A Dom and His Writer

by Xenia Melzer

  AN HOUR later they were ready to go down to their bedroom. Richard smiled at Dean. “You were very brave today, boy. I’m so proud of you.”

  Dean blushed a little at these words. “Thank you, Master. And thank you for giving me what I needed. I feel a lot better now.”

  “I’m glad. Now let’s get down, take a shower, and then let’s sleep. We can talk tomorrow.”

  Dean snuggled happily into Richard’s arm as they went down the stairs together.

  Chapter 31

  “SO, WHAT’S going on, Master?”

  Richard looked into Dean’s worried face and sighed, unsure how much he should tell his beloved sub. This morning Dean had woken him with coffee in bed, and now he obviously wanted to use the time until Emily got up to talk. As if he had read Richard’s thoughts, Dean reached for his hands and squeezed them.

  “Please, don’t lie to me. I know you think you have to carry all my burdens, and normally I would agree with you, but this—this is too big to be shouldered by just one person. I want to be there for you, Richard. Just like you are there for me. I promise, I won’t fold under the pressure.”

  Richard pulled Dean close and kissed him on the mouth. “I know, baby. Old habits just die hard. Before Emily, you wouldn’t even have been aware of the situation. I would have kept you safe and sheltered. Then again, before Emily, nothing seemed as pressing or bad. At least not in hindsight.”

  “I know what you mean.”

  “The gist is that your parents are broke, and that’s why they want custody. Not because they care for Emily, but because they need her trust. Which gives Peter a lot of leverage. We’re not out of the woods yet, though, because bigots are everywhere and your parents are desperate enough to press the matter. But our chances are definitely better now. Peter had a meeting with the lawyer working for your parents yesterday, and he wanted to phone me today.”

  Richard took Dean’s face in both hands and looked at him with a hint of worry. “If the judge accepts their claim and we have to go to court, things are bound to become ugly. Your parents will dig up anything they can find to prove that we’re unfit to take care of Emily. I want you to be aware of how tough it could be.”

  Dean smiled weakly. “I know. But I have you and Emily and Aaron and Julio and all our friends. It’s just… I feel bad, you know. About you having to take care of this when you didn’t want Emily in the first place.”

  Richard winced, knowing Dean wasn’t trying to be mean, but voicing a fear he would have had as well, had he been in Dean’s shoes. He hugged his beautiful lover.

  “Thank you for sharing that fear with me. I know how hard that must be for you. And don’t worry. I may not have been enthusiastic about Emily in our life in the beginning, but that has changed. Now I can’t imagine not having her with us. And everybody who goes against her, goes against me as well. I love you both, Dean. Never doubt that.”

  With a sob, Dean buried himself in Richard’s arms. “And I love you. More than anything else. More than my own life. For you to accept Emily—that makes me so happy.”

  Richard smiled and held his boy close.

  HALF AN hour later, they sat together with Aaron and Emily at the breakfast table. Emily had a bowl with yogurt and strawberries, which she attacked with enthusiasm. At almost twelve months, she wasn’t an expert with the spoon yet, more like a novice, but it was fun watching her battle it out. Under the table, Donar, Thor, Wilma, and Fred were waiting patiently for their share. Experience had already taught them that sticking close to Emily’s high chair was a surefire method to get some scraps from the table.

  Richard watched the scene with fondness. He felt content and happy with his family around him. This feeling was new to him, and he knew he had Emily to thank for that. Before her, his father would have never spent the night at his house or stayed for breakfast. It just wasn’t something grown men did. But for the little princess, staying over and sharing meals felt natural.

  Emily had just finished her yogurt when Richard’s cell rang. One glance and his heart started beating faster in his chest. Peter.

  His father realized this was important and took Emily and the zoo outside. Richard accepted the call and put Peter on speaker while Dean slipped into his lap, seeking and giving comfort at the same time. With one hand wrapped tightly around his boy’s waist, Richard placed the phone on the table.

