Page 62 of Hold Back
“He did. Cade came to us for protection.”
Kit furrowed his brow. “I thought he had a psycho assistant.”
“Driver,” Mo said. “But we didn’t know about him at first. Strada was the issue. That’s not common knowledge outside our community. But at least two other boys in our group had dealings with him. Fortunately they weren’t hurt. They weren’t really his type. Kit on the other hand, was just his type.” He glanced at Red. “I need to know more.”
Kit looked confused. “Why are you asking Red? It was me who met Erik.”
“He’s asking my permission to talk to you,” Red said, “and also telling me without saying it out loud that you might not want to talk about it in front of me.”
Kit waved his hand. “That’s just weird. But I’ve already spoken to Red about it and I don’t care if he knows. It wasn’t like much happened.”
“You said he hurt you,” Red growled.
Mo huffed as if he was exasperated already. “I shouldn’t be doing this. It’s Quinn’s and Craig’s job. Get it together, Baxter.”
“I want him punished.”
“That would be difficult,” Mo drawled. “He was exiled from the community.”
“Strada should face charges.”
“He was. But he’s dead. By his own hand,” Mo added.
“Suicide?” Red thought about that for a moment. “Good.”
Kit stared at him wide-eyed. “Wow, I didn’t expect you to be…so violent.”
“I’m not violent. I wouldn’t lay a hand on you or anyone who wasn’t trying to hurt you…my clients. But abusers are the worst kind of men. Anyone abusing our boys does not deserve to live.”
Red was not a violent man. He’d been praised for de-escalating volatile situations more than once. But there was something about the thought of Eric Strada laying a hand on Kit that made his blood boil.
“I’m with him.” Mo jabbed a finger at Red. “In case you wondered.”
Leaning back in his seat, Kit surveyed them with a sudden grin. “Okay then. I didn’t expect anyone to care. That’s why I never mentioned it to anyone. And I didn’t really know anyone from the community to tell.”
“Quinn is trying to change that,” Mo said. “Too many vulnerable boys didn’t know where to turn.”
Kit bit his bottom lip. “Is Cade all right? Not the details, but is he safe?”
Mo took his time to answer which told Red just how bad it had been. “Cade is recovering. It’ll take time. He acts out a lot, to check his Daddy still loves him and Quinn would tear down the world if anyone hurt his boy again.”
Red had gotten the impression Cade was an over-privileged brat like a lot of the rich and famous kids he’d met, but now it made more sense. Cade needed reassurance. He glanced at Kit and saw a quick nod. Mo was talking at Kit right there. He sighed inwardly. No, Mo was talking at him just as much.
It didn’t matter how much Red protested. He was a Biker Daddy Bodyguard.
Step up. Take care of your boy. He needs you.
Message received.
Chapter Fourteen
KIT
Kit flunghimself on his bed and huffed. The afternoon had been quiet. Too quiet.
He was bored.
What did he do with himself?
