Page 15 of Operation Daddy

At least two minutes ticked by before Beau spoke again. “Thank you. We’ll get back to you with a plan for your safety.” Beau stood and headed for the door.

July watched him go. No one ever explained themselves to him. Not that he had expected Beau to tell him anything, but still. He hated feeling out of the loop on his own damn life. He half expected Fletch would leap back into the room the moment Beau walked out, but he didn’t. July went back to painting. He liked it when the paint dried, leaving behind puffy bright colors with glitter scattered throughout. All he could focus on was the little things in life. He had learned he had to lose himself in the pretty things. Otherwise, life would have killed him a long time ago. Maybe July should have let it.

Beau looked thoughtful as he stepped from the room where July currently stayed. It took everything Fletch possessed not to shift from foot to foot while awaiting Beau’s judgment. He had shamelessly listened to every word exchanged through the door. To be fair, Banks had been right at his side. Together, they had scrambled away before Beau caught them.

After a moment, Banks obviously lost the battle against patience. “What’s the plan?”

Beau’s expression cleared. He focused on Fletch and motioned his way. “It depends on this one. You’ve been playing hard to get with this boy for a long time. Either let him catch you or get out of the way so I can decide which direction I’m taking this situation.”

Before he even knew how he would react, Fletch turned cold. “No disrespect intended, but no matter your plans, Rex is a dead man. The consequences can fall solely on me, but he’s not walking away from this.”

Beau made a dismissive gesture. “That’s a given. Is this your boy or not? No doubt there are countless men out there biding their time to take control of him if you’re not interested.”

The idea of anyone else touching July made Fletch see red. While he hadn’t known about Rex, he had assumed for months now that July belonged to him. He just hadn’t decided if he was cool with that. “I’m interested.” Even Fletch heard the hard edge in his voice.

Beau gave a decisive nod. “That’s settled, then. He’ll come home with you. Rex wouldn’t dare openly cross me, but nor will he simply back down. He’s secretly been taking jabs at me for a while.”

Fletch’s problems were forgotten. His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Holy shit. Is Rex who hired those thugs in Hawaii?” Not long ago, a group of men had kidnapped one of the Agafonov gang. After extensive questioning, one abductor admitted they had been hired to shake them up. Those pieces of shit had chosen the wrong one. Since they paid a high toll, Fletch had heard nothing else about it. He assumed Beau’s point had been made.

Beau absently nodded. His gaze seemed to be turned inward. “I have a lot to think about. For now, as soon as it’s safe enough to move him, you’ll take over July’s care. I expect you know everything that entails and the price if he betrays us.”

That was always the case. He had known that the moment he had pulled July between his thighs and read to him the night they met. Fletch didn’t do casual. He was too possessive. Fletch had never simply been on a few dates with anyone. But Fletch also didn’t drag people into his circle and business. July had already been exposed the moment he set foot in Banks’ club, but Fletch had sealed his fate with his attention.

“I’ll talk to him and make sure he understands his position.”

Beau dipped his chin. “You should get started.” He walked away, taking Banks with him. They spoke in low tones while they slipped out of the safe room.

Fletch didn’t hesitate to rejoin July. His heart rate kicked up when his gaze landed on where Fletch had left him. He breathed an inner sigh of relief when July came out of the bathroom. But then he got a good look at July and saw him barely hanging on. Rather than returning to the table, July crawled back beneath the covers, as if the short walk had drained him.

Fletch shook his head. “Damn, baby, just tell me what you need, and I’ll get it for you.”

A cute chuckle came from beneath the covers. “You can’t pee for me.”

Fletch found himself smiling as he crawled onto the bed. “I suppose that’s true. But I would if I could. It would be my honor.”

July uncovered his face as Fletch settled in beside him. He smiled and then winced when his lip immediately started bleeding again. July growled. “Damn it. Why can’t I remember to stop doing that?”

Fletch didn’t hesitate. He dropped his head and kissed the corner of his mouth that wasn’t bleeding. A second passed before Fletch realized what he had done. He didn’t pull away. Fletch made a point of sweetly kissing him again. He hadn’t kissed July before now. He didn’t know why, especially since this was the worst timing ever. July didn’t push him away, so Fletch didn’t stop. He kept moving his lips across July’s lips, keeping their kiss innocent while leaving no doubt this was no friendship kiss. He couldn’t give July the kiss he truly wanted, but he could still get his point across. They were more than friends.

Fletch pulled away. July’s eyes were closed, but Fletch knew he wasn’t asleep by his ragged breathing. “You have a decision to make. I don’t expect an immediate answer. I just wanted to give you time to think about it. When you’re well enough to leave, if you still want to run, you’ll have the Bosi empire watching your back.” At least Fletch hoped that was true. “If you want to stay, keep your friends close, and not have to look over your shoulder, you can come home with me.”

July’s eyes opened. They were gorgeous. Fletch couldn’t look away. “Do you want me to come home with you?”

The question sounded so sweet that his tone tore at Fletch’s heartstrings. He had to clear his throat. “Yeah, that’s what I want.”

July closed his eyes again and nodded. Then promptly fell asleep.

Fletch shook his head, but he couldn’t stop smiling. He had gone too long without a boy. July might not be his usual type, but he was who Fletch wanted. They would go slow. July had been through a lot. Fletch wouldn’t overwhelm him. A hint of wickedness joined his smile. While he had no intention of scaring July, he still planned to spoil him. July had never met a daddy like him. Fletch would sweep him off his feet.

Chapter Seven

“You’ve been hiding from me.” July’s blood ran cold. Rex had appeared like smoke behind him. His gaze shot up. Rex’s reflection showed in the shop window in front of him. July’s heart raced. He didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t the pattern. Rex hadn’t contacted him at all for two months. July had thought maybe he was free. Why had he let that seed grow for even a second? A pain sliced through his chest. He knew why. His feelings for Fletch had grown to the point that they overshadowed his good sense. Now July saw the image of evil with a million-dollar smile. Fuck.

“My number is the same, so is my address.” Maybe Rex hadn’t followed the usual gifts and begging schedule, but July had no intention of allowing Rex to simply walk back into his life. Not only did July not want him, but he knew if he gave in too easily, the next fight would be worse. Each time he put up with this, he taught Rex he could take even more. He couldn’t, but what choice did he have?

“You’re awful sassy. Do you think being in public will save you?”

July turned. Rage had him ready to be the one who leaped. “Do you think I won’t force you to humiliate me? I’ll do this right here. You don’t get to break a bone and then saunter back into my life. This time, you went too far. You’re a bad daddy.” July purposely sounded like a little kid. He knew how Rex’s brain worked.