Maggie Blackbird - Toy Soldiers

Once a thief, always a thief, and if he cant win theheart of the boy he loves, hell steal it.

Billy Redskys made one of his biggest dreams cometrue, but theres a problem. Even though the boy he loves is merefootsteps across the hall from his bedroom, they might as well livea country apart because claiming Ren Oshawees heart is moredifficult than Billy anticipates.

Much to Billys disgust, Ren cant accepthis true self, so hes incapable of loving someone else. And all hecares about is living a life the chief and his wife foresee fortheir youngest son.

If Billy is to finally have what he trulydesires, he must stop Ren from running away from who he really isand face the man in the mirror, or what they share will neverblossom into true love.

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters,places, and incidents either are products of the authorsimagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actualevents or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirelycoincidental.

Toy Soldiers

Copyright 2020 Maggie Blackbird

ISBN: 978-1-4874-3048-1

Cover art by Martine Jardin

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review,the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part inany form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known orhereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission ofthe publisher.

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Smashwords Edition

Toy Soldiers

When We Were Young

Sequel to Two Princes

By

Maggie Blackbird

For my beloved big red baby girl. This is the lastbook you worked on with me before you crossed the rainbow bridge. Imiss you very much and wish you were still here with me.

A big thank you to my husband for your never-endinglove and support.

Thank you to Shane Guimond for helping me with law,law enforcement, and the court scene.

And I cant forget my editor, Emmy, my proofer, Bri,my cover artist, Martine, and Jay, EIC.

November 1996

Thunder Mountain First Nation

Thank fuck Billys foster parents had gone out fordinner. The way theyd hovered over him like a couple ofhelicopters after bringing him to Castle Oshawee on Sunday morninghad been an overcrowding of his landing pad.

Sure, Mr. and Mrs. O were nice, but sinceRen didnt have to work on Thursday nights, Billy could finallyclaim some alone time with the very guy who was capable ofproducing goosebumps on his skin and turning his knees to mush.

Billy threw open the door to his room andpoked his head out. The Oshawees royal chamber was farther downthe hallway, occupying the left wing of the upper floor, andprobably then some. Tools Third Eye blared from Rensbedroom. A snicker escaped Billys mouth. He inched open the closeddoor.

Ren sat at his desk, textbooks and binder infront of him. His ever-present can of cream soda waited for aswig.

Not that creeping was required with the levelof sound coming from the bookshelf-size stereo, but Billy sneakedup from behind anyway. He wasnt sure what he preferred betterRentricked out in his rocker apparel or the sweatpants, t-shirt, andboring white socks he dug lounging around in.

Ren tapped his pen on the textbook andrubbed his brow. His laptop was on. The screensaver was flashingdifferent colors of music notes.

Billy swallowed his laughter and laid hispalms over Rens eyes.

Ren stiffened and jumped. The pen flew fromhis hand. Geez, he said, loud enough to be heard above the song.You scared the crap outta me.

Billy lowered the stereo volume and sat hisbutt on the edge of the desk. What? Youre not down withsurprises?

Something too familiar Billy had assumed theywere now beyond flashed in Rens chocolate-brown eyes. Doublegreat, the guy was a bit ticked.

Dude, this is my personal space. You cantbe coming in here and invading it. You gotta knock. A prickle ofirritation wormed into Rens voice. He leaned over and snatched uphis pen.

The same amount of irritation speckled theback of Billys neck. I thought we were together now?

We are. Ren reverted to a calm tone, as ifhoping to placate Billy. He placed his hand out, palm down, andmoved it in a straight line. But we both need our personal space.Okay? I need my personal space. This is my studying time.Dont you have homework to do?

I already finished it. Billy folded hisarms.

Im not done. I still got another half hourto put in. Can you give me thirty minutes?

Because Ren wasnt dishing out his talk-downteacher lecture, Billy nodded. I thought youd be game, yknow? Wehavent... we havent had any real time together since Saturdaynight.

Maybe I wanted to give you space? Youre ina new foster home. You had a lot to adjust to.

Even though Mrs. O had taken Billy outshopping after school on Monday to buy some nasty threads, and eventhough he had an all-access pass to the pantry and whatever food hedesired after being deprived of the stuff for the first fifteenyears of his life, and even though he had a rad bedroom with hisown walk-in closet and bathroom, and even though the sophomoreclass thought of him as the man now, instead of a loser Redsky, andeven though he could go into the basement and entertain himselfwith a game of pool or watch a movie on the massive rear-projectionTV, none of it mattered. Being deprived of Ren mattered.

Dont look at me that way. Ren shucked hispen on the desk. He laid his palm on Billys thigh.

I dont understand why I gotta take the busnow. Billy picked at a loose thread on his jeans.

Mom and Dad said cause we live together.They believe we need our own space. Ren spoke quietly. His palmmoved on Billys thigh in circular motions. And they want you tobe around kierr, people your own age, Dad said.

Billys chest constricted. You were about tosay kids, huh? Were sophomores. Not kids. Just cause were notseniors doesnt make us a bunch of infants.

Youre hardly an infant. Ren motioned upand down. Nooope. Not an infant, he said under his breath, as ifhe was about to let out a low whistle of approval.

I barely see you. Billy swung his leg backand forth in rhythm with Rens circular caresses that were sheetsof satin on his skin. Were supposed to be together now.

When people are dating, they see each otherin their free time. My buddies arent with their girlfriendstwenty-four-seven. They do school. They do homework. They dorehearsal. They do work. And they also see their girls. Do you getwhat I mean?

Billy nodded. True. When hed been inemergency care at the Atitises, itd been the same for him andRen. Yeah, I get it.

Cmere. Ren curled the index finger of hisfree hand.

A thrill of excitement rode Billys spine. Heslid off the desk and onto Rens firm thighs that were warmbeneath Billys butt. It was a little weird sitting on a guys lap,especially since he was only an inch shorter, but he wouldntcomplain. He wrapped his arms around Rens shoulders., who gazedup while hugging Billys waist.

Is this what you meant? Billysnickered.