Page 30 of Consequences
I meet his sad sea green eyes and slide my hand out of his, using it to grip his hair and drag him closer. He indulges me, moving in and kissing me deep. His touch is sure as he grips my hair and holds me in place while ravishing my mouth.
“I love you,” he says after pulling away. “This needs to be done; for us, for me and Ignacio, and for myself. Please, respect me enough to accept this is my choice.”
“I don’t like it. I will never like anyone touching you other than me.”
He quirks a brow. “You know the Martelli way.”
I roll my eyes. “Sex is one thing, you and I both know that. I am fine if he wants to fuck you to assert his dominance. That’s his right, and he’s earnedthattype of loyalty from you. But you’ve been hurt enough.”
Benjamin smiles softly. “This is a different type of pain. I promise, it’ll be fine.”
I narrow my eyes. “You’ve been punished before,” I say flatly.
His lips thin and he shrugs a little. “Does it matter?”
I clench my teeth, but don’t respond to that stupid fucking question. Of course, it fucking matters. None of them deserve to see how lovely his skin bruises, or how pretty he is when he bleeds and cries.
That thought makes me smile. “Well, at least you already wear my mark in two places, so they can’t forget who you belong to.”
Benjamin groans but kisses me again. “You’re impossible.”
“You knew that before you fell head over heels.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, I did.” One last kiss and then he straightens, forcing me to release his hair. He takes a step back from the bed, and already a piece of me feels hollow at the distance. “I need to go before someone comes looking for me. I’ll be back tomorrow. Okay?”
“I’m holding you to that, Amore Mio.”
Benjamin smiles sweetly and squeezes my hand. “Call me if you need anything, any of you, understand?”
“We do,” Hollis says. “We’ll see you at dinner, Benjamin.”
He nods, and with one last lingering look, leaves the room.
I look at my other lovers. “Dinner. They’re still making you do that?”
Roman rolls his eyes. “Family dinner is a Martelli thing, and Dad thought it was a good idea for us all to get to know one another, so now it’s athing. It’s…nice, but well, awkward with both Dad and Il Padrone, as they’re not happy about some of the new dynamics.”
“I think,” I say slowly, “you need to fill me in on everything I’ve missed over the last few days.”
Hollis rounds the bed and sits in the chair Benjamin abandoned, and the three of them do just that. It’s nice, listening to them, and just being with them. Something that’s been rare, thanks to all the bullshit. If only part of me wasn’t missing.
No matter. When Doc and Jayden stop breathing down my neck, Allesandro and I will have our own discussion about this punishment Benjamin supposedly owes him. I will make it very clear that the days of anyone in that Family hurting my Topolino are over, and then Benjamin will never have to leave my side, unless it’s his choice. And I’ll make damn sure he’ll never want to.
Ipick at the fucking blanket covering me as I struggle to stay still. I may not be in an actual hospital, but they’ve certainly made sure I’m just as uncomfortable. When Master left me to go to a meeting, it was with a strict admonishment not to do anything stupid. Hopefully, some of the other Boys will stop by soon. They’ll at least bring me books, because I’m losing my fucking mind.
“It’s your funeral.” I narrow my eyes at Doc’s voice. He’s not in my line of sight, and whoever answers murmurs so quietly I can’t make out who it is. I’m not left waiting for long when Hollis steps toward me.
I breathe a sigh of relief, as he’s someone I haven’t seen yet. It was making me worried, even though I knew he was here when everything happened. I carefully ask, “Are you alright?”
The withering glare he sends me underscores his opinion of that question, especially coupled with his reddened eyes and disheveled appearance. “No, Cucciolo, I am not. You broke the rules. On top of breaking the rules, I had to ask Benjamin to call a meeting with your Master and Dr. Ranlen so I could sneak in here.”
“Why would you need to…?”
“Sneak in? Because your Master has made it clear that all Amatos are to stay far away from the Martellis right now. Possibly permanently.” Hollis crosses his arms as he grinds his teeth.
I wince, because while I expected Master to be somewhat upset at the…rearranging dynamics, I didn’t expect him to create such a ban.
“I’m sorry,” I respond weakly.
