14. Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen

Dex and Prince stood in front of the cabin together as they waved goodbye to Marius an hour after Prince had arrived. Once he was out of sight, Dex closed the door behind them once they were back inside the cabin. Prince was pushed against the door, kissed, hands were run down his arms and sides, his ass grabbed and held.

Prince was swirling in arousal, his mind unable to catch onto one thought before another sensation took over again.

"Want you," Dex whispered on Prince's neck. The feeling of his hot breath and lips was so erotic, Prince couldn't answer. There was no way he could form words, so he let out a series of incoherent gibberish that came out with two long groans.

"Baby," Dex said, then took his mouth again, deeply kissing him until Prince had no breath for more gibberish. "I'm done waiting. Do you have the time to stay?"

Prince nodded drunkenly, but his throat was being kissed, so his eyes rolled back in his head. Then he remembered the people back at the camp, how they were continuously covering for him. All so he could pursue a romance.

He pushed back on Dex and whispered, "Hold up."

"Shit, do you have to go back?"

He wanted to say no, that he could stay, but he couldn't. Not yet. "I need to ask. They're covering for me again. I…"

"Shh. It's okay. I understand."

"I'm really sorry. Let me call them," he said as he reached back for the walkie, only to remember he'd forgotten it. "Damn."

"Let me drive you over there."

"You have a car?"

"Of course," he laughed. "I have it parked up on the hill. That was recommended by the park supervisor. This dirt driveway gets muddy in the rain."

"Oh! Okay. But you can't take me all the way."

Dex poked his nose playfully. "Duh."

Prince had never experienced the pure joy he felt when he was in Dex's arms. Joy and security. He felt protected, and not in the smothering way his nannies and father had, watching his every move to criticize.

They walked up the hill together holding hands. No, it wasn't exactly public, but close enough that he got nervous halfway up the hill. Then, he realized he no longer had to worry about his father's approval.

But…he still craved it.

Dex let go of his hand once they got to the parking area. Prince had never seen it, and he went to the rail that lined the area. There was a drop at the end the rail was there to protect the cars from, and once he went to it and looked out, he found himself breathless.

The mountains in the distance, the long lake, it was all so beautiful, he couldn't imagine anywhere in the world better. Then a phone was placed in front of him, and on the screen was an as beautiful scene. A long green field led to a range of mountains that towered beautifully over the surrounding landscape.

"Where is this? Montana?"

"Yes," Dex growled in his ear. "I am trying to tempt you."

"You do that all the time," Prince pointed out before he was kissed on the neck. "And I've taken the job, remember?"

"Yeah, just in case you want to change your mind, I'm going to keep tempting you."

"I should protest, but…for some reason, I just can't."

He chuckled and kissed Prince's neck again. "Let's go before I can't."

"Come on."

Dex had a black SUV. Prince was getting the hint that these guys liked black cars. He watched the lake as they drove around it, the sun glistening on its nearly waveless surface. The mountains' reflection, the air from the open window bringing in the now familiar scent of the lake.

"I love it here."

"I do too. It's grown on me."

Prince sighed, "Is it really like this in Montana?"

"Same mountain range, Prince. It's beautiful. But, if you hate it, I'm sure that Dante will allow you to live somewhere else."

Prince turned to Dex, a little surprised. "He would?"

"Sure. You're not a prisoner, Prince. You're a treasure. I think the reason he'd like you there is to be protected."

"You protect me."

"I have yet to protect you, babe. I'd love to, but that would include you needing to be protected. As in, you being in danger. I don't want you to ever be in danger."

Prince thought it over and though he didn't say it, being in danger and having his knight rush in to save him was a secret dream of his. "I never will be with you around."

He said it and Dex acknowledged that with a smile, and Prince knew he meant it. He trusted Dex. That was amazing, but true. "When you started in the…family thing, were you scared?"

