Can't Stay Tonight

**Preston**

“Don’t be mad at me, but I’m in the emergency room with Roo,” my younger brother says before I can even say hello.

“What happened?” I snap, attempting to reign in my anger at Stetson.

“Roo was running around the house and slipped. He hit his head on the corner of the end table in the den. He has a gash, but I got the bleed stopped. I sent a picture to Carley, and she said he probably needs stitches, which is why we are here.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose and then look up to find all eyes on me as I control my rage. “How is Roo doing?”

“He is playing a game on the handheld gaming console. Did you know if hit Creeper, they blow up like time bombs? I got schooled.” I snicker at the thought of Rowan teaching his uncle about his current favorite game.

“Good job keeping him distracted, Stet. I’ll be then in about fifteen minutes.”

“Don’t bother, bro. We are waiting for the doctor to come back to stitch him. Shouldn’t be much longer, the local anesthetic was administered about fifteen minutes ago. I’ll let you talk to Roo,” Stetson says before here the voice of my five-year-old son.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hi, Roo. Uncle Stet told me what happened. Are you okay?”

I see Camden's mouth, what I just called my little brother. Dawning is in all their eyes, having quickly pieced together what I was about to confess before the phone rang.

“Yes. Uncle Stet said he is getting me ice cream!” my son chirps excitedly.

“Uncle Stet is bad at this game. He dies a lot!” he whispers into the phone.

“You are going to have to teach your uncle how to play better,” I explain to him. “I wanted to check on you. I’ll see you at home, Roo Bear. I love you.”

“I lobe you too, Daddy. Here is Uncle Stet.” My son is missing his four front teeth after having them removed because of an infection, so his ‘v’ sounds like ‘b’.

“I got this, Dad. Don’t worry. I just thought I’d tell you so didn’t freak out to find stitches in your son’s head when coming home tonight,” Stetson says. Since Stetson is single, he lives with me and often babysits. I trust my little brother.

“Before you hang up, Carley said to remind you we are still having Sunday dinner and to bring the team. She would love to see Razz and Roan again.”

“Sure, but I’m bringing Artemis and her boys.”

“I’ll be fine. Carls knows Slater and Camden won’t come without them.”

“True. I’ll be home soon. Thank you for taking care of Roo for me. I love ya,” I tell Stetson. I’m thankful for him having him, otherwise my life would be more difficult as a single father.

“Love ya too, nii-chan,” he says, then ends the call.

“So, you’re a father too, huh? Tonight is just full of surprises!” Camden grins.

“Tell us about your child,” Slayer prods gently, but with authority. He is going to be an exceptional teacher for future generations of Death Kings.

“My son’s name is Rowan Ezra Chancler. He is five years old. He was dropped off at my doorstep by one of my exes. He was so tiny, just days old. I have full custody since whomever had abandoned him. Ryder ran a DNA test to see if he was mine. He is.”

“How long was he outside before was found?” Artemis asks with tears in her eyes. She can’t imagine abandoning her babies and that makes me like her all the more.

“Not long. As I was pulling up the driveway, I saw the woman run away from my door. Rowan was bundled up and lying in the rock n’ play portable bassinet. I was thankful it propped the baby up off the ground. He had a note that simply said, Preston, this is yours. It was impersonal as if he was just an object discarded. It broke my heart.” Even if Rowan had turned out to not be mine, I was still going to keep him.

“Next time, bring him. He can play with the boys. I know they are a few years younger, but Slater has some of the old game consoles that took cartridges. He could learn to play the same games Slater had as a kid.”

“Thank you for reminding me that there is a decade between us, Diosa,” Slater grumbles.

“So, what is it like raising kids as grandpas?” Razz snarks at the older man.

Slater laughs. “Chico, I ain’t even old to be your Papi, much less you’re an abuelo. Pero hare que grites que sí, Papi, cuando te azoto el trasero,” he purrs in a low tone. I’m not interested in men, but the inflection he placed in his words has me wanting whatever it is he said.

Ronin makes a strangled sound before staining out the words “sí, por favor, Papi.” He squirms in his chair like he must adjust himself. All eyes are now on Ronin.