  “Good morning, Peter. You’re on speaker and Dean is here with me.”

  “Good morning to you two as well. I have interesting news.”

  “Spill.” Richard was too nervous to bother with common courtesy.

  Peter seemed to pick up on his crankiness, because he cut to the chase without making a comment about his rude behavior. “My meeting with Trent was as unpleasant as could be expected. I really don’t know how that man manages to keep his clients. His people skills are simply horrible.”

  “Peter.”

  “Sorry. I got sidetracked for a moment. I mean, he really is an ass. I know, I know, not the most important thing at the moment. So, our meeting was the usual trying to get as much information from the other party as possible without revealing too much of your own dance, and unfortunately, I think he does have something substantial. He was a little too confident for my liking, and he didn’t try very hard to find out what I managed to dig up on his clients. Which means he either doesn’t know about their financial troubles or he doesn’t care, which, frankly, would be the less preferable scenario. Anyway, he suggested a meeting this afternoon at his office with both parties involved to find an amicable solution that doesn’t involve going to court.”

  Richard furrowed his brows. Something was wrong; he felt it in his gut. “If he was as confident as you claim, why would he suggest something like that? He doesn’t strike me as the type of man who would settle for an amicable arrangement with less glory and money for him when he can have an all-out battle and write a bill for double the sum.”

  “Exactly. That’s what made me hesitate as well. Either his clients don’t want to go to court, which is understandable given their monetary situation, or there is something else. Unfortunately, we don’t know, and this is too important to rely on guesswork.”

  “You think we should meet with them?” Richard asked matter-of-factly.

  Peter sighed. “Yes. Don’t get your hopes up—it will most probably be in vain—but this way we can find out what kind of ammunition they have. Perhaps we can even scare them off, although Trent is not the kind of man to run with his tail between his legs.”

  “When does he want to meet?”

  “At four o’clock at his office.”

  “We’ll be there. Let’s meet at half past three. If I remember correctly, there’s a coffee shop around the corner from Trent’s office.”

  “How do you know where his office is?” Peter sounded surprised.

  Dean snorted, which made Richard cock an eyebrow. “I like to be prepared, Peter. Always. As soon as I knew who the other lawyer would be, I had him checked out. It always pays to know the enemy.”

  “Now I’m afraid. Are you sure you need me?” There was only a hint of mockery in Peter’s voice.

  “Yes, definitely. I may be a good general when it comes to open slaughter, but for the finer aspects of stabbing people in the back without leaving evidence behind, I need professional help.”

  “I’m not quite sure if I should feel flattered or offended.”

  Now Dean laughed out loud. “Go with flattered and bask in the knowledge that the ruthless Richard Miller needs your help.”

  “Feeling flattered it is. I’ll see you at half past three.”

  “Goodbye, Peter.” Richard disconnected the call and looked expectantly at Dean. “How do you feel, boy?”

  Dean sighed and reached for Richard’s hands as if to reassure himself through the connection. “Nervous. Frightened. Angry. All mixed in one. Even a bit sad, although that is the weakest emotion. I guess I still feel some attachment to my parents, even though they made
it more than clear what they think about me.”

  “They’re idiots. Look at the wonderful son they’ve lost. But their loss is my gain. And my father is more than happy to call you son, you know that.”

  “I do. Which makes it easier and harder at the same time. Knowing there are parents out there who love their children unconditionally, who support them in everything they do, makes me sometimes wonder why I drew a short straw in the parent department.”

  Richard placed a gentle kiss on Dean’s forehead. “I think it was so that my father got to have two sons instead of one. My parents always wanted more children, and now he even has a granddaughter.”

  Dean felt tears springing to his eyes. “How do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Always telling me what I need to hear?” He paused for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. “You know, if my mockery of a happy childhood is the price I had to pay for having you in my life, I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

  Richard smiled broadly. “Now you’re doing it. Telling me what I need to hear. You make me complete, Dean. Out of the two of us, I’m the lucky one.”

