Page 104 of His Boys to Protect

“But first,” Ward said, his voice taking on that gently commanding tone, “you're going to get up, use the bathroom, and come have some coffee. Charlie just made you a fresh pot.”

“Shit,” Skylar gasped. “Charlie. Did he wake you up? I know he gets up crazy early–”

Ward held up a hand. “Sky, stop. I told you, I can handle it. You're not allowed to worry about anything except doing what I say. Understood?”

Skylar had to stifle a sob as relief crashed through him once again. He nodded.

“Good boy. Come on. Charlie said you have to get up now so you'll have time for breakfast before we leave.”

Skylar did as he was told. He got out of bed, went to relieve his bladder, then padded into the kitchen. He found Charlie pouring a cup of coffee while Ward was bent over his phone, presumably texting.

Charlie looked up and gave a longsqueak. He carefully replaced the carafe in the machine and ran over, throwing his arms around Skylar. He stepped back just as quickly, grinning as he bounced in place.Coffee time! Coffee time!He bounced and squeaked for another moment, then whirled away and went back to the coffee machine, adding creamer and sugar to the cup he'd poured.

Skylar watched him, having to hold his breath when a sob threatened to tear out of him. He loved Charlie's simple innocence. The way everything in the boy's life boiled down to small steps and routines. As far as Charlie was concerned, nothing else in the world mattered except for Skylar having a cup of coffee. Once that was accomplished, it would be time to move on to the next thing.

If only his own life could be so simple and unencumbered.

Skylar wrapped his hands around the mug that Charlie brought him. He took a sip, then let out a moan. “Oh. Damn. That's really good.”

Charlie squeaked and bounced again.Ward has right coffee!

Ward's phone vibrated on the counter. He picked it up and checked the screen. “Ah. Perfect.” He quickly typed something, then set the phone back down. “Okay, we'll need to leave a few minutes early. If we drop your car keys at my brother's shop, he can arrange to have your car towed down so he can get it fixed.”

Skylar's stomach threatened to bring the coffee right back up. “Ward,” he gasped. “That's gonna be really expensive.”

“It's okay, baby. I'm taking care of it–”

“No!” Skylar snapped. He had to set down the coffee mug, his hands were shaking so badly. “It's my car. My responsibility–”

“Sky–”

“I mean it, Ward. I don't need a fucking sugar daddy and I don't wanna be your whore!” he shouted. Skylar paused, feeling his entire face go hot, thinking about last night. About offering himself to Ward in exchange for all the man had done for him.

By the look on Ward's face, he was thinking about that, too.

“Won't that set you back, though?” Ward asked.

“Yeah, but I don't have a choice. It's my car. I have to take care of it.”

Beside him, Charlie whimpered.

“Shhh, it's okay,” Ward said.

Skylar winced. “Sorry, Charlie. I didn't mean to get loud.”

“Hhnn.”

Ward held up his hands. “How about this? I'll make the arrangements to get it down here. I'll have Vaughn fix it as inexpensively as possible while still doing it right.” Just as Skylar was about to interrupt him, Ward held up a hand again and went on. “And I'll get you copies of all the receipts, so you can pay me back someday.Afteryour surgery. How's that sound?”

Skylar wanted to argue, but the truth was that he could hardly think straight. Just getting to the bank and the pharmacy felt too urgent to leave room for anything else, yet there was so much more he needed to do. His bills and an address change and all the other things to set up a new life. Dealing with his car was simply too much.

So he relented. Skylar felt sick, thinking of how much the towing and repairs were going to set him back, but it had to be done. He had to have a car if he was going to run away and start over somewhere.

A tiny voice in the back of his head told him that he didn't have to leave. That he could stay right where he was. But deep down, Skylar knew that was a dream. A temporary fantasy. It could never be real.

“Okay,” he agreed.

Ward smiled at him. “Okay. Good. Why don't you go sit down and drink your coffee while Charlie makes you some eggs?” His smile turned wry. “He saw me make my own and said I don't do it right.”

---