Page 1 of Operation Daddy

Prologue

The sound of the refrigerator blared in July’s ears, making his head pound. Most people wouldn’t hear it, but he heard every sound and smelled every scent. A migraine loomed on the horizon, getting ready to take him down for days. His senses always heightened when his body betrayed him. If he went into a pitch-black room right now, he might catch the shooting pains quickly enough to avoid a nightmare. Unfortunately for July, Rex was there. He heard every footstep and rustle. July braced himself as the footsteps got closer. He was on the edge of his seat, waiting for what would happen next. There was a vibe in the air. It felt a lot like he wouldn’t be making his lunch date with JJ and Leary today.

He had always believed if he kept his head down and didn’t cross Rex in any way, he could avoid days like this. While he listened to Rex’s angry movements, July’s brain scrambled to figure out what he had done. Had he spent too much money? Maybe Rex had seen his secret withdrawals. Had one of his texts sounded curt? He always tried to be a good boy. When Rex finally stepped into view, July clasped his hands to hide the way they already shook. Rex was in one of those moods where July couldn’t read him. That was worse than knowing he was in trouble.

“Why are you still here? I gave you a chore.”

July smiled. “Hi, Daddy. I’m not supposed to be at Leary and JJ’s for another hour.”

Rex’s hard brown gaze moved over him, as if searching for any hint of defiance. “It takes thirty minutes to get there. You’re not even dressed.”

July looked down at the cute outfit he wore. Even though he was baffled, July stood. “I’ll change.” He headed for the hall.

“Did I dismiss you?”

July froze. He braced himself as he turned. “No, Daddy.”

Rex pointed at the floor in front of him. “I came here for a reason.”

That one confused July. If he had expected July to be gone, what was his reason? He made his way to where Rex pointed. He didn’t want to look hesitant. That never ended well.

When he stood where Rex wanted him, Rex crooked his finger. His voice turned loving. “I drove all the way here. Seems to me I at least deserve a kiss.”

July pulled out his sweetest smile. He shot forward and swiped a kiss across Rex’s lips. Before he could get away, and just as July knew he would, he pulled July in for a punishing kiss. July gently held Rex’s waist. He knew better than to make any other move. Boys weren’t supposed to be forward. They followed orders.

Rex pulled away, breathing heavily.

July braced himself for violence.

Rex set him aside and bodily turned him toward the hall. He slapped July’s ass hard enough to leave a mark. “Get going. You have a job to do.”

July raced down the hall and out of sight. He wanted to cry, and he didn’t know why. The pain wasn’t from the spanking. He was used to that. His heart ached. July didn’t feel good about anything anymore. His real name wasn’t July. Juynad Hampton was the name his parents had given him. Those fuckers. July was who Juynad really was on the inside. Juynad had been over-the-moon when Rex offered him the world to be July twenty-four hours a day. What he had thought was a dream come true was anything but. Now he was trapped. This prison was what July deserved. Rex knew July was a bad boy who had to be kept in line. He knew July had done terrible things in his life. His shoulders fell. Yeah, he needed Rex’s discipline.

Shaking it off, July dove into his closet. He picked his favorite skirt and paired it with a unicorn shirt he wore a little often. The material was so soft. Touching the shirt made him happy. His inner tactile cooed in pleasure.

In the bathroom, he added all the good-smelling stuff, trying to lift his mood. After that, his outfit, makeup, and hair held his thoughts. July loved the bright colors and the transformation. It was like he was drawing a pretty picture and he was the canvas.

Once he found the combat boots he needed to complete the outfit, July headed back to the living room where Rex waited.

Rex’s gaze swept over him. “Much better. Give me another kiss and get going. I’ll be here when you get back, and you can tell me all about it.”

July’s smile was real. “Okay, Daddy.” He did as told. His mood had lifted. His daddy was here, and he sounded pleased. July might end up having a much better day than he expected.

He grabbed his favorite stainless-steel cup and made his way to his car. After going through the drive-thru of his favorite coffee shop, July got on track to Leary’s house.

The drive wasn’t a long one after leaving the coffeehouse. He had no idea why people kept honking and shaking fists at him. With one knee holding the steering wheel, July poured his iced coffee into the pink bedazzled cup with a cute bear straw. As he screwed on the lid, he noticed he was almost in the ditch. He barely missed a brick mailbox.

A nervous laugh escaped him. “Oopsie.”

Thankfully, the driveway he needed was only a couple of doors down. July parked and jumped out of the car. He bounced his way to the door, enjoying the feel and freedom of his fluffy skirt. Daddy had known what was best.

July had to ring the doorbell more times than expected. This was why he had a different time planned to leave today. JJ and Leary were in their sex-all-the-time phase. The door opened. Leary and JJ stood on the other side, looking slightly disheveled, just as July suspected they would.

A pair of huge grins greeted him.

Leary bounded out the door with JJ on his heels. “Hey. You look so adorable. I’m starving.”

“Thank you, angel.” They linked arms while JJ locked up. July leaned into the only real friend he had and hugged the arm he held. “I really appreciate you asking me to lunch today. I needed this.”