Page 29 of Daddy Protector (Night Ops Daddies #1)

Cole

Last night was quite the night. And that’s putting things mildly. There’s something about the connection Richie and I have when we get down to it, it’s like our bodies and most primal desires are matched deep inside our DNA.

But it’s morning now, and despite the plush surroundings, I know that today might not be the easiest of days. That’s life, though. And I’m not complaining… I’ve been through a lot worse and come out on the other side.

Still, the question remains. How will Hunter react to the news?

Morning sunlight floods the penthouse suite, streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows and painting the city in a golden glow, the parks and streets below looking picture perfect.

The suite is undeniably a masterpiece of elegance, its polished hardwood floors shimmering under plush cream rugs, the crystal chandelier scattering prismatic light across a sleek glass dining table.

The couch curves around a marble fireplace, its flames now dormant, while the kitchenette’s granite counters hold an empty champagne bottle, a silent witness to last night’s passionate celebration with Richie.

The king-sized bed, visible through an open arch, is a tangle of crisp white linens and scattered pillows, a testament to the intimacy that deepened our bond—Daddy and Little, lovers united in the wake of Xavier’s defeat.

Even thinking back to last night is enough to stir my cock from its slumber.

Damn, the boy is hot.

He knows what he wants.

And I love to give him exactly that…

I stand by the windows, coffee mug warm in my hands, the city’s skyline a breathtaking sprawl of skyscrapers and possibility, but as fun as it is to think back to last night, my thoughts are on Hunter. He’s due to arrive soon, unaware of the truth that could shift our world and change everything.

“Hunter’s a good man, he’ll get it,” I mutter under my breath, not even kidding myself. The reality is that I have no idea how Hunter will react. This is unlike anything I’ve ever had to face in my life.

Richie’s in the bathroom, freshening up, his soft humming floating through the suite, a melody that at least goes some way to sooth my nerves.

He’s my darling boy, my love. Our romance, forged in the safe house, motel, and in battle, is a fire that burns steady, but it’s also a secret that weighs way heavier than it should.

Hunter’s my brother, my mentor, the man who pulled me from a burning wreck in Haiti, who shaped me into the Night Ops Guard I am.

Telling him I’ve fallen for his son, that I’m his Daddy in every sense, feels like a betrayal of his trust, even if it’s the truest thing I’ve ever done.

“Fuck,” I grumble, knowing that the longer I have to wait, the worse the feeling of dread is going to get.

I sip my coffee, its bitter warmth grounding me, knowing I can’t delay the inevitable. This is happening, and no amount of fun and frolics in a luxury suite is going to change that. But Richie and I will face this together, our love a truth we’ll defend, no matter the cost.

Because here’s the thing…

I am willing to lose Hunter as a friend if it means that Richie and I are together. I don’t say it lightly, but it’s the truth. All I can do is hope that Hunter understands how we both feel and can be okay with it.

Richie is a different matter thought. Hunter is his father.

The last thing I want is for my presence in his life to put a rift between them.

The very thought of that makes me feel sick to my stomach.

It’s no good. It’s not the kind of karma I want.

I might be a Night Ops Guard and live in a world where morality is grey at the best of times, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel things.

And something I very much know is that I don’t want to put a barrier between a sweet boy and his father.

And suddenly, it looks like I’m about to be put out of my misery. One way or another, this is getting sorted. Right here and now…

“I’ll get it,” I call out, the suite buzzer sounding.

The suite’s intercom buzzes again, sharp and insistent, and I let Hunter up, my pulse quickening, a mix of anticipation and dread.

“Here he is, the man of the hour,” Hunter says, the elevator door opening and a look of quiet pride in his eyes as he greets me.

“Hunter, happy to help,” I reply. “Come inside. Richie’s just getting ready.”

Hunter steps into the suite, his broad frame commanding the room, his dark hair streaked with gray, his eyes sharp yet warm, carrying the scars of weeks evading Xavier’s cartel.

His worn jacket and scuffed boots speak of a hard road, but his presence is steady, the leader I’ve followed through hell on several occasions in the past. He crosses the polished floor, grinning, and pulls me into a firm embrace, his voice gruff with gratitude.

“Cole, you did it,” Hunter says. “You kept Richie safe, took down Xavier, ended this nightmare. I’m damn proud of the Night Ops Guard you’ve become. I always knew you were made for this.”

Hunter’s words land like a lifeline, validation from the man who taught me to lead, to protect, and I clasp his shoulder, my voice steady but thick with emotion.

“Thanks, Hunter,” I say, keeping my emotions under check. “That means everything, coming from you. We got through it. Me, Richie, Henry, the team. And we couldn’t have done it without your trust.”

