Page 63 of Daddy Defender
If the cartel are backing Vince, or worse, if they decide to cut him loose and come for me themselves, Henry’s walking into a war.
He’s a badass, a Night Ops Daddy who’s faced worse, but he’s not invincible.
The thought of Henry hurt—or worse—because of me, it’s a weight I can’t carry on my shoulders. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to him, if I lost him just when I’ve found him...
I glance at Henry, his profile strong, his natural aura almost radiating off him.
My chest aches, and I realize something that hits like a rogue wave: I’m not the freewheeling surfer boy I used to be.
That Bodie—chasing waves, drifting beach to beach, no roots, no regrets—feels like a memory. Being with Henry, calling him Daddy, feeling his arms around me, his rules grounding me—it’s changed me.
I want more than the open road now.
I want a home, a life, with him. I want to plant roots, deep and real, with a Daddy who makes me feel safe enough to be Little, brave enough to be big.
But what if I lose him tonight?
What if the cartel’s too much, and I’m left with nothing but Poot and Billy, sketching waves I’ll never ride again?
“Bodie?” Henry’s voice cuts through my spiral, his hand on my shoulder, steadying me. “You’re quiet. What’s going on in that head of yours?”
Henry’s eyes are soft, searching, all Daddy concern, and I want to spill everything, but I can’t. Not now, not when he needs to focus.
“Just… thinking,” I say, forcing a smile, my sketchpad pressed against my chest. “About tonight. And,um, how bad you’re gonna be at surfing.”
I nudge Henry, teasing, trying to hide the fear clawing at me.
He chuckles, but his eyes don’t buy it.
“Liar,” Henry says, gentle but firm. “You’re scared, sweet boy. Talk to me.”
Henry stops, turning me to face him, his hands on my shoulders, the ocean framing him like he’s part of it.
I bite my lip, my eyes stinging.
“I’m scared for you, Daddy,” I admit, my voice small, trembling. “The cartel… they’re not just Vince. They’re big, bad, like… monster bad. What if they hurt you? I can’t…” My voice breaks, and I look down, my toes curling in the sand. “I can’t lose you. Not now. Not when I’m… when I’m falling for you.”
The words hang there, raw and real, and I feel exposed, like I’ve just bared my Little side to the world.
Henry’s quiet for a second, and I’m terrified I’ve said too much, but then his arms are around me, pulling me close, his chest warm and solid against my cheek.
“Oh, Bodie,” Henry murmurs, his voice rough with emotion, his hand stroking my hair. “You’re not losing me. I’m too damn stubborn for that. And I’m falling for you too, Little One.Hard.”
I cling to him, my sketchpad squished between us, tears slipping down my cheeks.
“Promise?” I whisper, my Little side needing his vow, needing to believe.
“Promise,” Henry answers, his lips brushing my forehead, his Daddy strength wrapping around me like a lifeline. “We’re gonna end this tonight, and then we’re gonna figure out us. You, me, Poot, Billy, and those surf lessons. Deal?”
I nod, sniffling, a shaky smile breaking through.
“Deal, Daddy,” I say, and he kisses me, soft but fierce, sealing it.
The waves crash behind us, the gull cries above, and for a moment, I let myself believe we’ll make it.
But as we turn back toward the safehouse, hand in hand, the fear lingers, a shadow I can’t outrun.
Tonight, I’ll play my part, draw Vince out, and trust Henry to come back to me.
