Page 8 of Dangerous Daddy

The twenty-something blond behind the counter eyed him. Lust tinted her features. He might have rolled his eyes if he wasn’t attempting to stop a shootout in her shop. Axton got it. He looked like a dude who just got out of prison. For whatever reason, people thought that was hot. People were dumb.

“I’m not really supposed to let customers use our bathroom, but since you bought something.” Her smile turned even more predatory. “It’s down the hall.”

He dipped his chin in thanks and slipped down the hallway unnoticed. Axton bypassed the restroom and found the back door. He took a breath. Fuck, he hoped it didn’t have an alarm. He pushed it open and released his breath when no blaring sounds erupted. Axton made his way around the building to the corner, keeping an eye out for Beau. He wasn’t scared of the guy. The number one rule of survival was to let no one take him to a secondary location, and there was no way Beau intended to confront him here. As he peeked around the corner, he spotted Beau’s vehicle. The guy who had entered the store walked back out. His hands rose and fell, showing he had nothing. Axton watched him climb back inside the SUV. It slowly backed away.Thankfully, it headed in the opposite direction. The moment it was out of sight, he made for his truck. Axton wasn’t stupid enough to start it right away. He checked the obvious places for any sign of trackers or explosive devices. Axton didn’t put anything past Beau. As far as Axton was concerned, every move Beau made was dumb as hell. If he hurt Axton, Adan would never take him back. But Axton didn’t think Beau had exactly been thinking clearly since Tabitha’s death.

When he found nothing, Axton headed for the coffee shop. There was a good chance that was exactly where Beau was headed too, but Axton had the advantage this time. When the Back Porch came in to view, he immediately spotted Beau’s SUV. Axton circled the building and parked by Adan’s apartment. He checked his watch. Adan got off in five minutes.

Axton:I’m here. Meet me out back when you’re free.

Adan:Yay! Okay. I’m almost ready.

If Beau wanted to confront him, he would do so in front of Adan. This wouldn’t be some divide-and-conquer bullshit. While he waited, Axton removed the tags from his purchase. He wanted to be ready. When he spotted Adan running from the back door, dodging the rain, he threw open his truck door.

“I’ve got you.”

Adan changed directions and darted into his arms.

Axton easily pulled Adan into his lap and out of the rain.

Adan was all smiles and laughter. “I got wet.”

Axton couldn’t stop smiling. He looked like a drowned cat. His curls were all over the place. “I’ve got just the thing.” He handed Adan his haul.

Adan’s eyes lit. “Oh my gosh. It’s so cute.” His voice took on the same tone as someone squishing a dog’s face.

“Try them on. There’s a bunch of puddles out here that have your name on them.”

With an adorable giggle, Adan scrambled out of his shoes.He put on the boots and Axton helped him into the jacket. He took off the cat ears and pulled up the hood before setting him back on the ground.

Axton swatted his ass. “Go have fun.”

While wearing a huge grin, Adan ran for the biggest puddle. He dove in with both feet, stamping and sending water flying. Axton couldn’t stop smiling. Adan looked his way, laughing. He stamped his way to another puddle.

Axton slipped from the truck and headed for the awning. He leaned against the building, staying out of the rain while still enjoying the show. Adan’s childlike happiness was infectious. He had forgotten what it was like to savor the small things.

“I thought this wasn’t your thing.”

Axton startled at the sudden appearance of Boone at his side. Beau’s oldest was a huge guy. He was also quiet, and Axton had never been able to get a read on the guy. His dark eyes, hair, and beard made him look hard and impenetrable. He had married a Little and seemed beyond gentle with him. But in every other aspect of life, Boone wasn’t approachable.

He refused to let Boone see he had gotten the drop on him. “It’s not.”

“Mhmm.” In one sound, Boone called Axton a liar in three languages.

“What are you doing here?” Axton didn’t want to beat around the bush. He wanted to enjoy his day with Adan.

“I came with Dad to make sure he didn’t kill you. He’d like to speak with you.”

Axton kept his gaze locked on Adan and snorted.

“You know he won’t let Adan go, right? If he wouldn’t do it to save his relationship with me, there’s zero hope for you.”

“I’m not worried.”

“You should be.”

Axton turned his head. He held Boone’s stare and let him see the killer he tried to keep hidden. “I’m not worried. Unlike your dad, I don’t send others to do my dirty work.”

Boone gave him a sharp nod. He cast a quick glance Adan’s way. Adan laughed and stamped a path through the parking lot. “You make a good daddy. Adan deserves that.”

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