Page 20 of King Daddy

Mickey looked thoughtful, as if adding years in his head. “About twenty years, I guess.”

That answer took Kylo by surprise. “What? Did you start working here at ten?”

Mickey laughed, nearly spewing coffee since Kylo caught him mid drink. “Seventeen.”

Kylo hated that he was being so nosey, but he didn’t stop. “You don’t look thirty-seven, but seventeen? That’s awful young to become someone’s bodyguard.”

“I didn’t start as that.” He chuckled and shook his head, as if recalling something funny. “Beau saved me from the streets. He likes to pretend he kidnapped and enlisted a possible witness to one of his crimes, but you have to let someone like Beau keep their hardened reputation.”

“Kidnapped? This sounds like a story I need to hear.”

Mickey shrugged. “It’s not that exciting. I was just one of the many homeless teens who ended up here. In my case, I was in an alley, tagging a building.” Mickey laughed again, as if he couldn’t believe he had once been a dumb teen, doing dumb teen stuff. “There was a black SUV parked nearby. I kept glancing its way, because it was definitely out of place for the roughneighborhood. Suddenly, these guys in suits poured out, and I was kindly asked to get in the car, except it clearly wasn’t a request, you know? I had no idea what would happen, but I was pretty sure I was dead if I got in that SUV. Unfortunately, there were way more of them than me and they had guns, so I got in the vehicle. Apparently, Beau was there to do business, and I was in the wrong place at the right time. Since it was very possible I had seen stuff I shouldn’t have, my choices were join up or die.” Mickey stared at nothing for a second before continuing. “The funny thing is, I’ve thought about that day more times than I can count. I don’t think any deal went down. I think Beau just saved me.”

Kylo’s chest warmed. Beau was such an enigma. He was happy they met. Kylo opened his mouth to dig for more, and the door flew open. A blood-covered Banks rushed inside, looking wild-eyed.

Mickey was on his feet in an instant. “Where?”

“In the SUV.”

Mickey was racing through the house before the words died on Banks’ lips. Kylo was right behind him with his heart in throat and a chant running through his mind. Please don’t let it be Beau. It was Beau. He froze in his tracks as Boone and Henry carried Beau inside. Blood was everywhere. He couldn’t get a good look at Beau with him surrounded by people. A guy with long, platinum hair held pressure on a wound. He was pale and obviously in shock.

The guy’s gaze landed on Mickey as Mickey danced around, obviously looking for a way to help. “He took a bullet for me. Why would he do that?”

Kylo took a breath. Beau needed him. “Get him upstairs. Mickey, go get Austen. Break every speed limit.”

Mickey nodded and was out the door.

“Someone needs to get Jupiter. I can’t—” Boone was obviously on the edge of hyperventilating.

“Who is Jupiter?”

Boone focused on him. He looked like Kylo’s question gave him a much needed grounding point. “My husband. He’s at The PlayPen with Kyson and Adan.”

Kylo nearly flinched at hearing Adan’s name. Now wasn’t the time to question if it was Beau’s Adan. It didn’t matter. Kylo focused on another guard he didn’t know. “Go to The PlayPen and pick up the Littles. Take them to Adan’s playroom when you get back. They don’t need to see this.” With orders in place, Kylo followed everyone upstairs to the same bed where Beau had made love to him. That was where Kylo got his first good look at Beau. He was awake but visibly gritting his teeth. Kylo didn’t hesitate to climb on the bed and sit by his head so he could run his fingers through his hair.

“Hey, baby.” Beau sounded totally calm for someone who likely had next to no blood left... if all this was his.

“Did you have a busy day?”

Beau tried to laugh and ended up wincing.

Kylo shushed him. “Don’t listen to me. You know I get weirder when I’m stressed.”

“I love that about you.”

“Dr. Fowler is on his way. You didn’t have to try to outdo me.”

Beau wore a huge smile despite his circumstances. “I have to show you what’s it like to deal with a terrible patient who won’t relax. It’s only fair.”

Kylo glanced up for a second, hoping to see the doctor rush through the door. Everyone stared at them—like they couldn’t believe their eyes. Kylo dismissed them and went back to focusing on Beau. He kissed his forehead. His lips lingered. Kylo couldn’t pull away. He was so fucking scared. They had just found each other.

“Don’t be scared. I’ll never leave you.”

Kylo swallowed past the lump in his throat at Beau’s promise. Beau needed him to be strong. “I know, because I’d dig you up and kick your ass.”

He heard Beau’s weak chuckle.

“Mickey, Henry, and Rico. You three can stay.” Kylo’s head shot up at the barked order. Austen was there. He looked ready to go to battle. “Boone and Banks, get cleaned up. I might need you too. This might take a while, and I need people who are rested. Kylo, there’s a room full of Littles next door. They’re scared and confused. You’re the steadiest person I know. They need you.”

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