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A loud silence waited for Kylo inside the playroom. At his first look at the three men dressed in pajamas, Kylo knew Beau was right. Two of them looked terrified. The third comforted the blood-soaked platinum-blond from earlier.

Kylo closed the door, hiding the carnage from view. He slowly moved to the coloring table where everyone sat and claimed a chair. Kylo took a breath. He focused on the blond. “Tell me what happened.”

“Who are you?” The pretty brunette dressed as a cat didn’t sound as catty as his outfit. He merely sounded upset and confused.

“My name is Kylo. Beau and I...” He trailed off because he didn’t know what to call them. They had established they were exclusive, but he didn’t have a title for them.

“He’s your daddy.”

At the brunette’s claim, Kylo nodded. “What’s your name?”

“I’m Adan.” Of course he was. He was fucking flawless. Kylo had never felt more lacking in his life. Adan stroked the blond’s hair—who was still obviously in shock. “This is my husband, Axton.”

“I’m Jupiter. Boone’s husband,” Jupiter said, pulling Kylo’s gaze his way.

Kylo dipped his chin and focused on the last Little, the only one he recognized. “Kyson, right? Banks’ husband? You gave me a few guest passes to The PlayPen a while back when we met at a library story hour.”

Kyson nodded. “It’s good to see you.”

Kylo forced a smile to his lips. “You too.” He looked around. “It’s really nice to meet all of you. I hate that it’s under these circumstances.” Kylo focused on Axton. “Earlier, you said he took a bullet for you. Will you please tell me what happened?”

Axton swallowed. His eerie light eyes looked more confused than anything. Of course, he also looked hardened by life, so Kylo didn’t have a good read on him. “Beau came by The PlayPen this morning and asked if we wanted to join him to hunt down a pedophile.”

Kylo’s heart sank. He had a bad feeling he knew where this was headed.

Axton kept going. “Beau and I don’t get along... for obvious reasons,” he said, motioning Adan’s way and looking uncomfortable for the first time.

Kylo stiffened his backbone. “I know the story. It’s fine.” He wasn’t sure he actually knew anything, but he needed Axton to keep going, and he didn’t currently give a shit about their story.

Axton nodded. “Anyhow, as soon as I heard where he was headed, our past didn’t matter. I’m always down to do some ratchet shit for the right reasons.” A small smile appeared on Adan’s lips and Kylo swore he felt the love between them. He felt oddly close to Adan in that moment—like they were somehow connected by their ability to see past a hard man’s faults.

Axton shook his head. “I don’t really know what happened. It’s like they knew we were coming. The second we rolled from the vehicle, bullets were flying. One second, I was halfway out of the SUV, and the next, Beau shoved me to the ground.” Axton shallowed. “He took a shot that should’ve killed me. Why would he do that?”

Kylo knew in his heart he would regret asking, but he had to know. “Who was Beau after?”

“Reggie Ferris. He’s a big-time drug dealer in this area. Beau said he had let the guy live too long, but now he knew Reggie had groomed a child and he couldn’t let that stand.”

Kyson snorted. “That’s rich.”

Kylo’s gaze shot toward Kyson. “How so?” Even though he thought he might be sick, knowing Beau had gotten shot going after Reggie because of him, he didn’t like Kyson’s insinuation.

Kyson motioned silently toward Adan.

Kylo’s gaze shot Adan’s way.

Adan took an audibly tired-sounding breath. “Okay, guys. We have to talk about this. More than anything, I want to be friends and leave my past in the past. But that’ll never truly happen until we speak candidly about my and Beau’s relationship. Maybe you don’t see it, but I feel like this is constantly hanging over my head and in the back of everyone’s mind. Now isn’t the time, but this is something that needs to be said for my peace.” He took another deep breath. This one sounded like it hurt. “I was never a child.”

Kylo’s heart dropped at the statement because he knew what that meant. He had been that kid.

Adan kept going with a strength Kylo didn’t possess. “Not for a day, as far back as I can remember, was I ever a child.”

