Page 9 of King Daddy

Austen moved in close to inspect it. Kylo watched him. He looked smart and capable. Kylo wondered if he was someone’s father. If so, were they proud? They should be.

“Do you have kids?” Kylo was a bit horrified by the question, but he didn’t take it back. Austen was a stranger in his home, inspecting his stomach.

A sad-looking smile touched Austen’s lips. His blue gaze flipped upward and held his stare. “No. I’ve chased a lot of relationships over the years. They were always faster,” he added with a chuckle.

Kylo laughed too, but the words made him sad. Laughter always masked the pain of loneliness. It hurt to want people more than they wanted you. It made him sad to think of Austen wanting someone who treated him the way everyone treated Kylo.

“This doesn’t look horrible, but I also don’t like how it looks. Have you been trying to do too much?” Austen shook his head. “Don’t answer that. You look exactly like someone who does too much.”

A bark of laughter burst from Kylo. “What is that supposed to mean? I know how to follow doctor’s orders... I just don’t.”

Austen roared with laughter. The sound made Kylo smile. Austen swiped at his eyes. “That’s what I thought. Let me put some antibiotic ointment on this and then I’d like to give you a shot. I’ve also got some pills I’d like to leave you. We know nothing about the knife he used, and I’m sure it wasn’t clean.”Austen paused for a moment. “Actually, I should probably draw some blood too and run some tests. Just to be safe,” he added, as if he didn’t want Kylo to worry.

Kylo shrugged. “Whatever you feel is necessary. You’re the doctor.”

The laughter returned to Austen’s eyes. “I’m the doctor you don’t listen to.”

Kylo’s hands rose and fell. “To be fair, I don’t listen to anyone.”

Austen’s laughter lightened the black mood that had threatened to swallow him since Reggie tried again to visit.

“Would you like to stay for dinner?”

Austen’s smile never faltered. The happy light in his eyes never dimmed. “Sounds great.”

Kylo took a breath. He would be okay. He would find his way. Kylo always did somehow.

Chapter Three

Do you like tobe called daddy?The question burned into Beau’s brain, making his skin itch with a dark impatience. That, mixed with the way Austen had made Kylo smile, drove him insane. And who had tried coming up that elevator before the doctor? Kylo was just such a mystery to him. He didn’t know if he shouldn’t simply walk away. Kylo didn’t belong in his world. He couldn’t stop thinking about the panic in Kylo’s voice over that unexpected visitor. Beau had left, hoping to catch the guy. He hadn’t seen anyone who seemed desperate or out of place. Beau hadn’t stopped worrying all night. It was ridiculous. He had to do something.

“Rico.”

Rico snapped to attention. “Yes, sir.”

“Shadow Kylo. See if you spot anyone else doing the same. Something is nagging at me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rico headed for the door.

“Oh, and Rico, if you catch him, bring him to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

There. Beau had done his last good deed for Kylo. He could stop thinking about the guy. Beau needed to leave Kylo to the Austens of the world.

“You need to see this, Beau.”

Beau sat up from his overly relaxed pose on the couch. Henry was the only guard allowed to call him by his first name. He didn’t hear Henry excited often.

“What’s up?”

“An armored truck with several guards special delivered a box.” He handed a package to Beau. “All the dogs sniffed it. It’s not a bomb or drugs.”

Beau’s brow furrowed. Only one thing was written on the outside: Beau Bosi. Beau pulled out his pocketknife and sliced open the box. In his business, it could be anything. He held hisbreath. A smile exploded across his face as he pulled back the flaps. It was the crown. Beau shook his head as he unfolded the note inside.

I dub thee King Daddy.

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