Dex pulled over a hundred feet from the parking area and turned off the engine. Dex turned to him, staring right into his eyes. "I was scared, yeah. I will not lie, it's dangerous at times. Mostly these days, it's more about negotiation and trading favors. Come to think of it, it's always been about that too. The Carrillos, like the Kings, we're past the gang wars in the streets. Not that everyone is. We step in when we need to help our associates. And when we do, we always win."

"I have a feeling you're not just bragging."

"I'm not. If you were to live and work where one of the key people is, you'd be so protected, I'd never have to worry."

It amazed Prince that Dex was so worried about him. All he wanted was to protect him. "Okay. I'll be there, but like you said, if I don't like it, I can leave, right?"

"I'm not lying to you, Prince. I may omit the truth when I need to, but I have never lied to you and never will. I don't like liars."

Prince leaned over the center console and kissed Dex quickly. "I'll be right back."

"You better be."

Prince was smiling once he got out of the car, and he dreamily held out his hand to brush the needled branches of the pine trees that lined the drive.

His dream turned into a nightmare, however, when he saw his father's Bentley parked in the middle of the parking area. He ran to it only to see that it was empty, meaning that his father was already raising some kind of fuss.

To the office, he ran next and threw the door open wide, but no one was there.

He found Silvio and Anton leading the kids to the mess hall and he pulled Silvio aside. "Where is he?"

"Be more specific."

"My father!"

Silvio's head was on a swivel as he looked around. "He's here?"

"Somewhere, yes!"

Fabian walked over to them and sneered, "How's your boyfriend?"

Prince's entire body went numb. "Excuse me?"

"Fabian, get the hell out of here before I beat you," Anton warned.

"No, I want him to tell me. What are you talking about?" Prince demanded.

"Ask your father," Fabian said before he walked away, laughing.

Prince watched him, but something else caught his eye. Toby was standing by the mess hall steps, and he was laughing with Prince's father. "What the hell?"

"Anton, get the kids to the mess," Silvio asked, and Anton nodded to him before gathering the kids and having them follow him. As soon as they were alone, except for Nat and Monnie, both of whom stayed back with them, he told Prince, "You've already decided not to continue on the path he wants for you. If he's all up in Toby's ass, let him."

Prince felt the hot tears stinging his eyes before they fell. Monnie grabbed his hand and clenched it. "Some dads don't do right."

"Yeah. There are a lot of kids here that had shitty dads, Prince. You're in good company."

It felt like he couldn't breathe, and his chest was crushing him, body and soul. "I know. I…can't take this. This really hurts."

"Then, maybe it's time, Prince, that you tell him that. Go talk to him."

Prince didn't want to talk to him. He wanted to slap him across the face and then never speak to him again. He moved away from the others and started toward his father and Toby. His eyes stared right at his father, but it took a moment for his father to see him. When he did, Leonard's face changed like he was smelling something back, and the grin he'd just had faded quickly.

Toby leaned to whisper to Leonard, then he left as quickly as Leonard's smile had faded. "Coward," Prince said when he neared them.

"Prince, get your things. I'm taking you home now," his father began, chin high and eyes narrowed. "This time, I will not take no for an answer."

"Dad…please, we need to go somewhere and talk."

"No. We have nothing to talk about," he said, then grabbed Prince's arm in a bruising grip and pulled him toward the parking area. "We'll send for your things."

"Dad, stop!"

Leonard didn't stop, and his grip only got tighter. "How the hell could you embarrass me like this, over and over? I can't believe you, Prince! Flaunting the fact that you're a faggot?"

Prince wrenched away from his father then, and he stopped moving. Leonard stepped in front of him as he tried to get back to the parking area and Dex.

"Prince, if you don't come with me, you'll be giving up everything. That includes your trust fund."

"Keep it. I no longer need your money. I have a new job."

"Being some man's whore?"

Prince had been shaking with anger, but suddenly, all he was, was tired. "Yeah, Dad. I'd rather be his whore than your son."

He turned to the road, and Dex was standing there, arms crossed menacingly over his chest as he glared hatefully at Leonard.

