Page 55 of Fight Me Daddy

"No," I said as I opened the car door and shoved him into the passenger seat. "You don't get to speak to me except to say very specific things. Yes, Daddy. No, Daddy. Thank you, Daddy. Do I make myself clear?"

Calix stared up at me. "I-"

"No!" I snapped. "What did I just fucking say?" I gripped his cheeks hard and squeezed. "Say it!"

He shivered, his eyes wide. "Yes, Daddy."

I stepped back and slammed the car door shut. The fire in my chest rose and it took everything not to scream at Calix. Did he know how stupid he was coming here? How close he was to death? No, he'd charged into the situation and hadn't used his fucking brain and for that, I wanted to break every bone in his goddamn body.

But I couldn't.

I slipped into the car and stared at him. Calix was untouchable. Not even I could hurt him. I reached out, wanting to touch his face to make sure that he was alright. But Calix threw himself back as if I would do something terrible.

My blood ran cold and I turned back around. I shifted gears hard. My jaw tightened until pain shot up my face. I ignored it and drove faster. Someone was going to pay for this whirlwind of emotions that wouldn't shut the fuck up.

We pulled up outside of Calix's house and I moved quickly. I was on a mission. When I yanked him out of the passenger side, he grumbled.

"I can walk!"

"One more word," I warned him. "Just one and I'll do something I'll regret."

Calix shut up immediately. The look in his eyes held contempt and I didn't give a damn if he was angry at me right now. I would take all of his wrath if it meant that he was home, safe, and alive.

I unlocked his door and led him inside. As much as I wanted to take him upstairs, demand answers, and get him cleaned up, I had other places to be. I stood by the door as he started up the stairs. When I didn't follow, he turned and glanced back at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Going out," I said shortly. "What were you thinking, Calix? Who was that man?"

Calix frowned. "What man?"

"Don't test me," I said. "The one on the ground that I put a bullet in."

"Oh, that guy. I have no idea." He grimaced. "All I know is he's Russian."

"Why was he chasing you?"

Calix's frown deepened. "I heard something."

I blinked at Calix and waited. Talking to him was like trying to pull teeth and I was ready to drag him over my knee and spank his ass raw. He was hiding something.

"I heard a name. Andrei. The guy had that tattoo with the skull and the snake."

I froze. "How did you know about that tattoo?" I asked. "I've never told you about it."

Calix looked like he wanted to run and I narrowed my eyes daring him to. I would chase him down and tie him to the bed before I would allow him to get out of my questions. Someone had told Calix about that tattoo.

"Who told you?" I demanded. "And don't lie or even hesitate."

Calix must have seen how serious I was because he licked his lips and shuddered. "Conor Kelley."

Conor fucking Kelley. He had sent Calix into the belly of the beast to no doubt collect information. I wanted to kick his ass, but I knew the rules. We were in a state of peace with the Irish which meant killing them was off-limits. And even if it wasn't? Conor was a top dog. If we took him out, none of us would get an ounce of peace. It would be war and everyone would end up dead.

"Go to bed," I muttered as I turned around and gripped the doorknob. "Do not leave this house."

"Where are you going?"

I slammed the door behind me before I locked it. I wasn't in the mood to talk to Calix, not before I took care of what needed to be done. Afterward, I would come back and hold him until he tried to push me away, but even then I would hold him more tightly.

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