Page 70 of Benji

Oh, this poor sweet boy.

“Of course I am. I’m so proud of you. This isn’t going to be easy. Some days it’ll feel like a mountain you justcan’t climb. But you’re doing the right thing. One step at a time. Just know, Benji, you’re not alone.”

Fitch gave him a squeeze. “You have us. And you have Mr Big Apartment with the Big Dick.”

Dominic made a displeased sound. He was still on the phone, but he stalked over to Fitch and, holding Fitch’s chin, put his finger to his lips. He mouthed the wordenough.

Fitch moaned quietly, blushing like a schoolboy. He looked up at Dom, his eyelashes fluttering, and when Dominic made a low sound, Fitch squirmed.

Well, holy shit.

I couldn’t even process that.

It was quite the sight to see. It felt as if I’d intruded on a private moment, and I was quick to look away.

But Ky made a purring sound. “I would one hundred percent watch that,” he murmured. “Damn.”

Dominic huffed and walked back to the dining table, and Fitch melted, fanning his face.

Benji chuckled, leaning into me, his head on my shoulder. These three boys sure were something else. I couldn’t help but like them. But Benji... he was more than that.

He was something special.

And what Dominic had said to me when we were alone, when the boys were in my room, came back to me.

“I can see you have feelings for the boy,” he’d said. “And he seems drawn to you.”

“I need to protect him,” I’d replied, not ready to namewhat I actually felt for Benji. “I can’t explain it. He’s... special to me.”

Dominic had held my gaze. “You’d really jeopardise your entire career for him.”

I’d nodded. “I would. It’s the right thing to do.”

He’d sighed and stared out to the balcony for a long moment. “And what about his career?”

His job as a rent boy?

“I don’t care,” I’d replied. “You can’t sit there and tell me it bothers you when you and Fitch are so well-acquainted. You have his number?”

His eyes met mine before he rolled his with a sigh. “You’re welcome, by the way,” he’d said. “For calling him instead of the police commissioners office.”

Then it was my turn to sigh. “I need to help him. I can’t ask you to jeopardise your career, but I’m not abandoning him.”

Dominic did that hard stare thing that usually made courtroom witnesses crumble. But I knew this man, and I needed him to know how serious I was. “Are you ready to do this?” he’d asked. “Are you ready to take this step? Because there’s no going back after this.”

I’d looked him dead in the eye. “I’m ready.”

And I was.

Sitting on the couch with Benji now, holding his hand, I knew I was ready.

I gave Benji another kiss on the side of the head. “Can I get you anything?” I asked him quietly.

Benji shook his head and snuggled in closer. He wasalmost sitting on my lap, and I was half tempted to pull him onto me, but just then, Dominic ended his call.

“Okay,” he said, coming to stand in front of us. He took a deep breath. “Here’s what’s going to happen.”

A week later,Dominic and I sat in my car on Oxford Street at ten o’clock at night, watching the three boys. They were talking, laughing, interacting with passers-by.

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