I laugh, loud, sharp, and genuinely amused. This kid is so far from the truth it’s almost funny. Before he can say another word, I grab him and pin him against the wall, my hand braced beside his head.
“So what if Iam?” I ask, voice dangerous. “Huh?”
Kit searches my face, eyes wide but determined.
“Isn’t this what you wanted?” I continue. “For thebig bad monsterto finally leave you alone?”
He swallows hard. For a second his face softens, the fight draining a little as my words sink in.
I lean in closer. “Well, you’ve got it. I’m done with you, Kit. You were just a weak, scared little orphan I took pity on and now…”
Kit cuts me off as his small hands move with surprising confidence, finding my belt and undoing the buckle, then popping the button of my trousers. I blink, brain momentarily short-circuiting.What the fuck is happening right now?
“You don’t seem to be stopping me,” he whispers.
I grab his wrist before his hand can slip inside my boxers. “Who the fuck said you could touch me like this?”
Kit blushes, but he doesn’t pull away.
“Anyone else would be on the floor right about now. Tell mewhyI should treat you any different.”
Kit wriggles his hand a little, biting his lip in that nervous, defiant way that makes heat flare low in my gut. I growl and grab him by the throat, fingers wrapping around the slim column of his neck. My other hand reluctantly, but notsoreluctantly, loosens its grip on his wrist. Kit swallows hard against my palm, then cautiously dips his hand inside my boxers. His small fingers wrap around my cock, and I have to close my eyes for a second, a low groan rumbling deep in my chest at the contact.
He strokes me slowly, voice barely above a whisper. “Still want me to leave?”
I rest my forehead against the wall above his head, the height difference making it easy. My breath comes heavier as his hand continues its tentative, maddening movement.Fuck. This kid is going to be the death of me.
Kit’s voice comes out shy and quiet, almost hesitant, even while his small hand is still wrapped around my cock, stroking me with that tentative, maddening rhythm. “I’m sorry…”
I groan at the friction, a little breathless, and look down at him. “For?”
He swallows, eyes flicking up to mine for a second before dropping again. “For… calling you a monster.”
I freeze. The words hit harder than they should. I clear my throat roughly and pull his hand out of my boxers, then quickly fasten my trousers and belt, putting myself back together.
Kit frowns, confusion flashing across his face. “What… what are you doing?”
I move back to my desk and drop into my chair, needing the distance. “You should leave, Christopher.”
“What just happened?” he asks, voice small.
I look up at him, jaw tight. “Kid, Iama monster. I’ve killed countless people. I’veenjoyedit. I’ve burnt down homes and businesses alike. I’ve ruined families. I’ve bankrupted people. I’ve got half the fucking city hooked on drugs, and you…” I inhale sharply and gesture weakly at him. “You’re young. Youdon’twanna be involved in this kind of life.”
Kit stares at me for a long, heavy minute, something stubborn flickering in his eyes. “But…”
“No buts,” I cut him off.
He doesn’t listen… he climbs right onto my desk, sitting on top of my paperwork, legs dangling on either side of me. He crosses his arms like he’s making a stand.
I inhale sharply and bite my tongue. I wouldn’t usually tolerate this kind of defiance from anyone. But for some reason I can’t fathom, I just… let him do it. I refuse to admit that part of me likes it.
“Let me talk,” he says softly.
“Fine,” I grunt. “Talk.”
Kit uncrosses his arms, cheeks already flushed pink, and shifts on the desk. He fidgets with the hem of my oversized button-down for a second, then lets out a small, nervous laugh that doesn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Iknowyou’ve done bad things. Really bad things,” he starts, voice soft and stammering at first. His gaze flicks up to mine for half a second before dropping back to his lap. “But… everything you do is for your family, right? For the people who live here. For the ones who are loyal to you.”
