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The boy wasn’t ever leaving. Dante probably shouldn’t make that claim quite yet. Carver was a flight risk. Even if he was just running from something or someone else. “I know.”

Playing with the edge of Dante’s lapels, Carver nodded. “Okay.”

Okay. That had been consent. Dante wrapped one arm around Carver’s lower back, then heaved himself up. Carver wrapped himself around Dante like he was afraid Dante would change his mind.

The sweet boy was going to learn soon just how protective Dante was about those he cared for.

Nicholas was there by his side in a flash. “The car is waiting out front.”

“Thank you. Why don’t you spend more time with Jesse here? We’ll be fine.”

His second in command didn’t look convinced as he glanced down at Carver.

Dante’s little one had his cheek resting against Dante’s neck with his nose buried. Carver’s breathing was slow and even, although he wasn’t quite asleep yet. The boy would probably be out by the time they drove across town to Blackstone.

“I should go with y—” Nicholas started.

“Yulian will ride with us,” Dante allowed. As head of security, Dante couldn’t get rid of his shadow even if he wanted. The clan took the protection of their leader seriously.

Nicholas glanced over his shoulder before nodding. “Jesse is having fun. He met some new friends.”

“He gets this one night a month,” Dante said. “Let him enjoy the night. I’m taking my boy to bed.”

“Your boy?” Nicholas repeated smugly.

Dante rubbed a hand down Carver’s back as the little one murmured sleepily. “Tomorrow night we hunt.”

Once again Nicholas looked at the boy that Dante held. “I’ll be ready. We all will. This isn’t right. No one should be that starved.”

Dante agreed. The amount of blood the boy had needed was ridiculous. And he still wasn’t as fed as he should be. Dante could only give the boy a little of what he needed. Once home, Dante would find a feeder to replenish himself so he could give Carver more. The thought of Carver feeding from anyone but him didn’t feel right. “Have a good night.”

“You too.” Nicholas smiled. “I’m glad you found him when you did. He is a lucky boy.”

Dante held Carver closer. It was him that was the lucky one. This boy had a fire raging inside him. Dante just knew it. He would be the partner that Dante had dreamed of. First Dante just had to get him healthy.

By the time Dante reached the open doorway of the nursery, Yulian was stepping into view. Dante doubted that Yulian had been far to begin with. Even less of a chance that Yulian had gotten that drink that Dante had suggested. It might be better this way. With Carver’s unknown sire somewhere, the entire clan would need to step into protective mode.

Dante hadn’t forgotten about the unease of being watched earlier either.

Now might not be the perfect time for Dante to find his boy.

There was no chance in hell that Dante was going to let go of Carver. It didn’t matter what threat was out there.

“Did Nicholas fill you in?” Dante asked quietly so not to disturb his little one.

“Yes, sir. We will be ready,” Yulian promised.

Dante approved of his second and his head of security for moving fast. He’d get more details out of his boy when the time was right. If a sire was missing a child, they should be tearing the city apart looking for them. Dante would see who came searching for Carver.

“Need bag,” Carver said around a yawn.

“I picked up the young man’s bag from his locker,” Yulian informed them.

Carver hummed. “Sneaky bloodsuckers.”

“Hush now,” Dante ordered. He gave the boy’s bottom a pat. The Daddy part of him wanted to correct Carver’s language but it was kind of cute too. “You don’t want to get in trouble.”

“K, Daddy.” A moment later the boy was softly snoring against his neck.