Kylo’s eyes fell closed. He had at least been much older than that. There were so many child molesters in the world, ripping away the years of innocence everyone deserved.

After clearing his throat, Adan pressed on. “When I met Boone, I was fucked up. It probably doesn’t matter to anyone else, especially Boone, and I know it excuses nothing I’ve done, but I was fucked up.” Adan said the words with his whole chest—like he couldn’t stress enough how bad his mental health had been. He kept going, proving how strong he was now. “Maybe I had finally made it to adulthood, but my soul didn’t. I don’t think I truly loved anyone, especially myself. All my buttons were set to self-destruct, and I didn’t care who I took with me. Whatever it took to not feel anything, that’s what I did.” His eyes suddenly filled with tears, and he visibly swallowed. “That’s not Beau’s fault. In fact, I think he was in the same boat for different reasons, and it was so much easier to be fucked up with someone who couldn’t judge me. Boone had always only known love. He didn’t and couldn’t understand what it looked like inside my head. It still kills me, knowing how much pain I caused, and I can never fix it. All I can do is be better. But please stop hating Beau on my behalf, because it only makes me feel twice as guilty. If you can’t let go of anything else he’s done, there’s nothing I can do about that, but his relationship with me was on both of us. I’ll never feel like we’re truly friends until you see me for who I really am. I was a victim, but I wasn’t Beau’s victim. If anything, this gilded cage…” He motioned around the room. “It was my moment to breathe and heal from things no child should ever endure. Without those years, I could’ve never found the real love I have now.”

Kylo didn’t care they were sitting in the playroom built for this man who Beau once obviously cared about, maybe even loved. He couldn’t watch anyone hurt the way he saw Adan hurting. Kylo stood and hugged Adan. He half expected to get shoved away. To his surprise, Adan hugged him back—like he truly needed Kylo’s embrace.

Adan touched his lips to Kylo’s ear and whispered, keeping his words private. “I can see you really love him. You have no idea how badly he needs that. Thank you. For his sons’ sake, thank you.”

Kylo’s eyes burned with unshed tears. He pulled away and swiped at them on the sly. Kylo moved away from the family while they continued their candid discussion that had obviously been needed for a long time. He hoped they would continue to heal, and one day Beau had his kids back because of this open conversation. Right now, all he could think about was Beau and whatever was happening on the other side of the playroom door. He had never felt more alone, and that was saying a lot. All these people, they had someone. Past issues or not, they were sticking together. As always, Kylo just had himself.

Adan was the first one to wrap his arms around him. Then Jupiter and Kyson joined in. Kylo couldn’t say what happened. He simply fell apart. Kylo ugly cried and he couldn’t stop. His entire life, Kylo had faced everything alone. Beau had given him someone to lean on for the first time and he might lose him as quickly as he found him. The worst part was knowing it was his fault. He had gone after Reggie for him. Once again, Reggie had taken from him. It couldn’t stand. Reggie had better be dead. If not, he would be. Kylo would make sure of it.

Austen was exhausted in ways they hadn’t invented words for yet. Back-to-back emergencies kept hitting him. He never dreamed it would be so hard to keep the rich alive, but goddamn. They were always up to some shit, from drug overdoses to getting shot. He was one man doing the work of twenty. Austen just wanted a nap. Unfortunately, it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

He found Kylo sitting alone in the kitchen and staring at nothing. Kylo jumped slightly when Austen set his hand on his shoulder. Pretty blue eyes focused on him. Another one who got away because Austen worked too much and couldn’t pursue him the way he wanted.

“He’s sleeping, but I feel certain he’ll pull through.”

Kylo’s shoulders sagged. “Thank you. You’re a miracle worker.”

A sad smile pulled at Austen’s lips. He wished that wasn’t all he was. It got old existing for no other reason. “You should probably rest.”

Kylo nodded. “I know, but I was just waiting to hear how Beau is doing before I take care of something.”

Austen grabbed a chair and sat. He didn’t like the dark look in Kylo’s eyes. “I just stitched you back together. Whatever you’re thinking, please let it go. This has to stop somewhere.”

