You're Out, Daddy novel (Natasha and Kenneth)

Arriving at that thought, Kenneth turned him. "I'll allow you to participate, and you can be in charge of DX's dark web system, but Anthony, I need you to promise me something." Anthony would have agreed to ten promises.

He turned to meet Kenneth's gaze. His eyes sparkled with excitement. "I promise!"

"You haven't even heard it yet!"

"As long as I'm involved, I'm in, no matter what it is!" Anthony declared enthusiastically.

At this moment, nothing was more important to him than getting involved.

Kenneth studied his son with his beady eyes. Despite the boy's conviction, a request like this should be stated upfront.

"Obey orders during the mission. Never act on your own accord," Kenneth said, meeting the boy's gaze.

Anthony nodded at once. "Of course!"

Despite Kenneth's extreme reluctance to involve Anthony in this, he knew that Anthony's abilities had already determined the course of this event; his involvement was inevitable.

With that thought in mind, Kenneth stroked the boy's head.

It was something Natasha would do.

Anthony looked at him. A faint smile was playing on his lips.

Dave sighed helplessly. "So, are you handing over DX's dark web system just like that?"

Kenneth turned to regard Dave at the mention of the matter. "Just give him some administrative rights. He won't be able to see the core secrets anyway."

"Given his abilities, do you really think we can keep it from him?" Dave retorted.

Listening in on the conversation, Anthony chimed in, "Do you lack confidence in your dark web system, Mr. Dave?"

"I... of course I'm confident!"

"So, what are you still worried about?" Anthony retorted. "Besides, I have professional integrity. I wouldn't pry into secrets that are not mine without permission." Dave snorted. "The first time I heard the term 'professional integrity' was from your father's mouth. Yet, he was nothing but unprofessional."

Anthony turned to look at Kenneth, looking surprised.

The latter explained, "All's fair in war."

Glaring at him, Dave retorted, "More like shamelessness."

Kenneth pursed his lips, about to say something, but Anthony interjected, "Hold it, Daddy, Mr. Dave. Now is not the time for an argument!"

"Then when is?"

"Then when is?"

Both adults asked in unison.

Even their voices were surprisingly in sync.

Anthony looked at them. "I want to know your entire plan!"

At the boy's request, Kenneth and Dave exchanged another glance.

The pair were looking at each other as if trying to figure something out.

Naturally, Anthony knew what they were doing. Gazing at them, he said earnestly, "Since you've decided to involve me, Daddy, Mr. Dave, shouldn't you tell me the truth? That way, I can manage my schedule better and allocate the most time for you!"

Dave leaned back lazily onto the leather chair as he turned to Kenneth. "You decide. He's your son, so you have the final say."

Anthony then turned his gaze toward Kenneth.

After much hesitation, Kenneth met his gaze and nodded.

Only then did they reveal their entire plan to Anthony.

After he heard it, Anthony narrowed his eyes, turning his gaze back to Dave.

"Mr. Dave..."

Dave chuckled lightly. "What? Are you worried about me?"

For a moment, Anthony did not know what to say. After hesitating for a while, he began slowly, "I promise you, Mr. Dave, if DX ever needs my help, I will not refuse."

Dave laughed. "If you say so. I'll be holding you to that promise. With you and your mother, DX will be famous!"

"I'm serious, Mr. Dave," Anthony said earnestly.

Dave met the boy's gaze. "I know you meant it," he said seriously. "I'll remember what you said, and I won't hesitate to hold you to it. Of course, I hope that day will never come." Anthony met his gaze. "Me, too. I hope that such a day will never come."

Gazing at each other, the pair shared a laugh.

Then, they spent a long time going over the plan in the room.

After a good part of the day, Kenneth and Anthony finally emerged from Dave's study.

The pair walked side by side.

"Does Nat know about this, Daddy?" Anthony asked.

Kenneth nodded. "She does. The position you're currently in was originally meant for her, but since she is... So, it has to be you now!"

Kenneth knew very well what the omission implied, and so did Anthony. Like an unspoken agreement between father and son, neither of them brought it up. Anthony gazed up at him. "So, Daddy, were you planning to have me as a substitute all along?"

"You were the one who volunteered," said Kenneth.

"That's because you know I would ask to join," Anthony replied.

Kenneth remained silent.

Anthony pursed his lips as they walked on. "How could he even scheme against his own son?" he muttered instinctively.

Kenneth grabbed his son by the collar when he heard that. "Wait a minute. How was I scheming against you?"

"Um... You took advantage of my thoughts!" Anthony said at once, rearranging his expression as he did so. Kenneth gave a light chuckle. "Two-faced, I see."

"You ask for so much, Daddy. Isn't having two faces the least I deserve?" Anthony retorted.

Kenneth patted him lightly on the head. "Nonsense."

Anthony chuckled. A rare smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

"If you're unwilling, you can opt out at any time," Kenneth said as he marched forward.

"Where else can you find someone as qualified as me, Daddy?" Anthony argued at once.

"So, you think the world would come crashing down without you?" Kenneth asked in a soft, mocking tone.

"The world will keep revolving without anyone, but Daddy, you wouldn't entrust Nat's safety to a stranger. You don't trust anyone else but me," Anthony said, enunciating every word.

Kenneth was slightly taken aback by those words.

After a long silence, he finally spoke, "You know everything."

It was only then that Anthony realized what he had said. He averted his gaze, lowering his eyes. "Know what?"

Aware that Anthony was trying to avoid the confrontation, Kenneth did not expose his son. Instead, he pulled Anthony's head into his embrace and stroked his head as a gesture of comfort. Anthony's nose soured. He was on the verge of shedding tears again.

However, as a man, Anthony refused to show his vulnerable side.

With the mission so close, he had to prove that he was a man capable of standing on his own.

"Rest assured, Daddy. We will succeed!" Anthony asserted in a muffled voice.

"Mm!" Kenneth nodded, his gaze fixed elsewhere. Then, he murmured, "Nat will be fine too, I promise!" As he spoke, he gazed down at Anthony, who leaned into Kenneth's embrace, his face half-hidden, rendering his emotions unreadable. Kenneth's lips curled into a strained smile as he stroked Anthony's head a little more forcefully.