Page 38 of In the Name of the Father

“I can’t fucking believe this,” Malcolm growled out.

“Yeah, well. At this point, you need to face whatever ‘this’ is and deal with it. Communication. Truth and honesty. Remember? Daddy, Dom, Master or Sir—those tenets always apply.”

“Right again.” Malcolm sighed. “Look, Nate, I’ve gotta—”

“Go already. Get your boy and tell him how his Daddy feels about him.”

“Shut up.”

Nate barked out a laugh then hung up.

Malcolm winced and rubbed his chest. It was going to be a sonofabitch if he couldn’t find Seth.

If I never see him again.

Chapter Ten

Seth sat on a bench outside of the bus station with his arms wrapped around himself. He hadn’t been able to stop shivering since he’d left the fast food place that was less than a block away. He’d remained inside the restaurant for as long as he could without it becoming too awkward. After three coffee refills, he’d decided it was time to move on. At least his jeans weren’t as damp as they’d been before.

The knot in his stomach had been twisting and tormenting him for what seemed like hours. Here he was, starting all over again, just like he had once he’d escaped the camp. After studying the train schedule and calculating his expenses, he’d decided to take a bus to Reno. The weather in that part of Nevada would be colder than he’d wanted, but there’d probably be a lot of the types of jobs he could get hired for. However, it wouldn’t be as crazy as someplace like Las Vegas. At least, he didn’t think it would. Plus, it was only a hundred bucks for the fare which would still leave him enough money to get a room for a week.

After that, he’d have to hope for the best.

But he didn’t have his phone charger, a change of clothes or even a toothbrush. His impulsiveness had cost him in more ways than one. Thoughts of Malcolm kept intruding on his last-minute plan, but he was doing his best not to give in to the temptation of running back into the safety of his arms.

No, it was better this way. He was doing Malcolm a favor by saving him the trouble of having to deal with yet another Seth problem. So what if Malcolm kept calling? He couldn’t answer—not when his battery was so close to dying. And anyway, this way he wouldn’t have to expose his shame of being fired.

Seth covered his eyes as a pair of vehicle headlights blinded him. A dark SUV parked in a spot a few spaces over from where Seth sat on the bench. He tensed.

Malcolm.

His first instinct had been to bolt but then he found he couldn’t move. He sat glued to the bench as though everything was happening in slow motion. If he was being honest with himself, he didn’t want to run from Malcolm. The minute he’d realized that Malcolm had come for him, something that went beyond relief washed over him. Salvation had only ever been an empty word before. But if he could give it meaning, this moment would be it.

Malcolm jogged toward him and all Seth could do was stare. His humiliation had taken on a new form. Now he was filled with remorse for having put Malcolm through the hassle of having to search for him. Seth called out an “I’m sorry” before Malcolm had even reached him.

“Don’t you dare apologize.”

Seth was yanked from the bench and into Malcolm’s arms before he’d had the chance to respond. He melted into the embrace, let Malcolm hold and rock him, let Malcolm kiss his head and neck as he told Seth over and over how afraid he’d been.

“I really am sorry, Malcolm.”

His face was pressed against Malcolm’s chest, his words muffled by his jacket. Seth inhaled the rich scent of the leather and the aftershave that he always wore—a smell that was reminiscent of the woods where they’d hiked together several times. The combination of the aromas triggered his senses in a soothing way. This was Malcolm.Thiswas the man he couldn’t be without.

Malcolm hadn’t loosened his hold. “Shh, it’s all right. Everything’s going to be all right. We’ll figure this out together.” He kneaded and caressed Seth’s back through his clothes and Seth ached for it to be this way with them in bed with nothing between them. “You can tell me what it is I’m doing wrong and I’ll do my best to make it right.”

“No, it’s me, Malcolm.I’mthe one who messed up. I…” It was all so embarrassing, but Malcolm had come for him, he hadn’t let him go.He still cares. “I got fired today.”

Malcolm angled back but kept one arm around Seth’s waist. He stroked Seth’s cheek. “Oh no, I’m sorry. Were you having issues there?”

Seth shook his head. “No. One of my co-workers told me it was because the owner’s nephew needed a job. And…and that dishwashers are a dime a dozen.”

“Hmm.” Malcolm gazed at him thoughtfully. “I can see how that might’ve made you feel. I think if he’d stopped to consider what he was saying, he would’ve realized that what he actually meant was that dishwashingjobsare a dime a dozen. And there’s nothing wrong with being a dishwasher, either. The task fills a need. Was working there that important to you?”

Seth shook his head. “It wasn’t that. I guess it was how it all happened so suddenly, and how it made me feel as if I wasn’t even good enough to clean people’s dirty dishes. So how could I possibly be good enough for you?”

Malcolm regarded him with a startled expression, his eyes wide and lips parted. “Me? I don’t understand. Have I made you feel less-than somehow?”

“No…I…” Seth averted his gaze. Malcolm needed to know how he felt about him. He’d planned on confessing anyway, and now here Malcolm was, holding him so close after searching all over town to find him.He didn’t give up on me, just like he said he wouldn’t. Seth lifted his eyes and met Malcolm’s. “I need to be honest with you. Not that I haven’t been already, but what I mean is, I have to tell you what I’ve been feeling inside, what I’ve been holding back.”

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