Page 10 of King Daddy

A bark of laughter burst from Beau. He pulled the crown from the box and eyed it. Damn. It was beautiful. The piece should definitely be on Kylo’s head. Why did he keep giving it to Beau?

“This guy makes you smile in a way I haven’t seen in decades.”

If anyone other than Henry had said that he would’ve razed the place. Henry knew him.

Beau kept his gaze locked on the crown. “Why does a guy like Kylo continue to give me a priceless crown?”

Henry scratched the graying hair on his chin. “Maybe he wants you to bring it back? Like a way to keep seeing you.”

That made as much sense as anything did. “I guess you’d better bring the SUV around, then.”

The smile Henry wore told him everything he needed to know. Henry thought he’d made the right decision. Beau repacked the crown and gathered his things. As he stuffed his phone in his back pocket, he wondered if he should call first. He immediately dismissed the thought. Kylo might deny him. Beau just managed to lift his mood. He couldn’t handle another drop right now.Beau had been on the edge of something ugly for a while now. He scared himself on a good day. There was no telling what he could do.

Two guards fell into step behind him as he headed out. Henry pulled up in the SUV. Impatience poured through his veins on the way to Kylo’s. Ugly thoughts tried pushing their way in. What if the doctor had stayed the night? He couldn’t think like that. Beau had chosen to leave last night. He could have stayed. Beau wasn’t sure Kylo deserved that.

By the time he reached Kylo’s place, he second-guessed his every move. Still, he headed Stew’s way, wishing he had brought a bribe.

Stew smiled and dipped his chin in greeting. “Good afternoon.” He opened the door for Beau and then followed him inside. “Mr. Jinko asked me to send you up anytime you stopped by.” He used his keys to call for Kylo’s elevator.

“Thank you. I appreciate your help.” There. Kylo would be proud.

“Good day, Mr. Bosi.”

He stepped into the elevator. The door slid closed, and it hit him. Kylo had written his full name on the box. His gaze dropped to it. His name stared back at him. How long had Kylo known him? Had he recognized him from the beginning? Discomfort crawled up his spine. He didn’t know how to feel. On one hand, he didn’t have to hide or lie. On the other, someone as sweet as Kylopretended to be could never want someone like him in their life. Another voice whispered in the back of his mind. His sons had found the sweetest of men. What were the odds he would be as lucky? Not high.

The door opened, setting him free inside Kylo’s apartment. It seemed empty. Stew hadn’t said Kylo wasn’t home. Surely, the guy wouldn’t have sent him to Kylo’s unoccupied apartment. He checked all the rooms, saving Kylo’s bedroom for last. There was a possibility he was in the bathroom or resting. The bedroom was empty too. Beau stood in the bedroom doorway, confused as fuck. Then a hint of music caressed his ears. Beau followed the sound. The closet door stood open. Beau stepped inside. It was empty, but there was definitely music coming from inside. He moved deeper into the clothes and shoes. A sliver of light caught his attention. It peeked from beneath where the wall met the floor. He pushed. A hidden door swung inward. Music poured out. Beau stepped inside and froze.

The first time Beau had been to Kylo’s apartment, he had puzzled over a few things. They met at The PlayPen. Kylo had worn pajamas like a Little would. He had presented as a Little in every way. Yet his apartment was devoid of anything the least bit childlike. In fact, it was perfectly decorated, as if put together by a professional. No one visiting him would see him as anything other than an ordinary man. This was different.

The first half of the expansive room was a dance studio—like a professional studio. The walls were mirrors. Bars lined the wall for stretching. A wood floor shone bright with the perfect polish. There was a section for a stuffed animal audience. The bear Beau had given Kylo the night they met was right up front. Beyondthe dance floor looked to be a playroom. Beau wasn’t sure. He couldn’t look at anything except Kylo. Dressed like a ballerina, he glided around the room. It wasn’t a child playing dress-up. He was a fucking pro. If Kylo hadn’t performed on a major stage, Beau would throw a hundred grand in the street. He chose a chair up front with his bear and sat.

“Did you come to watch me dance, Daddy?”

Beau’s throat swelled. He was beautiful. “Yes, baby.”

Kylo didn’t miss a step. He took another spin around the room before coming to a stop in front of Beau. His gaze dropped to the box Beau held. He flipped it open and lifted the crown from the box. Kylo gently placed it on Beau’s head. “Dance with me, Daddy.”

Beau had to swallow past the lump in his throat. “I’d make you look bad.”

Kylo moved the box to an empty seat and took Beau’s hands. “I promise you won’t.” He moved across the floor, sweeping Beau along with him. Beau stared at Kylo. He looked content. Almost dreamy. He caught glimpses of their reflection. Beau in his crown. Kylo in his tutu and tights. They looked perfect together. Something unfurled inside of Beau. Something he had put away a long time ago and sealed shut. Definitely something he hadn’t been looking for. The music stopped. They did too. Neither of them pulled away.

“That crown was meant for you.”

“Should you be doing this with your injury?”

He felt Kylo shrug. “I get sad without it.”

Kylo felt so perfect in his arms. He couldn’t let go. Not yet. “Why do you keep giving me this crown?”

Apparently, it was the wrong question. Kylo stepped out of his hold. He didn’t meet Beau’s gaze as he headed for a chair and sat like he was in pain. “Maybe I’m trying to break its curse.”

Beau stood over Kylo and peeled the sleeves of his one-piece outfit down his arms. Blood seeped through the light pink piece. He kept going until he had the top half around Kylo’s waist. Then he dropped to his knees at Kylo’s feet and eyed the leaking wound. It would never get better at this rate.

“What curse?” He checked Kylo’s stitches, hoping he would answer if Beau didn’t meet his stare.

Kylo hissed as Beau pressed around the stitches to check if they had torn. He chuckled afterward. “It’s the gift given in place of love. Everyone who has ever received that crown got it as a present from someone who felt guilty for not loving them. It’s an expensive pacifier.” Beau lifted his chin. Kylo’s eyes were closed, and he breathed as if muscling through a silent suffering. “When I gave it to you that first time, I thought, there. It was a selfless gift given for only the purest of reasons. Maybe it’ll finally be used for good.” He laughed. “Then you gave it back to me. What am I even supposed to make of that?”

Beau had no idea what Kylo was talking about. He was more worried about the way Kylo seemed slightly out of his head. “I’ll keep it safe and treasure the intent.”

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