Page 6 of King Daddy

“It’s fine. I’m a little early. Jupiter wanted to chat with Pierre about a recipe.”

Beau motioned in the direction of the kitchen. “Feel free. I’m sure he’d love to see you.” He had no idea if that was true, but Jupiter had gone to culinary school and apparently loved to cook. Since Boone seemed to encourage him, Beau kept his opinion to himself. As long as Jupiter didn’t actually work, Beau didn’t care about his hobbies.

Jupiter skipped off to the kitchen.

Boone moved to where Beau had been brooding all day. “Holy shit, Dad. Why is this just sitting on your couch instead of being in a display case or a fucking museum? How in the hell did you even get it?”

Beau blinked at Boone’s over-the-top reaction. “What do you mean?”

Boone held the crown with reverence as he met Beau’s stare. “This is the famous three-million-dollar crown Alexander the Mighty, King of Argetta, made for his affair son. It caused an uproar since Argetta is such a poor country, its people struggling, while he threw money at things like this for a kid who would never even be king.” Boone turned it from side to side and eyed the crown. “Damn. The history books did not do it justice. It really is gorgeous.”

Beau didn’t know what to say or how to react. “Maybe it’s a reproduction.”

Boone flashed a smile his way. “One thing I know is craftsmanship. These are real jewels and this was made by a master.”

Damn. Kylo hadn’t known him at all when he had simply given Beau the crown. Beau swallowed. “I didn’t know. It was given to me by a friend.”

“That’s a hell of a friend.” Boone set the piece on the table. “You might want to at least put that in the safe.”

“I have a spot for it.” And an excuse to see Kylo. Things were looking up.

*

Unknown number:As amazing as your security is, it makes visiting you irritating as hell.

Kylo:Do I know you?

Unknown number:It’s Beau. I’m downstairs.

Kylo:Go to the farthest elevator. I’ll send it down for you.

Kylo chewed his bottom lip and tried to decide how to stand while waiting for Beau. Maybe he should sit. It was possible standing looked desperate. He rushed to sit on the couch. Kylo winced as his stitches pulled. He was so dumb sometimes. The lift dinged, and Beau stepped out. Kylo nearly sighed. He was dressed casually tonight. Soft-looking black shirt and jeans. His gray hair was perfect—like he had a stylist at home. He was a lot older than Kylo. That was exactly what Kylo wanted.

“Hey. How did you get my number?”

Beau’s smile was completely unrepentant. “It’s probably best not to ask me how I find anything. I have my ways.” He held an open box. Beau crossed the room and passed it Kylo’s way. “You should probably have this back. I can’t imagine why you’d give it to me in the first place.” He claimed the spot on the couch next to Kylo while Kylo stared at the crown with his heart in his throat.

Kylo didn’t touch it. He held the box out to Beau. “I crowned you king.”

Beau didn’t take it. “I won’t take a priceless piece of history from you.”

A wry smile tugged at Kylo’s lips. He dropped the box on his lap. “I wouldn’t say it’s priceless. It obviously had a price tag, and it’s also not that historical. Only about a hundred and fifty years, actually. As far as history goes, that’s pretty recent.”

“So it is real.”

It wasn’t a question. That gave Kylo the freedom to ignore the statement.

“If you have a safe, you should lock that up.”

A smile snapped to Kylo’s lips. “I couldn’t even give it away. Now you’re worried it’ll get stolen.”

Beau’s serious expression never wavered. “No. I’m worried someone might hurt you to get it.”

Someone had already murdered his soul to give it to him. “That’s fair.” Kylo stood and made his way to the bedroom.

Beau followed on his heels. He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe and watched as Kylo opened the safe and shoved it inside. “Are you really moving around as well as you appear, or are you faking it?”The way you always do. Kylo swore those unspoken words hung in the air.

“I’ve been taking the meds the doctor left for me. He told me what to look for, as far as infection, when he came to check on me early this morning. There’s nothing to do but keep doing my thing. Life doesn’t give a shit if you’re hurting.”

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