Page 62 of The Royal in Room 3

By the time the angels returned to Halo House, I’d also fixed the loose toilet handle in the downstairs bathroom, tightened several screws in the dining room chairs, replaced a broken shelf bracket in the pantry, and repaired the latch on the back door. Phoenix had followed me around, claiming none of it was necessary while continuing to point out new things that needed fixing. I worked on everything without complaint while I waited patiently for Soren to return.

As expected, the subs entered the house in chaos, mountains of shopping bags rustling between them and chatter filling the air. They rushed into the ballroom, Soren’s eyes lighting up when he saw me. He broke away from the group and came up to join me where I’d just finished repairing the pulley cords that controlled the curtains.

“Daddy, you’re still here.” He turned up his face for a kiss, and I pressed my mouth hard against his.

“Ah, Daddy Jude, that’s not even fair,” I heard Dean whine. “You never kiss any of us like that.”

Grinning, Soren stuck his tongue out at his friend. “I know my Daddy’s better, but you already have one, so you should be satisfied.”

“My Daddy’s awesome, too!” Dean swung the bags in his hands. “I spent so much of his money today while you only got one thing.”

I realized then that Soren only had one item in his hand, and it was a gift bag.

“I thought you wanted to get some skincare products?” I asked. He’d gotten a few from Phoenix, but he’d mentioned needing vitamin C and some chemical product that sounded like a biohazard.

“I didn’t bother,” he said, smiling, and handed me the bag. “I got something for Daddy instead.”

“You did?” Surprised, I held the bag awkwardly, not sure what to do with it. Of all the subs I’d taken under my wing, none had ever gifted me anything before. Not even after they moved out and became successful. I’d never required it, but it felt kind of nice to receive something for once.

Soren nodded. “Will you open it now?”

“You want me to?” I asked, aware that we had an audience. Even Phoenix was looking on with curiosity. He was getting nosier by the minute.

“Yes. I walked for a long time before I found it.”

Curious to see what it was, I parted the wrapping tissue and reached inside the bag to retrieve the item.

A rich brown leather tool roll unfolded in my hands. For several seconds, I only stared at it. The leather was thick and supple, the genuine kind that would soften over time rather than crack. Neat rows of reinforced pockets lined the inside in different sizes, made to hold chisels, screwdrivers, pencils, and smaller hand tools. Brass rivets strengthened the corners, and two sturdy straps wrapped around the outside so it could be rolled tightly and carried without anything slipping free.

My fingers traced one of the stitched seams as surprise settled heavily in my chest.

Two days ago, I’d walked into the house for lunch as usual and complained because the strap on my old tool roll had torn again. I’d repaired it so many times that there was barely enough original leather left to stitch through, and I’d finally admitted that even I couldn’t save it.

I hadn’t thought Soren was listening.

“You remembered,” I said, emotion thickening my voice.

“Of course. I’m a good boy, so I listen to everything you say, Daddy.”

I wrapped my free arm around his waist and hauled him up against me. “Yes, you are. The best boy a Daddy could ever ask for.”

“Ah shucks, now Soren makes the rest of us look bad,” Dean cried.

“Why don’t you all bring your stuff upstairs?” Phoenix suggested, and I nodded my thanks to him as he shuffled the others up the stairs, giving us some privacy.

“How much did you spend?” I asked.

“It was just a hundred and thirty dollars, Daddy.”

“Just? Baby, you don’t make much at the bar.”

“Actually, I get decent tips.”

“But still. You don’t ever have to spend your money on me.”

Soren pouted. “But I wanted to. At first, I planned to buy some new clothes and skincare, but I had no idea how much that stuff cost! I changed my mind. I’d worked so hard for that paycheck, and I didn’t want to squander it.”

“Then why get me something? You could save the money. We talked about saving, remember?”