A wry smile passed over Kylo’s lips. “Why does everyone think I’m weak?”

Austen snorted. “No one who saw you after getting attacked could possibly think that. Beau will need you here when he wakes up and he’ll kill me if he finds out I knew you planned to do something stupid, and I did nothing to stop it.”

“Then come with me.”

The instant horror couldn’t be hidden.

Kylo laughed at his expression. “How long will it be before Beau wakes up?”

“Likely hours.”

“Good.” Kylo stood. “You can come with me, or I can go alone. It makes no difference to me.”

“This is dumb, Kylo. Reggie already almost killed Beau. You know he’ll be on high alert, watching for someone to come after him in retribution. Let this go for the night.”

“I’m not going to see Reggie. I have a different errand to run.”

Relief washed over Austen. As long as they weren’t going after Reggie, he could spare a little time for Kylo. “Oh. Okay. Sure, I guess. I don’t think you should go anywhere alone right now.”

With a nod, Kylo took Austen’s hand and pulled him to his feet. He grabbed a gun and a set of car keys from the kitchen island. “Let’s find out what these go to.”

Austen groaned. Kylo would definitely get him killed, especially if this trip was anywhere other than to get ice cream. He doubted as much since Kylo worked to hide the gun, which he definitely shouldn’t need, inside his teddy bear pajamas. Still, he got in a car with the guy and put on his seatbelt like a goddamn idiot.

They didn’t speak on the drive. The radio stayed silent. Despite his dread, Austen dozed. The exhaustion beat him. Finally, Kylo stopped in front of an unmarked building.

“Stay behind me.” Kylo climbed from the car before Austen could argue.

“For fuck’s sake.” Austen followed. He couldn’t believe he was doing this. Even though he didn’t exactly know what Kylo planned, there was an odd feeling in his gut. It wasn’t precisely dread. He couldn’t explain it.

Upbeat music poured from the building when Kylo pulled open the door. The place was too well lit inside to be a nightclub. Plus, it looked totally dead. They rounded the corner and Austen found himself staring at a dance studio. It was obviously private. There were no signs marking the building.

“Knock. Knock.”

Austen thought Kylo’s greeting went unheard until the lone man inside danced their way. He couldn’t look away. Austen had never seen a man so delicate and beautiful. His every move was flawless and light—like he floated through the air. His bright green eyes held an innocence that made Austen feel like he should straighten his clothes and make sure his hair didn’t stand on end.

The man’s gaze locked on Austen, holding him captivated, but he headed for Kylo. “My butterfly.” He had an accent Austen couldn’t place, but it weakened Austen’s knees.

Kylo got pulled into the man’s dance. Together, they made the most gorgeous couple he had ever seen. Austen couldn’t even blink. He had never been so mesmerized. Their dance slowed and Kylo spoke close to the other man’s ear. Then Austen watched the guy kiss Kylo and say something that stayed between them. For a moment, they stared at each other so lovingly, it swelled Austen’s throat. Then Kylo’s dance ended at Austen’s side. Before Austen saw it coming, he spun across the floor in the arms of his mystery man. For a moment, he simply allowed himself to be swept around the room before coming to his senses.

Finally, he managed to make his mouth work. “I’m Austen.”

“Rain.”

“Beautiful.” Even Austen didn’t know if he meant the name or the man. It didn’t matter. It was both.

Rain’s mouth lifted in one corner. He left Austen at Kylo’s side. They held each other’s gaze. Austen couldn’t breathe. He didn’t know what happened to his brain, but it was fuzzy. There was also something going on with his breathing.

“You’ll see me again.” With that promise from Rain hanging between them, he turned away, leaving Austen floored.

Somehow, Austen found himself buckled in the car and halfway to Beau’s place. He finally managed to unglue his tongue from the roof of his mouth. “Who was that?”

The silence that followed his question had Austen giving up on learning the answer. Then Kylo shattered his world. “That was the deadliest assassin in the western world and he’s about to kill Reggie for me.”

Well, fuck. Austen was more aroused than he had ever been in his life.