Page 22 of Bossy Baby

He relaxed his shoulders. Mac didn’t ever want to taint the kind-hearted young man with the darkness that was inside him. He didn’t expect Hayley to be able to save him. Mac knew he was destined for Hell. But for the time he had left in the world, he would make up for his past.

Caring for and loving Hayley was his sole mission now.

His house came into view and Mac slowed before driving up to the gate.

Pulling out his cell phone, Mac entered his code. All systems were online and his property hadn’t been breached.

Mac punched in the code to open the gate.

He maneuvered the SUV in slowly. He waited until the gate closed behind him before driving up the long road to the residence.

The beautiful stone and brick house looked as welcoming as Mac had hoped.

Reaching out, he gently laid his hand on Hayley’s knee. “Hey, boy,” Mac said quietly. “We’re here.”

Hayley lifted his head, blinking sleepily. “Where are we?”

“We’re home, boy.” Mac patted his knee before he turned off the engine. He climbed out of the SUV and stretched. He’d tensed up, thinking about his past. He rolled his neck and shoulders as he walked around the SUV to the passenger side.

Hayley was staring out of the window toward the house.

Mac knocked on the window. Hayley turned to face him and Mac opened the door carefully.

“Ready, baby?” Mac asked.

“You live here?”

“I do.” Mac held out his hand. “Come on. Let’s get you inside. There’ll be plenty of time for you to explore later.”

“Okay.” Hayley dropped to the ground and stumbled.

Mac steadied him.

“Sorry,” Hayley said. “My legs are wobbly.”

“That’s something I can help with,” Mac said. He lifted Hayley off his feet.

Hayley’s arm went around his neck. “I like you carrying me.”

Mac chuckled. He enjoyed it too. He started toward the steps of his house.

Hayley yawned before resting his head on Mac’s shoulder.

Warmth filled him. Hayley trusted him. “It’s okay, you can close your eyes. I’ll take care of you.”

“But who takes care of you?” Hayley mumbled.

“You will,” Mac said softly. “We’ll take care of each other.”

“Deal,” Hayley whispered. He yawned again.

At the front door, Mac let them in the house. He closed the door before resetting the alarm. Then he bolted the door with the three locks. He wasn’t doing it to keep Hayley inside, but to keep the outside from getting in. He already had the program set to add Hayley’s fingerprint. Hayley would have full run of the house, including the safe room. All except the basement and Mac’s private office. Those were spaces he’d never allow his boy in.

He carried Hayley from the entrance and down the hall. His boy needed more sleep. He took the stairs carefully and kept going. As much as he’d like to see Hayley in his bed, Mac chose the guest room across from his instead.

In the end, Hayley would have the absolute choice in where he slept. Mac might be a bastard, but he would respect Hayley’s boundaries. He’d seen too many young men and women, children, victims, who hadn’t had choices in their life. He would never do that to anyone.

When Hayley was ready, Mac would welcome him into his bed. Until then, the guest room would have to do. Hopefully, Hayley would soon also get to explore the special room Mac had made just for him. But it was too early in their relationship for that.

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