Page 11 of Their Little House Colter
This daddy had lost any sense he was born with.
“Fine, I was trying to save you embarrassment, but since you seem to prefer it, let this serve as notice that you are banned from Chained. I came into the room just in time to witness the behavior that made this boy cry, and what you’ve done since sealed it.” She lifted a finger in the air and two dungeon monitors appeared at her sides. “Please escort this person out and make sure his picture is in the file.”
You could have heard a pin drop. All play had ceased, and everyone in the room was focused on the conversation behind the instrument box. Although most of us were actually beside it at this point.
Whatever the mean not-a-daddy wanted to say or do, melted in front of the two tall broad-shouldered dungeon monitors, and he went meekly. “Typical bully,” Ms. Lily muttered before returning her attention to the little still sniffling on the floor. “Scottie, right?”
He nodded, taking a shuddering breath. I had not witnessed most of the scene, but even what I saw enraged me. Some people were not meant to be daddies.
“Honey, was he your ride?” Ms. Lily asked.
He nodded.
“Is there anyone else who can give you a lift home?”
From his expression, he couldn’t think of any, so I stepped up. No way I was going to make this very sad little search around for someone to take him home. Ms. Lily might have called an Uber or something for him, but he needed more.
“If it’s all right with Scottie, I’ll give him a ride.”
“You good, Scottie? Ari is a very nice daddy, and if you’re comfortable, he’ll make sure you get home safely, unless you’d rather I get you a rideshare?”
I held out a hand, letting him decide whether to take it. Tentatively, he accepted my grip and allowed me to help him up. Even after being so badly treated, he would rather be with a daddy than alone in a car. I was very glad I offered. He had street clothes in a locker in the big group changing room, so I waited while he changed then we headed for my car in the parking lot in back.
I got him to speak enough to give me his address, and on the way home, he shared a little of what led up to his tears. I let him speak, knowing he needed to let it out and fighting my own anger at what happened so I didn’t scare him. At his home, I walked him to the door and waited while he patted his pockets and then the tears started again.
“I f-forgot my keys. Or maybe I lost them in the changing room.” He was gearing up for another fit of sobbing, so I banged on the door, hoping someone he trusted would open it before he got too upset.
And someone did. Someone so completely adorable, in full-little outfit, they stole my breath.
Chapter Nine
Dallas
The knocking at the door brought me out of my perfect little bubble. I was on my feet in seconds and rushing to the door, a sinking feeling gnawing in my gut. Something was up, and whatever it was, was knocking like the damned police on a mission.
I flung open the door to see Scottie. His face was red and splotchy. Fresh tears rolled down his cheeks and even though I was in my full-little garb, bib and all, my big brother instinct rose within me.
And the man at his side was about to get my wrath.
“What did you do to him?” I asked, reaching for my friend and pulling him in for a hug. I put my body between Scottie and the man but held his hand tightly in mine.
“Me? I didn’t…”
“Look at him. He’s crying. He’s clearly been hurt, not physically but hurt all the same. I’ll ask again, what did you do? We all know he was out with a daddy.”
“That wasn’t—” The man stopped and drew a long breath. “Scottie? Can you please tell your friend what’s going on? Before he gets angrier?” As the man said the words, his gaze dragged down my body. Onesie. Cute socks. Even my beanie with the duckie. I was madder than a cat in a rainstorm, but there was no denying how gorgeous this man was. Dark-brown hair curled the tiniest bit at the ends. His soft, dark eyes caressed me.
Too bad he was a creeper who had hurt my friend.
Scottie squeezed my hand. “Dallas, you’re mistaken. This is Ari. He helped me at the club. The daddy I went out with wasn’t nice. He wasn’t kind at all.”
“This man…Ari…he saved you?” I asked Scottie the question but looked at the daddy in awe.
“Yes. At Chained. He got me away from the other daddy. He was nice and brought me home.”
My chest deflated. My jaw loosened. “Oh.”
“What’s your name?” the man asked. If this man witnessed the mistreatment of Scottie, then maybe he was a daddy? His strong arms and firm chest begged me to embrace them.
