Page 49 of Step Daddy

Chapter Fourteen

Kit paced back and forth in the dirt, the heat of the Mojave Desert somehow seeming more oppressive than the Vegas desert had. He paused, not caring that he was chewing on his thumbnail as he watched Gareth and Detective Lang arguing over something by the van that held all the electronic equipment.

They’d gotten the call the day before that it was finally time for the sting to take place. Kit’s nerves were shredded.

The whole operation was based at a park about five blocks from Kit’s old house and the two lead detectives—along with a SWAT team and several other players Kit didn’t recognize—were scattered about, busily performing whatever task they’d been placed in charge of. As soon as they’d arrived, and Gareth discovered there supposedly wasn’t room for him in the van that was going to the scene, he’d pitched a fit.

Gareth had Kit’s full support on that one. His Daddy had reminded him he could back out, that he didn’t have to go through with this no matter how many people were in place and ready to go.

The detectives had promised, and the attorney had verified, that Gareth would be in the van during the operation. A lot of negotiation had gone into that one main point. It was the only way Kit felt safe enough to face Ted alone, and even though Gareth had said he wouldn’t force Kit not to participate in the sting, he knew Gareth didn’t want him to be exposed to more danger than necessary.

However, the window of opportunity was narrowing. Ted was at the house and not with his mistress for the first time in days. Kit’s mom was making her weekly visit to see his Aunt Carol, which meant she’d be gone for a few hours. They didn’t want to wait too long in case she came back much earlier than expected.

Gareth stormed away from Detective Lang, his stance aggressive at first, but slowing as he reached Kit.

“Jesus,” Gareth huffed. “I was afraid they were going to pull a stunt like this.” Gareth grabbed Kit’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’ll be in the damn van. As soon as I started speed dialing Evanston, they had a sudden change of heart.”

Kit let out a long breath. “There’s no way I could do this without you.”

Gareth regarded him with the intense blue eyes Kit loved so much, and that look alone filled Kit with calm. It no longer seemed possible to go through life without having a Daddy. Something that had been so foreign a concept to him not too long ago was suddenly the one thing he couldn’t live without.

As long as my Daddy is Gareth.

“You still don’t have to, you know. I’ll tell them to forget it and we can get the hell out of here right now.”

Kit shook his head. He wanted the nightmare with Ted to end. Then he and Gareth could truly begin their lives together as Daddy and boy.

“Thank you for watching out for me, Daddy. But I’m ready to get this over with.” A few officers nearby glanced in his direction. Kit leaned closer to Gareth and lowered his voice. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to say that so loud.”

Gareth grabbed Kit and took his mouth in a hungry kiss. At first, Kit tensed out of sheer surprise, but then he melted into Gareth’s arms, let his Daddy hold him up and be the strength he needed. Gareth broke the kiss but still held him close. His lips quirked in a lopsided smile.

“Say it as loud as you want. I’m here to make you feel comfortable, not anyone else.”

Kit grinned. “Thanks again, Daddy.”

Someone cleared their throat extra loud and they both turned around to discover Detective Lang standing there with his arms crossed.

“I hate to interrupt, but our look-out just informed us that Kit’s mom has left the house. We have a team following her to keep track of her whereabouts, but you need to get in there now.” He jerked his head toward the van. “Let’s do a final soundcheck and go over what you’ll be saying again. Then we’re a go.”

Lang glanced sideways at Gareth but didn’t say a word before heading toward the van. Kit and Gareth shared a nervous smile then followed hand in hand behind the detective. As they drew closer, Kit tightened his grip on Gareth, his palms sweatier than they’d ever been.

When Gareth had held and kissed him the night before, getting him off more than once, he’d been so close to blurting out ‘I love you’. Sure, he’d held back because of how new their relationship was. But it was also because he hadn’t wanted Gareth to think it was only because of the sex.

The urge to say those precious words now was as strong as it was then. Yet, this wasn’t the right moment, either. Kit had to cling to the hope that everything would go as planned and he could say those words to Gareth someday soon.

The side doors of the large van that was disguised as a utility truck were open, and a tech specialist stepped down to double check the wiring to make sure it was secure and concealed. Gareth observed with squinty eyes and crossed arms. Kit imagined Gareth was holding in his irritation over the man touching Kit, his hands roaming beneath Kit’s shirt as he verified everything was okay.

Kit couldn’t deny that Gareth’s possessiveness made him feel special. He ghosted his fingers across his throat, the memory of the leather strip and how owned it had made him feel offering him yet another layer of comfort as he faced the looming mission. Gareth locked gazes with him and the heat in his eyes told Kit he knew. His Daddy understood what the gesture meant.

“Speak into the mic, normal voice.”

Kit went through the check he’d already done once, his anxiety growing the longer the preparations dragged. Hadn’t they said as soon as possible? What if his mom barged in and ruined everything? What if Ted left to go see his girlfriend? He might decide Kit wasn’t showing up even though Kit had called with a blackmail offer earlier.

The tech gave Lang a thumbs up. “Perfect.”

Lang gave a quick jerk of his head then regarded Kit. “One more time. Why are you showing up again?”

“Uh, I have proof that he stole the money.” Kit’s heartrate jacked up. It was all getting so real. “I-I won’t give it to the cops if he pays me off. I’ll disappear…” Kit licked his lips, then swiped at them with the back of his hand. He knew of another way Ted might make him disappear. “I’ll leave California and he’ll never hear from me again.”

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