Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
“That’s fine,” I shrugged. “Make sure to tell them about this, too.” I allowed only my head to shift. He cried out in terror as I bared my teeth and growled, spraying saliva in his face. I sniffed the air, catching a strong scent of ammonia. I looked down and saw a wet spot on the crotch of his trousers.
My skull shifted back and I laughed at the thought of him having to face his colleagues with piss in his pants, and a story they wouldn’t believe. That disbelief was why I didn’t fear exposing my identity. “Now, now, you’re much too old for that,” I scoffed.
Just as I turned back towards Tatum, the bathroom door flew open. Stone and Wren both burst in, wielding knives. They weren’t knives from the restaurant, meaning the men had had them hidden somewhere on themselves.
“I heard growling,” Stone explained. “Is everything okay?”
“No!” Tatum’s father yelled. “This man…he isn’t a man! You’ve got a knife, use it on him!”
“Oh, shut the fuck up,” Stone said with an eye roll.
“Are you okay?” Wren asked Tatum, who had plastered himself to my side. He nodded and Wren turned his attention to me as he pointed towards the dad. “Are you sure he doesn’t need a little…” He made a stabbing motion, and the ammonia smell intensified. Stone gave his scrappy mate an adoring grin.
“It’s okay, but thank you. I just need to get my mate home now.”
Stone nodded his understanding. “Just call if you need us.” I bowed my head in thanks and he opened the door for his mate. Before it shut behind them, I heard him tell Wren, “You look so fucking hot with that knife. Let’s blow off dessert and I’ll eat you instead.”
“Oh, hell yes.”
I gave one last look to Tatum’s father, finding him still gripping the wall, covered in piss, and looking like he was going to pass out. Good. He’d taken up enough of our time, and now my sweet boy needed all my attention.
“Come on, baby bear,” I told Tatum quietly.
I led him to the door, but just before we left, he turned towards his dad. “I know you don’t understand or approve of me, but I don’t care anymore. I’ve found someone who loves me exactly as I am, and he’s all I need. I don’t want hate in my life. Goodbye, Dad.”
With that, Tatum took my hand and we left the room. He made a beeline for the exit, and then to my truck. Sure his father wasn’t following us, I stopped by the passenger door and pulled him into a tight embrace. “I am so proud of you, Tatum.” He’d stood up for himself, and didn’t allow negativity to bring him down.
“You make me brave.” While I may have given him confidence to speak up, he was braver and stronger than he gave himself credit for.
“Are you okay?” Even though he was brave and strong, that was still a hard situation.
“I am. I already knew I wouldn’t have a relationship with my dad. It feels kind of nice to have some closure and the last word. Plus, seeing him pee his pants was the icing on the cake.” His lips cracked with a naughty smile. “Maybe he needs a diaper too.” I snorted a laugh and hugged him tighter. “I can’t believe Stone and Wren came to help.”
“They’re our friends. They’ll always protect you, just like I will.”
“Does Stone always carry a knife?”
“Yes.” I highly doubted that was the only weapon on him at the time.
“Huh.” He was quiet for a moment before looking up at me. “Thank you for protecting me, and defending me. I love you so much, and I’m so happy you’re my Daddy.”
“I love you too. Now, how about you let Daddy take you home and give you a nice warm bath? Then I’ll snuggle you and love on you all night long.”
“That sounds perfect.”
It did, though everything sounded perfect when it came to Tatum. He and I had an eternity of perfect nights awaiting us.
The End