Page 49 of Echoes of Fear

“Do you have a grill, Taylor?” Knox asks.

“Sure do, baby,” I answer. “Wouldn’t be much of a man if I didn’t.”

“Pops is really good at grilling steak,” he says loud enough for everyone to hear. “Want to see if he and Ma will come over for a cookout?”

“Hell yeah,” the room erupts.

“Don’t forget the…”

“Already ordered, Venom,” Knox laughs. “We can…uhm…eat outside if you all want.”

Steel walks over and cups Knox’s face. He leans down until they’re so close that even I can feel the heat from Steel’s body.

Everything in me reels at another Dom touching my boy, but I know Steel and Blaze mean a lot to Knox, so I’ll just sit here and deal with it.

With a look in my direction, Steel knows the battle I’m fighting. Then the fucker smirks before looking back at Knox.

Asshole.

“I am so proud of you, little one,” Steel says. “I knew that you would fight through your battles. You’re so very brave.”

“Thank you,” Knox smiles shyly.

Letting go, Steel walks back to his twin’s side.

“Can you stay with me when we go outside?” Knox asks his hands.

“Eyes, boy,” I demand.

Sighing, he looks up.

“Good boy,” I praise. “And it would be my absolute honor to be your anchor.”

“You don’t have to stay with me every time,” he says quickly. “I can do it on my own. I know you want to hang out with everyone.”

“I do,” I admit. “And they can hang out with us on the porch. I’ll pull the grill around front, too.”

“I just feel like I’m taking advantage of you, and I haven’t even known you that long,” he says, lowering his head back down.

“You’re not taking advantage of me, Knox,” I say, gripping his chin and raising his head back up. “I’m a Daddy Dom, baby boy. The more you need me, the more you lean on me, the happier I feel. I crave your need. I so desperately want to take care of you and make you feel safe and loved. It’s not a burden; it’s a privilege.”

Knox’s eyes soften at my words, a mixture of vulnerability and gratitude shining in them. “I’ve never had someone like you in my life,” he admits quietly.

“Well, you do now,” I reassure him, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. “And I’m not going anywhere. We’ll take things at your pace, okay? No pressure.”

He nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Thank you, Papa,” he whispers so quietly that I almost didn’t catch it.

Almost!

“You’re welcome, Pup,” I reply, returning his smile. “Now, let’s go enjoy some time outside with our friends. And remember, I’ll be right by your side every step of the way.”

If only this man knew that the more he needed from me, the more I wanted him.

Knox’s whispered words send a surge of warmth through me, his trust and vulnerability hitting me right in the heart.

As we step outside, I can’t shake the feeling of pride and affection for this man. His strength, resilience, and the way hetrusts me, it’s all so damn beautiful. And that whispered “thank you, Papa” echoes in my mind, igniting a fire within me.

I lead him to the porch, surrounded by friends who’ve become family. I see his strength, laughter, and beauty with every glance. And I silently promise to cherish him, to be his anchor in this chaotic existence. To help him learn to leave fear behind as he steps back out into the world.

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