Bondage by Chris Owen, Jodi Payne Read Free Book Online

and turned from him, walking to Tobias' side. "I have help already," he said, sinking to his knees. "I don't want to go to the clinic."
    Tobias stroked his hair, hoping his hand wasn't shaking. "Show the man out, pet. Thank you."
    Noah turned and looked at Phan's father. "You heard Phan, he doesn't need you."
    "No money, Phantom," the man threatened. "I'm withdrawing everything you've been given."
    "I've never used it," Phan said quietly. "And you know it."
    "Your mother--"
    "Hasn't spoken kindly to him in years," Tobias interrupted. "Please leave."
    Phan's father gave him a long stare. "There's no truce this time. I can ruin each and every one of you."
    Tobias took a step forward, but Phan beat him to it, rolling to his feet smoothly. "And then all your petty little secrets will come out, Da. The men you left me with, the loving care Mother poured on me, the way I was born as a tool to be used to keep you together. Hey, Mother was in hiding for a reason, right? I wonder how many people still wonder where she is?"
    Tobias reached for Phan's shoulder. "Easy, boy. Let's not go making threats. I'm sure we can take care of this much more civilly."
    Phan turned to look at him with incredulous eyes, which he hastily dropped.
    Tobias glared at Phantom's father. "Mr. Shaw, I recommend you leave. I have little doubt that Phan means what he says. Is it really worth it to take the son you never wanted away from where he wants to be, just so you can say you have a son? Do you hate him that much?"
    Phantom's father glared around at all of them, ending at Tobias once more. "He won't get another chance from me."
    "He won't need one. Go."
    He turned stiffly and went, not looking back. The door closed on him with a thud that sounded very solid and final.
    "Well," Tobias said into the silence left by the closing door. "That was interesting." He stroked Phan's hair almost absently, but it was Noah he was looking at. "Come here, pet."
    Noah took a couple of steps to Tobias. "I should have asked you first. I'm sorry, but I couldn't let Phan walk out that door. I couldn't let that bigot have him. He's working too hard, he's been through too much, and he's a friend, you know? I hope... I mean you're okay with it, I can see that, but I should have--"
    Noah's explanation was cut off as Tobias kissed him, pushing his tongue into Noah's mouth. Tobias held him in place with his free hand until they were both gasping for air. "You did the right thing," he said when he finally let Noah go. "Thank you."
    He petted Phan again and looked at Noah. "Do you have time to go to the apartment before your ballgame tonight?"
    Noah was still holding Tobias' gaze as Tobias' words registered. "Ballgame. Oh! After my ballgame. Sure," Noah nodded, stepping back from Tobias and righting his uniform. He was grinning and looked a little floaty. "What do you need? I could also call out, I'm wondering if I'm really in the right frame of mind to be trusted with a loaded gun today, anyway."
    "Deidre will kill me if I miss today." He looked down at Phan. "Well, boy. Looks like we have some talking do."
    "Yes, sir," Phan said, his gaze fixed to the floor even though he was leaning against Tobias' leg.
    Tobias shook his head fondly and looked back at Noah. "I have rounds. You can either go to work or take Phan to the apartment -- in either case, I'd like us all there after my rounds so we can sort out some practical details." He transferred his gaze to Bradford. "You can talk now, I know you're dying to say something."
    Bradford grinned. Tobias was quite sure he'd been deliberately silent all this time, quietly observing with Nikki kneeling at his feet. He turned his gaze on Noah. "Thank you, boy, I do believe you have solved more problems than you know. It's a great relief to me." When he looked back at Tobias he started to chuckle. "May you take nothing for granted, you lucky old bastard."
    Noah laughed. "If it's all right with you, Master Bradford, will you look after Phan