Page 48 of Destroyer

“He won't throw you out. Sit tight, I'm going to call him, OK?”

“OK. I am under the table where the voices cannot find me.”

I regret my urge to throw it across the room as soon as I release my grip, but it only lands on the carpet a little way from me. Once again, the bloody thing doesn't break.

Chapter thirty-one

Caeo

I'mnotsuremyheart can handle a relationship with Nico. Before we've even tracked down Gregory, Porter phones Knox in a flap.

The worst part is Porter has no idea what Nico said to him. Just ranting that the house isn't on fire and the door is closed.

“I guess it's bring your brat to work day,” Knox laughs as he takes a gamble with an orange light at the traffic crossing.

“I don't suppose Porter needs a puppy at the art studio? Nico could probably fetch water; he makes a great cup of coffee.”

“Can't you just leave him in a playpen when you're gone?” Knox chuckles.

I am tempted. God, that boy isn't house trained. I could. He's already tied up in a nappy, purely from a stubbornness point of view. I'd rather bring him hog tied in the boot than leave him behind again.

I race up the drive as Knox parks the car, racing to the dining room at the back of the house.

Nico's phone is lying on the floor, I only find it when my foot hits the screen with a crunch. There is no Nico at the table.

“I did get down from the chair,” his voice calls meekly from under the table.

“Nico, what happened?” I crouch down to see him huddled between the four chairs.

“I did phone Chrisian Balen when last I see Gregory. He moaned all the time that I should phone my grandfather and would stop nagging if I did. Now Andrei has my number, and he did call.”

“Come on out, sweetie. We can sit on the sofa, and you can tell me everything.”

Nico nods and wiggles towards me like a horny caterpillar.

“Shall I carry you, baby?”

“Yes Daddy.”

My eyes close as he says that word, pressing his head into my shoulder. It isn't a trick word; he isn't baiting me for control. That is his word for me. His protector, his saviour, his lover. That word is trust, vulnerability and control and he is giving it to me.

“You didn't do anything wrong.” As his breathing levels off, I lift him up and carry him through to the living room where Knox is waiting, on his phone to a fraught Porter.

“Porter is insisting on coming over. I'll wait outside.” Knox covers his phone to excuse himself.

I sit down, holding Nico across my lap. He leans against me, boneless and still. He could be sleeping with how limp he has gone.

“Can you check my die-purr, please Daddy?”

My instinct is to refuse to change him, but I was the one who left him with no alternative arrangements.

“Sure, baby. But you'll have to change it yourself if it's wet.”

“Not is it wet. I just want you to touch my willy.”

If I hadn't been halfway in, I would have stopped, but what the heck, if he wants me to stroke his cock, who am I to refuse him.

“You have to tell me everything.”

---