Page 24 of Kissed By Shadows

“In here, Bubby,” he calls out, and I twist to see a young guy hesitating in the doorway. His dark hair covers his forehead and one eye, a black hoodie pulled up, his hands stuffed in the pockets. “Bubby, this is Iris. Iris, this is Bubby, or Dayton is his real name.”

“Pleased to meet you, Dayton,” I say, smiling at him. He seems shy, looking everywhere but at me while giving me a short nod. “Would you like to join us?”

There’s something about this kid, who must be fourteen, fifteen at most. There’s a wariness about him that makes my chest tight, like the world hasn’t been there for him when he needed it.

“It’s okay, I can go,” he says quietly, looking like he’s about to flee.

“Come eat, Bubby. You always come for breakfast, why break tradition?” Roman urges, his eyes trained on the youngster. His posture is loose but also coiled, focused on Dayton, almost like he’s willing him to sit down.

I watch as Dayton still hesitates, biting his lower lip. Then taking a deep inhale, he steps into the kitchen, Roman’s body relaxing as Dayton makes his way over to us, taking a seat next to Roman. Roman starts filling up his plate, and I follow with Dayton finally joining us.

“So, Dayton, do you have school today?” I ask, glancing at the big clock and seeing that if he does, he’s going to be late. I wince when he freezes, his fork halfway to his mouth.

“It’s Saturday, Princess.” Roman chuckles, and I frown.

“Well, shit. I completely lost track,” I reply, hearing a small huff of laughter from Dayton. Turning to Roman, I ask, “What do you usually do on the weekends then?”

“When I’m not looking after my beautiful prisoner, you mean?” Roman teases, and I watch as Dayton’s face goes bright red while feeling the heat that creeps up my cheeks too.

“He likes to make me blush, just ignore him,” I tell the guy, leaning forward so I can catch his side profile. His lips twitch and I’m counting that as another win.

“We often do,” he mumbles, and I giggle when Roman cries out in mock outrage, grabbing Dayton in a headlock while using his knuckles to ruffle his hood, careful not to pull it down.

“Little shit.” Roman laughs, releasing the boy with a playful shove.

“Old man,” Dayton volleys back, and I laugh at the way Roman’s eyes go wide.

“I’m only twenty-five, you scumbag! Hunt is the only old man around here. He’s twenty-nine, the big three-O this year.” He glances at me, his lips quivering as he gives me a wink. So he and Rowan are the same age as Nikolai, and Hunt is ten years older. Roman did call him Daddy last night, though I’m sure the fact that Hunter is the eldest is not the only reason.

“You’re still six years older than me, I’d say that counts as old,” I reply, taking a piece of waffle in my fingers and dipping it in the syrup on my plate before taking a bite.

He leans in close, his lips brushing the shell of my ear. “Not too old to pull you over my knee and spank that naughtiness out of you, sweetheart.”

I almost choke on my waffle, heat searing my insides at the thought of the punishment. Roman thumps my back until I hold my hand up, telling him I’m not actually choking.

“Moving on,” I say after taking a large gulp of juice and turning to Dayton. “What did you want to do today? I’m afraid we’re stuck in here, prison rules, but we were going to watch a film if you want to join us? Or we can do something else?”

I don’t want to push him out, my instincts telling me that Dayton is like a younger brother to the guys and he needs them.

“Shit, we were gonna play Call of Duty, weren’t we? Fuck, dude, I forgot.” Roman sighs, leaning back in his chair.

“It’s cool,” Dayton replies, darting a glance at Roman and then looking back down to his plate. “We can play another time.”

“No, I’d love to see it. I’ve never played a video game before,” I tell them, laughing at Roman’s wide eyes.

“Princess, that needs to be rectified right the fuck now,” he states. “So finish up and let’s beat his punk arse.”

“In your dreams, grandpa.” Dayton chuffs a laugh, and the warm feeling in my chest spreads knowing that he’s relaxed a bit more around me.

“Little shitbag.” Roman chuckles, and we quickly finish up, all of us helping Roman clear up and put the leftovers in the fridge before heading to the cinema room.

We spend the next couple of hours playing Call of Duty, and I discover that strategy is not my strong suit when I keep getting Roman and I killed.

“Damn, Princess.” Roman laughs as we die again, Dayton pumping his fist in the air. “I’m not sure gaming is one of your strengths.”

I wince before handing him the controller. “Nope, blame it on my creative brain.” Standing up, I stretch, feeling Roman’s eyes on me. “Do you guys have any mint tea?”

“Ummm…” Roman blinks like his mind was somewhere else completely.

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