“Did I expect you and me? No, but do you not feel it? You call meDaddywith such ease. I won’t lie and say feelings are easyfor me. We both know I’d rather do without those pesky things. But…you feel like mine, Sandro. I have my lovers, the people I would burn the world down for, and somehow, someway, you became one of them. Is it going to be complicated? Only as much as we want it to be.”
A lone tear runs down his cheek, but neither of us do anything to wipe it away. His stare burns into mine, and I hope he sees the truth in my words. I am many things, but I am not a liar. This only works if he trusts what I say.
“You can speak now, Piccolo. Tell me what's on your mind.”
“I want you to be my Daddy,” he whispers. “When I’m with you…I feel safer than I have…ever. You’re…dynamic, addicting, and I want nothing more than to be worthy of you.”
Leaning down, I kiss him softly. “You already do, Sweetheart. Non devi guadagnarmi, Allesandro. Ti darò il mondo intero se è questo che vuoi.”
His breath catches in his throat, and his lips part as he stares up at me. “Daddy…”
“Yeah, Piccolo, I’m your Daddy. I’m here, with you every step of the way.”
“Hollis…Jude, and Roman are going to have a problem with this,” he whispers.
“I’ve already spoken to Hol. I can’t tell you his story, but I can reassure you that he won’t touch you…unless you want him to. He’s protective and possessive, but he’ll keep you safe for me, because that’s what he does. What’s mine is his, and you never have to worry about ever being hurt again, Piccolo. I promise.” I kiss him again.
More tears fall down his face, and I wipe them away. “Roman…he loves Lio more than life. Those two are twin souls, and he’ll follow Lio’s lead, even if he’s not sure how to feel. Roman is incredibly loyal, he trusts me and Lio. All you have to do is be honest with him, show him the type of person you are.”
“He’s already seen, and he has a right to hate me for that.”
I shake my head. “He saw what you were turned into. I know you’re not the type of man to rape and abuse. Roman understands what it’s like to be a Boss now. He’ll respect you more for being honest and open, than trying to make up for your transgressions in a way that tears you down. Roman just wants everyone to be loved, so show him you deserve his attention.” Am I laying it on a little thick? Yes, but the Little Prince is incredibly sweet when he wants to be, and his heart is big enough to take Sandro under his wing as a friend, if Sandro shows him who he is—and that’s not hiding behind a bread basket, but I won’t bring that up quite yet. My Boy has been through enough emotions in the last twelve or so hours.
“Jude…he’s very protective. A Daddy with a soft spot for his Boys, and a sadistic streak that is going to keep your Ghost entertained for years to come. That’ll be more of an uphill battle, but he’ll bend for me. And I’m sure I can get his Bel Fiore to talk to him about you.” I smirk. “Don’t worry about Jude. He won’t stab you unless you’re a threat to his Boys, or to me…but we both know you’re not. Right, Piccolo?”
He shakes his head. “No, Daddy. I want to protect you, not hurt you.”
I huff out a laugh. What is it with all my Boys being protective little shits when it comes to me? I’m the last one who would ever need protecting.
“I’m the Daddy here. I do the protecting. I’ll keep you safe, Sandro, from my stab-prone lovers, and yourself. Okay?”
He lets out a shaky breath. “Ian said I need to…to try. To show everyone who I am… I…I’ve lived nothing but a lie, except for my love for my Boys and Emilio. I don’t know who I am anymore. He’s asking for the impossible.”
“No, he’s not. He’s asking you to show everyone what I’ve already seen. The competent man who can skin a man alivewithout flinching, the firm and loving Master who can give our Baby Boy what he needs, and the sweet, loving Boy that wants his Daddy to keep him safe. You’re all of that and more, Sandro, and I will be there for you every step of the way. You’ll find your balance, Piccolo. I refuse to believe otherwise.”
His entire body shudders, and I drop down to lay over him, pressing him into the mattress, allowing him to tuck his face into my neck as his arms wrap around me.
“I got you, Piccolo,” I whisper. “Con me sei al sicuro. Te lo prometto.”
Of all the promises I’ve made in my life, this one is both the easiest and hardest to give, but it’s one I will keep until I die.
“Idon’t appreciate the summons.” Hollis practically spits the words at me from his spot in my office doorway.
Snorting, I shake my head and send a quick text before standing slowly, calmly, letting the predator that resides in me flow out. His eyes widen in shock, and then I ruthlessly stuff the monster back in the box, drawing on my easy going, slightly crazy persona. The one that’s safe for the public. But fuck if I’m going to let Hollis come tomyoffice and take a swing at me.
Still, I can’t bring myself to pull out the cocky grin, not when we have things to discuss. Instead, I gesture for him to enter my lair and to take a fucking seat. I fight back the nausea that desperately claws at my throat, the reminders of the time I was the prey… Fuck. It’s a testament to how much I’ve come to accept these fuckers for me to face my past. Some of them haveeven graduated beyond just random test subjects—not all, but some.
Hollis stares at me warily as he sits down. With a sigh, I take my own seat across from him. Trying to cover the nerves, I purse my lips and study the man in front of me, hoping Lio’s assessment that Hollis is trustworthy is correct. I fold my hands, mainly to stop myself from grabbing my knife and cuddling it like the comfort item that it is to me.
Clearing my throat, I finally say, “I don’t like issuing summons either, but in this case, I needed you somewhere where audio isn't recorded. And I trust that is still true?”
“I gave you my word,” Hollis replies slowly, his eyes narrowing as he studies me.Good luck making sense of me…
“Very well. Then I’d like to tell you a story before we get to why you’re here. I’ll ask that you hold any questions until afterward.” I take a deep breath before uttering a word I rarely use. “Please.”
“Alright. I’ll listen.” Hollis’s brow furrows, and I struggle against my responsibilities to these people and the instinctive need to protect myself. Fuck. I’d better go hunting after this…
“My story… There’s a reason that no matter how hard you and Leandro tried, you couldn't find anything about me before college. Before I became…Javi, essentially.”
