Page 54 of The Thug And His Doll

“Why?” Toby asks.

“Well, kid, I happen to know a really good toy store that is filled with stuff I think you’d like.”

“You’re going to buy me a toy?” he asks.

“I sure am!”

Toby’s smile spreads impossibly wider as he reaches up, his small hands gently cupping Drix’s cheeks. For a moment they just stare at each other, my throat clogging at the sweetness of the moment, my heart aching at their growing bond.

Drix’s features soften, and in that moment I realise that it isn’t my feelings I should trust, but Toby’s. There’s no doubt that he lights up with happiness whenever he’s around Drix, and his happiness means more to me than my own. It’s with that thought that I decide to entrust our hearts to Hendrix Hammer, hoping to God he never gives me a reason to regret that decision.

FIFTEEN

DRIX

"I'm sorry Dad gave Lia a hard time, Drix," Dalton apologises as we step out of the hotel and into the fading daylight a couple of days later. We've spent the afternoon going over the arrangements for Robert's wedding, double-checking that the hotel's security system is up to par for the reception.

"He told you then?"

"It came up in conversation."

"I bet. How the fuck do you put up with him?" I reply, grabbing my keys from my pocket and unlocking my car. "He's an arsehole."

"You've only just noticed?" Dalton jokes, giving me a wry smile as he tries to lighten the mood, but it falls flat as the memory of the conversation Lia and I had with Carl resurfaces.

"Didn't drive to work this morning?" I fire back when I notice his car isn't parked in his space, not wanting to get into a conversation about his dick of a father.

He shrugs. "Stayed at the hotel last night."

I raise a brow. "Let me guess, another late-night hook-up?"

"Don't look at me like that, I have needs."

"What you need is an intervention, Dalton. This shit has got to stop."

"I appreciate your concern, but I'm good, thanks."

"Whatever, man," I retort. It's not as if I haven't tried over the years to get him to see sense. We both know he's struggling with deep-rooted issues, but like a stubborn idiot he refuses to acknowledge them.

"If you're passing by my place, I could use a lift home."

"Sure, hop in."

As I reach for the handle of my car door, my phone buzzes in my pocket, signalling an incoming call. No doubt it's Daisy calling to remind me to get my arse home for dinner. Despite what I'd said to Lia when she first arrived, I enjoy returning to a home-cooked meal, and so long as she enjoys cooking for us there'll be no complaints from me.

Only it's not Daisy, it's Benedict.

"Ben?" I ask, pressing the phone to my ear as I slide behind the wheel and slam my door shut.

"Need you at Bandits," he bites out.

I'm immediately on high alert. "I'm with Dalton. We're just leaving the hotel."

"You might want to let Dalton drive," he retorts.

"That urgent?" I press, jumping out of the driver's seat and motioning for Dalton to take my place as I jog around the car. He takes the hint, swapping places with me as I connect to bluetooth, so Dalton can listen in as he gets behind the wheel.

"You remember that prick you saw off that night outside the bar?"

Source: www.allfreenovel.com