“Got it, you’re determined to be the best rent-a-cop you can be,” Arlo snarled. “Excuse me if I hold my applause over your intimidation tactics until I see if you can actually back them up.”
“Anytime, anyplace, rhino-boy, you bring the horn, I’ll bring the claws, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
“Please don’t fight,” Taggart blurted out. “I just wanna get my stuff so we can go home.”
“Yes, we’d better get going,” Arlo said, shooting one last, glaring look at Morrison. “See ya around, stripes.”
“Laugh it up, armor-butt,” Morrison called out as they left the office. “You know where to find me if you want to continue this.”
All the way down the steps, Arlo muttered curses while Taggart scrambled around the side of the building and back to his car and the equipment he’d left in it.
“Is this everything you need?” Arlo snapped when he caught up to him.
“I-I should probably grab a few more things, just in case one of these doesn’t work the way I want it to,” Taggart replied, placing the computer screen in the back of his car, before going to open his unit and darting inside.
Like he had in the office, Arlo drummed his fingers in an effort to keep his temper in check, this time on the top of Taggart’s car while his meerkat darted in and out of the unit, bringing the things he collected, and fussing over whether or not he’d forgotten something. The upset of the morning had clearly frazzled him, which would never have happened if he’d just woken Arlo and asked him to go with him.
They could have all gone and stopped for anything else they needed along the way. Between the three of them, they’d have made short work of the task and been back home enjoying breakfast by now. His stomach rumbled, reminding him of the way he’d left and the startled, confused feelings he’d picked up off Soren as he’d rushed out the door.
Relaxing the shield he’d flung up between them, he reached out to reassure himself that their little bird was okay.
What are you up to, darlin’?
Cleaning up. Will you be home soon with Taggart?
Yes, we’re at Taggart’s unit, and he’s just grabbing a few more things, then we’ll be on our way home.
Let me know when you’re close, and I’ll start the pancakes.
Thank you. I will.
While Arlo was pleased that he was doing just fine at home alone, there had been a moment in the office when he’d picked up on a tinge of worry from Soren, even with the shield. He’dneed to make sure Taggart understood that when he got himself into situations like this one, it didn’t just affect him, but all three of them. As soon as he got him back to the house, he and his boy were going to have a conversation that would end with his hand reddening Taggart’s bottom.
“Is that the last of it?” Arlo asked when Taggart finally paused beside the car some twenty minutes later, looking thoughtful and flushed.
“I think so, let me take one last look.”
Drumming impatiently on the top of the car, he gave Taggart the time he needed to look around, close and secure the door, before he stalked over to Taggart and hauled him into an embrace, needing the contact more than his next breath. “You scared Daddy!” Arlo growled in his ear. “And Daddy scared Soren by taking off like a bat out of hell. You know you’re in trouble, right?”
Taggart hung his head, nodding. “Yes, Daddy.”
“You use the drive to think about how much trouble, understood?”
“Yes, Daddy,” he sob-whined, eyes shiny with unshed tears, chin quivering.
“Then let’s go,” Arlo said. “I’ll follow you, and don’t you dare think about stopping anywhere along the way. I’m upset, and so is Soren. You think on that after everything he’s been through.”
Taggart blinked furiously, tears sliding down his pale cheeks as he got in his car. He choked out a “yes, Daddy,” once more and started the engine.
All the way back, Arlo struggled to keep hold of his anger, having to keep the walls up between him and his mates so neither would pick up on just how pissed he was. A tiger. A fuckin’ tiger. That big bastard could have ripped Taggart apart before Arlo made it out of the driveway. Fear made his heart tremble, and that gave him the realization Taggart neededto learn a lesson, one he’d never forget. One he needed to understand was because of him not thinking, but acting without understanding, could have ramifications for all of them, which was a hard limit for Arlo.
Taggart stopped on the driveway, and Arlo parked behind him, blocking his car in the way he should have done from the very beginning. When he saw he was about to unload, he strode over and seized him firmly, but gently, by the arm.
“I’ll bring everything in after we’ve talked about your punishment,” Arlo stated in a solemn tone, escorting Taggart into the house past Soren, who stepped out of their path the moment he saw the stony look on Arlo’s face.
“You can start the pancakes in a little bit,” Arlo said softly, having forgotten to let Soren know they were coming home because of the thought of having to punish Taggart.
In the bedroom, he let go of Taggart, closed the door and paced in front of it in agitation. The very idea of hurting Taggart made his stomach quiver.
