Page 54 of Designation Prey

By the time the plane lands, Daniel’s anxiety is palpable. It’s taking everything Liam has not to get up and drag Daniel onto his lap. But Logan is strategically placed to keep them apart and Robert is beside him radiating a warning to stay away.

They stand up to deplane. “What happens now?” Daniel asks, glancing longingly at Liam.

Logan is still separating them. He’s surprised Logan didn’t get him thrown out of the plane when they reached five thousand feet.

“We go home. You’ll stay with us for as long as you want. And Aaron is looking forward to seeing you again, too.”

“Liam?” Daniel asks, voice too loud.

“I’m staying with your family tonight. I’ll be there,” he reassures.

“Yes. Good,” Daniel says, and his shoulders slump in relief. He casts a worried glance back at him as they get off the plane.

I haven’t lost him yet, Liam thinks, and a wave of determination goes through him. It’s the strongest emotion he’s felt in a long time. Daniel is his for the taking and he wants him more than he’s ever wanted anything in his entire life. He’ll make it up to Daniel, won’t ever let anyone hurt him again.

They stand on the tarmac and start walking towards the small parking lot where their cars are.

“Daniel?” Liam asks.

Daniel turns towards him, taking two steps closer. “Yes, Da—Liam?” He’s eager, as if he’s a plant arching towards the sun.

“Would you like to come in my car?”

Daniel blushes so intensely that Liam has to rethink what he’s just said. Ah. Right. Though he isn’t sure the word “ride” would have gotten a less intense response.

“Yes. Please.”

Robert reaches out, takes Logan by the arm and moves him out of the way.

“We’ll meet you there,” Liam says, and finally he gets to close the distance between them. His hand settles on Daniel’s shoulder and Daniel shivers in response. Daniel’s breath hitches and he leans into Liam. Liam lets his thumb brush against the back of Daniel’s neck, feeling Daniel’s body tense.

“Oh god. Daddy,” Daniel whispers.

There’s an electric current of desire arcing between them. He presses a kiss to Daniel’s mouth and holds him in his arms for long moments.

“We’ll see you there,” Robert agrees, and Logan’s shoulders slump. He lets Robert guide him away.

Then Logan turns back. “Daniel, I love you. I’m sorry I didn’t help you when I should have. And I’m sorry I believed father. The things he said about you.”

Daniel shakes his head, taking a moment to think through what the words mean. He turns to look at his brother, body staying pressed against Liam. “I love you, too, Logan. There wasn’t anything you could do. We’ll talk about it,” he says, but he’s already turning back to Liam.

He presses his face into Liam’s shirt.

“Do you remember when we first met?” Daniel asks. It isn’t coy but shy, as if he’s worried the answer might be no.

“You were and still are the most beautiful submissive I’ve ever seen. I saw you and all I could think about was breeding you. How could I ever forget that?”

“You’re here, I can’t believe you’re here,” Daniel whispers.

“Of course I am. I haven’t been the same since you left. I have—I think I’ve aged twenty years, that’s how much I’ve missed you.”

Daniel turns, resting his hand on Liam’s cheek. “You look sad, Daddy. That’s all,” he says. He bites his lip, casting a quick glance up to meet Liam’s gaze. “Maybe you won’t be anymore?”

“No, I won’t be.”

Daniel whimpers. “The first moment I saw you, I couldn’t believe you were going to be mine. Even if it was just a few days. I don’t want you to be sad; I want to make you happy.”

He turns his head, kissing Daniel’s palm. “You’re the sweetest boy I’ve ever met, Daniel. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you,” he says, and Daniel gasps, wiping away the tears he can feel against his hand.

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