Protection is Best Served With Benefits: MM DDlb Romance

Chapter Six

Not edited or proofread.

Griffin

I cupped the side of Max's neck and pressed my thumb against the underside of his chin, tilting his head back so he was forced to look up at me. "If you get a migraine, call me," I ordered.

He smiled a little. "I will. I promise."

Leaning down, I softly kissed him—just a mere brush of our lips. But it was enough to make my heart clench in my chest. Goddammit, I didn't want him to go to work today, but Axel needed him for meetings. Besides, he couldn't be home today since I would be working on his surprise. I'd spent half the night awake ordering shit to be rush delivered today.

I was hoping this would settle him and make him feel safe enough to regress with me.

"Good boy. I'll see you this evening, okay? Don't hesitate to call me if you need me." I kissed him again. "My driver is downstairs."

"You're spoiling me."

I chuckled and kissed the tip of his nose. "Not spoiling you enough, baby boy. Now go on. Get to work."

Once he left and I'd received confirmation that he was in the car, I headed to my spare room that we'd put all of Max's things in. I quickly moved them out and took them to my room, putting them away in my drawers and my closet. Then, I moved everything around to accommodate all his little things. I'd just finished rearranging the dresser when my doorbell rang. For the next several hours, I unpacked shit I'd ordered and arranged it in his little space—stuffies, new bedding, fuzzy rugs, a TV, movies, coloring books, crayons, toys. I texted Max whenever he texted me, not wanting him to feel abandoned in the slightest, especially after the meltdown he'd had over the weekend.

My phone rang as I was rearranging a huge stuffed animal that was just about as big as I was. Grunting, I stood and pulled my phone out, sighing at Axel's name.

"What?" I grunted.

"Don't you fucking what me," Axel snapped. "Where the fuck are you, Griffin? Why is Max telling me you're not coming in today? You have a goddamn job."

I scoffed. "I had no meetings today," I reminded him. "I had more important shit to take care of."

He made a low, growling sound. "More important shit than your damn job? Than this family, Griffin?"

"Yes," I snapped, getting pissed. "Max has had a fucking shit weekend, brother. Did you know he was living on the east side? In the heart of the east side, Axel?" Axel remained silent. "His fucking family has been taking his paychecks and controlling his life. I'm trying to take care of him and give him what he fucking needs. So yeah, Axel, I took the fucking day off because Max is more important than my fucking job and our goddamn family, just as I know Novella and your kid is more important than anything else for you."

"What the fuck do you mean his family has been taking his money?" Axel growled.

"Not over this line," I warned him. Axel made that damn growling sound again. "I'm working on taking care of it," I promised him. "I'll be back at work tomorrow. Keep an eye on Max for me."

With that, I hung up and pocketed my phone again so I could begin cleaning up the mess I'd made. Boxes were everywhere, and it was going to take a lot of trips up and down the stairs to get rid of all of this, but it was worth it.

Max was worth everything.

~*~*~

I shifted my car into park before angling out of it, nodding once at the security guard as I made my way to the building. He lifted a hand in a wave before going back to his job. The doors in front of me slid open, and I walked through, passing the receptionist and heading to the elevator. After scanning my fingerprint, I headed up to the top floor, excited to see my boy.