Seeing Dex, knowing that Dex would charge in, defending Prince to the death if needed, Prince felt confidence in himself he'd never felt in his life. Turning back to his father, he said, "Dad, I love you. You're my father, but I never wanted to follow in your footsteps. I never wanted to run the company. All I ever really wanted was your love and approval and I've grown past needing approval. That only leaves love, and…well, that's up to you."

He spun around before his father could say anything and ran. For the first time, he felt free. His feet felt light, his heart felt light, and around Dex was a light he'd never noticed.

Dex opened his arms and as soon as Prince got to him, he was scooped up into those strong arms right off his feet. Dex was there, holding him, his lips on Prince's, and he was carried just that way to Dex's car.

As soon as he was placed in the passenger seat, Dex leaned over to buckle him, and then he took Prince's mouth in another kiss. "Did you let your friends know?"

"No! Damn!"

Dex hooked his thumb behind him. "No worries."

Silvio, Anton, Monnie, and Nat were all rushing to the SUV, and Prince felt more tears welling in his eyes until the friends he treasured were nothing but blurs.

They fell just as Silvio arrived, eyed Dex hard and Monnie joined him. Her fists settled on her hips as she scowled at the man. "You his boyfriend?"

Dex stood and nodded, holding his hand out to her. "I'm Dex. You must be Monnie. Prince has nothing but good things to say about you."

"Mmmhmm. You too, but you call me Montese. I don't know you!"

"Sorry! Montese, it's nice to meet you."

"You okay?" Silvio asked Prince.

"I'm okay, but…" He looked at Dex with a smile. "I'm not coming back to the camp tonight, if that's okay."

"It's okay as long as you're safe," Anton said, then nodded to Dex. "Anton. His friend."

Dex greeted all of them, including Nat, who was hiding behind Monnie. "Listen, everyone, I know you don't know me from Adam, but I swear I won't hurt him. The opposite. I want to protect him."

Prince saw the Bentley drive by, kicking up gravel.

"Good. Protect him from that asshole," Silvio said. To Prince, he cautioned, "I doubt if he's done with you. Get the job nailed down and go."

"I can't just leave the camp. I made a commitment."

"I love you care about that, vato , I do. Still, we've got this. Anton can move over to Cabin C with me, and George can take his place."

Dex surprised Prince as he said, "He'll be back bright and early in the morning. He wants to be with his friends for the rest of the summer. But I'll have a phone for you to call me if he needs me. Though, looking at the four of you? I think he's got plenty of backup."

"Damn right he does," Monnie said, winking at Prince. "We ain't gonna let that old man mess with him." Dex nodded to her like she was the queen, and in a lot of ways, she was.

When they got back on the road back to Dex's cabin, Dex said, "I really like your friends."

"Yeah. Me too."

"Now I see why you're including them in the contract."

Prince ducked his head away and said, "Yeah. They mean a lot to me."

After Dex grabbed his hand, squeezing it. "They have a good friend, too. Especially since you don't want the credit."

"I don't want to buy friends or have my friends thinking I want to buy them. Money can buy things, not people."

"Oh, I beg to differ on that, baby. It's the kinds of people that can be bought that are the problem. People like that? Prince, they already love you. Did you see their worry for you?"

"Yes. That is why I'll never let them know it was me."

Dex nodded and soothed, "Okay. I won't say a word. The thing is, though, those demands right there were part of the reason you got the job. Instead of the demands you had making it harder for them to hire you, it was a big plus."

"Mobsters like I wanted part of my contract to be for other people?"

"Yes, Prince. We have hearts too, you know. Well, you should know. You stole mine."

Prince smiled despite himself. He mostly forgot that Dex was a member of a crime family. How could he not? Dex was nothing like the guys in the movies. He wasn't mean, didn't threaten to break people's kneecaps, didn't carry a gun.

"When you say things like that, Dex, you make me…all…"

"Hot?"

"You don't have to open your mouth ever for that. I feel…"

"Loved?"

Prince laughed. "Yeah. Okay! I feel loved."

