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Fletch stared, stunned. July’s expression yelled that he a hundred percent believed the words he said.

July didn’t stop there. “You should be annoyed by me. When we met, you made me feel safe, and I’d never felt that way before.” July swallowed. The move looked painful. His gaze dropped, as if he couldn’t look at Fletch anymore. “I started to feel things for you, and goddamn it, Fletch.” July focused on him again, this time with passion-filled eyes. “I am bad. You didn’t know about Rex. I did. Every time I knew I was about to cross the line, I had to back away. I wasn’t free. You didn’t deserve to get dragged into my bullshit. You’ve done nothing to end up plagued by me. Everything you said is true. I’m a brat. I love skirts, makeup, iced coffee, and buying myself all the shoes. There’s nothing I love better than all the pretty things and the way I feel when I look like a princess. If he learned how much I cared about you, not only would I have put you in harm’s way, but I would be dead.” July immediately fell silent. The switch from his passionate speech to completely mute was eerie. Everything about him transformed, as if he had become a different person. His gaze moved to his lap. His hands were back between his knees. “In a lot of ways, I already am. I suppose I’ve always been.” July covered his face and then dropped his hands. He met Fletch’s stare. His eyes were dead. “Everyone wants to be a daddy. The truth is, they just enjoy causing pain and calling it discipline. They call it love.”

Fletch felt sick. He was a daddy without a boy. Loving a Little wasn’t about abuse of power or acting anything like Rex. That motherfucker had someone Fletch would kill to have, and the bastard had broken him. While Fletch had spent months trying his best to keep his hands to himself, stopping himself from holding July the way he wanted, July had needed saving. He had sat by and stayed blind to the abuse. Fletch had shunned him, sent him home to nearly die. He stared into July’s sweet eyes and made a silent vow. Never again. From this point on, July would never know another day of fear or pain. Fletch would show him the lies Rex had fed him. He would show July real love.

No one could understand how much July regretted saying everything he had earlier. There were obviously a lot of drugs pumping through his blood, bringing his defenses down. Fletch pretended as if today was any other day. He doted on July, ensuring he ate with as little pain as possible. Fletch chatted casually about nothing. July wanted to scream, but he was too tired. His eyes felt heavy and kept closing against his will. July didn’t know why he was so tired. Austen had said something about extreme blood loss and medications. July hated feeling this way. He wished Fletch would talk to him until he fell asleep. There were times that had been the biggest kindness.

Poor JJ was really out of it. July stacked pillows around to help protect his arm. He made sure JJ’s prescriptions were close enough for him to reach and filled an insulated cup with ice water. Doing his best to help JJ eased his guilt a hair.

Once July had JJ settled, he went back out to the car and grabbed the bag Rex had given him. July chewed his bottom lip as he did his best to stick the small listening devices in places where Leary wouldn’t see them. While he was intentional with his placement, not wanting to catch anything that might embarrass Leary, he also had to put a couple of small cameras in spots where Rex couldn’t accuse July of sabotaging his investigation. July didn’t even know what Rex hoped to learn about July’s dad. That guy was a piece of shit who never came around unless it made him look good somehow. But if doing this meant July got to stay friends with Leary, then monitoring Leary’s house was what July would do.

When the house was sufficiently covered, July ran a test on each device to ensure they worked properly. He shot off a quick text, letting Rex know he was done. His hands shook and his chest hurt. Leary was the only good thing in his life. Well, there was Fletch too now. He felt all warm inside when he thought about listening to Fletch read to him. They had exchanged numbers and texted several times a day. Fletch had a bit of a hard edge to him, but he was the kind of blunt July needed in his life.

July grabbed his phone and pulled up Fletch’s number. He had saved Fletch as The PlayPen chat on his phone and double deleted every message sent between them. If Rex ever heard a single word about Fletch, July was a dead man. Fletch too, most likely. But July wasn’t cheating because they were only friends. That didn’t mean July didn’t dream.

July hugged his phone against his chest and closed his eyes. He pictured himself sitting between Fletch’s thighs again. That solid torso and arms kept him safe. Fletch’s breath brushed his ear as he read to July about one of Barbie’s many adventures. July didn’t see the beautifully illustrated pages. Fletch held his every sense captivated. For once, a man’s arms didn’t hurt. His scarred hands gently held a book and flipped pages. July let himself dream about a different life; one that didn’t hurt. Even though July knew there was no chance of the fantasy of Fletch coming true, he still immersed himself in the world he invented. His phone rang before he could lose himself. He checked the face. It was Fletch.

He rushed to answer, "Hello?"

"Hey, glitter bug. How's being the nurse going?"

July curled up in a ball. He couldn't stop smiling. "He's out, so I'm just lounging around. How's your day going? Don't spare a single detail. You're soothing to my ears."

A soft chuckle floated through the line.

July's eyes closed. Everything about Fletch was heaven. He wished he really could get lost in Fletch. What a beautiful life that would be.

July loved the sound of Fletch’s voice. He listened to Fletch quietly move around the room as if he thought July had fallen asleep. July was on the cusp, but he needed to hear Fletch talk more than he needed sleep.

“Where are you from?” The words slurred from him, but July was determined. “Your accent soothes me.”

The bed dipped beside him. July couldn’t force his lids open even for the treat of seeing Fletch in bed with him. Fletch stroked his hair. His touch felt nice. “I’m originally from the bayou.” He chuckled. “Believe it or not, I’ve worked hard to kill the accent. People judge you by the way you speak.”

“I love listening to you. Your voice is dreamy.” The words barely made it past his lips. His entire body jerked as if he had fallen asleep and startled himself awake. The calming darkness slowly dragged him under. “Daddy?” July didn’t even know what he said. His mind was too far gone.

“What’s up, Princess?”

“What games did you bring for us?” Truth be told, not only did July not know what he said, he wasn’t sure he spoke at all. Maybe his entire life had been nothing but a dream.

July was startled awake by a hand over his mouth, making him realize he had fallen asleep again. This time, Fletch was right in his face with his finger held to his lips. He wore his intently listening face. All July heard was the pounding of his heart. As his heart rate slowed, he heard shouts and crying. They were muffled and hard to hear, but the sounds were definitely there.

Fletch pulled his hand away.

Together they stared at the door, holding their breath. Everything went silent.

July scooted closer to Fletch. Rex was here. He swore he felt Rex’s presence pulsing through the walls. The hair stood on the back of his neck. His muscles were clenched, anticipating the inescapable violence.

Fletch pulled him into a protective hold, as if prepared to cover July’s body with his, if necessary.

July’s gaze moved to Fletch. While Fletch watched the door, July stared at him. A muscle flexed in Fletch’s jaw. He was definitely ready to fight. July had seen that expression a thousand times throughout his life. Except this time, someone was prepared to fight for him rather than harming him. Something warm filled his chest. He felt like crying. Fletch looked strong and capable. He matched Rex in size. The problem was that Fletch didn’t match Rex’s evil and cruelty. He would hurt Fletch.

“You should let him have me.”

Fletch's gaze shot to his face. If looks could kill, July wouldn’t have to wait for Rex to finish him. Fletch’s eyes were scary. July found himself climbing inside his shell to protect himself mentally.

“Don’t you ever fucking say that to me again.”

Out of left field, and for whatever reason, July laughed. He covered his mouth with both hands to smother the sound.