Page 36 of Disciplinary Action
“Des is going to bring her back over tonight. I didn’t want to overwhelm you until we had a chance to talk and discuss your responsibilities.”
Cal laughed. “Are you giving me a chore list, Daddy?”
Gideon clenched Cal’s hair, tugging it back. “Oh, absolutely. We all have responsibilities around here, and the rules will be enforced. Failure to follow Daddy’s rules will result in punishment.”
“So, I only get punished if I don’t follow the rules?” Cal said, unable to hide his disappointment.
“Oh, no. That’s not how this works. You’ll be punished daily as a reminder that I am the head of this household. Failure to follow Daddy’s rules will result in more…imaginative punishments. Do you understand?”
Cal swallowed hard. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good boy. Now, what do you feel like having for dinner?”
“A bucket of pasta,” Cal said dreamily.
“No.”
“A huge bag of candy from Sloane’s?” Cal asked, eyes wide and hopeful.
“Nice try. I’ll grab the takeout menus, and we’ll both find something not likely to send you back to the hospital.”
Cal sighed, feigning sadness. “Yes, Daddy.”
It was ten-thirty when Des arrived to deliver Cal’s canine companion. The moment Gideon opened the door, Cal dropped to his knees and called the dog who bolted to the boy, knocking him to the floor and licking his face like they were long lost friends. Cal giggled in delight. The musical sound did funny things to Gideon’s insides. He hadn’t seen the boy genuinely happy since their very first night together where they’d eaten cold noodles naked in Gideon’s bed.
Des entered, still in his pale blue scrubs. “Sorry, I’m late, man. We had an emergency. A boa constrictor named Baby ate an entire bath towel.”
Cal glanced up, eyes wide, but didn’t get up off the floor. He just laid there and let the dog nuzzle him.
“Come on in,” Gideon said, stepping aside. “Desmond, this is Callum. Callum, this is my friend, Des.”
Cal sat up, not seeming to mind at all when the pit bull plopped her whole self in his lap. “You have friends?” he asked, smirking.
“Leo has one friend. Me,” Des said, laughing at Gideon.
“Leo?” Cal snorted, eyes lighting up.
Gideon rolled his eyes. To Des, he said, “Want a beer?”
Des narrowed his eyes at him. “I don’t know, man. Is it that fancy pants ale shit or real beer?”
“It’s Guinness, dick,” Gideon said.
“In that case…” Des headed towards the kitchen to help himself to the contents of the fridge. He snagged two beers, handing one to Gideon as if he were the guest and not Des.
“Can I have a beer too,Leo?” Cal asked, making eyes at Gideon.
“No, you can take that mongrel and go brush your teeth. Then you can check your sugar and go to bed. You have to be back at school tomorrow.”
“You get that I’m an adult, right?” Cal pouted, arm looped around Alexa’s neck. Gideon didn’t respond, simply hooked a brow upwards, giving Cal a look. “Ugh. Fine,” Cal grumped before stomping his way into the bathroom.
When Gideon turned to Des, his beer was paused halfway to his lips. “Man, you are one kinky motherfucker. This shit really gets you off, huh?”
Gideon’s brows rose. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Des made a noise of disbelief. “Yeah, sure.”
Once they were seated outside, feet propped up on the railing, Des asked, “Seriously, what’s the deal with you and the toddler in there?”
