Page 2 of Deadly Daddy

Banks cleared the hallway and stepped inside the playroom. He spotted his brother, Boone, pushing two Littles on the swings. His husband, Jupiter, and their lawyer’s husband, Luca. The three were all smiles. God, it warmed his chest to see his brother happy and thriving. The guy fucking deserved it. His gaze skirted across the rest of the playroom. There were daddies playing cards and Littles all over the place. Banks’ skin itched. There was nothing for him here. There never had been. Banks had built this place as a haven for others. There was no peace for him.

He kept moving, headed for the door. Banks nodded at the first guard he saw. “Has my car been brought around?”

“Yes, sir.”

Banks stepped into the night air and found his Lambo waiting. The car had been a gift from his father. Boone had one too in a different color. Matching cars, ensuring both brothers always felt equally loved. Banks was torn about how he felt about his father. He loved him, of course. Growing up, he had been the greatest of dads. Then he had actually grown up, and the expectations began. Banks realized how many things about his childhood had been fucked up, and he saw how those things had led him into a world of pain. Now, Banks carried too many scars and emotions to live with them with a clear head. He needed to find Axton.

The moment Banks was on the road, he asked his phone to call the guy. As their attorney’s younger brother, Axton had been on the fringes of their family for years. Except he spent those years behind bars for manslaughter. Since Banks arranged for his release, they had spent a lot of time together. The guy was fun. Trouble, but fun.

“Yo?”

Banks smiled at the way Axton answered the phone. “Hey. Are you getting into anything tonight?”

A low chuckle rumbled through the speakers of the car. “Always. I’m at the bar.”

He didn’t have to specify which bar. Axton only went to one. It was a shady biker place on the wrong side of town. Anyone else would be stupid to drive a quarter of a million-dollar car there, but Banks wasn’t anyone. People knew him. They knew his father. That meant they understood they would never be seen again if they touched anything owned by him.

“I’m headed that way.”

“Cool.” Axton disconnected the call.

Banks shook his head. No manners. That was one thing Banks’ entire family had in droves. They had grown up with the best of everything, living in two worlds: the highest of society and the lowest of scum. Banks could play either part. Oddly, though, Axton hadn’t exactly been raised by paupers. His brother hadbecome a well-respected attorney. Banks didn’t know the story of how the two had turned out so differently from each other. Honestly, Banks didn’t care enough to ask. He just wanted someone to get fucked up with him. Banks swallowed. Even losers liked company at the bottom.

Banks pulled into the gravel parking lot, maneuvering through the Harleys to find a spot to park. Neon lights and music filled the air, competing with the sounds of rowdy men and laughter. People looked his way and nodded as Banks headed inside. Banks didn’t fit the scene. Everyone there was leather and bandannas. Tattoos and scars. Banks was clean shaven and polished. Jeans and a T-shirt that looked as expensive as they were. But these people still knew Banks was one of them. Just a wolf in different clothing.

He spotted Axton the moment he stepped through the door. His long, almost eerily platinum hair caught the light, looking like it nearly shimmered. The guy was hot. Chiseled face. Sky-blue eyes. A lip ring in the center of his bottom lip screamed he would do naughty things each time he smirked. Banks could see people falling at his feet.

Axton smiled when he caught sight of Banks. He stood. “There he is.” He one-arm hugged Banks, slapping him across the back. “You should’ve let me know sooner you were hitting the town tonight. We could’ve made plans.”

Banks grabbed a chair and sat. “I didn’t plan on doing shit tonight.” He started to explain about Kyson having a guest, but stopped himself. Kyson was good. Innocent and pure. He didn’tbelong in a place like this. Instead, he shrugged. “But I got bored. You know how it is.”

A wicked-looking smile stretched Axton’s lips. “You came to the right place.”

Banks knew he had. That was why he was there, looking to drown his emotions. To forget. Maybe one day, it would kill him. That day couldn’t come soon enough for Banks.

Despite having a great time, Kyson still split his attention between Soren and the clock. He never knew how long Banks would stay gone. Kyson lived in constant fear he wouldn’t come back. Thankfully, they had run out of steam for playing games. Kyson turned out the lights and turned on the big screen. Side by side on their backs and on the floor, Soren and he watched an animated movie. It had been a fun night. It felt good to enjoy himself without worrying he would be punished for it.

Kyson hated that Jack still lived in the back of his head. He didn’t love him or miss him. The love had been beaten from Kyson a year into the relationship. Fear had kept him from leaving. Jack had come too close to killing Kyson too many times for Kyson to think he had a single chance of leaving alive. Then Banks had taken one look at Kyson’s bruises and turned intoan avenging angel. Kyson had gotten used to violence. Yet he still had never seen the fury Banks unleashed that day. He had been like a berserker. Banks had been covered in Jack’s blood when he had gently lifted Kyson from his seat and carried him here. He had inspected Kyson’s injuries and swore to him no one would ever hurt him again. Banks had given him a home, safety, and peace. Unfortunately, Kyson didn’t think Banks knew peace. Whatever Kyson had seen inside Banks that day, Kyson had a bad feeling that was the person Banks truly was, and Banks scared the fuck out of himself. Kyson wanted to save him.

The radio on Shane’s belt chirped. He snagged it. “Yeah. What’s up?”

“Banks is in his car out front.”

At the crackled-sounding words, Shane’s shoulders fell. He sat nearby on the loveseat, watching the movie with them. The defeat in his every line made Kyson’s stomach hurt. Shane brought the radio to his mouth. “All right. I’m on my way.” He stood. “Will you two be all right alone for a minute?”

Soren kicked one footsie-clad foot into the air. “I know Judo.”

The way Shane laughed on the way to the door had the two exchanging a smile. Sometimes Kyson got the feeling Soren liked Shane. He was twice as funny in the guy’s presence. Kyson wished he could push the two together.

All Kyson’s humor died when Shane returned with Banks over his shoulder. It was obvious Banks was out cold. Kyson chewedhis bottom lip as he watched Shane head down the hall to Banks’ bedroom. In no time, he reappeared and reclaimed his spot on the loveseat like nothing happened.

Kyson rolled to his side and stared down the hallway. From his spot and angle on the floor, he could just see the corner of Banks’ open bedroom door. His mind raced with excuses to go see for himself if Banks was alive. Then, like a zombie, Banks appeared in the doorway before turning left into the bathroom. The light flared to life, but the door didn’t close. Kyson blinked. It was weird as hell. Banks had a bathroom inside his bedroom. Was he that out of his head? Was he sleepwalking? Kyson couldn’t take it any longer.

He pressed his lips against Soren’s ear. “I’m going to go check on Banks. Will you be okay?”

Soren turned his head and met Kyson’s stare. “Of course. I’ll distract Shane with snacks.”

A chuckle burst from Kyson. The universe had opened up and given Soren a chance to be alone with Shane, and Kyson a chance to go be with Banks without guilt. He pushed to his knees and stood.

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