Page 53 of Kiss, Kill, Thrill Me, Daddy

I draw in another deep breath and give Benji a nod. “Abi?” He doesn’t respond, just grunts in acknowledgment. “Do you think you can break this lock somehow?”

Benji’s eyes widen, and his grip tightens around my wrist. He’s shaking his head frantically. “No! You can’t. He’s gonna be so mad if he gets home and sees I’m not in here anymore.”

I growl at him. “He locked you in a fucking cage for a week without food or water. If you think I’m leaving you here, you’re fucking high.”

“I’ve got water.” He points at a small water dispenser that’s been attached to the side of the crate. There’s a long silver straw at the bottom for Benji to suck on. An overwhelming rush of anger floods my veins. “And Nito says the human body can go without food for weeks. Besides,” he says, letting go of my hand long enough to squeeze his non-existent stomach. “He said I’ve been letting myself go, so my body can probably feed off my fat for a few weeks if they decide to extend their trip.”

“I’ll kill him,” I mutter. “And Bennet just went along with this?”

Benji shakes his head. “Nito said it’s our little secret. I think he took Bennet with him, because I ain’t heard from him since they left. Nito took Bennet away from me a week ago because I was bad. I miss him so much, Tater Tot.”

The Bens have been best friends since they were toddlers. They’re basically brothers, minus the familial relation. When we were together—before Benito tore us apart—the jealous looks they’d give each other when I’d pay a bit more attention to one than the other was always like a cold bucket of water being flung at my face, ripping me out of the moment. They love each other on a deeper level than anything I’ve witnessed before. If Bennet knew what Nito had done to Benji, I’m pretty sure it would be the straw that broke the twink’s back.

“I swear on everything, Abi, if you don’t break this cage open, I’ll—” My words end with a squeak when Abi reaches over me, grabbing the flimsy bars keeping me from Benji, and pulls them apart with minimal effort. The action creates a gap small enough for Benji to slide through, but he’s backing away from us. Thankfully, there isn’t much room for him to retreat. Ilook at Abi. He’s grinding his teeth back and forth, and he’s got a hand clenched at his side. “Babe?”

He blinks, shaking his head like he’s trying to clear a mental fog. “Da?”

“Thank you,” I say. He doesn’t respond, just kneels beside me and places his hands on each side of the crate.

“Benjamin?” He waits for Benji to look up at him before flashing a smile that doesn’t seem terribly genuine. His voice is softer than I’ve ever heard it. “My name is Kincaid. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Benji closes his eyes tightly. “He’s gonna be so mad when he sees you broke the cage.” He sniffles, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. “He told me if I tried to get out, he’d take Bennet away forever.” When he opens his eyes, they’re sadder than I’ve ever seen them. Benji is normally such a happy, cheerful little guy. During the six months I’ve been away, Nito has taken that happiness and smashed it down to dust. Where Benji once radiated pride, he’s now curling in on himself in fear. “I haven’t seen Bennet in so long.” His jaw is trembling like he might burst into tears at any moment. “I miss him so much, Tater Tot. He’s my?—”

He's Benji’s other half. Twin stars sparkling side by side. Beginning to end.

I have to physically bite my tongue to stop myself from saying something that will make him even more upset. “You’re okay, babes.” Wanting to lift his spirits, I point at the board. “What’s that last name at the bottom?” Reaching through the bars, I cup his cheek. “Does someone have a new boyfriend?”

Any hope of having this be a gentle change of topic dies when Benji’s lip quivers and his eyes fill with tears. “Parker. He’s Nito’s new boyfriend.”

I cock an eyebrow. “Just Nito’s? What about you and Bennet?”

“Parker don’t like us touching on him when he’s with Nito. He doesn’t even want us in the room. Nito tried to make us sit in the chair and watch, but then Parker got mad. We don’t get towatch them at all now. We have to stand in the corner facing the wall and wait until it’s over.”

“The more I hear of this Benito fellow,” Abi says, “the less I care for him.”

“Don’t talk about him like that,” Benji responds, but it’s clear his resistance is fading. The little guy looks all tuckered out. Whatever happens next, we need to get him out of here and back to my parents’ house. Mom and Dad have always loved the Bens. They won’t mind him staying over.

“Abi?” I look up at him, my expression pleading. I need him to make this right, because I don’t know how to. He’s told me I can trust him with my heart, and my heart is breaking right now. “Please?”

He stares at me for a moment like he’s trying to read my mind. It happens in a flash. Abi reaches into his pocket and pulls out a syringe. The cap falls to the floor, and before Benji can react, Abi jabs him in the arm and plunges the serum into his bloodstream. Benji’s eyes widen and his body shakes. Having taken the cocktail more times than I can count, I know what’s in store for Benji. Warmth. Fear. Peace. Sleep.

“What was that?” Benji asks, his voice frantic. He looks terrified, and all I want is to cradle him close and tell him it’s okay. Abi must know what I need, because he reaches down into the crate and pulls Benji through the opening he’s created. Motioning toward the bed, he urges me over. I take a seat on the edge and watch as Abi lowers Benji into my lap. Much to my surprise, Benji makes no effort to scurry away. Instead, he wraps his arms around me and holds on tight.

“Why did you have to leave?” he asks with a sniffle. “You didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry, baby,” I whisper, kissing his forehead. The endearment isn’t meant in a romantic manner, but when I look up at Abi, he must think it was, because he won’t make eye contact with me. I want to reassure him that any chance of a rekindledromance is off the table, but when I open my mouth, nothing comes out.

Eventually, Benji’s tears stop, and his breathing steadies. He’s fallen asleep on my lap, and I can’t bear the thought of waking him. We can’t stay here, though. The neighbors will wake eventually. Abi must be thinking the same, because once Benji’s settled, he scoops him up.

“Will he try to run when he wakes up?” he asks.

“Probably. If he thinks it’ll lessen his chances of losing Bennet or Benito, he will.”

Abi nods. “Then we will tie him to the bed.” He nudges his head toward the door. “I’m going to take him to the car. Grab anything he might need and meet us out there.” He kneels, holding Benji against his chest as he gives me a quick kiss. “I’m sorry I did not get to fuck you again, Tatum.”

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed too, but getting laid isn’t a priority at the moment. All that matters is getting out of this Goddess-forsaken townhouse and carting Benji to safety.

“Don’t worry,” I say, trying to sound reassuring. “We’ve got all the time in the world.”

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