“I’ll deal with you the same way I’d deal with any misbehaving boy: let you know that I’m unhappy and spank the hell out of you. You’d be touching yourself then, princess.”

The boy blushes. He blinks repeatedly, as if he’s shocked. “Princess. No.” He seems to run out of words. Another long blink. “I don’t touch myself. I’ve learned not to. I’m not—I don’t want to make you mad, Sir.”

“I’m sure you don’t. A submissive with your designation would hate to make their Dominant mad.”

Once Daniel is secure in their relationship of submissive and Dominant then hopefully the situation will resolve itself naturally because Daniel will trust him. But if it doesn’t, then Liam will take steps to make sure Daniel understands that lying to the Dominant who’s responsible for his care isn’t acceptable.

But it shouldn’t come to that.

“You’re submissive, so you need a Dominant to take care of you—a very high-level one who can get you into subspace so you don’t have a hormonally induced drop. You’ve got both physical and mental needs, and it’s even more important for someone special like you to have a partner you match up with.”

“And that’s you?” Daniel asks.

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I hope so. But you’re a little out of my league, if we’re being honest. The problem is that you’re so high needs that we can’t even find a Dominant who would be a good match for you. Your equivalent is probably… well, not sane.”

“Killed.”

Liam doesn’t have a response. He clears his throat. “I think the trick will be making sure I can give you enough to keep you content. Lying, for example. What might a Dominant who is equal to you do if you lied?” he asks and tries to meet Daniel’s gaze, but Daniel turns his attention to the wall, a flush of shame climbing up his cheeks.

He doesn’t answer.

“Daniel?”

“I don’t know,” he whispers.

“Guess.”

“Do you think my father will die?” he asks.

“I don’t know.”

“Do you think…. Could you ask me again after you find out?”

“Yes, Daniel. I can do that.”

Liam can’t help but hope the old man drops dead immediately.

6

A nurse comes in wanting Liam to sign a few forms, and it’s as good a time as any to ask more about Daniel’s father and his chances of recovery. She reiterates that she thinks he’s going to recover but says she’ll let them know if she hears anything to the contrary.

It’s terrible. How awful must a father be for a child to be looking forward to their death? Knowing that’s their only chance at happiness?