  Dean buried his head in the crook of Richard’s neck, and they sat in silence for a few minutes. When they heard a happy squeal from outside, Richard pried Dean’s arms from around his chest. “Let’s spend the morning with our daughter.” His eyes hardened. “And then we’re going to slay some dragons.”

  Chapter 32

  DEAN GLANCED around Trent Colby’s office and couldn’t suppress a shudder. The place was immaculate, perfectly designed with lots of chrome and white and polished marble, and also cold and impersonal. The people working there looked as if they had jumped right out of some manager magazine, the men in expensive, tailored suits, the women in costumes and high heels. All the smiles were perfect, with blinding white teeth, and not one reached the eyes. A pool of sharks, Dean thought.

  The Great White was approaching them, and Dean had to suppress the urge to hide behind Richard. Trent Colby was a good-looking man in his forties, with short blond hair, a cut, sharp face where the gray eyes were dull and dead, and a body that screamed of hours spent in the gym. Trent had a half smile plastered to his lips that showed clearly how little he thought of his guests.

  Dean no longer wondered why Peter didn’t like the man. He shared the sentiment without having talked to him once. Peter had the same half smile when he greeted Trent and then introduced Richard and Dean. Trent shook Dean’s hand first, clearly trying to rattle Richard by questioning his alpha status.

  But Richard was used to the games powerful men played, and since there was no doubt who the most potent male present was, he simply smiled and greeted Trent as if they were old acquaintances. Now it was Trent who seemed rattled, but he shook it off quickly and led them to a small meeting room that didn’t look any different from the rest of the office building, except for the presence of Dean’s parents.

  Christopher and Faith Connelly didn’t rise to greet their son and his partner but stayed glued to their chairs, barely acknowledging Dean. In a way, their behavior made it easier for Dean. He had been afraid that he would be overcome by emotion when he saw his parents after such a long time, but the way they treated him, like he was some stranger, helped him do the same. He felt a small pain in his heart at the realization that he really didn’t have a family anymore, but then Richard squeezed his hand, silently reminding him of the family he had found instead. Grateful, Dean squeezed back and sat down next to his Dom and lover, opposite his mother.

  Trent sat down next to Christopher and shuffled some documents before he started to speak. “Since we all know the reason why we’re here, I guess we can leave the pleasantries aside.”

  “Since you wouldn’t know how to exchange those anyway, I agree to your suggestions.” Peter shot Trent a syrupy smile with a hint of steel underneath.

  Dean hid his own smile. Peter might not be an openly aggressive alpha type like Richard and Trent, but he had his methods and they worked. Trent shot Peter an annoyed look, losing his composure for a moment. Score one for Peter. Dean regretted that he couldn’t cheer their lawyer on.

  Trent caught himself and opened one of the files in front of him. “Since there is no question that my clients will win if we bring this case to court, let’s start talking about the terms for which they would abandon the lawsuit.”

  Peter raised a brow. “Your clients wish to abandon the lawsuit?”

  “They have no real interest in raising a child at their age. They simply feel that it wouldn’t be right for a little girl to grow up in a household with two men whose sexual—let’s call it preferences—are more than questionable.”

  “But they would be willing to forget about their worries for certain—let’s call it favors?” Peter had no problem imitating Trent’s condescending tone. “I don’t know about you, but where I got my degree, that’s called blackmailing, and it’s forbidden.”

  “No, no, no. Blackmailing is such a harsh term. Let’s just say my clients had some time to think things through and have come to the conclusion that their views of the world might be a bit—outdated. Still, they want to make sure that their little granddaughter is safe. Nobody can argue with that.” Trent spoke smoothly, full of self-confidence, but Dean saw him sneak glances at Richard’s impassive face, and suddenly it hit Dean: Trent was afraid of Richard.

