Page 65 of His Stepdad Wears Leather

“This doesn’t change how I feel about you.”

“It changes everything,Noah.”

Brody’s phone rang, cutting off Noah’s argument. He answered Stacey’s call, hoping for good news. “Yeah?”

“I found his birth certificate and was able to get the police to leave—but Walt and Abbie Lee are still outside. The cops said there’s nothing they can do about them. It’s a public street, and they can sit there all day and night if they want.”

“Noah says they were planning to take him to conversion camp.”

Stacey sighed. “Walt alluded to something along that vein when he was here. Started going off on a wild tangent about the homosexual threat. Brody, he was bad before—but he’s off his rocker now. I can’t imagine Noah living in that house.”

“What do we do now?”

“With Walt outside, I fear for Noah. Can he stay with you for a few days?” Stacey asked.

Brody closed his eyes, a denial on his lips.

She continued when he didn’t speak. “Maybe Walt’ll give up if he doesn’t see Noah here for a while. Maybe they’ll go searching elsewhere. I’m scared, Brody. Scared they’ll take him from us again.”

He heard Geena’s anger in the background. “Waltisn’ttaking our boy.”

Our boy.Brody sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose. “A few days, butonlya few days.”

“Thanks, sweetie. I knew you’d take care of him,” Stacey said, a smile to her tone. “Let him know we love him… and we’ll see him soon. We’re going to avoid your place for a while. I don’t want to lead Walt there.”

“Good. That’s all I need.”

“In the meantime, I’m calling a lawyer to see what we can do on this end. We need to protect him this time.”

“Yeah, we do,” Brody said, clenching his teeth.

“I love you, Brody,” Stacey said.

Guilt slammed into him. “Love you, too.”

He ended the call and turned to Noah. “You’re staying here a few days—your mom hopes Walt will give up and leave.”

“Dad doesn’t give up easily,” Noah said, appearing hopeful.

“Well… he’s been out of town for a while. He likely has no idea about my connection to the club yet, so you’re safe for now.”

Noah lifted his gaze, a look of fear that stabbed Brody in the chest.

Distance. I need distance.

“In the meantime, I’ve got a club to run.” He waved around the living room. “Stay here, out of sight. As you’re aware, there’s cable, as well as Netflix and Hulu set up on the TV to keep you occupied. I’ll have some dinner sent up from the kitchen later. Until then, there’s a few snacks in the pantry and fridge.”

“What about the job? I could help downstairs.”

“You’re not twenty-one. You can’t be in the club. You’ve already endangered my business enough as it is. No more.”

Noah seemed defeated. “But what if dad comes? And I’m alone?”

“I doubt that’ll happen,” Brody replied.

“But you don’t know for sure. How could you see if he came up the back stairs? They could have me halfway home before you came back up for the night.”

Halfway? Not hardly.But Walt would have one hell of a head start. Brody took another deep breath, shaking his head. He grabbed his cell and called his manager. “Hey, Carter—I’m taking a day off. The bar is yours to run tonight.”

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