Legendary Daddy by Mia Monroe (each kindness read aloud txt) 📕

“Let’s just say I have some unique ways to get it to people who need it. It should be legal but, you know, red tape and shit.”

“Right.”

“You said you want to do something different,” Bentley says. “I’m gonna have my own studio one day.”

“You want me to be a porn star, little Bento?” Ramos laughs. “I don’t think that’s my thing.”

“There are lots of jobs. Not just filming. Give me time, Ramos. I’m gonna make something happen.”

“I know you are, kiddo.”

“And you’ll get your restaurant.”

“Yeah.” He nods. “I’m gonna get a restaurant.”

“I’m serious,” I add, jumping in. “If I can ever help, I want to know. It means a lot to me that you took care of him when I couldn’t.”

Ramos’s tough features soften. “It was my pleasure. Maybe, um, yeah, maybe I’ll stay in touch. You cool with me texting Bentley?”

“Yes, of course.”

Bentley lets me go and throws himself around a surprised Ramos. He chuckles, looking at me uncomfortably until he slowly pats Bentley’s back.

“Be good, little Bento. I’m glad you’re moving up.”

“I’ll never forget you. Please stay in touch.”

“I will. Promise.”

I shake Ramos’s hand again before getting Bentley settled in the backseat of the truck. He glances out the window, waving at his friend as we pull away.

“Daddy?” he asks once the apartments are out of sight.

“Yes, sweet boy.”

“I’m sad. I don’t want Ramos to stay there. He could get hurt.”

I nod, thinking about it as I drive. What can I do? I’m not his Daddy, and he looked like he was close to my age anyway.

“Maybe your Daddy and I can think of something,” Matty says. “Don’t worry your sweet head.”

My eyes shift to the rearview mirror, watching Bentley’s smile light up his face. “Okay. Thank you, Matteo.”

“You’re welcome.”

“We’re gonna head back to my house and drop all this off.”

“Okay, Daddy. Thank you for taking care of me. I thought I was doing okay, but first Ramos took care of me, and now you did, so I guess I was doing it wrong.”

“No, baby, you weren’t. You were being brave and trying to get your business going. I’m so proud of you.”

“Okay.” He doesn’t sound convinced.

“Ramos knows there are some people around there who aren’t as good as he is. He was just being a good friend. Me? I’m your Daddy, boy. It’s my job to take care of you. It’s not a fail on your part. It makes me...overwhelmed with joy to bring you home with me.”

“Really?”

“Really. Thank you for being good and coming with me. You’re a perfect boy for me.”

His whole face lights up. “Do I get a reward?”

“You’re due one.”

He settles into his seat. “Thank you, Daddy.” Then he releases a small gasp. “Are you a Daddy too, Matteo?”

Matty laughs. “Sure am.”

“Well, now I know I’m safe. I have two Daddies.”

“One Daddy,” I correct. “And one friend.”

Matty pats my thigh. “Calm down, tiger.”

Bentley’s cheeks bloom the best shade of pink yet. “Yes, Daddy.”

Fourteen

Bentley

We arrive at Legend’s house, and the two men unpack all of my things from the truck and take them into the house, dropping them into a guest room. I stand behind them, still processing the fact that he took me away from my apartment complex. I can’t believe that I’m going to be staying at Legend’s house. I don’t know what this means for us, but I’m grateful. If he thinks it isn’t safe for me, and Ramos agrees, then the best thing for me is to accept Legend’s kindness and stay with him.

“What do you think of this room?” Legend asks me.

“It looks nice, Daddy. Thank you. Is this where I’m going to sleep?”

“You’ll sleep where you feel most comfortable sleeping. If you want to sleep in here by yourself, then you can. If you want to sleep with Daddy, that’s fine as well. I don’t want to force you to stay in my room with me when you weren’t expecting any of this to happen.”

“You’re so thoughtful and sweet to me. I would love to sleep in your room with you. If that’s okay?”

“Yes, sweet boy. It’s okay. I would love that actually.” Legend walks over and cups my chin, pressing a soft kiss to my lips. “I am very proud of you. I want you to know that. Los Angeles is not an easy city to live in. Especially when you’re not from here. I’m impressed with how well you’ve done for yourself. I don’t want you to think that me taking you away from that place is a reflection of you and your efforts. Do you understand that, boy?”

“Yes, Daddy, I understand. And I’m thankful. I didn’t admit it for a long time, but I was afraid sometimes.”

“You were scared?”

“Oh yeah, a lot. Ramos would come down with me to do my laundry because the laundry room is super scary.”

“Babe, I really wish I’d known that.”

“I just met you, Daddy. I didn’t want to burden you with anything like that. Just yesterday, Ramos asked me if there was anywhere I could stay or go, but I didn’t feel like I could ask you for that. We just met.”

Legend’s eyes soften. “Baby, you have to know, I’m here to protect you. It’s my job. If something happened to you, I would be beside myself.”

“I know.”

“You have to promise me that when it comes to your safety, you’ll never keep anything from me again.”

“Yes, Daddy. I promise.”

“Okay, good. When I called you last night, was there something going on outside? You said you thought it was a car accident?”

“Yeah, it looked like a car accident, but the guys got out of the car and they were fighting. I was afraid that it might turn into a shooting or something, but it didn’t. Both guys got back in their cars and took off.”

“Okay. Are you telling me the truth? You weren’t in danger?”

“I wouldn’t lie to you about that.”

“Well, I guess it doesn’t matter anymore. You’re here now, and you’re