14. Kipp

Chapter 14

Kipp

As Dale explained everything that had happened between him and Benson, Kipp couldn't quite believe what he was hearing. He had always known that Benson was a low-down piece of dirt, but Dale's revelations were taking things to a whole other level.

Benson not only sounded like a shitty boyfriend, he sounded like the kind of man who could be a threat to other young men too. Kipp knew that this couldn't stand. As a man, and as a Daddy, Kipp felt a clear urge that something simply had to be done.

‘My darling, sweet boy,' Kipp said, cupping Dale's face. ‘I'm so sorry you had to experience this. No one should be put through what that sonofabitch did to you. And also not what he's trying to do to you now either.'

Kipp could see that while Dale was comforted by his words, there was something else on his mind too. And without wanting to push too hard, Kipp knew that he needed to know. If there was anything else in this story, he needed to hear it.

‘You can talk to me,' Kipp said. ‘No matter how big or small an issue. I've got your back. I'm your Daddy, and I'll never judge you.'

Kipp could see that Dale wanted to talk.

But there was something holding him back.

‘Okay, how about you put your face close to my chest,' Kipp said, gently guiding Dale up close once more. ‘Just talk to my heart. I'll hear you. Let it all out.'

‘Okay, Daddy, it's just…' Dale said, his voice soft and with a hint of fearfulness to it.

Dale went on to explain that Benson said he owed him money. And that he was charging interest on the debt and making threats. The truth was that Dale did technically owe him a little, something like fifty bucks. But as Dale needed to run away from him, he never got the chance to give him the money – even though in truth, Dale couldn't actually remember how or why he owed it.

‘I feel ashamed,' Dale said. ‘Please don't think I'm a thief or dishonest. It's not like that, it really isn't, Daddy.'

‘I know it's not,' Kipp replied, giving Dale a reassuring hug. ‘This asshole is holding this so called debt over your head. It's not fair. No real man would do that. And something tells me that you don't owe him a cent. I know how men like this operate. They look for manipulations, schemes, anything they can to get control. But don't worry, I'm on it. This motherfucker won't know what hit him.'

Kipp thought back to the wisdom of his Uncle Joe.

While Uncle Joe did believe in peaceful resolutions where possible, he was also an old school realist too. Sometimes harsh words needed to be uttered. And on rare occasions, a degree of physical edge could be applied too.

Kipp wasn't going to fall into the same trap his brother walked into. This wouldn't become a blood feud. But Kipp was going to do whatever it took to put Benson out of his sweet Dale's life for good.

The only question was precisely how Kipp would do it.

It would need to be quick, to the point, and final.

And Kipp knew that he couldn't give Benson a single inch to wriggle and worm his way out. It might be brutal, but Kipp knew that this was very much a one-and-done situation.

But rather than dwell on how to resolve everything, Kipp knew that he had more pressing matters to attend to. He had a sad young man who needed cheering up. And there was only one way to do it.

‘Come on baby boy,' Kipp said. ‘Works out early today. We're heading to The Tap House. And we've got something to celebrate.'

‘What's that, Daddy?' Dale asked, a look of innocence and hope in his eyes.

‘This is the beginning of the end for Benson,' Kipp replied, a knowing look in his eyes. ‘And once he's gone, it'll be just you and me, kid. Now tell me that ain't a future to look forward to and celebrate?'

Dale smiled and buried his head once more in Kipp's powerful chest.

Kipp knew that there could yet be a bump in the road ahead, but for the time being at least it was time to help his darling boy relax. And if an hour at The Tap House couldn't do it, then nowhere could!

The Tap House was getting a little busier for its lunch time period and as soon as Kipp and Dale stepped inside, they were greeted by the always welcoming embrace of Trey.

‘Friends, this is an unexpected surprise,' Trey said, flashing his charismatic smile. ‘But I certainly ain't complaining. Let me guess… one beer and one mocktail?'

‘I think let's make it a whisky and a real cocktail this time,' Kipp replied, exchanging a look with Trey that made it clear that something had gone down.

‘Of course,' Trey nodded in response. ‘Take a seat, I'll bring them right over.'

As Kipp and Dale took their seats, Kipp waved over toward Axel who had stopped in for a customary lunchtime drink. Chopping trees was thirsty work, that was for sure. And knowing Axel, he was already planning his evening return to The Tap House once his afternoon's work was done.

There was a friendly vibe all around them, and Kipp could see that Dale was slowly relaxing back toward his normal, carefree state of mind. The cocktail helped too, and Kipp was happy that his boy was seemingly able to take his mind off the unspeakably awful Benson.

