Page 5 of Dangerous Daddy

Beau shocked him. “You’re right. I wasn’t exactly thinking straight after finding Tabitha. You didn’t deserve the way I treated you. I can’t go back in time, but I can fix things now. Just come home. All your things are still waiting for you.”

There was so much sitting on Adan’s chest. He was terrified he couldn’t escape. His future unfolded before his eyes, and it was nothing but years and years of being seen as nothing but property. He wanted to cry. Adan wouldn’t give Beau the satisfaction.

“I want to be loved. For real.” The confession fell from Adan’s lips, sounding every bit as desperate as he felt. “I don’t want to be the weapon you use to bludgeon your family. The thought of spending the rest of my life as nothing, while you still do whatever you want with whomever you want, all while knowing I could be out in the streets with nothing again at any time. That sounds like hell. I’d rather be dead.”

“I can arrange that.”

Adan didn’t back down. He didn’t flinch. “Then do it.”

The door opened and a party of six poured in, followed by three more people. Adan focused on taking orders while ignoringBeau. He hated his thoughts. The thing was, coerced or not. Manipulated or not, Adan had spent ten years of his life with Beau. They hadn’t all been bad. Sometimes, they would go months where Beau made him feel like he was the most precious thing in the world. Adan would start to think maybe they were real. Maybe Beau had finally given up on Tabitha and accepted the drugs and alcohol had won. Possibly, he loved Adan for real and he could find some happiness in the situation. Every single time, Tabitha would do or say something that had hope surging inside Beau again. Then Adan was back to playing a role. Beau’s touches and glances turned fake again. Now there was nothing left of Adan but an empty shell. He hadn’t been much more than that to begin with.

Adan had done so many terrible things. He had no excuse. Adan had simply been trying his damnedest to feel anything except the pain and shame he had dealt with for as long as he could recall. He had done everything, hoping someone would love him for real. Adan felt sick every time he thought about the victims he’d left in his wake, as he tried like hell to heal. He was a bomb of trauma. But he was an adult now, and he refused to be that person again. Axton had listened to his story and hadn’t judged him. Adan had woken up after their night together full of hope and horribly hungover. He regretted nothing. Now Beau was saying Adan would have to cut ties or watch him die. Adan knew there was only one real choice. He would have to let Axton go. But Axton deserved to hear it in person. Adan wouldn’t be a coward. He would tell Axton the truth and thank him for his friendship. Adan wouldn’t leave another body in his wake. For once, Adan needed to put someone else first. No matter how much it shattered him.

Axton was oddly nervous. He had spent the day cleaning before showering and heading out to get Adan. To his surprise, Adan sat outside on the staircase leading to his apartment. He stood, twisting his fingers as Axton approached. A bad feeling overcame him. He wouldn’t spend his night guessing what he had done wrong.

Axton didn’t even bother greeting him. “What’s wrong?”

A sad smile touched Adan’s lips before falling away. “I spoke to Beau today.”

Axton’s stomach dropped. It had never occurred to him Adan might eventually go back to Beau, but why wouldn’t he? Cruelty aside, he could give Adan the world. “Oh.”

A genuine smile snapped to Adan’s lips. “What’s that oh about?”

Axton shrugged. “What happened?”

Adan’s happiness vanished. He went back to twisting his fingers. “He said I’d get you killed.”

Axton nearly laughed. He had been waiting for Beau to play that card. Without a word, Axton plucked the cat ears from Adan’shead. He unzipped his leather jacket and stuffed them inside. “I’ll keep these safe,” he promised as he re-zipped his jacket. “Now.” He grabbed the extra helmet he had hooked on his bike. “Let’s get this on you.”

“Ax—”

Axton plopped the helmet on Adan’s head, cutting off his argument. He didn’t speak until he worked to tighten the helmet. “I’m not afraid.” He paused and held Adan’s stare for a moment. “Look into my eyes and tell me I’m lying.” He let a second pass before he went back to adjusting Adan’s strap. “Life hasn’t managed to kill me yet and I won’t give up my best friend over a threat from someone who wasn’t even brave enough to make it directly.”

“Are you being serious?” Adan sounded so lost, yet hopeful at the same time.

“Get on.” Axton helped Adan climb on behind him. “Hold on. Don’t let go.”

“Okay.” Adan sounded a little nervous.

Axton couldn’t help but laugh when he took off and Adan squealed. His grip tightened on Axton. He hit Beach Road and opened her up, enjoying the laughter that poured through the speaker inside his helmet.

“We’re almost there.”

He felt Adan startle. “I heard you—like inside my helmet. Can you hear me?”

“Yep. Hold on. I’m about to turn down a sandy road.”

Adan somehow managed to scoot even closer.

Axton had to take a breath. Now that he saw the truth about them, he couldn’t stop thinking about having Adan beneath him. His bungalow came into view. Axton slowed and turned into his driveway. His garage door opened, and he slipped inside before the door closed behind him.

He helped Adan off the bike and then out of his helmet. “Here.” He held Adan still and put his ears back on. Axton didn’t know the story behind why Adan always wore them, but he was adorable. His dark curly hair matched the color of the ears to perfection. They almost looked real. Between the ears and his perfect green eyes, he could be a cat.

Adan’s gaze never wavered from Axton’s face. “Am I really your best friend?”

“Of course. Why do you think I can’t stay away?”

“I’ve never been anyone’s friend. At least, I don’t think I have. Mostly, people either hate me, tolerate me, or use me.”

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