Dex didn't say another word until they pulled into his parking space. He turned to Prince and took both of his hand, kissing the back of one, then the other. "Prince, I wanted you from the first time I saw your picture. I saw the darkness in your blank stare, and, for me, I saw a man that hadn't been loved like he should be. When I came here and met you, I saw it wasn't just the trick of the light or something. Now I saw why. You need love, and more than that, Prince. You deserve it. You are so good and sweet. All I want to do is protect you and take care of you. What's funny, though, is I see you want to do that with everyone you care for. I just hope I can take care of you like you take care of everyone else."

Prince's tears ran freely down his cheeks, and he didn't feel the need to swat them away. If he'd cried in front of his father, Leonard would have said something nasty, like be a man, stop that crying . Dex didn't say that, and Prince knew he never would.

They walked to the cabin hand in hand, and when they got to the door, Dex picked him up again, carrying him across the threshold. After kicking the door closed behind them, Dex carried him into the bedroom, laying him on the bed tenderly with a kiss.

"I know it hurts, that your father is not great to you. I hope what we're about to do isn't some revenge for you on him."

"No, it's not. I want you, Dex. I don't need a father right now. I need," he started, but the word was hard to allow to be voiced. He swallowed and tried to say it, but all he did was smile shyly.

"You need a daddy. Baby, I can be your daddy. I'm old enough," he said, laughing.

Dex lay on the bed next to him, cradling his face with one hand while he kissed Prince slowly. Prince felt so wanted, so happy that he'd forgotten the fight with his dad, forgot Toby and everything that could take his happiness.

"There, my baby, don't you move. Don't you do anything but lay here while I undress you."

"Okay."

Smiling wickedly, Dex coerced, "Say it. Say it, Prince."

Prince rolled his eyes while his nervous laughter came out and he felt his face flushing. "Daddy, okay?"

Dex's deep laughter shook the bed, and he started pulling Prince's shirt up over his stomach, chest, then told him to sit up, and Prince did. The shirt was off him, and Dex pushed him gently back to the bed.

When Dex unbuttoned his jeans, Prince moaned loudly, gripping the quilt in both fists. "Daddy…I want you so badly…"

"You've got me, baby. You've got me."

He felt precious and treasured. In Dex's arms, Dex's big hands moving over him, Dex's lips on his skin. It was all done with a gentleness that he didn't expect, seeing how brutally strong the man was. Each time his muscles rippled under his skin, each time he picked up Prince like he weighed no more than a feather, Prince knew he was a precious thing to the man.

Overcome with emotion, Prince closed his eyes as he felt his pants being pulled down his legs, and his shoes taken from his feet. As he lay on that bed in only his underwear, Prince felt like he was floating above the bed, the quilt and mattress an afterthought.

Dex's way back up was done with kisses to his inner thighs and finally over his cock that was straining his blue briefs. He let his eyes come open to see Dex's heated stare on his face.

"Are you okay?"

The question wasn't strange to Prince, and yet it was. Dex cared for him, and he showed it and said it with every gesture and word. "I'm so good, I don't recognize the feeling."

"Aw, baby, you're the sweetest thing I've ever seen in my life."

Dex lay over him, kissing him sweetly, hand resting tenderly on his stomach, breath mixing with his. It was the perfect start to something that felt like it meant everything. This moment with Dex completed him and yet it was just the beginning. He felt that in his gut.

"I have things…for us. I went to town and bought them, so…I mean, you're not allergic to latex, right?"

"No," he said, laughing. "I'm good."

"And…I can't believe I didn't ask, but you're okay bottoming?"

Prince met his gaze and nodded silently.

"Good. You're so beautiful, Prince. I can't tell you how beautiful you are right now. A little blush over your nose and cheeks, my god…"

His eyes were dilated, nostrils flared, so his face told as much as his voice had. "Am I a sexy thing?"

Dex chuckled in a rumble, kissed him and whispered, "You are the sexiest thing."

"Flattery will get you whatever the hell you want."

"I'm holding you to that."