Page 7

The hard way Kylo slept told Beau exactly how much Kylo still needed to heal. He left the bed, showered, and dressed. Beau sent someone to get flowers for Kylo for when he woke up. He arranged them next to the bed and had Pierre on standby to feed Kylo when he finally dragged himself downstairs. Kylo slept through it all without budging.

Henry appeared at his side as Beau reached the bottom of the stairs. He knew Beau. They made a good team. “SUV?”

“Yes. We’re picking up a few people?”

“Ah. The Yukon.”

Beau chuckled. Yeah. Henry knew him. The Yukon could hold up to nine people. He definitely needed that today. While Henry headed for the garage, Beau found Mickey.

Mickey’s green eyes swung Beau’s way at his approach. “What’s up, boss?”

“Kylo is still sleeping. When he wakes up, don’t let him leave. Tell him Pierre will be sad if he doesn’t eat the special meal he’s cooked for him. Say whatever it takes to get him to stay. He’s not safe outside this house.” He hesitated. Beau didn’t usually explain himself, but he was trying to be a new person. “Reggie hired that guy to stab him. I don’t want Kylo out of our sight until this is fixed.”

Mickey looked thunderous. “Don’t worry. I got this while you take care of that guy. Fucking Reggie,” Mickey muttered under his breath, making Beau smile.

He felt like he was on the right track. Beau motioned for Rico to come with him. They piled into the SUV and headed for The PlayPen. Beau had already checked with his connection. His sons were there. Fewer trips were best, and this wasn’t the type of thing he could discuss anywhere but the safety of Banks’ club. Still, his impatience made the ride feel like it took forever. He nearly growled in relief when Henry dropped him at the door. Rico watched his back as they headed inside. He must have looked exactly how he felt because Boone and Banks went on alert the moment they spotted him.

He didn’t waste time. “Leave Shane to watch your boys. I need you to come with me.” They stood without question and moved to let their husbands know. Adan’s husband sat at the table, looking bored and ignoring Beau. Beau felt nothing for Adan or him, except a fondness for the friendship they gave his sons. “You want in on this too?”

Axton’s eerie light gaze focused on him. He looked like the killer he was. “Where you headed?”

“To kill a pedophile.”

Axton stood. “Let me tell Adan to stay close to Shane until I get back.”

Beau dipped his chin. Something stirred in his chest. He had fucked up more in his life than most people did in ten lifetimes, and still these men didn’t hesitate to back him. It was more loyalty than he deserved, but he hoped to earn it someday. But today, Beau needed to be the bastard who took the west coast weapons trade by force. Beau was a lot of things, and his moral compass was practically zero, but he was no groomer. He wouldn’t allow one to live who had harmed one of his. An evil smile tugged at his lips. Just ask Adan’s uncle. Oops. Not possible without a seance.

In under ten minutes, he had his boys loaded into the SUV. They rode in silence for much longer than he could stand. He needed to warn them about what they were headed into.

“You should know. I’m going after Reggie.”

No one seemed surprised to hear he was a child groomer.

Boone nodded. “Good.”

Beau fought a smile. They might have their issues, but they always had each other’s backs. It was more than most could say.

Kylo took himself on a tour of the house while he waited for Beau’s return. Mickey hadn’t mentioned where Beau had gone and his cageyness on the matter said Kylo was probably better off not knowing. With a general idea, thanks to Pierre, of what areas of the house to avoid, he wandered aimlessly. He left the employees' quarters alone. There were so many rooms. A majority were obviously unused. It didn’t take him long to get bored and move back to the kitchen, seeking company.

Mickey smiled at his appearance. “You want some coffee?”

Kylo sat at the table with him. “No, thank you. Another cup and I’ll be bouncing off the walls.”

“That’s okay. No one will judge.”

He had nice green eyes. They had laugh lines around them. That said a lot about how happy of a person he was. “How long have you worked for Beau?”

Mickey looked thoughtful, as if adding years in his head. “About twenty years, I guess.”

That answer took Kylo by surprise. “What? Did you start working here at ten?”

Mickey laughed, nearly spewing coffee since Kylo caught him mid drink. “Seventeen.”

Kylo hated that he was being so nosey, but he didn’t stop. “You don’t look thirty-seven, but seventeen? That’s awful young to become someone’s bodyguard.”

“I didn’t start as that.” He chuckled and shook his head, as if recalling something funny. “Beau saved me from the streets. He likes to pretend he kidnapped and enlisted a possible witness to one of his crimes, but you have to let someone like Beau keep their hardened reputation.”

“Kidnapped? This sounds like a story I need to hear.”

