Page 21 of Deadly Daddy

Boone didn’t respond until they were seated. “Dad is trying to make Mom’s funeral a damn carnival. You know how much she would’ve hated that. So, Jupiter and I talked about it, and you’re right. The best way we can honor her is being here—together. This was her favorite place, and this is where she was always the happiest. Are you wearing a wedding ring?”

The sudden pivot in conversation had Banks slow to react. “Uh. Yeah. Kyson and I got married.”

Jupiter smiled. “Yay! Congratulations.”

Boone looked hurt. “You got married without me?”

Banks sat on the loveseat across from them. He picked up a throw pillow and hugged it to his chest. Banks didn’t know how to explain how much he needed to tie Kyson to him to save his life and sanity. He had to know the only other person who loved him as much as his mother had wasn’t going to leave him too.

“I’m happy for you,” Boone said before Banks could find the words. “Kyson has been good for you. I’ve never seen you sober this long.”

Banks nodded. “I don’t know how to do this life without him.” He didn’t know where the confession came from, but his voicebroke. His vision swam. Grief kept hitting him when he least expected. Then Kyson was there. He was a furry bat again.

Kyson swiped at his cheeks. “It’s okay, baby. I’m right here.”

Banks focused on his beautiful green eyes until he could breathe again.

A sweet smile touched Kyson’s lips. “There you go. Just breathe.”

When he sucked in a ragged breath, the room looked a bit clearer. He found Boone starting a fire in the fireplace and Jupiter inspecting their cake. It was obvious they had found something to do, so he didn’t feel watched.

Banks took another breath. He cleared his throat. “You two should grab your things and crash here. There’s three bedrooms. You can join us in your pjs, and we can order room service.”

Boone looked his way, smiling. “Just like we used to do with Mom.”

Banks nodded. “Exactly. We can get a store delivery of marshmallows and whatnot to make s’mores.”

“Oh, God. We used to make such a mess.”

A chuckle slipped from Banks at Boone’s remark. “Mom would make us take a bath and then we’d just get right back into the candy. We drove her so crazy.”

“She never lost her temper.”

They shared a smile. This was right. They were meant to celebrate her here. Banks took a breath. She was finally at peace. No more pain. He wanted that for her. Banks just wished it didn’t hurt quite so much.

Chapter Ten

With his back leanedagainst Banks’ chest, Kyson eyed the room. The PlayPen seemed unusually busy today. Boone sat on the floor across from them, holding Jupiter. Soren played with his cars while patiently waiting for his turn to play their board game with Luca. Jarek sat at a table with Beau, going over some paperwork. Boone and Banks were doing their obvious best to ignore him. Kyson couldn’t stop looking at everyone, including Adan. Adan sat alone with his back to the room. The hood of his bunny pajamas hid his face. He played with a racetrack and ignored everyone.

Jupiter followed his line of gaze. He curled his nose. “He has a lot of nerve being here.”

Kyson felt Banks shrug. “I built this place as a haven for all Littles, even him. Does your guy have glasses?”

Jupiter looked at his Guess Who board. “No.”

Kyson closed the tabs that had characters with glasses. “If it would make you more comfortable, we could go to our place instead.”

Jupiter didn’t respond right away. He looked Boone’s way. There was a deep line between Boone’s eyebrows. “Nah. It’s fine. Banks is right. Plus, it looks like my baby is working on a headache. We should go before it gets worse.”

They passed their boards to Soren and Luca before giving hugs. The moment the pair left, Kyson snuggled deeper into Banks’ hold. Banks hadn’t said a word, but Kyson worried about Beau being there. So far, Beau hadn’t tried talking to him. He feared the silence would end the moment his meeting with Jarek did.

“What’s your plan?”

Banks didn’t play dumb. “I don’t know.”

“What do you need right now?”

Banks' arms tightened around him.

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