Kylian pulled out his phone as he let himself into his room. He called his dad.
Bryson answered on the first ring. “Hey, angel. How’s your trip going?”
A smile exploded across his lips at the sound of his dad’s voice. He sounded so happy to hear from Kylian. It was always that way. Kylian recognized he had the best dad on the planet, despite his secrets. Despite his tendency to work with criminals. “Hey, Dad. It’s been great. I’m coming back early, though. Can you have someone pick me up from the airport later?”
“Sure. But why are you coming home tonight? Is everything okay?”
Kylian pulled out his suitcase and started packing. “Everything is great. I just miss everyone. I think I should’ve come home for a couple of weeks at the end of the school year first and gotten my fill of hugs before taking this trip.”
“We miss you too. Hold on a second.” Muttering from the background came through the phone before his dad was back. “King says to text him the time of your flight and he’ll pick you up.”
Kylian couldn’t stop smiling. King had once been his dad’s personal guard before marrying him. They were the perfect couple and Kylian adored King. Not to mention, King had been the one who taught him how to defend himself and fight back. Kylian loved him. “That sounds great. I’ll let you both know as soon as I have my ticket.”
“Do I need to arrange a private flight?”
Even though no one could see him, Kylian shook his head. “I’m good. I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. Be careful.”
“I will. I love you both.”
“We love you too.”
Kylian disconnected the call. He had to get moving and get out of New York. Kylian might be crazy, but he wasn’t dumb. He knew Rian McKinley ran this town. The only thing Kylian had never understood was why the head of the Irish mafia had targeted him. He had done nothing to deserve it. Now Kylian couldn’t say that anymore and it felt damn good.
Chapter Two
Beingbackhomeinhis childhood bed always calmed Kylian’s soul. He knew he was grown and should enjoy the freedom of adulthood. Life wasn’t like that for Kylian. His dads, Bryson and King, were his whole world. They were his safe space. Kylian was ashamed to admit it, so he hadn’t, but he didn’t want to go out into the world and make something of himself. He wanted to stay home and be coddled. Maybe he was spoiled. Mostly, there just wasn’t a single thing he saw himself doing for the rest of his life. College felt pointless. He had no goals. The only place Kylian was truly happy was here.
A light tapping came from his window. A smile snapped to Kylian’s lips. He finished zipping his bunny onesie and rushed to open the curtains. Sean waved at the sight of him. With a squeal, Kylian dropped to his knees and swung the window open. The lanky, red-haired security guard on the other side was one of his favorite people. Sean had escorted him everywhere as a teen. Kylian was thrilled to see him.
“Oh, my gosh. How are you?”
Sean’s green eyes flashed with kindness and happiness—like he was genuinely excited to see Kylian. “Hey. I’m good. How are you? I just came on duty and saw your light on. I hoped that meant you were actually here.”
Kylian couldn’t stop smiling. “Yep. I just got in a couple of hours ago.”
“Weren’t you supposed to be in New York?”
Kylian shrugged. “I missed home. What have you have been doing while I was at school?”
Sean put his hands in his pockets and leaned back on his heels. “You’re looking at it. Just walking the perimeter every night.”
“Have things been quiet?” Things weren’t always quiet around his dad’s place. It had gotten shot up one night while Kylian had been out with friends. Thankfully, Sean had been on duty and killed the man who had been trying to kill Bryson. Since Bryson did a lot of business with criminals, something Kylian had only recently learned, they were always in danger. Kylian had always thought he needed a guard because they were rich and that made them a target, but no. His dad made land deals with crime lords. Learning that tidbit had been a shock, but nothing could make Kylian stop loving his dad.
Sean shrugged. “Everything has been completely uneventful.”
Kylian nodded. He knew Sean would always be honest with him. “I’ve missed you.”
The sweetest smile Kylian had ever seen touched Sean’s lips. “I’ve missed you too.” He glanced down and toed the ground for a second before meeting Kylian’s stare again. “Every time you leave, I always figure it’ll be the last time. Then I’ll be stuck circling this house all night with no one to talk to anymore.”
Before Kylian had left for college and every time he came home, they spent hours talking through his window just like this. Sean had always gone with him to Kylian’s best friend’s house each time he spent the night. He was a real friend. Sean knew all his secrets. Well, almost all. He didn’t know about Rian.
“Can I tell you something?”
Sean moved closer. “Of course.”
“I don’t want to go back to Princeton.”