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"What do you think, Ernie?" Holding my caterpillar up, I let her look at her old surroundings. "We read a lot of good books here together." I blink hard to fend off tears. "Your picture is even on the wall. You see that?"
I tap the tiny doodle of a caterpillar I engraved on the wall. I drew it one morning when I was upset that my father made me watch his latest political speech instead of allowing me to read. Looking back, it was bratty, especially because men would take me from him a month later.
I push Ernie forward so he can look at her portrait. He appears to bob his head when he sees it, even though I know he’s only doing the motions.
In my imagination, he smiles and cuddles against me. "I'm so glad we're home, Callum. We went through a lot together and now no one will separate us again."
I'm settling in the corner to look at another newer engraving—one I don't recognize—when the voice calls out to me.
"Boy." Daddy’s booming timbre echoes across the backyard, snaking up to the tree fort. "Come out. I have a surprise."
I furrow my brow. "A surprise?" I mutter, clutching Ernie. I'm not fond of surprises, especially after everything I went through. No ma'am, I want to knowexactlywhat's going on at all times so I can prepare myself. Daddy didn't tell me I'd experience any surprises, and I don't want it to be something that'll scare me.
I poke my head out the tree fort window… but my jaw drops when I see what it is.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
It's my family. My wonderful, sweet mother clutches a freshly baked pie. My father, the powerful Senator Ji-Yeong, stands behind her in a suit with an American flag pin on the vest. He can't believe his eyes as he looks up at me, disbelief palpable on every inch of his features. His eyes moisten, and I realize exactly how much my disappearance affected him.
But that's not all. Standing next to them is a teenage boy, one who looks like he's just entered high school. He has dark brown hair, wide eyes, and pale limbs. He wears a shirt with Buzz Lightyear on it and he holds my mother's hand.
"Is that Callum, Mom?" He turns to my mother.
My mother wraps her arm around his waist. "Yes, boy. He's finally home."
Oh my God. It’s crazy, but I think I have a younger brother.
I hurry out of the tree fort. This time, I don't bother with the rope swing, which will take too long. I descend the weeping willow tree the old-fashioned way, using the blocks my father pounded into the trunk.
I walk across the yard. "Hi, Mom." Tears threaten in my eyes, but I push them down. "Hi, Dad."
My Dad leans forward. "Oh sweet Jesus." He gets on his knees and bursts into tears. "I can't believe he's back. We’re so fucking blessed."
My mother rushes toward me. "We thought you were dead. Your father and I searched for you forever."
I sniffle as my parents hug me. "I thought I'd died many times, too. It was hard, but I made some friends who kept me sane and I made it through."
My father grips my head. "Did they hurt you, son?" His hand shakes as he touches me. "I swear to God, I'll summon every resource in the country to take out those men. The FBI, the CIA, the motherfucking Navy. Nothing will stop me from making them pay for what they did."
"Yes, Dad." I let out a breath, then hug my father as hard as I can. "They hurt me. But it's okay. My Daddy is enrolling me in therapy and he'll get me the assistance I need."
My mother turns to Benedetto with gratitude in her eyes. "We’re so grateful you saved our son."
"Yes, Mr. Ferrari." My father clasps Benedetto's hand. "Thank you for taking over my role during these troubling times. You didn't have to do that."
"No." I step forward and shake my head. "He didn't take over your role, Dad." Taking Benedetto's hand, I squeeze it tight. "He's… myDaddy. We’re in a committed kink relationship and he's the love of my life. He saved me and he's the man I want to be with forever."
My father hugs both of us. "He can be your Daddy, your Dom, or your sub, for all I care. All that matters is that he saved you and kept you safe. Welcome to the family."
"How much older than he is you?" my mother queries.
"Twenty years." I can't help but smile. "He's actually younger than most of the guys I met in the warehouse."
My parents will need to accept I've changed. I'm no longer the innocent little boy who read in his tree fort every day. I've seen the dark side of humanity and it’s altered who I am.
“That’s a perfect age gap.” My mother presses her hand to her heart. “You know, when I was in college, I dated a guy in his fifties. We only quit dating when he passed away.”
My mother pushes the young boy forward. "Go ahead, Billy. Meet your brother."
