It had been a throwaway remark on Red’s part to show the brothers he was taking the threat seriously, but maybe someone from the Darker Daddy Bodyguards—another stupid name—wouldbe a better choice. They were more used to walking the darker side of security. He could put in a call to Dominic and get Leon Trasker’s phone number. He’d met the guy once or twice at events before Trasker had married into the Acierno Mafia family. Now Trasker moved in different circles from the clients Red had taken care of who’d mainly been C-lister celebrities and junior politicians.
But as Tony had upset a dangerous club, maybe they would be better taking care of Kit. As much as Red didn’t want to admit it, he was a better babysitter than anything else. Red needed to talk about a job with Dominic Cook. But first he needed to secure his client.
“You might not get a choice,” Red admitted. “If you’ve upset dangerous men, Tony, you need equally dangerous men to protect the kid. CDR will only put the right security detail in here.”
Red fixed his gaze on Kit who glared back at him, his storm-gray eyes snapping furiously. “I’m not a kid.”
No, he wasn’t. He was a sexy brat that Red wanted in his arms to protect him forever. Red had the urge to reel Kit into his arms and show him how he should be treated, how a real Daddy Dom would handle his precious bratty boy.
There were a lot of issues with that. Not least of which Tony was his client and would bury him in a grave out the back of the clubhouse for laying a finger on his baby brother. Tony was the only parent Kit had had for over a decade. Tony and a club of overprotective bikers. And every one of them would take Red out back and beat him with a tire iron if he was inappropriate with Kit.
Red was a professional. He could handle this.
He hoped.
“You’re not a kid,” Red agreed, and Kit’s eyes widened. He clearly hadn’t expected Red to agree. “But you’re our kid, the club’s kid. You see the difference?”
Kit’s expression darkened, but he gave a curt nod.
“I don’t want anyone else except you,” Tony insisted. “I trust you not to lay a hand on my brother. You ain’t interested in anyone.”
“He’s notthatold,” Kit said.
Red glowered at him. “Thanks.”
After this recommendation from both the brothers, he felt as if he were ninety, not thirty-six. One thought he was past it, and the other thought he was almost past it. They were probably both right. And wrong.
It was time he took control of the situation.
“Kit, you’re staying here tonight. The club is being guarded by CDR. They’ll assess whether the threats Tony received are real or not. I’ll be by your side until we set up a detail for you. Then you can argue about where you want to live. It’s not a bad thing your job is finished. It’s one less thing to worry about.”
Kit folded his arms over his chest. Red’s eyes were drawn to the intricate sleeves on both arms. One day, he’d study them in greater detail. If he got the chance. This whole thing could be over by the morning, at least for him. He didn’t know much about CDR, but they’d taken on enough high-profile cases to make headlines. If they thought Kit needed the Darker Daddy Bodyguards, then it was serious.
“One night,” Kit said.
Red raised an eyebrow. “Then?”
“I’ll stay here for one night. Then I’m looking for another job and back to my life.”
“You’ll do as you’re told,” Tony snapped.
Not again. Why couldn’t Tony keep his mouth shut? Red watched Kit’s eyes narrow to slits. He stepped in before Kit could start another fight, otherwise they’d be yelling at each other all night, and the boy looked as if he could fall asleep where he stood.
“Tony, shut up.” Red waved his hand as Tony turned on him, his expression furious. “Yeah, yeah, you’re the client, but I’m your friend and I’ve never been a yes man. You know that.” Then he turned to Kit. “Is this your bedroom?”
Kit’s furious expression changed to something different, almost needy, as he turned his attention on Red, one immaculateeyebrow raised. “Why, Daddy?” He almost purred. “You gonna put me to bed like a good boy?”
10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1.
Red breathed in and let it out slowly. He was ready to spank the boy and put him in the corner. If they wanted a Daddy, they’d get a Daddy.
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, boy,” he snapped.
Both brothers stared at him, mouths open.
Who knew going full Daddy Dom was a way to shut them both up?
Tony shifted from one foot to another, looking uncomfortable. “Red, I…uh…expect you to be professional.”
