Page 22 of Consequences
All of my Boys have a special place in my heart—Antonio in more ways than one. If he didn’t, I would never have given the twins to him.
As he disappears, I close my eyes again, casting my mind back to a different time, to when one of my Boys thought he took a bullet for me—Emilio.
My heart beats harder knowing I almost lost him then, and now, once again, he’s suffering for me. I should have realized then that it was more than possession… Fuck, I’m not sure how I managed to fall for him, but damn if I’ll ever let him go. Death…cannot separate us, because that is who he is—and he has embraced his name well.
“He’s ready if you’d like to see him.” Dr. Ranlen brings me out of my contemplation, and I don’t say anything as I follow her through the doors, to my Caro’s bedside. Fuck knows I don’t pay any attention to anything else around me. My entire being is only focused on my love. “You can’t stay long, but I’ll come get you when it’s time.”
I’d argue against her, but I know it would be useless. I trust her for a damn good reason.
Sitting down, I touch Emilio’s hand. It’s too cold. I panic for a moment, before listening to his heartbeat on the monitor. It’s solid once again, and I feel like I’ve finally taken an actual breath now that I’m next to him.
I stare at him, and despite his paleness, I’m reminded of when I first stole him. Luca was correct. I had no right to him. Still, that innocence…it was irresistible. Despite what I—and others—did, he never broke. He may have shed that innocence, embraced his inner demons and became Death, but he refused to lose that spark in him. Thank fuck. I need it now. And always.
Bending my head, I give thanks that he’s still alive. Now if he’ll only come back to me. We have plans to create, and vengeance to take, but most of all, I need him by my side. I found my soul in him, my salvation, my heart, and until he opens his eyes and returns to me, only ice surrounds me.
When a hand is laid on my shoulder, I almost groan. Holding it in, I turn, expecting Sarah. However, that’s not who is there. I growl in frustration at the man meeting my eyes.
“If you have news, it can wait. Let me have my time,” I snap at Hollis. There are times I need to be Il Padrone, but right now, I only need to be my Boy’s love, his Master and his Daddy.
Hollis shakes his head quietly. “That’s not why I’m here.”
It’s only when he stares at my Caro that I figure it out. The pain crashes over me and I shake my head in disbelief. This isn’t possible. He has a fucking harem of his own!
I desperately want to be wrong, but those eyes of his don’t waver when they turn back to me. The words hang in the balance, like a static charge next to gasoline. My lungs burn from the way I can’t take a breath in. Hollis opens his mouth, even though I wish he wouldn’t.
Fucking hell. Here it goes again…
Asmarter man would have waited, but I never claimed to be one. Not when it comes to someone I care about. Il Padrone looks so…defeated. The despair in his blue eyes has me wincing, and I almost take a step back, but I hold my ground. Dropping my hand from his shoulder, I square mine, ready to face the consequences of my actions.
The cucciolo deserves better from me than waiting until what’s convenient to me. Especially since there’s no such thing as the “right” time to tell someone something like this.
“I love him,” I say simply, not flinching under that burning gaze.
“Youlovehim,” Il Padrone says slowly, pain and disbelief in his tone.
“Yes,” I reply. “I won’t apologize for it. He is…amazing.”
“Why are you telling me thisnow?” There’s a bite to his words, but if I’m supposed to feel chided, he’s going to learn that doesn’t quite work with me.
Some sleep, food, being able to see Ten this morning, and a night spent with my other two lovers, it has all invigorated me.
Maybe Benjamin was too hasty in giving me a wakeup call.I’m sure if he knewthiswould happen, he would have hesitated. Or maybe not. After all, he only ever has Emilio’s best intentions at heart.
“Because you deserve honesty,” I tell him simply. “And so does the cucciolo.”
Il Padrone raises a brow at my words. I’m sure he never expected his Death to be called a “little puppy”. “I can’t deal with this right now,” he finally says, shaking his head and looking back to the boy on the bed.
“I’m sorry, but it couldn’t wait. He is too important to me.”
“Am I supposed to be grateful for your honesty? Or that you touched something that isn’t yours?”
“No, I’d kill first and ask questions later if I were you. But…you know who Emilio is, far better than anyone else. Remember that while you’re plotting my demise.”
Casting another look at Emilio, I desperately wish I could stay, but I know I’ve already worn out my welcome.
Coming in here was a risk, one I needed to take, but staying, as much as I desperately want to, would be a death sentence.
Taking a chance, I reach out and run my fingers gently over Emilio’s cold ones, vowing that if we live through Il Padrone’s punishment, I’ll let him touch me all over, the next time we’re together—demand it even.
