Page 103 of Twisted Bonds
"Since your father has been back here, where he belongs, things have changed. I'm sorry; I didn't know how to tell you. You were both already struggling with Ryan's absence, and I didn't want to add to it."
"What are you saying, Mom?"
I see the light slowly coming on in my son's head as he stares at her hand, covering my father's. However, he doesn't look upset; maybe a little hurt, but not mad. Ryan glances over at me and I give her a slight nod and a whisper of a smile, letting her know I'm okay.
"I'm saying," Chloe's voice cuts through the room as she professes, "I'm in love with Baxter, and we've become intimate once again."
The weight in my chest lightens, and even though I'm a bit peeved that she didn't come to talk to me about this, I can't find a reason to be mad at her anymore. Had it happened another way, like me with Ryan, I think I'd be more affected by it, but I know the shit they went through, so I'm trying to be more understanding. I have to be because otherwise, I'd be a hypocrite.
The rest of dinner is quiet, and when Helen comes out with dessert, I thank her and let her know that she and the rest of the staff can head home once dinner is over. Awkward silence smothers the room; the only noise is the utensils hitting the plates. Finally, Beau ends the quietness with an update that I didn't think I needed to hear as bad as I do right now.
"I talked to Dominik just before dinner. He says that he would love to have us. I guess there is someone he wants us to meet."
"Dom has someone for us to meet? My cousin Dom? The most eligible bachelor in Rhode Island—or should I say on the East Coast?" I ask skeptically.
My son only shrugs. "Who knows with him. All this kinky shit must run on grandma's side of the family." Then he directs his attention toward my father. "Did grandma like to dominate you, Grandpa?"
I choke out a laugh as Ryan slaps my son on his chest.
"Beau!" she chastises.
"What? I'm only curious since Dad is a Dominant, and his cousin Dominik is one, too. Dominik is my grandmother's nephew, so it's got to come from that side of the family." Beau grins and winks at me, but then he notices his mother's death glare and drops the grin. "Er, sorry, Grandpa."
However, my father chuckles and says, "That's quite alright, Beau. To answer your question—no. Your grandmother was nothing like her nephew. Dominik is his own man, just like your father is. It must just be that generation."
"Okay, can we please stop discussing all this inappropriate stuff at the table?" Chloe asks, and I have to try not to roll my eyes because once upon a time, she also loved the kinky stuff.
Beau slides his chair out and stands. Taking Ryan's chin between his fingers, he kisses her. It doesn't bother me one bit. In fact, I'm glad he could find love like what he has with my pretty girl.
"Heather called, asking if I could come to change that light that keeps flickering in the hallway down at the first shelter house. Do you want to come along?"
"Actually, I have a few things to talk to Bain about, if that's okay," she replies.
"Okay, just checking. Have fun," he snickers before walking out.
"Shall we go?" I ask Ryan.
"Yeah, I'm ready," she says, tossing her napkin onto her plate.
Taking her hand, I lead us out of the dining room and down the hall. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs, I lean in and whisper in her ear, "Last one to the playroom gets fucked in the ass." I use her little line from that evening long ago when our lives fell into chaos.
I take off up the steps, not quite running at full speed, but enough to stay in front of her. However, just as I reach the top, I hear Ryan cry out behind me. I spin around and see that she caught herself by her hands on the step when she fell.
"Fuck, my ankle. I think I twisted it…" She tries to stand on it but cries out again.
I catch her before she falls backward down the steps. "Here, let me carry you," I say, feeling horrible for starting this whole thing.
"I can walk…"
"Nonsense, let me carry you."
She scowls but doesn't fight me as I scoop her up into my arms and carry her the rest of the way. When I start for my bedroom, she stops me. "I thought we were going to the playroom?"
"You hurt yourself…"
"Just my ankle. My kitty is perfectly fine to use." Ryan's smile is my favorite, and I can't help but bite my lip with need for her.
"What naughty thought are you thinking about now, Mr. Huntley?" she asks with a slight cock in her brow.
