Page 123 of Bully for Sale

“Do you want me to apologize?” Da asked. “Because I will if it helps. I’m sorry, Ezer, that I got you a wonderful alpha to—”

“Don’t.”

Da stopped talking. “You’re right. I’m sorry for being petty about this. You had a dream, and I took it from you, and even if your life right now isn’t bad, even if you like it, you still had a right to your dream.”

“Thank you. That’s all I wanted to hear.”

He rose and Da followed. They embraced and Ezer said, “I’m sure there’s time in my very busy chest-feeding schedule to meet with Finn next week, if you want.”

“He’d like that, and I would too.”

Their conversation and time together was at an end. Ezer wanted to follow his da upstairs and wave him goodbye, but he had to take Sundy to change his diaper, and make sure Ollie was sleeping securely on the sofa, with a pillow to keep him from rolling off should he miraculously develop the skill to do so. He turned his attention to those tasks.

“Hey.” Ned’s voice was quiet and solemn, startling Ezer enough that he almost dropped Ollie’s dirty diaper.

“Hi.” Ezer turned around after disposing of the diaper, cleaning his hands, and holding out the now fresh baby. He waved the infant’s little hand at his father. “Ollie’s all clean and happy to see you.”

“I’m happy to see him too,” Ned said, but he didn’t sound happy. In fact, he sounded grim.

“What’s wrong?”

Sundy’s cry burst from the couch area, and Ezer hastened to retrieve him, soothing the babe with gentle reassurances that Da was here. Ned followed him with Ollie and the four of them sat on the sofa, a snug family, cuddling together.

“Out with it,” Ezer said. “You’ll have to tell me sometime. It might as well be now.”

“Braden’s verdict came down today. I went to the courthouse to hear it read.”

Ezer froze. “Oh. You should have told me before you left.”

“I didn’t want you to think about it and worry all day.”

Ezer supposed that was fair. He’d been in a good mood that morning, and he’d enjoyed a pleasant day. If Ned had told him about the testimony, then he’d have spent the hours fretting. “Was it—I mean, how did it go?”

“Guilty.”

“Thank God.”

“Yeah.” He continued to frown though. “It’s going to be on the news. Everyone will know. There’s nothing the Tenmeters can do about it now. But the good news is your name won’t be attached. Since Braden’s father insisted on this being a closed court, your identity will remain undisclosed.”

Relief swept over Ezer again. He’d known that already, but it was good to be reassured that his privacy wouldn’t be violated. “So what’s wrong?”

“Braden isn’t going to get off completely. He has my testimony against him, and Uncle Heath’s. Those alone are enough to find him guilty. They’re talking about prison, but it won’t be the lengthy sentence we hoped. The Tenmeter family’s bribes assured that much at least.”

“It’s still better than I expected.”

“Is it?” Ned bit his lower lip. “You deserve so much more.”

Ezer sighed. “Why are you so sad? Talk to me.”

Ned let out a long breath. “All right. I have to tell you something else—well, several other things—and you might be very angry with me.”

“Get it over with then.”

“I talked to your father.”

“Why?”

“Because I returned the money he sent to my bank account as the payment for Sundy and Ollie.” He caught Ezer’s gaze and held it. “I’m not for sale and neither is my heart. I love you, and I want you to care for me one day. I don’t think you ever will if I’m being paid for handling your heats and for the births of our children. So I’m done with that.”