  He felt relief wash through him. The situation was still far from being solved, but if this cutthroat lawyer was wary of Richard, then they had a chance. If Peter had picked up on that as well, Dean couldn’t tell. He just followed Trent’s none too subtle lead.

  “And what would those conditions be? Not that we agree to anything. We just want to know what you are up to.”

  Trent opened another file. “I drew up a preliminary contract, although I have to say that the points are nonnegotiable.” He glanced at Christopher and Faith, who sat there with smug expressions on their faces. “To ensure Emily’s mental well-being, Richard Miller is not allowed to adopt her as his daughter. She has to remain as Dean Connelly’s charge. Also, Richard Miller has to sell his BDSM clubs, so that Emily won’t come in contact with that kind of perversion. Richard Miller and Dean Connelly have to live apart. Two men under one roof are not a healthy environment for a child. There are some other points, but those are the most important ones.”

  Dean couldn’t believe it. He couldn’t believe the audacity of the conditions, or the hatred being spilled. He couldn’t even look at his parents, or he would have done something he would probably regret later. Or perhaps not. Dean straightened his back. He had promised himself to be a pillar of support for Richard. The last thing anybody needed right now was him throwing a tantrum or having a breakdown.

  Peter opened his mouth to answer, but Richard stopped him simply by leaning a bit forward in his chair. His voice was cold and low.

  “In other words, you wish to dictate how we lead our lives. I’m just surprised that you haven’t asked for any money yet.”

  Trent gulped. He squirmed under Richard’s glare. “That’s among the minor points of the contract.”

  Richard smiled coldly. “Since you have been so straightforward with us, let me return the favor. You don’t want me to adopt Emily, because then I get a say about her trust. A trust your clients would love to get their hands on, given their financial predicament. As for me selling my clubs, I won’t let anybody dictate my business decisions. Dean and I are living together in a house that is paradise for a child. And if you thought you could extract money from me by threatening my family, I have to disappoint you. I protect what is mine. Now, do you have any other proposals, or are we done here?”

  This time it was Christopher Connelly who spoke. “How dare you! We were giving you a chance to spare yourself the embarrassment of a court trial.”

  He reached for one of Trent’s files, opened it, and started pulling photographs out of it. “We have evidence of your depraved lifestyle! We know what is going on in those
pits you call clubs. In a trial, we would make all those compromising photos public. We can squash you, you arrogant fuck.”

  Dean was still waiting for foam to form on his father’s mouth when Richard took some of the pictures, glanced at them, and then put them down. “All of those pictures were taken at official functions for the clubs. None of them shows me or Dean in anything other than stunning leather clothes. There is not one compromising picture in here. So far, I have yet to be impressed by your threats.”

  Richard eyed Trent and his clients for a moment before he continued. “Your financial status, on the other hand, is a problem. You can’t afford going to court. Especially since your prospects of winning are fleeting at best. Any judge who sees the documents we have found on you will deduce quickly that you are not interested in Emily’s well-being, but her impressive trust. Add to that Tricia’s very explicit will, and you have no chance at all. And even if you should be lucky enough to find a homophobic judge who will rule against us simply because of our sexual orientation, I have the financial resources to take this through to the Supreme Court. And believe me, I will do it. You have an empty hand, and I’m calling your bluff.”

  Richard leaned back, glaring at Trent and the Connellys. Faith had started to gasp, Christopher was squashing one of the pictures he had thrown at Richard, and Trent just sat there openmouthed. Dean was so proud of his Dom, he thought he would explode.

  It was Peter who ended the silence. “I think with that, we don’t have anything else to discuss. Or is there something, Trent?”

  The other lawyer shook his head. A condescending smile appeared on Peter’s lips. “It’s of course still up to you, if you want to take this to court, although I wouldn’t recommend it. Richard’s pockets are deep enough to see this through, while I doubt that your clients will even be able to pay your fees. Let’s just forget about this whole mess and call it a day. Richard, Dean? I think Mr. Colby wants to be alone with his clients.”