Page 13 of Dangerous Daddy

Axton’s gaze moved over his face. “Like my gorgeous kitty.”

Something inside Adan gave way. It didn’t matter how Axton felt about being a daddy. Nothing mattered except being with this flawless person who made everything better. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I’m the one who gets to stare at you all adorable like this.”

Adan shook his head. “Not for the gifts, even though they’re amazing and thank you for those too, but thank you for this. For being here and not seeing me the way everyone else does. I don’t deserve to have someone as amazing as you in my life, yet here you are. You’ll never know how grateful I am.”

Halfway through his speech, Axton’s expression turned serious. “The fact that you think I’m worth anything at all is crazy to me.Don’t thank me. I’m not sure I don’t have an ulterior motive. I can’t promise this isn’t me bribing you to please keep loving me. The ability to do things with a conscience left me a long time ago. I’m just not sure of my actions anymore.”

It hurt Adan’s chest that Axton couldn’t see that he was a good person. It was obvious no one had ever believed in him. He took off the helmet. “Take it back. Get your money back. I don’t need gifts. I used to have everything. None of it meant a damn thing because I didn’t have love. Now I do and I’m not losing it if I can help it. So don’t bribe me.”

Axton plopped the helmet back on Adan’s head and strapped it on. “You’re right. It’s just stuff and I want you to have it all because I love you. Everything about you.”

Even though Adan understood Axton tried to get a point across with his last statement, he refused to read too much into things. Adan was used to being whatever everyone else wanted. He would do the same for love.

“We should go.” Axton stood, holding Adan as if he weighed nothing.

Adan snuggled close when it became obvious Axton had no plans to set him on his feet. He let Axton lock up his apartment and carry him down the stairs. Axton didn’t set him down until they reached his bike. Then he stole a quick kiss before straddling the Harley and waiting for Adan to do the same. Adan crawled on behind him and held on. He didn’t stop smiling the entire ride to The PlayPen. Something kept growing bigger between them.Adan had never felt more hopeful about his future, even while seeing no way out from beneath Beau.

At The PlayPen, Axton held his hand as they headed inside. For the first time, someone was proud to be seen with him. It felt amazing. Beau never held his hand. Adan had always just sort of followed in his wake and existed in his shadow. Axton kept bringing Adan’s hand to his mouth and kissing it. Each and every time, Adan’s chest swelled.

Inside the play area, Adan scanned the room. The only Little he recognized was Beau’s lawyer’s husband, Luca. Luca always made a point of turning his back on Adan or leaving when Adan arrived. His shoulders fell at the idea of playing alone again.

“Is it okay if I sit with you?”

Axton didn’t hesitate. “Of course, but I have a meeting first.” His gaze swept over the tables where the daddies sat, as if searching for someone. “Here.” Axton led him to an empty table. “How about this?” He pulled out a chair for Adan. “You sit here and play with this.” Axton pulled out his phone and clicked around before setting the device on the table in front of Adan. “Smack the fish, kitty.”

A bright smile lit Adan from the inside out when he saw the fish flying across the screen. He swatted one, and it went flying. A laugh burst from him. He smacked another one.

Axton kissed his ear. “I’ll be right back, baby.”

“Okay.” He didn’t watch Axton leave. Adan was too focused on getting all the fish.

“Hello, little one.”

A chill ran down Adan’s spine. His chin lifted. He subtly looked for Axton.

A knowing smile stretched Beau’s lips. He held a bouquet of roses out to Adan. “Don’t bother. I had one of my guards distract him. It’s just us.”

Only Beau would see every other person in the building as nothing or no one and consider them alone. In his eyes, they were. No one would dare stop him from doing whatever he wanted to Adan. A wave of sadness washed over Adan. This was one of Beau’s biggest flaws. He didn’t see people as people, even when they begged to be noticed. Adan didn’t touch the flowers. Beau didn’t need any encouragement.

“You have to stop this, Boo.” The words fell from Adan, sounding as if they came from his soul. Adan couldn’t stop. Beau looked like he didn’t know how to react, and Adan took full advantage. “You already lost Tabitha. Now your boys are on their way out. It’s time to stop.”

Something flashed in Beau’s eyes. “My boys will fall in line. They always do. They’re both married now and have their own lives. There’s no reason we can’t start over.”

Sadness weighed heavily on Adan. “Oh, Boo. There are a million reasons we can’t start over. Do you really want Boone and Banks to simply fall in line? Don’t you want your boys back? You have to stop using me as the weapon you bludgeon them with. It’s time to just love your kids and find a way to fix things with them. For real this time. No manipulation. They used to really love you and look up to you. It’s not too late to get that back, but it’ll never happen if I go back home with you, and you know it. They’ll never see me as anything other than that person who drove a wedge between Tabitha and you.”

“You didn’t.”

A sad smile pulled at Adan’s lips. “I certainly didn’t help anything and all I can do at this point is destroy any chance you have left.”

Beau leaned back in his seat. His dark gaze moved over Adan’s face. “I’m pretty sure that ship has already sailed. Banks won’t speak to me at all, and Boone sticks to business. At least you loved me. I think you’re the only person who ever really has. How can you ask me to walk away?”

Adan took a deep breath. He knew Beau, probably better than anyone ever had. Beau never hid anything from Adan—the good or the bad. That was why Adan knew either Beau would listen now, or Adan would never be free. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you. Your sons lost their mother. Don’t take away their dad.”

A light tap landed on Adan’s shoulder. He tore his gaze away from Beau. Luca stood, clutching a board game to his chest. “Would you like to play with me?”

Adan didn’t even look to see what game he held. He scooped up Axton’s phone and walked away, following Luca to a spot nearby on the floor. Adan didn’t know what tomorrow would bring, but one way or another, Adan would never go back. Beau would never win, even if that meant Adan was dead.

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