Page 70 of Monster

Bull headed for the door. “I came to see if you were ready to leave this place. I’ll come back later.”

“Wait,” Luca said. Bull didn’t usually come this late. He rose, wrapping a sheet around him. “Please don’t go.” Embarrassing situation or not, he was more than ready to get out of that room and on to freedom.

Bull stopped, but didn’t turn around.

“I’ll go to the bathroom to give you two a moment,” Drake said, rising with the comforter draped over him. He wandered into the bathroom and closed the door.

Silence hung between them a moment.

“I’ve covered up,” Luca said.

Bull slowly turned, his face a numb mask.

“I know you don’t like seeing me with Drake… but this is who I am. I am his mate—his lover—and I won’t keep pussyfooting around that fact.”

Bull remained silent, his gaze going everywhere but at Luca.

“I loved your mother… I did… but this is who I belong with now. I’m not the same man who was captured.”

Bull sighed.“I know she’s gone, and there can never be a you and her again. But I know how much she longed for you—and now, to see you move on with him—it’s hard for me.” Bull paused, finally meeting Luca’s stare.“But I also know what it feels like to have mates and to be a slave to that call.” Bull met Luca’s stare. “I don’t want there to be hurt feelings between us.Or things we can’t talk about. If Drake is your mate and he makes you happy—I won’t stand in your way.”

“I want us to build a relationship,” Luca said. “Not the small talk we make when you’re here. I want to know you—you’re my son. I know it won’t be the same father-son connection others have… but we can find a way, can’t we?”

“I hope so,” Bull said.

“You accepting Drake into my life is a huge step in the right direction,” Luca said. It had been that thing standing in the way of progress… the reason they hadn’t been able to truly talk. Without this barrier, they could move on.

Bull nodded, letting things hang heavily in the air.“I was… going to offer you a room in our home—mine and my mates’ home. But I don’t know that’s what you want now.”

“Drake said that a cabin recently opened up.He’s already got the keys… so we have a place to go.”

“Better than our house.”

Luca frowned.

“No, I wasn’t being flippant. We recently bought an old farmhouse that needs some work. So, your cabin is likely in better shape than ours.”

“I’d like to see it… and meet them. When you’re ready, of course.”

“I was ready to bring you there tonight.” Bull smiled.“My mates are very excited to finally meet you. Jericho’s making dinner—which would normally be a reason for you to say no, but Pablo’s keeping an eye on him, so we should be okay.” Bull stiffened slightly. “You’re more than welcome to come tonight.” Bull sighed.“And you can bring Drake along.”

Drake emerged from the bathroom.“Bring me along where?”

“Were you listening?” Bull asked.

“The wall is thin… I wasn’t trying to.”

Luca turned to his mate. “Dinner.With my son and his mates. You up for it?”

Drake turned to meet Bull’s stare.“You sure you want me there?”

“I am. I invited you myself,” his son responded.

Drake smiled.“Then I’d be honored.”

* * * *

Later, as Luca sat before his empty plate, he couldn’t help but gaze around the table and feel true joy. It was apparent his son was well loved, and loved both Pablo and Jericho equally. Beside Luca sat a man he sensed he could easily grow to love as much, if not more.

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