Page 40 of The Family Pet

“Who let the roach in the building?” He sneered and walked around Johnny to stand on the other side of Saint, offering silent support. “If I’d known he was here, I’d have brought the bug spray.”

Johnny’s mouth twisted. “Still a bastard, I see, Ridge.”

Ridge grinned. “No more than you, Uncle Johnny.”

Johnny stepped forward again, and I moved instinctively, putting myself in front of my boy and pup to stop him from getting any closer to them. We stared at each other for a long moment, and it was Johnny who backed down first.

His gaze dropped to the floor before he looked over my shoulder. “Come on, Saint. We’re going to your mother.”

“He isn’t going anywhere,” I snapped.

Johnny shook his head. “This isn’t your choice. He’s my son.”

“You should have thought about that before you fucking left him behind.” Ridge shifted to my side and crossed his arms, and in that moment I couldn’t have been prouder. Maybe he deserved a reward later tonight when my coward brother ran back out of town with his tail between his legs. “He’s ours now, and there isn’t a goddamned thing you can do about it. So, fuck off.”

“You should teach your brat some manners.” Johnny ignored Ridge, directing his attention at me. “Saint would never talk to me like that.”

“My brat speaks the truth.” I grinned, pride for Ridge swelling in my chest. At least I knew he had my back when I needed him. “And you’re right, Saint would never. He’s the perfect submissive for me. Such a good pup.” I made a show of turning toward Saint and petting his head gently. “He’s made me and my boy so proud.”

Johnny’s face turned red and the anger blazing in his eyes intensified. He pointed at Saint. “Get your ass over here. Now. You’re my son, and I’m taking you away from these pervs.”

“Pervs?” I snorted. “As if you didn’t beg me to fuck you.” I turned to look at Saint, speaking to him directly. “Your father claimed he was in love with me and wanted me every day. He took my cock like a professional, until he decided he needed a wife. After he got married, he wanted to resume what we had, but I told him I wasn’t interested. When I commit to someone, or two someones, I am faithful.”

Johnny moved quickly, stomping toward me until he was close enough to let his fist fly. I dodged his punch, and Ridge tackled Johnny hard, driving him to the floor. Johnny grunted when Ridge’s fist met his cheek, making Johnny’s head fly to the side from the force. Ridge didn’t stop. One hit after another met Johnny’s face, and as much as I wanted to do the same, I let Ridge have his turn, pleased to watch my boy teach my useless brother a lesson.

Blood flew from Johnny’s mouth, splattering across the carpet, and I made a mental note to send Omri a message about getting a cleaner to deal with the mess. As much as Johnny tried to struggle back, Ridge was heavier with muscle and younger, and Johnny didn’t have a chance.

“Stop.” The word came out too quiet for me to truly hear at first, and when I glanced at Saint, I realized it had come from him. His shoulders shook and he had his fist shoved into his mouth, teeth biting down on his knuckles. Tears flooded his cheeks as they fell from his eyes. “Please stop! Please, Ridge.”

I took a step to intercede and drag Ridge away from Johnny, but as soon as the sob left Saint’s pretty lips, Ridge jumped off Johnny and rushed to Saint. His hands were bloody as he dragged Saint into his arms, smoothing his palms over his shoulders.

“I’m sorry, pup. I’m sorry.” To my surprise, Ridge kissed Saint’s temple and continued to soothe his cousin.

Saint cried, burying his face against Ridge’s chest and muttering something I couldn’t hear, but Ridge must have understood because he nodded and murmured back. I focused on Johnny’s bloodied face as he groaned and rolled onto his side. He spat more blood onto the carpet as he crawled and rocked himself onto his hands and knees.

I walked over to him casually and stopped when my shoes touched his arm. Johnny tensed and slowly looked up at me. His nose was busted and crooked, and his left eye was already swelling. Ridge did a good job on him.

“The only reason you’re alive is because Saint wants you to be, otherwise Ridge and I would hand you over to Ms. Winters.” I crouched, and Johnny cringed away from me. “You’re not a Godfrey. You’re a coward and a thief.” I grasped his face between my fingers, and he cried out in pain. “If you come back to New Gothenburg again, I will take you to the Courtesan or the Harlots wrapped like a fucking present, bow and all. Got it?”

He groaned but nodded.

I strode over to the door, pointing outside. “Time for you to leave.” When he went to stand, I laughed. “No, crawl out of my office.”

His gaze shot to me and he glared. “I’m not a fucking dog like my whore of a son.”

Saint flinched, and Ridge held him tight. The blood on Ridge’s knuckles was stark against his pale skin, and the sight made my cock twitch even though I’d just come. My boy had fought Johnny for me and our pup.

Johnny hissed while he crawled his way out of the office as I’d ordered, and I couldn’t tear my attention away from the sight until he was down the hallway and nearly past the reception desk.

Omri came out of the storage room to stand in the hallway and watch, smirking as Johnny managed to stand. My asshole brother gave me the finger before he strode to the elevator. Omri raised an eyebrow at me. “Did you do that?”

“Not this time. Ridge.”

He whistled in appreciation and slapped his chest. “Well, now that the trash has put itself out, I’m going home.”

I waved my hand at him. “Go. On your way out, tell the security guards downstairs not to let Johnny back inside.”

I didn’t wait for his response and spun on my heel to walk into my office. Ridge was sitting in my chair, and Saint was on his lap, curled against him. The sight was fucking adorable. The tears that stained Saint’s face were beautiful, but I hated that he’d cried because of Johnny. Only me or my boy were allowed to make him weep.