Cold heart of monster

Chapter 8

It had been 2 long days since Peter had kept a gun pointed at a man tied up in a chair. He was still more silent than usual, but the situation was getting better by the hour. His nightmares worsened, but Tony was by his side every night to comfort him. So what if he was the main cause of the boy's nightmares.

Now Tony was leaving the Penthouse to go to work alone, but he arranged a babysitter for the boy. Lately it was Happy - Tony's bodyguard and friend. He wasn't very caring, but at least he put Peter at ease. Today someone else was to come, Peter didn't know who yet.

He heard Tony talking to someone downstairs, followed by the other person bursting out into loud, manly laughter. Curious, Peter left the room and crouched on the top step of the stairs watching the front door.

His babysitter today was none other than Steve. As if sensing his gaze, both men directed their gaze at him. Steve looked stoic, while Tony smiled cheerfully.

"Come down here, Petey, don't be shy."

Peter walked slowly down the stairs. As soon as he was within reach of Tony's arms he was quickly grabbed and pulled to the man's chest for a hug from behind.

"Today Uncle Steve will stay with you" Peter received a quick kiss on the head from Tony.

"I don't need a babysitter..." began for probably the 5th time Peter, but Tony didn't let him finish his sentence.

"I had a nanny until I was 14, kid."

"Oh, yeah? And how did that work out for you?" Peter joked, but seeing Tony's stern look, he quickly added, "Dad," knowing it would satisfy the man.

Indeed, Tony’s expression changed from stern to pleased, and he ended up laughing. Peter felt Tony lift him with one arm and start tickling him with the other.

"Ah!" Peter laughed.

Tony laughed even harder.

"My little joker, did you hear him, Steve? The boy’s got a sense of humor."

Tony set him back down on the floor.

"I won’t be around all day, and I’ll only be back in the evening. Uncle Steve will take care of you, and you’d better behave, understand, Pete? If I find out you’ve been disobedient, you’ll pay for it."

Peter nodded. What else could he do? Tony hugged him again, said goodbye, and left the apartment. Peter and Steve were left alone. Steve immediately headed to the kitchen and pulled out a bottle of alcohol from one of the cabinets. Peter watched with curiosity as the brown-golden liquid disappeared with each greedy gulp the man took.

"What are you looking at? Want some too?" Steve said to him.

"I’m not allowed yet," Peter muttered under his breath.

Steve leaned on the counter with both hands, scrutinizing him. Finally, he took off his blue tie and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.

"A little won’t hurt you. Maybe you’ll drift off and leave me alone."

It was so rude that Peter was left speechless. He stood there with his mouth open, blinking more frequently than usual. Steve motioned for him to come closer, so Peter did, but cautiously. The man pulled out a second glass and poured the drink halfway into both. He grabbed one for himself and handed the other to Peter.

"Cheers," he said, raising his glass and downing it in one go. Seeing that Peter hadn’t done the same, Steve frowned.

"I said I don’t want any," Peter felt the need to explain. It was as if the man didn’t know that 9-year-olds weren’t allowed to drink.