh was fun though.”
“Josh is a good guy. He loves littles,” Law said. “It helped Jude concentrate on dinner since Josh was there to entertain Liam. Not that you weren’t missed. Apparently, none of us know how to put the stuffies down for their nap properly.”
Nicky finally looked over at him. “It’s a very important job.”
Law grinned back. “I rocked them too fast.”
Nicky’s lips twitched.
It was a complaint that Law hadn’t been prepared for. Caring for stuffies was an especially important job that Liam only trusted to his best friend. “Although we don’t cheat at racing cars,” Law added.
“I don’t cheat,” Nicky declared dramatically. “It’s not my fault Liam is easily distracted.”
“Is he?” Law inquired. That was an apt description of little Liam. The boy moved from one thing to another without thinking to clean up his first mess. Jude’s nights had to consist of constantly picking up toys as Liam spent time regressing nightly before bed. “I never noticed.”
Nicky’s sweet giggled filled the car. Fuck! Law loved that sound. And Nicky regressing made the man appear so different than when Law had first pulled up. The stress creases around Nicky’s eyes and mouth were gone as the boy openly smiled.
“And murder kitty really doesn’t like anyone other than you,” Law said. That damn demon was a pain in the ass. “I still have a scratch on my leg from the last time I walked down the hall and crossed paths with the little monster.”
Nicky slapped his hand over his mouth when his laugh escaped.
“You go ahead and laugh.” Law gave a fake growl.
“The little beast is nothing like his sweet owner.” How Liam ended up with such a mean cat Law would never be able to explain.
He’d seen Hades pop Liam in the mouth with his furry paw more than once.
Of course, Liam merely kissed the monster and called the cat a good boy.
“I can’t reveal my secret, but Hades is easily bribed.”
“Bribed?” Law scoffed. “I’m not bribing a damn cat to get him to like me!”
Nicky shrugged. “Have it your way.”
Damn it! Liam loved that stupid cat. He really needed to be friends with the little demon.
Law was just waiting for the day that Jude announced he was moving in with.
Meaning that Law was going to have to find a way to make peace with the little monster or end up with more scratches. “How do I bribe him?”
With another giggle, Nicky reached into his pocket and pulled something bright pink out.
Stopping at the red light, Law leaned closer. “Is that a stuffed mouse?”
“Filled with catnip,” Nicky said as he gave the little mouse a wiggle in his direction.
And the boy was definitely Nicky and not the grown-up Nicky any longer. Before Law’s eyes, the boy was slowly regressing. It was amazing to see. “Liam is right,” Law declared. “You are a total cheater.” The light turned green and Law got them back heading toward Liam’s house.
Nicky shrugged. “It’s not my fault that no one else thought about it. Really Jude needs to come up with some way to get on Hades’ good side or he might get smothered in his sleep.”
Law found himself chuckling. It was a concern that Jude had shared with him. The murder kitty wasn’t a fan of sharing his owner and had started sneaking into bed at night. “I won’t tell your secret, but it is going to cost you.”
Nicky hummed. “What’s the price for that exactly?”
“You must let me borrow the mouse when we arrive. If would make Jude angry to no end if the murder kitty was in my arms when they get home.” He pulled onto Liam and Jude’s street.
“Yes!” Nicky clapped his hands. “I love evil plans!”
Law had been sure that Nicky would be all for his idea. The boy had a bit of a wicked streak to go along with his little side. While Liam was often quiet and reserved when regressed, Law had heard stories about the two boys together.
There had been a few times that the four of them had managed dinner, but Law hadn’t been around for playtime. It was a shame that he only had Jude’s hilarious tales to go off of when he hoped to coax Nicky into relaxing with him for the evening.
It had been too damn long since he’d had a boy of his own.
Law’s Daddy instincts were meshing with his protectiveness and the attraction he already felt for Nicky. This might be his one and only chance to see how much he was willing to risk in getting to know Nicky better.
He slowed as he approached Liam’s house.
Their friends weren’t living together although Law didn’t think it would be much longer until Jude was officially moved in with Liam.
He could understand Jude’s reluctance as the house he owned had been purchased for his previous boy who’d died on a mission that Jude and Law had been on with him.
Sam’s death had devastated Jude. It had taken ten years for Jude to open up to anyone, including Law and their own teammates.
Every time that Liam called him Uncle Law, the empty place in his heart was filled a little more. The past ten years had been hard. Liam was who they needed in their lives to make everything just a little better.
The plans that he, Jude, Brody, and Angelo had made when they’d first formed the team didn’t just get broken up when Sam was killed, they went up in flames.
Josh had joined the team just before Sam and had been closest to Sam other than Jude.
Josh had struggled with the loss of their friend and teammate but at least he had allowed the team to be there for him.
Jude had refused to even talk to them for ten fucking years.
Law was still angry with his best friend but was doing his best to push past it. He and Jude were starting anew and with the help of Liam, Jude was finally beginning to live again.
He turned his car into the drive of Liam’s house.
Beside him, Nicky leaned forward. “They decorated.”
His voice was soft. An edge of hurt that most wouldn’t recognize. “They did. I helped Jude hang the lights up outside.”
Nicky sighed. “I was supposed to help but I had that damn business trip.”
“You’re here now,” Law told him. “That’s what matters.”
“I know. This year was supposed to be different. Better.” Nicky gave a quick shake of his head. “I’m glad Jude was able to help.”
And the boy might be a little jealous as well. Law turned off the engine. “If it makes you feel better, murder kitty has knocked the tree down twice already.”
Nicky cackled. “I knew he had my back.”
“Come on, let’s get inside and see if I can convince the little monster to like me better than Jude.”