Page 6 of Deadly Daddy

Something inside Kyson crumbled. He was pretty sure it was the last of the walls he had built after Jack. Kyson didn’t think he had saved Banks. Not yet, but he would. Banks would see. Kyson would fix everything.

Chapter Three

After a shower anda ton of water, Banks felt halfway human. He didn’t let himself feel anything very often, but it had been a good day. With the lights out and Kyson tucked against his side, a movie played on the wall. Banks didn’t see it. His mind was too busy with other things. That kiss was the biggest thought in his head, followed closely by Shane scolding Kyson. He felt too much tonight. Banks was too sober. He wanted to kiss Kyson again, and he wanted to murder Shane. Then again, Shane wasn’t wrong. He was definitely wrong for taking any sort of angry tone with Kyson. He had to know Kyson couldn’t handle it. But telling Kyson not to care about Banks was totally fair. Banks wouldn’t care about him in Kyson’s shoes, but Kyson did, and Banks was determined to deserve it.

The door opened and Shane strolled in, obviously having taken advantage of his day off. He held several shopping bags and looked relaxed. His gaze moved over the way Banks held Kyson.He walked away without as much as a hello. A loud sigh rang through Banks’ head. He didn’t know how to feel. On one hand, he understood. On the other, fuck. Give him a goddamn chance to fuck up before getting angry. The irritation beat him.

Banks kissed Kyson’s temple. “Will it bother you if I light up?”

“Not at all.” The open trust in Kyson’s voice proved he genuinely didn’t care. His heart had never stood a chance. Kyson wanted him as is. That was the hottest fucking thing he had ever experienced. He kept his lips against Kyson’s skin, placing several more kisses until Kyson laughed. Banks couldn’t stop smiling. The pressure in his chest eased.

“I thought you were lighting up.”

Banks’ mouth moved to Kyson’s ear. He kissed the shell. “I changed my mind. The last thing I want is to prove Shane right.”

Kyson leaned away and met Banks’ stare. “I don’t give a good goddamn what Shane thinks. You’re the only one who matters to me. I wouldn’t be sitting here right now if I didn’t think I could accept you exactly as you are. Do I wish you’d stop trying to kill yourself the way you did last night? Yes, but I’ve also been here six months and I know that’s not normal for you. I trust you not to break my heart like that.”

Banks patted his lap. “Come here.”

Kyson did as told, straddling Banks’ lap.

Banks hauled him closer. “You have nothing to worry about.”

Kyson nodded, looking way more trusting than he should. “I know.”

“You should definitely kiss me.”

Embarrassment tinged Kyson’s features, but he still leaned in and touched his lips to Banks’. Banks let him lead. Someone had already taken everything from Kyson once. Banks wanted to give him his power back. While Kyson might have been flustered, he didn’t hold back. He nibbled Banks’ bottom lip until Banks opened for him. When their tongues met, Banks lost some of his resolve on letting Kyson be in charge. His fingers found the zipper of Kyson’s one-piece elephant pajamas. He slid it down, moving slowly in case Kyson wanted him to stop. The moment he slipped his hands beneath the material, he heard Kyson take a shaky breath. Banks’ chest swelled. For once, he didn’t feel like a failure.

“Your dad is on the phone. He says he’s been trying to call for an hour.”

Banks dropped his forehead to Kyson’s shoulder. “I don’t even know where my phone is. Tell him I’m busy.”

“I already tried that. He says he has an unwilling guest.”

Banks growled. He zipped Kyson’s pajamas. “Go pack a bag, baby. We’ll stay at Dad’s tonight.”

Kyson nodded and climbed from his lap without argument. He knew Kyson would rather spend the night in Banks’ childhood bedroom than be alone with Shane right now. It was nowhere near the first time they had stayed with his parents. Kyson would be fine there. Banks swore Kyson was the only person his mom liked other than her children. Banks watched Kyson pass Shane with his head down. His eye twitched.

Banks waited until Kyson was out of earshot. “I expect you to apologize to Kyson. Since the moment he stepped foot in this house, he’s been nothing but kind. He didn’t deserve for you to scold him like that. You know he can’t handle it.”

“Banks, I—”

Banks swiped a hand through the air. “I don’t give a fuck what you think about me. I’m used to everyone in this family thinking I’m a piece of shit. If you can’t apologize, or you’re unhappy here, you can go back to living with Dad.”

Shane’s features hardened at the threat. “You know I don’t want to live with your dad, and you know I don’t think you’re a piece of shit. You’re fucking killing yourself while the rest of us have to sit back and watch.”

“Apologize to Kyson.”

“I’d already intended to do so.”

Banks dipped his chin. “Then we have nothing else to talk about.”

Shane pinched the spot between his eyes. “Your phone is in your car.” With that final tidbit, Shane disappeared back down the hall. Banks didn’t know how to feel. This was what he got for not lighting up. He shouldn’t feel anything at all. Nothing good ever came of his emotions. His temper always won and everyone else paid the price.

Beau Bosi’s house was more like an estate. It was huge and imposing. Everything inside was pretentious as hell. The first time Kyson had visited, he had been scared out of his mind. Then he had met Banks’ mom, Tabitha. She was eccentric and caustic. Kyson loved her. She loved a family with all her heart that didn’t deserve her. Kyson could tell her sons loved her, but Beau was so fucking unbearable, no one wanted to be around him. That left her isolated.

Unfortunately, Kyson hadn’t seen Tabitha when they arrived—likely because it was so late. Banks had taken Kyson to his childhood bedroom, found a movie for him to watch, and then headed back downstairs to deal with whatever bullshit Beau dragged him into. Kyson's heart broke for Beau’s family. They were his wife and kids, but they were more like hostages.

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