My eyes dart Slater’s blue eyes which turned to navy behind his black lashes. He smirks at Ronin. “Does Papi need to spank your ass red, pequeño niño plateado?”

So that’s what he said. No wonder I found his words sexy. His words have Artemis’s cheeks bright pink with a blush. She must have intimate knowledge of Slater’s spankings. I look at Camden, whose face is completely blank. That’s not surprising, but hopefully, he will express his thoughts about this. Razz looks shell-shocked at Ronin’s admittance.

“Si,” Ronin breathes.

Slater’s smirk turns into a grin. “Yes, what, chico plateado?”

Fire is in Ronin’s dual eyes. He wants to be defiant but, at the same time, he wants to give in to Slater’s demands. Hell, I want to give into the man’s orders if it means seeing that blush and heated look on Artemis’s face. She is gorgeous and I’m aching to be buried inside her.

“Yes, what, Roan?” Slater questions again, this time with a hard edge to his husky purr. “Say it and you can stay the night.”

Ronin’s eyes widen. He looks at Razz, who looks to say it’s all Ronin’s choice.

I wish I could stay the night at this moment to view what I know is going to be happening once the twin toddler boys are in bed. But I can’t. I won’t because my baby boy got hurt. He might not need snuggles tonight, but I need to assure myself he is fine. I won’t settle until I know for certain.

Ronin bites his bottom lip in contemplation. Before he can utter a word, I rupture the lust-charged moment.

“I want to see the outcome of this, but I can’t stay. Roo got hurt and I need to go home to make sure he is okay,” I rush out.

A rictus distorts Camden’s stoic features. “I’ll video chat with you so you can be there with us. You and I can get off while we watch the other four.”

I look at Artemis. “Is that all right with you, Artie?” Her eyes darted around to all of us before shaking her head yes so hard I thought I heard her brain rattle inside her skull for a moment. I chuckle at her before addressing Camden. “I’ll be expecting your call, Cam.”

“You’re going to love this. Slay is a total Dom in the bedroom. His punishments are so worth being a brat for, but his rewards…” he groans.

“Have you cumming just as hard,” Artemis finishes for him.

“For fuck's sake, Roan. Tell the man what he wants to hear,” Razz snarls, having lost his patience. Ronin’s choice concerns him, too.

Ronin’s breathing is heavy, and we are all waiting for him with bated breath. “Si, Papi,” he rasps.

A collective sigh can be heard in the room.

“Esta buen, chico plateado,” Slater rumbles. Ronin preens under Slater’s praise.

“On that note. I have to go,” I say, getting up from the table. Everyone joins me in standing so they can move from the dining room into the living area where sitting is more comfortable.

“I wish you could stay, but I get it. Go hug your little boy close. There will be another time for you to join us in person,” Artemis tells me, hugging me.

I kiss the top of her. “I sure hope so,” I mutter into her hair. She squeezes me tighter.

“You ain’t getting away from us, Whisper,” Camden assures me.

“Aye. You agreed to date Artie, which means eres nuestro desde ahorra, susurro,” Slater agrees.

“I want to see how you fuck, so I agree with Slayer. You are ours from now on too,” Razz says with a wink and Ronin nods his agreement with his agreement.

“Awe. Well shit,” I drawl. “I feel so wanted.” I fan my face as if I’m a southern bell who is about to faint from the heat.

Razz cackles at my dramatics while Artemis and Slater roll their eyes. Ronin and Camden share amused shrugs.

I open the door, stepping outside into the balmy Palomino Bay air. “Later, babes. Oh, Cam baby, call me,” I make the motion for him to do so with a wink and an air kiss.

“I will, sweet cheeks.” Camden blows me a kiss in return. I shut the door behind me.

I think is whole consensual non-monogamous relationship is going to be fun. Different, but fun. At first, I didn’t understand how Weston could share Carley with his friends. Now, though, I can see the appeal. This differs from what C.H.A.O.S. has. They all grew up together and are closer than brothers. We didn’t, we all grew up separately. Camden and Slater are eight years older than the rest of us. I’m only a couple of years older than the other three. Despite this, there is an undeniable pull to one another. I’m excited to see where this new journey takes me alongside them as the new Death Kings.