Page 68 of Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang Us, Daddy

With trembling hands, Nito takes the collar and stares at the soft faux fur fabric. He rubs a finger against the other metal hole, looking terrified. “What does the other one do?”

Meadows cups his cheek and pulls until they’re eye to eye. “Trust me when I say, you don’t want to find out.” Playfully, he taps the tip of Nito’s nose. “That’s theBenito goes bye-byebutton.”

Benito’s chin wobbles. “Please don’t kill me. I’ll do anything you ask.”

“Then put on the collar.”

Nito brings the collar to his neck, flashing Benji and me one final pleading glance like he’s hoping we might show him mercy. Doesn’t he realize that’s what this is? Us giving him to Meadows is our greatest act of compassion to date.

“Put it on,” Benji says, surprising me. Hell, I think he’s surprised everyone, judging by the gaping mouths and dumbfounded expressions all around. Nito chokes back a sob as he places the collar on his neck and snaps it shut.

“Good boy,” Meadows praises, but his voice is filled with condescension. “If you continue being my good boy, I might even reward you.” He stares down at Nito’s emaciated body, now bruised and battered, probably from Tatum’s husband. “That looks very painful.” Meadows is pointing at a cut that looks to be infected. It’s red and yellow around the gash with a little hint of green. “I’ll tell you what—if you’re quiet the whole ride home, I’ll fix you right up. Would you like that? Do you want me to stop the pain?”

“Please don’t kill me,” he mumbles, closing his eyes.

Meadows shrugs. “The offer stands. If you’re quiet on the ride home, I’ll fix you up. Don’t worry. I’m the best surgeon this side of the border.” When all Benito does is weep softly to himself, Meadows sighs. Nito shakes when Meadow picks him up and carries him toward us.

“Do you want to say goodbye? I don’t like to share my toys, so you probably won’t see him again.”

“You won’t kill him, right?” Benji asks.

“You have my word.”

“And you’re not going to rape him, are you?” I add, because as much as I hate Nito, no one deserves that.

Meadows’ usual cool and collected façade slips, revealing the man behind the curtain. His mouth drops open like I’ve just told him he’s adopted or something. “I’m not gay, Bennet.”

“You’re practically salivating at the prospect of emotionally breaking him,” Daddy adds. “It certainly feels like there may be a bit of underlying sexual tension.”

“Yes, well, I’m a bit of a sadist, Mr. St. James.” He smirks at Nito, who’s staring up at him in horror. “Unlucky for you.” Clearing his throat, his expression hardens again, and he takes a step toward Daddy. “But I’m not gay. If you ever insinuate that again, someone might just wake up dead.”

Color drains from Daddy’s face, but he doesn’t let the fear stop him. “It’s okay to be gay.”

“Of course it is. I’m not, though, and I don’t enjoy falsehoods. Again, watch that mouth of yours.”

“Mr. Meadows?” Benji says. “Not to interrupt whatever weird pissing contest you’ve entered into with Dad, but how exactly does someone wake up dead?”

Meadows’ eyes narrow as he takes another step toward Nate. “They cross me. That’s how.”

“No, I get that. I think we all understand the concept of a death threat, it’s just, if he’s dead when he’s sleeping, how’s he supposed to wake up dead? You don’t wake up after you die.”

Meadows growls. “I will resuscitate him, then I’ll shove a pocketknife into his fucking aorta.”

Dad clenches his fist. “I’ve warned you more times than I can count; you watch that filthy mouth when you’re within earshot of my boys.” He turns and stares at Kincaid. “Abdulov, please remove the monster from Meadows’ arms.”

“He’s mine,” Meadows growls possessively at Daddy.

“I’m well aware. You’ll get him back in a moment. Abdulov, now, please.”

Kincaid looks just as confused as the rest of us, but he takes Nito into his arms, anyway. His eyes bulge when Daddy suddenly grabs Meadows by the earlobe and tugs as hard as he can. Meadows cries out when Daddy pulls him toward the kitchen like a dog on a leash.

“I will not tell you again,” Daddy growls, pulling Meadows to the sink. “Benjamin and Bennet are impressionable young men, and I will not allow you to corrupt them with that filthy mouth of yours.” He grabs a bottle of Dawn dishwashing soap and shoves it into Meadows’ mouth, squeezing until the ginger-headed man gags. Daddy points at the sink. “Now, you wash out that disgusting mouth, and you apologize to the Bens. They’re good boys!”

Meadows lunges for the sink, twisting the tap and shoving his mouth under the faucet. He barely gets a gulp in before Daddy’s rears back his arm and spanks Agent Meadows, making the normally statuesque man cry out, sending soapy bubbles flying into the air.

“What the fuck?!” he screams, sending more bubbles flying.

Daddy pops him again, harder this time. “There you go again. Bad boy, son. Bad, bad boy!” He spanks Meadows three more times before finally relenting, retreating a few steps and folding his arms over his chest.

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