“It’s not like that.” At least, that was what I was trying to tell myself. I hadn’t been attracted to a man like this since before my accident. “He needs help and I’m offering that to him. He’s... in a special lifestyle.”
“What lifestyle is that?” asked another voice behind us.
I groaned and glanced over my shoulder at Jericho and his smug smirk as he glided into the church hall like the gentleman he was, wearing his fancy designer clothes. Even though his outfit was simple jeans, a forest-green T-shirt, and brown hiking boots, I knew from the fit each piece had to be expensive. Jericho was another piece of art, but he worked hard for it. He was at the gym at least twice a day, while also Instagramming himself there—he’d been nicknamed McSexy Shrink on the internet. His golden hair was brushed back, long enough to curl around his ears, and he had bright hazel eyes that appeared almost green in the right light.
Jericho sidled up beside me and focused on Phoenix. “Whoarewe talking about, and what lifestyle are they in?”
I held back the urge to roll my eyes. “It’s none of your business.”
He clicked his tongue at me. “That isn’t how you talk to your best friend,FatherGian.”
A snort slipped out and both Jericho and Malachi glanced at me. I shrugged. “Phoenix deserves privacy.”
“And I’m a psychologist, so I’m good at confidentiality,” Jericho said with a genuine smile. “You should be talking to me about your lover boy, not him.” He jerked his thumb at Malachi, who raised his brows.
“And I’m a priest,” Malachi said. “Anyone can confess their deepest sins to us, and we will never tell anyone but God.”
“If he exists,” Jericho snapped back.
I pressed my hands together and laid my forehead against the tips of my forefingers, praying for strength with these two. They might argue, but we were all friends who had one another’s backs.
“Your ex agrees with your lack of belief, apparently. He was in Gian’s office assaulting him today without an ounce of fear.”
I groaned when Jericho shot me a wide-eyed gaze, and then I glared at Malachi. How did he find out about that? Was it the damaged office wall that gave it away? He wasn’t stupid and had probably put two and two together, with a helping of nun gossip thrown in for good measure.
“Toma was here? Why?” Jericho tried hard to look annoyed, but I didn’t miss the interest in his gaze.
They’d broken up three years ago, by Jericho’s choice, and Toma still hadn’t gotten over their relationship. When we were on speaking terms he always asked about Jericho. I knewwhyJericho had made the choice, though. When he found out what Toma really did, how our family made its money, he couldn’t handle it. He left. The only thing that prevented Ric from taking Jericho out was Toma’s plea not to harm him. There was likely more to it all, but I didn’t know the details. Toma had saved his life.
“Did he hurt you?”
I touched my jaw where a light bruise had formed, but not dark enough to be noticeable. Toma had worked my neck over more, though, and bruises littered my throat, but my collar hid his dirty work. “He was in a mood. That isn’t unusual.”
“I—”
Whatever Jericho was going to say was cut off by Malachi. “Can we return to the subject of this young man? We should find alternative living arrangements for him because I don’t want you to be tempted by the sin, Gian.”
Jericho rolled his eyes. “Malachi, go to the altar and get on your knees for God or whatever you do. Gian and I need to talk. Alone.”
“I will,” Malachi said calmly, though his eyes narrowed. “And not in the dirty way you are implying.” With a huff, he left us alone, turning to walk back into the church to say a prayer before we opened the doors to hundreds of needy people.
Jericho grunted. “Such a prima donna.”
I didn’t tell him he could be just as bad, and instead I laughed.
He touched my arm and glanced from me to Phoenix. “What lifestyle is he in? I can shed some light on the subject. You know I specialize in sex psychology.”
I couldn’t help but know everything about Jericho because he wasn’t ashamed to tell everyone who he was and what he did. He was proud of his job and I respected that, even if it got irritating quickly.
Glancing around, I made sure no one in the near vicinity could hear what I was about to say. “He had a Daddy. He’s a boy.”
“Oh, Daddy roleplay. Interesting.” His eyes lit up and he focused on Phoenix in a way I didn’t like. I nudged him in frustration. “Sorry, sorry. It can be a very immersive kink lifestyle.”
“He’s not something you can study,” I said quietly. “He’s... a shy kind of guy. I woke up this morning to him on his knees beside my bed, and he started calling me Daddy almost immediately.” I didn’t include the thrill of seeing him there or the sharp intensity of need that had shocked my system. “He made me coffee and breakfast and cleaned, and it made him happy. When I told him how nice it was... he enjoyed that.”
“Hm.” Jericho stroked his soft chin and hummed. “Have you been giving him many compliments?”
“I have,” I admitted, ignoring the heat in my cheeks. “I promised to protect him, and when Toma was raising hell in my office today he hit Phoenix and kicked him in the stomach. I stopped Toma from doing any more harm, and Phoenix was happy I protected him like I’d promised.”
