Page 24 of For the Love of a Boy

“If things get that far, yes.”

“What?” Seth frowned. What do you mean, if they get that far?”

“We’re not at that point yet, baby.” Daddy played his fingers across Seth’s back. “They still have to do their investigation and that could take a while. Right now, what they really want from you is everything you can tell them about what went on when you were growing up. Especially when you were being held at the camp. Every detail you can provide will bring them that much closer to ensuring your father and the church are brought to justice. That they won’t ever hurt anyone again.”

“Oh God…” Seth thought he might be sick.

“I know, sweetheart. I know.” Daddy kept up his soft caresses, never stopped touching, soothing him. “I told them you had to agree to speak with them, or it was a no-go. The choice is yours alone.”

“And if I don’t tell them everything, give them those details, then they’ll stop the investigation? Won’t even try to go after the church?”

“Well, I don’t think they’ll stop entirely. But the detectives did say they needed the information you can provide, or else they didn’t think they’d have enough to go on to either get search warrants or make arrests.”

Seth’s head pounded and his heart hammered so hard, he thought it might explode. Dr. Clay had explained about the panic attacks, that they could seem as bad as a heart attack.

“So, my father and all those evil snakes would probably get away with everything they did to me and everyone else? They’d never pay for their sins?”

Daddy kissed the top of his head. “Maybe. Judging by what the investigators told me, you’re the first person who made it out of there who they’d be able to get a statement from. You’re the best potential source of information they’ve ever had to go after the church.”

Seth wrapped his arms around Daddy’s neck and held on tight. Daddy’s touches never stopped, and Seth wished he could drown in them. Simply drift away, cocooned in the warmth of the only person other than his mother who had ever truly shown him love. He’d never have peace if he didn’t do everything he could to gain closure. To end the horror once and for all. To heal. To live a beautiful life with his Daddy.

“I’ll do it. I’ll tell them whatever they want to know.”

“Such a brave boy.”

Daddy rocked him, held him close and whispered how proud he was and that he’d be there for him through it all. They stayed clinched in each other’s arms for several minutes until their heartbeats seemed to match. Then Daddy’s stomach rumbled, and Seth remembered how he’d been so self-involved that he hadn’t gotten the vegetables ready.

Seth lifted his head. “You must be starving. I should go chop up the vegetables.”

Daddy framed his face with his palms. “No, you shouldn’t. You should see what I brought home for you. Then I’ll go chop the vegetables and make the stir fry.”

“But—”

Daddy placed a finger over Seth’s lips. “Daddy says so.” He smiled and gave Seth a peck on the end of his nose. “Trust me.”

“Of course, Daddy. Always.” Seth bit his lip. He didn’t dare say he was sorry, but there had to be another way to say the same thing without losing his reward. “I’m only thinking that I didn’t follow through on what you asked.”

Daddy gently scooted out from under Seth then brought them both to their feet. “Did you do your math?”

“Yeah. I even started on the next block.”

Daddy arched his eyebrows. “Really? That’s impressive.” He tugged on Seth’s hand and started leading him toward the bedroom. “If I thought you were willfully trying to get out of chopping the vegetables, we’d be having a discussion about it, and maybe it would be a while before you earned another blowjob.…” He glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “I’m betting that’s not what’s going on here, though. Am I right?”

“You’re right. I wasn’t being willful.”

Daddy seemed playful—no longer upset the way he’d been when he’d first arrived. That alone helped ease Seth’s mind.

Seth gasped and slapped a hand to his mouth the moment they entered the bedroom. Sure enough, that was where Daddy had left his jacket and tie, but that wasn’t what had stolen Seth’s breath. No, what had him on the verge of happy tears was the fluffy, brown teddy bear with a big red bow around its neck. The adorable stuffed animal was propped up against the pillows on the bed—almost begging Seth to hold him. The bear was even the larger, two-foot tall one they’d had at the toy store that had been his favorite.

Exactly like the one I picked out for the toy drive.

Seth gaped at Daddy. “This…? You went back to the store tonight and got this for me?”

Daddy nodded, his grin impossibly wide. “The story you told me about your bear has stuck me with me even more than the others you’ve shared. Then I saw how your eyes lit up when you picked him out and the thought crossed my mind that you should have one.” Daddy squeezed their joined fingers. “But I wasn’t sure how you’d respond, or why I felt so strongly about getting him for you.”

Seth locked gazes with him. “This is my whiskey.”

Daddy caressed his cheek with the back of his hand. “Yeah. Maybe it’s a silly thing for me to do—”

Seth stilled Daddy’s hand, holding it against his face. “No. He’s perfect.” He swallowed down his tears. “I love him, love you. You see me, Daddy.” He closed his eyes and nuzzled Daddy’s skin. “You understand.”

Daddy brushed his lips across Seth’s, their breaths mingling for a second before Daddy spoke. “I’m yours, sweetheart. I’d give you the world if I could.”

Seth pressed their foreheads together. “You already have.”

---