Page 47 of Chief's Addiction

I poured the eggs into another skillet, watching them start to cook as a thought occurred to me. “It’s Friday. Shouldn’t you be in school?”

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw his face fall a little. “That’s where I was headed when Gerald started his shit. I missed the bus, so I was gonna walk, but he got pissed because I was ‘making noise.’” He used his fingers, making air quotes.

I nodded, trying to figure out how to ask my next question. Fuck. There was no delicate way to ask it. “Listen, kid. I gotta ask...” I cleared my throat, feeling awkward as hell. “Gerald ever do anything else to you? Hurt you in any other way?”

Beckett’s eyes widened, instantly understanding what I was asking. “No! Nothing like that. He was just a mean drunk who liked to pick on anyone smaller than him.”

Relief washed through me. “Thank fuck.”

I turned my attention back to the eggs, adding a handful of shredded cheese and stirring just as Cora reappeared. My chest tightened at the sight of her in one of my shirts that came down past her knees and hair wet and combed back.

“Something smells amazing,” she said, sliding onto one of the barstools at the kitchen island.

Beckett took the stool beside her, still looking like he expected me to change my mind and tell him to get the fuck out. But slowly, as Cora started rambling about tricks she wanted them to work on Monday, the kid started to relax.

Once everything was cooked, I plated up the food and slid it across to them, grabbing a piece of bacon for myself.

“This is really good,” Beckett said around a mouthful of eggs. Judging by the look on his face, he hadn’t expected me to be able to throw down in the kitchen.

I smirked. “Don’t sound so shocked. I can do more than crack skulls.”

“He’s full of surprises.” Cora laughed, but there was a soft look in her eyes.

As we finished eating, I checked the time on my phone. It was still early. “When you’re done, I’ll have a prospect drop you at school.”

Beckett lifted his head from his plate, an unsure look on his face. “You sure that’s a good idea? I mean, what if Gerald shows up?”

“Gerald won’t be a problem.” I’d already asked Zero to scrub Beckett from the system. If anyone went looking, there would be no traces that the kid had ever been a ward of the state. “But if it makes you feel better, I’ll have a prospect stay close by. What time does school get out?”

Beckett’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Three-fifteen,” he answered.

I nodded, already texting Cueball to get his ass to my house. “My guy will be there waiting when you’re done and he’ll bring you straight back here.”

“Uh, thanks,” he said carefully.

Ten minutes later, Cueball was at the door, waiting for his marching orders. “Boss,” he nodded, eyes curious as they landed on Beckett.

“Cue, this is Beckett. He’s staying with me for a while. You’re going to be taking him to school and picking him up at three-fifteen sharp until I can get him some wheels. No detours, no stops, straight back here. Got it?”

Cueball nodded. “Got it.”

I moved to the kitchen drawer and fished out a spare key. “In case you beat us back here.”

The kid eyed the key in his hand for a long moment and I started to think something was wrong.

“You good?” I lifted a brow.

He lifted his head, meeting my stare. “Yeah. I’m good,” he held up the key, then added, “thanks.”

“Nothing to thank me for, kid. Now get gone. You got shit to learn.” His lips twitched, the tension obliterated.

Once Cue and the kid were gone, I turned to Cora. She was leaning against the counter, watching me with her lips curved into a smile that was doing dangerous things to my insides.

I stalked over, caging her between my arms as I gripped the counter on either side of her. “Alone at last,” I murmured, lowering my head to the curve of her neck.

Her hands slid up my chest as she tilted her head to give me better access. “That was a really sweet thing you did,” she said, her breath hitching as I nipped at her earlobe.

“Which part?” I asked, my hands moving to her waist, feeling the warmth of her skin through the material of my shirt that she was wearing.

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