Except once he got out of the car and stomped into the house, all sensibility flew out the window.
“Dad! Dad, where are you?” He got as far as the dining room when Dad appeared, looking flushed and a little dishevelled.
“What’s wrong?” he demanded, tugging his shirt back into place.
“I need to talk about something…and I need your help.”
Dad’s wolf was there, flashing in his eyes, which said Kari’s was present too.
“My office.”
Popi appeared, flushed and smelling of sex, and Kari realized what he’d interrupted. “Why the shouting Kari?”
Internally, Kari groaned. “I’ve a problem I need Dad’s help with.”
Popi eyed him, eyes narrowing as he looked him up and down. His suit was damp and wrinkled from the shower he’d assisted Bowie with. His hair was probably a mess too. “Something bad has happened to Bowie!”
“What! Erm… how?” Shit, how did Popi know it was Bowie?
Popi came to him, worry shadowing his eyes. “Our group chat. Frey mentioned Bowie hadn’t come into work and not told anyone why. Hollis said you were going to check up on him. What happened to make you mad?”
He gave Dad a pleading look. He didn’t want Popi anywhere near this pile of shit, especially when Kari wanted to let rip. He couldn’t do that in front of Popi.
“My love, it’s best if I deal with whatever Kari has on his mind.”
The light of steel that came when Popi glanced at Dad had Kari take a step back to get out of the firing line.
“Is that right? And why would that be best?” There was nothing in the tone that suggested Popi had an issue.
Kari wasn’t fooled for one second, and he felt guilt at putting Dad in this position. “Popi, please. I need to talk to Dad alone. I swear, I’ll come and talk to you once I’ve…offloaded.”
There was a searching look holding concern, and love, aimed at him. Popi nodded slowly, coming to cup his cheeks. “I’ll be in the kitchen baking, so come and find me when you’re done.”
It was not a request, and Kari nodded. Popi kissed his cheek and then spun around. “You and I will talk later,my love!” Then he walked off in the kitchen's direction.
Wordlessly, Kari followed Dad into his office, the guilt at the underlying threat from Popi placed aside for now.
Shutting the door, Kari leaned against it and took a breath as he considered where to start. “Bowie…” He scrubbed both hands over his face in temper.
“You have feelings for him.”
It was a simple fact, and Kari didn’t argue when, in all this crapshoot, that wasn’t the actual issue.
“Yes. Today…” He couldn’t remain still, moving away from the door to pace around the room. “Bowie didn’t show up at work. Hollis rang me to see if he was with me. He wasn’t, and I was concerned enough to warrant a trip to his apartment and…”
His jaw ached with how hard his teeth ground together at the image he was positive would remain forever ingrained in his mind. Somehow, the ability to breathe deserted him.
Dad placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed, turning Kari to face him. “Take a breath, son. We’ll figure out whatever needs sorting together.”
It helped, that unwavering support he’d always gotten, and he gasped, resting his head on Dad’s shoulder, shuddering at the bear hug that followed.
“The bastard hit Bowie, Dad. Laid his grimy fucking hands onmy boy.”The second he said it aloud, he knew it was the truth. Bowie was his boy in his mind. Didn’t matter how much space he’d put between them; he’d gone into fully daddy mode the second he’d entered Bowie’s apartment. His behavior, always wanting to please, combined with what Kari had seen in his closet, said Bowie at heart was a ‘Little’ or a ‘boy’ whether he understood it or not.
“Who?” No wasted words, straight to the point.
It was a relief, and why he was right here. “Rex Lacy. He’s got an ad agency in town. HewasBowie’s boyfriend.” For Kari, it was most definitely past tense, despite Bowie not saying that aloud.
Dad’s brows arched in surprise, but he didn’t interrupt.
