"This isn't over," my father snarled before he twirled and stormed out of the house. A moment later, I heard a car spin its wheels then tear down the driveway.
I sagged against Stalker, every ounce of energy gone.
"It's okay, baby. I have you."
I clung to Stalker as the man swung me up into his arms and pressed my face into his neck.
"I'm afraid we'll need to postpone the park for a little while," Stalker said. "I think Jojo needs a little time."
I did.
I really did.
"I need to make some phone calls," Sinclair said. "I want to get ahead of this before your father starts his shit."
I wasn't sure that was possible.
I felt a pat on my arm and when I glanced down, Sinclair was next to me. "I'm so sorry this happened to you, Jojo."
My eyebrows shot up. "You're sorry? It was my father who brought this to your doorstep. I should be the one apologizing to you."
"I'm no expert," Stone said as he stepped up next to his mate, "but I'm pretty sure a father is someone who drops everything to take their son to the park. He's not someone who beats his kid when he doesn't do what he ordered him to do."
"You have nothing to apologize for, Jojo," Sinclair said before giving me a smile. "Now, go upstairs and let Stalker pamper you a little bit. Stone will let Sampson and Henry know we're staying in and ask them to keep an eye on Tommy a little longer."
That sounded perfect to me.
"He hasn't given up." I hated admitting that. "He won't stop until he gets his way."
"I think your father has gotten away with a lot because he's never run into anyone who has resisted him before now." Sinclair's grin made me feel the first kernel of hope that my father could be stopped. "Unfortunately for him, I don't take orders very well."
"I wouldn't necessarily say that's true," Stone said.
Sinclair frowned at his mate. "Pervert."
Stone's grin was huge.
The heated look he gave Sinclair stayed with me as my own mate carried me upstairs. "Do you think we'll ever look at each other the way Stone and Sinclair do?" Not to mention the others in the pride.
"I think we are already beginning to, Jojo," Stalker replied. "Mated does not mean true love. It simply helps it along a little. The rest of it is up to us, and I think we are well on our way to being a great love match."
My breath caught in my throat. "Yeah?"
I could only hope that we ended up being one of those mated pairs who truly cared for each other. I dreamed of such a match. Maybe I had finally found the answer to my dreams in the man carrying me.
Stalker laid me down in the middle of the bed then stretched out next to me. His fingers trailed down the side of my cheek. "Do you want me to go get Tommy?"
"No, not yet." I needed a few minutes to snuggle. Besides, I knew he was safe. Stalker's friends would never let anything happen to him. "I just need a few minutes to breathe."
"I bet I can help you relax." Stalker's grin was wicked as he scooted down my body then moved between my legs.
"What are you up to?"
Stalker snorted. "If you don't know…"
Well, I was pretty sure I had a good idea, especially after Stalker unzipped my pants and pulled the edges aside. A further clue was the lick up the side of my hardening cock.
A needy moan ripped from my throat when Stalker placed his hands on my thighs, and took my dick into his mouth. He worked my aching cock, licking and sucking. I hissed as Stalker took in another inch, nearly swallowing the whole thing.
