Max’s words hit me hard, both scary and comforting.
Trent, the guy who’s been my manager for years, who turned me into a star, could be trying to hurt me? It’s terrifying, but looking into Max’s eyes, I feel a trust I’ve never felt before, not even with my mom when things were good.
“I believe you, Daddy,” I say, my voice soft but sure. “I trust you to keep me safe.”
And I do, completely, even if the fear’s still there, gnawing at the edges of my heart.
I shift in Max’s arms, wanting to lighten the mood, to hold onto this connection before the world crashes in again.
“Are the other Guards like you?” I ask, a curious spark in my voice. “Like, are they Daddies too? Do they have Littles?”
I know maybe I shouldn’t be asking for private information, but I can’t help it.
Max smiles, a rare, warm one that makes my tummy flutter.
“Yeah, some of them are,” he says, his hand stroking my hair. “Good guys, tough like me, but with soft spots for their Littles. And they’ve got Littles who’d love to meet you, once this is allover. I’d love that too, Billie—showing you off, letting you play with others who get it.”
I grin, the idea of meeting other Littles making me giddy.
“Really? That’d be so cool! Like, a Little party with coloring and stuffies?” I’m practically bouncing, imagining giggling with boys like Zane, sharing glitter pens and stories about our Daddies. “I want that, Daddy. Promise we’ll do it?”
“Promise,” Max says, his voice firm, his eyes warm. “You’ll fit right in, Little One.”
His words make me feel so seen, so loved, and I snuggle closer, wishing we could stay like this forever.
But Max’s face shifts, that serious Guard look coming back.
“Alright, young man,” Max says, gently easing me off his lap. “Time to shower and get changed. Mr. G’s gonna message soon, and when he does, we’ll need to move to the next safe spot. We’ll meet up with some other Guards, get you somewhere even safer.”
My heart skips, a mix of intrigue and fear swirling in my chest.
Moving to a new place, meeting other Guards—it sounds exciting, like an adventure, but it also makes everything feel so real, so big. Like something’s about to happen, something I’m not ready for.
“Other Guards?” I ask, my voice small. “Is it… dangerous, Daddy?”
Once again, I’m pretty certain I already know the answer to my question.
Max cups my face, his thumb brushing my cheek.
“Not with me around,” Max says, his voice steady as steel. “You just focus on getting ready. I’ve got the rest.”
Daddy’s confidence soothes me, and I nod, grabbing Felix from the bed and heading to the bathroom.
The shower’s warm, the steam wrapping around me as I wash away the morning’s intensity, my mind racing with everything—Max’s promise about my mom, Trent’s betrayal, the other Littles, the move ahead.
I’m scared, but I’m also excited, my heart full of trust in Max, my Daddy, the man who’s making me feel like I can face anything.
I step out, towel off, and pull on fresh clothes—jeans, a cozy sweater, ready for whatever’s next.
As I hug Felix, I know Max’s out there, planning, protecting, and I’m ready to follow him, no matter where this takes us or what danger we run into next…
Chapter 20
Max
I’m leaning against the kitchen counter, sipping the last of my coffee, when Billie skips out of the bathroom, fresh from his shower, his skin glistening with droplets of water.
The damn boy is stark naked, his hair damp and his face bright as he hums one of his pop songs, twirling toward the bedroom with Felix tucked under his arm…