‘So… feeling a bit better now?' Kipp asked, reaching over and placing his hand on Dale's. ‘I can't imagine how tough that must have been.'

‘It was bad, but I'm so happy I told you now,' Dale said. ‘I feel silly for not saying it in the first place. I just didn't want you to think any less of me.'

‘Never!' Kipp bellowed. ‘You're my special boy. I take you as you are. We all have issues in our past, and sometimes in our present too. But a Daddy and his Little have that bond that can't be broken by outside influences. I truly believe that.'

The look on Dale's face told Kipp everything he needed to know.

He had reassured his boy and even better than that, he was about to be joined by his best friend…

‘Marshall? Yay!' Dale exclaimed, pretty much jumping up from his seat as Marshall approached their table.

‘I thought you could do with some Little company while me and the Daddies got down to some boring Daddy talk,' Kipp said, arching his eyebrow and shooting a look to both Trey and Axel over by the bar.

‘Perfect!' Dale squealed. ‘Wanna play darts?'

‘You bet I do,' Marshall replied. ‘And I'm gonna kick your butt too!'

With that, the two boys made their way over toward the dart board and began to show their skills, all the while laughing and gossiping like they didn't have a care in the world.

Kipp felt like he had done right by Dale. He would feel much better by having some fun and games with Marshall, and it would allow him to talk to Trey and Axel about the Benson situation too. After all, a problem shared between Daddies was a problem halved.

However just as Kipp and his friends were about to dive into matters, the doors to the bar swung open. And it wasn't good news…

‘What the fuck does he want?' Axel asked, looking at Kipp.

‘God damn Leigh,' Kipp muttered. ‘He's the last thing I need.'

‘And it doesn't look like he's paying a social visit either,' Trey said, steeling himself. ‘I could throw him out right now, if that's what you want?'

‘No, let him speak first,' Kipp said, keen not to see Leigh grow unnecessarily frustrated or angry. ‘He can say what he needs to say.'

Kipp watched as Leigh approached him.

Kipp was no stranger to conflict and could see that Leigh was angling for a fight. Everything about Leigh's body language was set up for an aggressive confrontation. But as much as Kipp might have enjoyed putting Leigh firmly in his place, he didn't want to fight in front of Dale – especially after how tough a morning he had just been through.

If possible, Kipp wanted to navigate the situation with Leigh in such a way that Dale barely even noticed he was there…

‘Leigh, it's good to see you,' Kipp said, his tone even and collected. ‘How can I help you?'

‘Don't try that shit with me,' Leigh smirked. ‘You know what I want. You know what is rightfully mine. And you also know that I'm gonna do whatever I need to do to get it.'

Kipp wanted to take Leigh by the shoulders and toss him out of the bar. He didn't appreciate anyone speaking to him in such an outwardly aggressive manner. Every inch of Kipp's dominant side was flaring up in that moment, and he could see by the looks on Axel and Trey's faces that they knew it too.

Stay calm.

Don't give him any excuse to throw hands.

Keep it cool.

‘Okay, you've said your piece,' Kipp replied, doing his best to reign in his anger. ‘Now if you don't mind, I'll be getting on with my day.'

Kipp hated playing the diplomat with a borderline thug like Leigh, but he knew it was necessary for that moment. Even if Leigh thought that he had the upper hand, it was better than scaring Dale for a second time in the day.

‘There'll be no trouble here today,' Kipp said, nodding his head by way of playing the peacemaker. ‘We're all out here having a good time. Nothing else.'

‘Suit yourself,' Leigh laughed. ‘I always knew you were a pussy. Your brother Kaden wouldn't have stood for being called out. But you'll never be him, so…'

Kipp could feel his body tensing.

Hearing his brother being called into the conversation was pushing Kipp to the very limit of what he could take. But he had to try and hold on for as long as he possibly could.

But it was an impossible task. Leigh had crossed the line and there was no going back.

And just as Kipp felt himself about to snap and lash out at his cousin, Trey stepped in and took matters into his own hands.

‘Crenshaw,' Trey said, stepping out from behind the bar and making his presence felt. ‘You're out. And don't fucking come back.'

‘Losers,' Leigh cackled, turning and walking out. ‘Don't worry about me, I'm out of this piece of shit bar. But once I have my hands on the ranch, I'll be coming for this place too. Assholes !'

Kipp felt his mood blacken.

Leigh might have left The Tap House, but his problems were far from being over.

Benson and Leigh… two men who needed to be sorted out once and for all.

Both needed to be taken down, and Kipp knew that he didn't have long to do it either. The longer that Benson and Leigh were causing pain, the worse things would be for him and his darling boy. That simply couldn't stand.

It was time to take out the trash – in Eagle Ridge and in the big city too…