I pause, the truth about Richie pressing against my chest, a confession I can’t hold back any longer. I’ve faced gunfire, ambushes, and cartels, but this moment—telling my best friend and brother I love his son—is the hardest mission yet.

I open my mouth, ready to speak, to lay bare my heart, but a soft step behind me interrupts…

“Pop!” Richie says, his beautiful eyes filling with tears of joy.

Richie emerges, his damp hair slicked back, his hoodie and jeans simple but his presence radiant. His eyes meet mine, a silent pact passing between us, his courage boosting my own.

Richie steps forward, his voice clear, unwavering, cutting through the suite’s golden light.

“Pop, there’s something we need to tell you,” Richie says, his gaze flicking to me, then back to Hunter, his chin lifted.

“Cole and I… we’re together. Not just as friends or protector and son.

We’re in love, Pop. He’s my Daddy, in every way.

My protector, my partner, my heart. It’s real, and we want you to know. ”

Damn.

He really went straight to it.

The boy’s got guts… way more than me too.

The air thickens, the suite’s elegance—its crystal glints, its city views—fading under the weight of his words.

Hunter’s face freezes, his eyes narrowing, a storm of emotions flashing across his weathered features—shock, confusion, a father’s instinct to shield his little boy.

I step beside Richie, my hand finding his, our fingers intertwining, my stance firm, ready to face his judgment.

“It’s true, Hunter,” I say, my voice steady, meeting his gaze head-on. “I love Richie, more than anything. It wasn’t planned, but it’s the truth. I’d give my life for him, and I’ll protect him always, as his Daddy, his partner, his man.”

Hunter steps back, running a hand through his hair, his jaw tight, the silence heavy, broken only by the distant hum of the city below.

My old commander’s eyes flick between us, lingering on our joined hands, on Richie’s resolute expression, on my unwavering resolve.

I see the conflict—his love for his son, his trust in me, warring with the shock of our bond.

“Richie, you’re my little boy,” Hunter says, his voice rough, pained, a father grappling with change. “And Cole, you’re my brother, the one I trusted with his life. This… it’s a lot to take in.”

Hunter pauses, his gaze softening as he studies Richie’s strength, my commitment, the love that binds us.

A wry smile breaks through, his shoulders easing, something changing inside him…

“But I’ve seen how you protected him, Cole, how you fought for him through hell,” Hunter says, a hint of something new in his voice. “And Richie, you’re stronger than I ever dreamed, taking on Xavier like that, saving Kash. If you two are sure, if this is what you want… I won’t stand in your way.”

Relief crashes over me, my grip on Richie’s hand tightening, his smile radiant beside me, a beacon in the suite’s glow.

“Thank you, Pop!” Richie says, his voice soft, his eyes shining with gratitude, and I nod, my heart swelling with appreciation for Hunter’s grace, his trust in us despite the shock.

I step forward, my voice earnest, a vow from both Daddy and Guard.

“Hunter, I swear, I’ll protect Richie with my life,” I say, meaning every word.

“He’s my world, and I’ll never let him down.

” I pause, a grin tugging at my lips, lightening the moment.

“Though, knowing Richie, he’ll probably protect me too.

His heroics with Xavier… throwing that pipe, saving Kash… he’s a force, your son.”

Hunter laughs, a knowing chuckle that shatters the last of the tension, his eyes twinkling with pride.

“Yeah, he’s got his mother’s fire and my stubborn streak,” Hunter says, smiling. “You two are gonna keep each other on your toes, that’s for damn sure.”

Hunter claps his hand on my shoulder, his approval a weight lifted, a bridge rebuilt between us. I feel an immense sense of pride, my friend and mentor handling this with the wisdom and heart I’ve always admired.

Everything feels perfect.

Richie’s hand in mine, Hunter’s blessing, the city’s glow a canvas for our future.

“C’mon,” Hunter says, gesturing to the door, his voice buoyant. “Let’s grab brunch, celebrate this day together. Xavier’s gone, you two are safe, and I’m starving for some God damn pancakes.”

Richie giggles, his Little side peeking through, a sparkle in his eyes that mirrors my joy, and I grab my jacket, the suite’s opulence fading as we move toward the elevator.

We step inside, Richie’s shoulder brushing mine, Hunter’s easy banter filling the space… stories of old ops, a tease about my coffee obsession. I listen and marvel at how far we’ve come.

From the safe house’s terror, the motel’s secrets, the mill’s bloody victory, to this moment, a new family forged in trust and love.

Richie’s my Little, my love, my partner, and Hunter’s acceptance seals our path forward, a future where we can be everything—Daddy and Little, lovers, protectors.

The city hums below, its energy a backdrop to our brunch, our new beginning, and I walk beside them, my heart full, knowing this moment, this unity, is everything I’ve fought for.

Perfect doesn’t begin to cover it—it’s home, it’s us, it’s forever .