Page 124 of Bully for Sale
Ezer’s heart cracked open, a little light pouring in. He felt free, as if someone had cut the string on a balloon, and he was the balloon. He was floating away. “But what about money? How will we live?”
“The question is how will my father live?Wehave plenty of money. Uncle Heath has given it to me in trust, and I stand to inherit more from him one day. In the meantime, if things continue as they have, we’ll live frugally.”
“We can do that,” Ezer said. “It’s not as though I want to throw parties every week and fill our pool with champagne.”
“My father will be angry.” Ned’s lips twisted. “No, he’ll be hurt.”
“You’re so soft,” Ezer said, touching Ned’s chest, feeling his heart beating beneath his button-up shirt. “You’re tender-hearted.”
Ned took hold of Ezer’s hand and held on to his fingers. “I don’t want him to think I don’t care about him, but the thing is…” Ned shook his head. “I can’t let his recklessness endanger our family, and I won’t accept money from George Fersee, so there’s no other way. To protect you, I have to cut him off.”
“What does that mean for him?”
“I’m not sure. But it makes me sad to think about it.”
Ezer put his arm around Ned’s shoulders, pulling him close, and cuddling him. The babies were sleeping, and the four of them were a pile of souls, huddling for comfort.
“I love you,” Ned said. “Don’t say it back. I know it’s not true yet. But I want to make you proud of me, too.”
“I already am.”
Ned closed his eyes tightly, seeming to gather his courage. When he opened them, he whispered, “Ezer?”
“Yes?”
“I have contracts, too, that I want us to sign.”
Ezer tilted his head. “What kind of contracts?”
“The first dissolves and puts an end to our original contracts, which were signed under duress. It also names me as responsible financially for Sundy and Ollie in perpetuity, and for you, too. It states that my uncle and I will make sure none of you will go without. Heath has already signed. I wanted you to feel secure that even if I turn into a reprobate you despise, you’d still be free and safe.” Ned swallowed hard. “After you sign them, and after I do too, you’ll be free.”
Ezer’s heart thudded. “What?”
“You could leave. You could start over without me. You can take the children or leave them here. It’s up to you. It’s your choice.”
Ezer sat straight, hot anger growing in his heart. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that I want you to sign these papers so you have freedom of choice. It’s what you deserved from the start.”
“I thought you loved me, that you were dedicated to me and the—”
“Stop,” Ned said, putting a finger on Ezer’s lips. “I have a second set of contracts that I’d like you sign when you’re ready. I’ve already signed them because I’ve always been sure. That set of contracts names me as your alpha, the father of your children, the father of your future children, the handler of your heats, and the man you’re married to. You can sign them at your discretion.”
Ezer stared at Ned. “But—”
“I’ve only ever wanted you if you wanted me too. From the start, that’s how I felt. We’re young. We have a long life ahead. You might not ever love me. You might not ever want to sign these contracts. But you’ll always be safe, and I’ll always protect you. I’ll always love you. Even if you leave.”
Ezer’s throat grew too tight for words. “Is this real?”
“It’s real.”
“You want to end our contract.”
“And start a new kind of life, yes.”
Ezer looked down at their sleeping children. He loved them so much his heart ached. He knew Ned felt the same.
Gazing into Ned’s eyes, he tried to imagine a future without Ned by his side. He imagined a future where he moved freely, without an alpha to hold him steady, walking into the world on his own.
