Page 3 of Deadly Daddy

Soren sat up and focused on Shane. “Let’s get some more of those cookies.”

Kyson didn’t wait around to see what happened. He headed straight for the bathroom. His heart traveled to his throat at the first sight of Banks. All his clothes were strewn around the room.He was on the floor, coated in sweat. His normally perfectly styled hair was plastered to his skin. Kyson stepped into the room and over his body, moving to his head. He dropped to his knees before finding a comfortable way to sit on the floor with his back against the wall. Kyson gently lifted Banks’ head and slid beneath it so his head rested on Kyson’s lap. He could see his chest moving, but he was scared Banks would puke and then choke to death on his own vomit.

Kyson felt numb as he stroked Banks’ hair. He didn’t understand why Banks always did this to himself. In every other way, Banks was perfect. He was beautiful and kind. He was funny and sweet. But then there was this scary side of him that needed Kyson to be the savior. He wouldn’t leave Banks in his time of need. Just like Banks hadn’t abandoned him when everyone else had.

Banks’ eyes opened. An adorable smile touched his lips. “Hi.”

Kyson smiled. “Hi.”

“You look cute as hell as a Piglet. Did I tell you that earlier?”

Kyson’s smile grew alongside the pains in his chest. Banks’ eyes closed again and then reopened as if he fought to stay conscious. “I’m sorry I’m not a very good daddy.”

Kyson’s heart squeezed in his chest. He kissed Banks’ forehead.

A sweet humming sound came from the back of Banks’ throat. “Did you know? I used to have a daddy too.”

Tears sprang to Kyson’s eyes at the pain in Banks’ voice. He swallowed past the lump in his throat. “I can’t picture you as a Little.”

“I was barely eighteen.” Banks’ eyes stayed closed, letting Kyson stare at him without shame. “He was like Jack, except worse. At least, I pray he was worse. I can’t think about you going through half of what I did. My heart can’t take it.”

Kyson swiped his eyes. His heart was breaking. “What happened to him?”

“I killed him.” The words came out in barely a whisper and Banks was gone again.

“Good.” Kyson said the word under his breath, not wanting to wake Banks. He quietly cried, while still trying to keep Banks’ head up. Kyson genuinely couldn’t picture Banks as a Little. He was so amazing at being a daddy, but this was the first time he had called himself that with Kyson. Honestly, while Kyson sometimes slipped up and called Banks that, it was more like calling a man by the wrong name. He didn’t expect Banks to take on that role. In fact, he didn’t think he wanted another daddy. He just wanted to be himself in peace. In a lot of ways, he was scared to ever let anyone have that sort of power in his life again. He was scared of a lot of things.

“Goddamn it. You should’ve said something.” Kyson startled at Shane’s sudden arrival in the doorway. Shane stormed into the room and plucked Banks from the floor like he wasn’t nude and weighed nothing.

Kyson scrambled after him. “It’s fine. I want to take care of him.”

Shane unceremoniously dumped Banks on his bed. Banks didn’t move. He focused on Kyson. “If you want to love him, that’s on your head.” He pointed toward the bed. “But that’s all you’ll ever get.”

Kyson fought another wave of tears. Not only from Shane’s harsh words but also his mean tone and Kyson’s humiliation. He lost the battle. The tears spilled over his lashes. For a moment, Shane stared at him, looking defeated. “Do what you want.” He stepped around Kyson, leaving him to his overloaded emotions.

Soren wrapped his arm around Kyson and steered him from the room. He didn’t head back to their tent and party. Instead, Soren led him to bed. He urged Kyson to sit before he climbed into bed next to him.

Kyson followed his lead and curled onto his side. He let Soren hold him.

“It’s okay,” Soren whispered, sounding exactly like the Little he was. “I know he’s not without his vices, but I see you two. He’s the perfect man for you. I see the way he looks at you. You’re not wrong for caring. Don’t let anyone make you feel wrong.”

Kyson cried harder. He knew Soren cared and understood. But then again, no one did. No one knew the battle Kyson fought every day just to keep going. Banks gave him purpose. Shane thought he was stupid for it. What did that say about Kyson? Maybe he really was better off dead.

Chapter Two

The cotton mouth wasalways the worst. Banks would say it was the headache, but he never stayed totally clearheaded enough to be in pain. He woke up, lit a laced cigar, and then went in search of water. The place was quiet. The tent and fun zone he had created for Kyson were gone. All the furniture had been slid back into place. Banks checked the clock. It wasn’t quite noon. Surely Soren and Kyson had already been up, and Soren had left.

The PlayPen wasn’t open yet for the day. So, Shane was likely out doing his own thing. He didn’t clock in until the club opened. Otherwise, Kyson was safely tucked away inside Banks’ place. He padded his way into the kitchen. Kyson sat alone at the table, dressed like an adult, which never happened unless he had an appointment or something. Banks’ gaze slid toward the calendar on the fridge. There was nothing marked for today.

“Hey. Did Soren leave already?”

Kyson looked up from his phone. His eyes were swollen. “Hey. Yeah. He had to work today.”

Banks nodded and grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. He plopped down at the table and chugged half the bottle.

Kyson went back to looking at his phone.

Something felt off, but Banks couldn’t put his finger on it. Kyson never stayed glued to his phone. “Is everything okay?”

---