Page 23 of Born Daddy

Tate looked down. “I can’t… Nothing about him could ever give me that.”

Rogan nodded. “I understand, I do. What I’m saying is that perhaps it answers a question you’ve had about your relationship with him. As much as he craved money and the finer things, he still went out of his way to make sure you had the means to take care of yourself if something happened.” This time, Rogan did reach out to Tate, placing a hand on top of his. “You weren’t just a plaything to him, Tate. Lurking deep inside his cold heart you gave him the capacity to feel.”

Tate knitted his brow, the muscles of his jaw ticking as he seemed to consider what Rogan said. He’d allowed Rogan to cover his hand, and in the silence, Rogan slowly drew it away so they were no longer touching. Worrying whether Tate would reject his touch wouldn’t be the issue. Making sure he didn’t give Tate the wrong idea about them was the real concern.

Tate glanced at Rogan sideways, as if checking to see if he’d done anything wrong, had in some way caused Rogan to break the physical contact. Rogan offered him a slight smile, enough to telegraph that everything was fine. He noted the barely perceptible movement of Tate’s head, like a nod to himself that he understood the boundaries of his and Rogan’s relationship.

Rogan’s gut clenched, but this was the proper stance. They had to remain platonic. Had to. Yet, an irrational fear that he’d just fucked up something important persisted.

Tate’s voice pulled Rogan from his troubled thoughts. “Thank you. When I look at it that way, it does help.”

Rogan exhaled, relieved that the momentary blurring of the lines seemed to have passed. “Hang onto that realization whenever you start to doubt yourself, or your worth. Ten thousand dollars is a helluva lot of money. Especially for someone who was as money-oriented as Cam.” Rogan straightened in the chair and folded his hands. “Still. It goes fast, so you should be careful.”

Tate winced. “Yeah…ten thousand is a lot of money. However, we made that same trip again nine times after that.”

Rogan widened his eyes. “Nine…? You mean, altogether, he gave you…?” Rogan’s jaw dropped.

Tate chewed his thumbnail as he stared back at Rogan, the gesture almost childlike, his features radiating an innocence that had nothing to do with the kinky lifestyle he’d been leading. Tate might be experienced sexually, but he was like a lost soul when it came to the day to day realities of life.

“Should I give it back?” His eyes telegraphed fear. “I don’t know what I’d do if I had to. Would they make me pay back what I already spent?”

Rogan blinked several times before the meaning behind Tate’s words caught up with him. “God, no. Why don’t you think you can keep it? It’s yours. He gave it to you.”

Tate wrapped his arms around himself and squirmed in his chair. “Yeah, but…” He glanced up at Rogan. “The FBI froze all his assets, made me give them the debit card that was attached to his account. They let me keep the money in my wallet, around forty bucks, but said I couldn’t have anything else in the house. Not even the damn change jar in the kitchen. Not even other things, like a TV or my gaming console that was in the living room. I was told that if I could produce receipts that proved anything in the house was my personal property, then I could have it back.”

He snorted. “I’m sure you can already guess what the likelihood was of me having receipts for anything Cam bought.”

Rogan was aware of how property and assets were handled by the authorities in situations such as that, and supported the practice. However, he’d be lying to himself if he didn’t acknowledge he was bothered by the way Tate had been treated.

He was a suspect. Is a suspect.

The next thing on his to-do list was to find out why Sullivan hadn’t at least given some consideration to what Tate had endured at the diner.

“Okay, I can see how you might feel as if you don’t have any right to that money. But consider this. Think about what they said to you regarding providing a receipt for the gaming system, or whatever else. Did you get a receipt for the safe deposit box? And is the box in your name?”

Tate’s mouth formed a small ‘o’ and his shoulders relaxed. After a moment, he placed his palm over his heart, smiling as his eyes drifted closed. He then regarded Rogan.

“You have no idea how relieved I am. Thank you. Thank you for helping me work that out.” Tate’s expression was almost giddy. “I can’t see things from all sides, I’ve never been able to. I obsess over the worst possible outcome to the point where any other option is invisible.”

He dragged his tongue across his bottom lip and Rogan tore his gaze away, forcing his attention back on Tate’s eyes.

Rogan cleared his throat. “You’re very welcome. I’m glad you have one less thing to worry about.” He arched his eyebrows with a small chuckle. “One major thing.” He frowned. “However…you’re not keeping all that money here are you?”

Tate shook his head. “Oh, no. I’ve been taking it out ten at a time, the same as I put it in. I figure if I get robbed, it won’t be the whole amount. And I can’t keep running back and forth for smaller amounts. If the cops are following me, it would be too easy to get caught.”

Rogan didn’t believe Tate’s money could legally be taken from him—he’d meant what he’d said. But serial killer protocol wasn’t in his purview. All he knew was that whenever a drug dealer was taken down, his family would be fucked. They’d lose the house, the cars, the assets. Perhaps it was best that Tate kept doing things the way he was.

Regardless, he’ll never be out in the cold. Not as long as I’m around.

Rogan scrubbed his face with one hand. “How are you feeling now? Better?”

Tate smiled. “Lots better. Thanks again.”

Satisfied that Tate’s words were genuine, Rogan rose from his chair. He didn’t miss the flash of disappointment that crossed Tate’s features, but he had to get out of there, had to reground himself away from Tate’s presence.

Tate rose as well. “Hey, uh, if you want to cancel tomorrow night, you know, since we hung out tonight, that’s cool. I’ll understand.”

Rogan knew Tate wasn’t at all interested in cancelling. In truth, neither was he.

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