Page 36 of Bully for Sale
“I will! Thank you, Uncle. Thank you.”
“But in the meantime, I’d like to see you step up and become more of a man. It’s time you put away childishness and folly. It’s time to make your own decisions about what’s right and wrong.”
Heath rose and motioned for the waiter to put the meal on his tab. “Stay and enjoy whatever you like. Another dessert, a little more wine, whatever you’d enjoy. It was good to see you, Ned.” He patted the top of Ned’s head, something he’d never done in the past either. “Hang in there, kid. We’re going to build a wonderful future for you. Don’t doubt it.”
After he swept out of the room, Ned did as Heath suggested and ordered a second dessert and a nice wine to go with it. He ate the chocolate confection, checking his phone, and scrolling social media for updates on the apartment explosion.
There were no more messages from Amos or Ezer.
Somehow, his disappointment made the dessert taste less sweet.
Chapter Twelve
“Back so soon?”George said, leaning back in his leather seat behind the wide desk in his home office. His eyes were closed, as if he couldn’t even be bothered to look at Ezer standing in the doorway.
Ezer collapsed into the seat across from his father—no,George, because that was how he was determined to think of him now that he knew the truth—without invitation and buried his head in his hands.
On a typical day, Ezer knew, his father would have left hours ago for his office downtown, but since Pete was large with child, he stayed home these days to keep his omega safe and satisfied.
In fact, Pete was perched naked on George’s knee, his expression still drowsy, and his head resting on George’s shoulder. He’d probably just enjoyed a morning’s tumble with George on the desk.
“I knew you’d come around after a night in Amos’s dump of an apartment,” George murmured, eyes still closed.
Ezer hesitated. What he had to say was not for Pete’s ears.
Pete woke up more as he took in Ezer’s scruffy state. Blinking with worry, he leaned to whisper in George’s ear.
George’s eyes popped open, raking his gaze over Ezer’s uncombed hair, stinking clothes, and unshaven face. A frown marked George’s brow, and he pushed Pete from his lap, leaning forward with an air of apprehension. Was the concern for Ezer real? Or faked for Pete’s benefit? Ezer didn’t know for sure, but George sounded genuinely bothered as he asked, “What’s wrong? What’s happened?”
Pete, swollen and calm, pulled on his soft robe and came around the desk to put his hands on Ezer’s shoulders, touching him with kindness. Ezer didn’t shrug him off. It turned out it wasn’t Pete’s fault George hated Ezer, or he’d kicked Da out. All this time, he’d blamed the pretty young omega for something that Pete had nothing to do with at all.
“There was an explosion,” Ezer gritted out. His throat was tight, and he didn’t know if it was from breathing in smoke the night before, or because he felt like crying. “Da’s apartment. Everything and everyone inside. Gone.”
Pete gasped, squeezing Ezer’s shoulders, and then he slipped his arms around them from behind to hug Ezer, rocking him side-to-side. That was a bit much. Ezer tugged free of Pete’s embrace and scrubbed his hands through his hair.
“And Amos?” George asked. If Ezer didn’t know better, he’d think George was scared for the man he’d cast aside. Maybe he still held a bit of care for him in his heart after all. Whatever the case, George didn’t want da dead.
Pete slipped a hand through Ezer’s hair, cooing soothing sounds, and Ezer wished he could appreciate it. He resisted the urge to toss Pete’s hands away.
“He’s alive,” is all Ezer shared about Amos. “He’s safe.”
George caught Pete’s eye and then jerked his chin toward the door. Pete seemed to hesitate, but then he bent to kiss Ezer’s cheek, whispering, “It’ll be all right, sweetheart,” before leaving the room.
Ezer lifted his hand to wipe away the sticky residue Pete’s soft lips left on his cheek.
“Tell me,” George said, his voice tight and rough. “Everything.”
Ezer dropped his head, trying to think of where to start. His breathing still came in ragged gasps, and he worked hard to get it under control.
When Ezer thought he could get through the telling of it without bursting into tears, he lifted his head and explained what he knew about the apartment: a Bright’s powder lab explosion, no internal sprinkler system, flammable materials everywhere, and a poorly kept apartment building. It’d been a tinderbox. He didn’t tell his father about the help he and Amos had received from Ned; it was still too strange, and he had other things on his mind.
“And where’s Amos now?” George asked.
“Like I said, he’s safe. I’m meeting him at ten.” Ezer clenched his fists. “I’m just here to sign the contract. Like you wanted.”
George stared at him, jaw ticcing, eyes searching.
“Father, I…” Ezer swallowed hard, and his eyes filled with tears against his will. His voice came out rough and weak. “Da has nothing now. I know he hurt you, but…he hasnothing.”
