Page 19 of Daddy's Lost Rebel

My arms reach out and tighten around his middle, pulling him into a crushing hug. He’s never actually said those words, and neither have I.

I think that we’ve both known for a while now—that we’re in love. At least, I have, but I haven’t wanted to scare him off by saying it before he’s ready. As it turns out, he’s ready now.

“I love you too, my little rebel. So fucking much.”

He rises up, smashing a kiss to my lips. “Good, because you’re stuck with me now. It would really suck for you if you didn’t.”

“I definitely do,” I assure him. “You’ve got yourself wrapped all around my heart, Beck.”

“Pretty sure you’ve just stolen mine,” he jokes, blushing up at me.

I’m about to kiss him until I can’t breathe when his phone chimes. I got him one last month so that he can stay in touch with the Scott brothers, and more importantly, Stella.

“It’s okay, love, check it,” I encourage, tucking a stray piece of hair behind his ear. I know he uses the phone to feel safer, and anything I can do to help that, I’ll always do.

I pull his back against my front, holding him around the middle, and watch over his shoulder as he swipes open his messages. Unsurprisingly, it’s Stella.

Stella

Shocking news out of London today.

The missing Lord Beckham Clarke has been spotted near the St. Paul’s Cathedral. I wonder how that may have happened… *image attached*

Sure enough, when he opens the photo, it’s a screenshot from the BBC website with the news story. There are paparazzi-style pictures of a black-haired man with Beck’s build, hiding his face and maneuvering through the crowded street.

I catch the words,“Sources say they couldn’t capture the young Lord’s face, but that it was definitely Beckham. He appeared to be in a rush, and politely refused photographs with fans who noticed him.”

Beck’s phone chimes with another message.

Stella

Also spotted: A private jet leaving our local airport, headed back to the UK. *image attached*

“That’s the woman who came looking for you, and those are her goons,” I tell him, pointing to the picture.

“They’re really gone,” Beck whispers in aw.

I nod in agreement. “They’re really gone, baby.”

Stella

Enjoy your freedom, friend.

“Did you know about this?” he croaks, letting out a shaky breath. Tears, not of sadness, roll down his soft face.

“I didn’t,” I answer him honestly. “The Scott’s have a lot of connections, I didn’t know that they were going to do this extra step. It’s like them though,” I admit. “They take care of their own. Always going a step further, just to be sure.”

Nodding, he licks his lips and looks back down at his phone. Eventually, he begins typing in a hurry, wiping away the tears that had fallen on his screen.

Beck

You guys did this?

I don’t even know what to say. How can I ever pay you back for this?

Stella

Bridger says you can come to dinner this Sunday, he misses his favorite little brother.