Mickey shrugged. “It’s not that exciting. I was just one of the many homeless teens who ended up here. In my case, I was in an alley, tagging a building.” Mickey laughed again, as if he couldn’t believe he had once been a dumb teen, doing dumb teen stuff. “There was a black SUV parked nearby. I kept glancing its way, because it was definitely out of place for the rough neighborhood. Suddenly, these guys in suits poured out, and I was kindly asked to get in the car, except it clearly wasn’t a request, you know? I had no idea what would happen, but I was pretty sure I was dead if I got in that SUV. Unfortunately, there were way more of them than me and they had guns, so I got in the vehicle. Apparently, Beau was there to do business, and I was in the wrong place at the right time. Since it was very possible I had seen stuff I shouldn’t have, my choices were join up or die.” Mickey stared at nothing for a second before continuing. “The funny thing is, I’ve thought about that day more times than I can count. I don’t think any deal went down. I think Beau just saved me.”

Kylo’s chest warmed. Beau was such an enigma. He was happy they met. Kylo opened his mouth to dig for more, and the door flew open. A blood-covered Banks rushed inside, looking wild-eyed.

Mickey was on his feet in an instant. “Where?”

“In the SUV.”

Mickey was racing through the house before the words died on Banks’ lips. Kylo was right behind him with his heart in throat and a chant running through his mind. Please don’t let it be Beau. It was Beau. He froze in his tracks as Boone and Henry carried Beau inside. Blood was everywhere. He couldn’t get a good look at Beau with him surrounded by people. A guy with long, platinum hair held pressure on a wound. He was pale and obviously in shock.

The guy’s gaze landed on Mickey as Mickey danced around, obviously looking for a way to help. “He took a bullet for me. Why would he do that?”

Kylo took a breath. Beau needed him. “Get him upstairs. Mickey, go get Austen. Break every speed limit.”

Mickey nodded and was out the door.

“Someone needs to get Jupiter. I can’t—” Boone was obviously on the edge of hyperventilating.

“Who is Jupiter?”

Boone focused on him. He looked like Kylo’s question gave him a much needed grounding point. “My husband. He’s at The PlayPen with Kyson and Adan.”

Kylo nearly flinched at hearing Adan’s name. Now wasn’t the time to question if it was Beau’s Adan. It didn’t matter. Kylo focused on another guard he didn’t know. “Go to The PlayPen and pick up the Littles. Take them to Adan’s playroom when you get back. They don’t need to see this.” With orders in place, Kylo followed everyone upstairs to the same bed where Beau had made love to him. That was where Kylo got his first good look at Beau. He was awake but visibly gritting his teeth. Kylo didn’t hesitate to climb on the bed and sit by his head so he could run his fingers through his hair.

“Hey, baby.” Beau sounded totally calm for someone who likely had next to no blood left... if all this was his.

“Did you have a busy day?”

Beau tried to laugh and ended up wincing.

Kylo shushed him. “Don’t listen to me. You know I get weirder when I’m stressed.”

“I love that about you.”

“Dr. Fowler is on his way. You didn’t have to try to outdo me.”

Beau wore a huge smile despite his circumstances. “I have to show you what’s it like to deal with a terrible patient who won’t relax. It’s only fair.”

Kylo glanced up for a second, hoping to see the doctor rush through the door. Everyone stared at them—like they couldn’t believe their eyes. Kylo dismissed them and went back to focusing on Beau. He kissed his forehead. His lips lingered. Kylo couldn’t pull away. He was so fucking scared. They had just found each other.

“Don’t be scared. I’ll never leave you.”

Kylo swallowed past the lump in his throat at Beau’s promise. Beau needed him to be strong. “I know, because I’d dig you up and kick your ass.”

He heard Beau’s weak chuckle.

“Mickey, Henry, and Rico. You three can stay.” Kylo’s head shot up at the barked order. Austen was there. He looked ready to go to battle. “Boone and Banks, get cleaned up. I might need you too. This might take a while, and I need people who are rested. Kylo, there’s a room full of Littles next door. They’re scared and confused. You’re the steadiest person I know. They need you.”

Kylo wanted to argue that Beau needed him more, but he knew Austen tried to protect him from reality. Beau was in bad shape. Still, he didn’t budge. If Beau didn’t make it, Kylo would be at his side until the end.

“Please, baby. My sons-in-law aren’t as brave as you are. I’ll feel better knowing you’re with them.”

He was torn. Kylo didn’t give a shit about these people he didn’t know. Beau mattered to him.

“Please.” Beau held his stare.

Kylo knew this was a man who didn’t use that word often. He nodded. “Okay, Daddy.” He pressed a kiss to Beau’s lips and forced himself from the bed. His legs didn’t want to hold him on his walk to the playroom, but he knew he had to be brave. It was what Beau wanted.