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“Deviant. You’re a sexual deviant.” Mother reached for the wineglass in front of her. “How will I be able to hold my head up in front of our pride?”

“So you say. But unlike you two, I’ll spend the rest of my life with my loving mates. And by the way, Mother, the pride could give a shit. They dislike you both immensely and can’t stand how fake you both are. You rule with fear when they require patience and understanding. But you don’t get it, do you?”

“Need I remind you what is at stake, Christoph?” It didn’t surprise him in the least his father ignored everything he said. He did it every single time. Evidently, his father wouldn’t be distracted from his agenda tonight.

“Oh, you’ve reminded me over the last seven years what’s at stake. Funny how it only affects you two. Not me. I could give a shit.”

Bell’s tiny hand moved from the top of the table to rest on his thigh. She gave it a gentle squeeze, giving him a boost of her strength and determination. Everything would be okay.

“Fuck the little nobody whore and him if you must. Get it out of your system. Sow your oats.” His father stood abruptly, causing his chair to topple over. The little boy beside him covered his ears and began to tremble. Could it be his parents finally had another child together?

“Careful, Father. You’re drawing attention to us. You never know who’s here, watching us—you. God forbid they assume the worst, or they think less of you,” he snarled. Fear no longer controlled him. “Bell or Jackson aren’t nobodies. Nor is Bell a whore. How dare you speak about her like that. They are mymates!”

His father ignored him. “Fuck them do what you please with them, but don’t impregnant your bitch. I expect you to get your ass home by the end of the school semester. You will do what you’re told, Christoph, or you will regret it.”

Jerking out of his seat, he glanced at Bell and Jackson, who had surprisingly kept his mouth closed during the confrontation with his parents. “I choose my mates. You can shove your expectations up your ass.”

“I hope the little whore is worth it.” His mother placed her empty glass down. “We’ll cut off your funding. Every dime, Christoph. Do you think she’ll want you when you’re penniless? A nobody?”

It didn’t escape his notice his parents still refused to even acknowledge Jackson’s presence.

Jackson stood then. “Listen you piece of shi—”

“Jackson.” Catching his gaze, Christoph shook his head. “Trust me, they are not worth it. Plus, it falls on deaf ears. They hear what they want to hear. Nothing more.” He glanced at his parents, knowing he had an ace up his sleeve with Rapier’s offer. But he didn’t want to lay all his cards out at once. “Dinner is over. I won’t subject my mates to this type of abuse. I’ll deal with you both when I know they are cared for.” He pointed to the kid who cowered in his seat. “You might want to also learn some control, you’ve scared the shit out of this little boy.”

Jackson pulled Bell’s chair out then helped her up, and, together, they walked away from his parents’ table. He handed off the valet ticket to the guy waiting by the door before saying, as they waited, “I noticed you weren’t really clear with your parents about the complexity of our relationship.”

Christoph shrugged. “It’s really not their business. I told them I’m not gay.”

“Yeah, but you let them assume you’re bi,” Jackson hedged.

“Yes, I did. I think being bi would piss my dad off even more. We both know what we are to one another. Why do we have to define it to them? All they’d do is make the situation worse for all of us.” Christoph shrugged.

“I don’t. Just wanted to make sure when we finally end up fucking each other, you don’t have any regrets.” Jackson held his gaze, daring him.

“You have nothing to fear. I have a feeling once I have my fill of both of you, you’ll both be so fucking desperate, you won’t be able to move without being fucked first.”Cocky much?

The valet pulled up in Christoph’s red truck and seconds later, handed him the keys. “Okay. Enough about sex and who is fucking who. Let Jackson drive.” Bell spoke for the first time since they had met his parents.

Jackson took the keys out of his hands and moved to the driver’s side. He looked at Bell, questioning her odd request.

“I just think you need a hug, and I’m going to be the one to give it to you. We’re going to hop in the backseat, and I’m going to hold you till we get home.”

“Better hope your dad isn’t waiting for you at the house. Hard to explain your arms around me,” he teased. For the first time in a long time, the weight of the world eased off his shoulders.

“Wait, your dad’s here?” Jackson glanced at him from the rearview mirror. “How come I’m just finding out about this?”

“Bell’s hesitant to tell him about the three of us. After seeing and speaking with him, I completely understand why. Dude is scary, and I don’t scare easily. But, I did explain things, though I believe Bell should speak with her father as well and be honest.”

“Are you going to tell him about us?” He didn’t miss the look of hurt that flashed across Jackson’s face. Bell must have seen it, too, because she leaned forward, resting her hand on his shoulder.

“Yes. But he’s the type of man you ease into these situations. Please trust me to know how to deal with my parents,” she pleaded with Jackson.

“I do trust you, and I will let you handle it.” Jackson turned around, put the car in gear, and drove away from the restaurant.

“Oh, and if he asks directly, skirt the issue. It’s safer that way.” Christoph laid his hand on her knee. “After talking to him, I understand her reasoning.”

Bell snuggled into Christoph’s side and placed her hand over his heart. Her unconditional love and warmth overwhelmed him. He sank into her embrace, but he couldn’t relax. There was something about the little boy he couldn’t shake. Christoph had a feeling before everything was said and done, he wasn’t going to like the answers that he received.