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“Bitch, I’m more than KC’s boy,” Noa laughed. I cursed under my breath and watched as he walked closer to Turner. “I’m a drummer, a sound guy, my family’s favorite attack dog, and for you—just for you…” He came to a stop right in front of Turner and peered up at him.
“Noa,” I cautioned. It was halfhearted at best because, frankly, I didn’t care enough. Part of me wanted to hear what he had to say.
Noa didn’t look away from Turner even once. “I’m your pigeon, Mr. Bossman Sir. I’ll shit on everything you love. How’s that? Unless…you respect the fact that Lucian needs to rest and watch his blood pressure. So do me a favor and take a step back. Turn around. And walk away.”
I drew an unsteady breath, and an immense wave of love and gratitude washed over me. All aimed at that sweetheart. My God, I didn’t deserve him—or his support.
I swallowed and saw the moment Turner got ready to respond, likely with a snide little comment that would demean Noa, and that wasn’t happening.
“Don’t say a word to him, Sterling,” I said. “Not a fucking word.”
He flashed me a narrowed-eyed look, unable to hide his brewing anger. Then he let out a derisive huff, straightened up, adjusted his tie, and walked off.
I exhaled.
I estimated we had a few minutes before security got here, but I didn’t need that much. I was sending Noa down to KC with my box of belongings, and on my way to HR, I’d call Cheryl so she could pack up my things at the other office. Then I was done. Noa could help me pick out a thank-you gift for Cheryl. She’d been with me the past decade, and if I didn’t know she was already starting a new job in a few months with an adviser I actually respected, I might’ve?—
“Was that too much, Uncle Lucian?” I heard Noa ask, hesitation in his voice.
I didn’t like that one bit. “No.” I rounded the desk and walked over to him, and I cupped his face in my hands. “You said everything that social norms prevent me from saying. You said it in a much funnier way too.” I dipped down and kissed him, and he gave me his signature grin, visibly relieved. “I love you. I love you so, so much.”
“I love you too!” He fiddled with the drawstrings of my hoodie. “Can we get out of here now?”
I bumped my forehead against his. “I’ll even race you to the elevator.”
That earned me one of his adorable giggles—before he gasped and shook his head. “Oh no, Sir! No running for you. In fact, wait here.”
He darted out of the office before I could even think of a response, and I felt my forehead wrinkle. What was the boy up to now?
Eh, I’d find out soon enough.
Returning to my desk, I gave my office a final glance and swooped up the box. Eighteen fucking years. I’d done everything I’d set out to do—except take over the company one day. A fool’s dream right after graduation. Back then, dreams had looked a lot different. For both KC and me, the world had revolved around money and career goals.
What felt like a lifetime later, I could confidently say that work travels didn’t mean shit if you didn’t have someone to share them with—or more importantly, you didn’t actually get to experience the destination. The money… Okay, the money still felt nice, but it was far from enough. Same there, I wanted someone to share it with, someone to spoil, my kinky family to take care of, and…I’d jeopardized all of it.
No more.
This was it. I walked out, only pausing to steal my sign from the door, and then I trailed down the corridor without looking back.
I blew out a breath, a strange discomfort setting in. My hands prickled slightly, and I felt a little out of breath. So I supposed I was long overdue for a day of resting.
I wasn’t sure the anxiety medication had made any difference. I didn’t feel sleepy or sluggish in any way.
Halfway down the corridor, Noa reappeared from the lobby. He jogged back to me with a triumphant smirk, and he was holding something. He came to a stop right in front of me, wordlessly shifted the box sideways in my arms, and stuck whatever it was to my chest.
What the fuck?
“I saw it on a box next to the front desk,” he said.
It was a bright red sticker that read “Fragile – handle with care.”
I pursed my lips to conceal my amusement, and I met his grin.
“That’s you.” He grabbed the box from me. “Daddy, Cameron, and I are gonna take care of you, though.”
“Because I’m fragile.” I didn’t know how to react. Mostly, I was in awe of this sweetheart. He was equal parts funny and protective, which was equal parts discombobulating and endearing. The little one wasn’t supposed to look after his Owner in that sense. Right?
“For the moment.” He nodded.
