Page 20 of In Daddy's Hands

Sometimes Banks’ mind wasclearer than normal. That was always when the rage settled into his chest. Unfortunately, he’d had a meeting today, and needed his head on straight. All bets were off now that he had ensured his attorney’s brother’s release from prison. He didn’t have to pretend anymore. Banks could get back to his regularly scheduled program of life. He had already swallowed a handful of pills. They weren’t helping.

Banks spotted Boone the moment he stepped inside The PlayPen. At a small table in the corner, he was having a tea party with Jupiter and a few of Jupiter’s friends. Banks loved that more of the Littles had warmed up to Boone. It had always been almost funny to Banks the way everyone feared Boone. While it was true Boone might do what was necessary for the family, in his heart, Boone was a gentle giant. Meanwhile, everyone saw Banks as the carefree younger brother. In truth, Banks was thecrazy one. He stayed high for a reason. Sometimes, Banks scared even himself.

There was one empty seat at the table. Banks moved to claim it before anyone else stole it. “Hello, little ones, and Boone, of course. What’s all this?”

Jupiter excitedly spoke up first. “We’re having a tea party. See? We have cookies, and fruit, and juice boxes.”

“And wine,” Banks pointed out with a laugh. He genuinely liked Jupiter. He was perfect for Boone. Secretly, Banks had always hated Adan. He proved why in the end. Banks read people. He saw them.

Jupiter laughed. “Yeah, well. We had to have something to pour in our cups.”

Banks looked around the table. The boy with the pretty eyes enjoyed his cookies, obviously content to keep to himself. Kyson sat close to Jupiter and kept his head down.

“How are you, Kyson? You seem quiet.”

“I’m okay. How are you?” He spoke quietly and kept his gaze locked on his lap.

Banks’ gaze immediately skirted the room. He hadn’t forgotten what had happened the last time he had seen Kyson. Banks had suspended the guy’s Daddy from the club for a month. Hehadn’t seen them since. Banks spotted the dude across the room, playing cards with a different group. His gaze returned to Kyson. There was no missing the way everyone kept tossing worried looks his way.

Banks eyed the fuzzy bat pjs Kyson wore. The pointed ears on top and Kyson’s chin were all he could see. Kyson didn’t have a drink. Only a lone cookie and some grapes were on a plate in front of him. They looked untouched. Something grew inside Banks.

He poured some red wine into one of the tiny white teacups. Banks pushed it toward Kyson. “Here you go. Even little vampire bats need their daily dose of blood.”

A smile snapped to Banks’ lips when a cute chuckle came from beneath the protection of his hood. “I’m not a vampire bat. I’m a fruit bat. See?” He lifted his head and grabbed a grape, chewing it a little at a time. It was fucking adorable, but Banks’ brain no longer worked.

Everyone at the table was frozen.

A deep rage rose inside him. Kyson’s neck was completely black in a way Banks recognized immediately. Someone had choked him. There was also a slight yellowness tinged beneath both eyes from nearly healed bruises.

Banks was on his feet before he knew it. The room turned muffled as the distance closed between the man who had hurt Kyson and him. The guy didn’t even see it coming. Banks’ punchsent him flying out of his chair. Then Banks was over him, his fist connecting over and over again until all he saw was blood. The insanity had already taken him. When he ran out of breath, he dragged the guy to the door. His guards scrambled to open the door. Banks tossed him outside onto the hot pavement.

“If I ever see you anywhere near me, my club, or Kyson again, I will tear out your intestines and show it to you before I slit your throat.”

“He will. I’ve seen him do it.” Boone’s calm presence at his side, having his back, was exactly what Banks needed. The roar in his ears lessened. His sight cleared at the edges.

Banks looked around, spotting a guard. He pointed toward the half-dead man on the front steps. “Do whatever it takes to make sure he never talks.”

With a nod, his longtime guard was out the door. Banks slammed it behind him. He turned to find everyone carefully avoiding looking his way, except for the tea party he left behind. All eyes were on him, except Kyson. He stared at his lap again. Banks ran his fingers through his hair, considering tearing it out. He closed his eyes and fought to calm the self-hatred set to beat him. This was why he stayed high.

Boone squeezed his shoulders. He knew Banks well enough to know where his head was. “You did good. It’s okay. You didn’t do anything that didn’t need to be done.”

Banks’ eyes opened again. This time, Kyson was the only face turned his way. He gave Banks a small smile. It saved him.

The silence in the car was just as heavy as Boone feared. Jupiter wasn’t accustomed to violence. In a perfect world, Boone would keep Jupiter as far from that side of life as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes violence was the answer. Kyson would have never been free without Banks’ intervention. Who knew? His dumbass daddy still might not stay away. Everyone was watching now, though. If he was smart, he would take Banks’ warning to heart. Banks didn’t make idle threats.

“How did I not know Banks owns The PlayPen?”

Boone shot Jupiter a quick glance at the question. He had been so quiet; Boone had suspected Jupiter was angry. He seemed fine. “You haven’t ever wondered why there’s so many armed guards there? We conduct business there all the time.”

A soft chuckle rumbled from Jupiter’s side of the car. “I’ve never noticed a single armed guard. Honestly, I just thought there was always a bunch of daddies wandering around. I mind my business.”

A snort of laughter escaped Boone. Jupiter truly was wholly unique. “To be fair, he keeps a bit of a low profile about it. He’s pretty hands off. There’s good management in place, leaving Banks free to… be Banks,” he finished lamely.

“I think he’s amazing. He definitely did exactly what I wanted to do the day Kyson got spanked. I feel so guilty. It’s been months. I don’t know what I could’ve done, but he’s endured it for months because I didn’t know what to do.”

Boone took Jupiter’s hand. “Everything will be okay. Banks will help Kyson. He started that place for a reason, and not just a cover that would make law enforcement uncomfortable. Trust him to know what’s best on this one.”

Jupiter was silent for a moment. When he spoke, his voice was soft. “Your dad really—somehow—produced two amazing sons, didn’t he? Miracles never cease.”

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