Page 25 of Echoes of Fear

I’ll talk about my damn dog all day long if it keeps him feeling this way.

“His name is Titan,” I say, leaning on the island so that I’m face-to-face with Little Knox. “I got him when he was a year old, and his ears had already been pinned. I think it’s a cruel practice, as well. He’s massive, loyal, and fiercely protective.”

“Wow,” he sighs again. “That is so awesome. I’ve always wanted a dog who would want to protect me against bad people.”

“He’s much like me,” I admit. “He was born a protector. I bet you and he would get along wonderfully.”

“You really think so?” he asks, his voice filled with so much hope that it breaks my heart.

My boy wants to feel safe.

“I do,” I say, reaching out to move the little bundle of hair that fell into his eyes. “I can bring him over tomorrow if you’d like.”

“Won’t he attack everyone?”

“Only if I order him to do so,” I explain. “Or if someone is in danger that he likes. Otherwise, he’s very well-behaved.”

“He’s a good boy, like me,” he says softly.

“Yes, baby boy. Just like you.”

I honestly don’t need the distraction of a Little. They require a lot of care and love, and my current focus should be on getting my sister back.

But everything in me wants to pick Knox up and lock him away in my house where I know he’ll be safe and cared for. I want to bathe him, feed him, play with him, and take care of everything he could ever need.

As a Daddy Dom, it’s my nature to do those things. I crave caring for someone just as much as Littles crave being cared for.

But, with Knox, it’s more than just his Little that has a hold on me. It’s Knox, the man. The smart, sarcastic, sexy young man.

“Do you think they would deliver pizza in this storm?” Jax asks loudly. “I’m starving.”

Thunder booms, causing Knox to jump. But it doesn’t seem to be as loud.

“I think it’s finally starting to settle down,” Knox smiles. “And, yes, Jax. I ordered pizza last month when it was raining so much that the roads flooded. Just tip them well.”

Knox’s Little has all but hidden back behind his walls. But that’s okay. I’m starting to learn ways to pull him out without him even realizing it.

“Will you really bring him tomorrow?” Knox asks.

“Promise.”

“Wow, that storm stopped fast,” Jax says.

“Yeah,” Knox frowns. “Unnaturally fast.”

I follow Knox as he makes his way to the window.

“It’s really calm,” he mumbles. “Strange.”

Suddenly, all of our phones start screeching with a loud buzz. The kind you get when there’s an amber alert.

“Fuck,” Ghost groans. “A tornado was spotted not far from here. We need to find someplace to hunker down until it passes.”

“Where at?” Jax asks. “Can we head to your place, Prez? You have that old bomb shelter. Maybe that will work.”

“Yeah, let’s go,” Ghost rushes. “We need to hurry the fuck up. That thing could be here any second.”

“It’s already here,” Knox says, still looking out the window. “The storm wasn’t over. It was back-building. New storm cells were being built on top of the old ones. It’s almost like being in the eye of a storm. It’s so calm.”