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Rome answers. “No.” He grabs my hand, bringing it to his mouth. “We are fated mates though. But nothing would make me happier than him taking my last name or me taking his.”
“What happens n-now?” Tanner asks, playing with his food. He raises his eyes to me. “How long c-c-c-can I sss-stay?”
I set my fork down and clear my throat. “Well,” I say, “how long did you want to stay?” I don’t want to go off the deep end and tell this kid he can stay forever. I don’t want him to go back to the streets. He needs to be safe, and my home is the best place for that.
He sniffles, tucking his hair behind his ears. “I can’t go back h-h-h-home.”
Rome takes my hand and squeezes, nodding once. “I know you don’t know us, but would you like to stay here? You’ll be safe and taken care of. And my mate won’t have to worry about you like he has for the past few weeks.”
Tanner’s head jerks up and he looks at me. “You worried?”
“Of course, I did, kid,” I tell him, squeezing his arm. “I wished you had come with me the first day we met. I’m glad you’re here now. You can stay as long as you need. But we have to do something first. We need to find your father.” Tanner’s face blanches and I rush to continue talking before he bolts again. “I won’t send you back there. No way would I do that. But we need to get your information so we can enroll you in school.”
Tanner swallows thickly, then nods. “I can’t go back. Please don’t m-m-make me.” His bottom lip trembles and I look at Rome for help.
“Hey, kid,” my mate says, “I’m a lawyer. I can find a way to make sure you don’t.”
I smile, silently thanking him for his willingness to help. Turning back to Tanner, I say, “We’ll take care of you, okay? Give us some time to figure everything out. In the meantime, we have to work. You can either come with us or hang out here. You’re old enough to not need a babysitter.” Looking at him seriously, I add, “I need to be able to trust you. If you’re in my home alone, I need your word that you won’t do anything crazy while you’re alone.”
The kid nods, tucking his hands in his lap. “I won’t. But I’d r-r-r-rather go to w-w-w-work with you. Will your b-b-b-boss let me?”
Barking out a laugh, I turn to Rome. “Baby, can Tanner come to work with me?” Rome gives me an exasperated look and I laugh more. Turning back to Tanner, I say, “My mate is my boss. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”
Chapter 16
Rome
It’sbeentwoanda half weeks since Tanner came to stay with Benjamin. And I’ve never seen my mate so happy. Not even when he’s cooking in my oversized kitchen. He really made my place feel like a home. He hasn’t been over since Tanner came, but I don’t mind. This is more important.
Every day, he brings Tanner to work, printing out some work sheets for him to do, so he doesn’t fall behind until we can get him back in school. Tanner is a smart kid, not needing much help after initial instructions are given. But he’s a little apprehensive about going to a new school because of his stutter.
I feel for the kid. Benjamin and I have been telling him there’s nothing wrong with having a stutter and he shouldn’t feel embarrassed, but he’s a teenager that just wants to make friends and fit in. I know how brutal kids can be with someone who has a slight difference than them. All the same, Benjamin has been reassuring him daily and I think he’s starting to believe him.
Tanner is a good kid. Even though he grew up in a shitty home, he has good manners and is respectful.
He told us ever since he was old enough to know how to work an alarm clock, he’s been waking himself up, getting dressed and ready for school.
“You shouldn’t have had to do that,” my mate said, trying to hide the tears that were brimming.
“I know,” Tanner said, nodding and wrapping his arms around himself. “But I wanted to g-g-g-get out of that t-t-t-trailer park. Ssss-school was my escape.”
Benjamin excused himself after that conversation, returning minutes later with barely disguised red rimmed eyes. Even through that, though, I could tell from the set of his jaw and the resolve in his eyes that he didn’t plan to let Tanner go.
Neither was I.
I can see why Benjamin felt such a pull to the kid when he met him. There’s something vulnerable, yet strong about Tanner. His alpha traits shine through, but he’s not shy about needing to be comforted when he’s not having a good time of it. I can’t count the number of times I’ve come into Benjamin’s apartment to find Tanner with his head in my mate’s lap, tucking himself close as he tells Benjamin more about his life and what he wants in the future. It melts my heart while also making me feel unbelievably outraged.
I can’t fathom how a parent can mistreat their child like that, trying to sell him for drugs. My father was the best, so hearing about how Tanner was treated boggles my mind and makes me want to fucking throttle his father.
That’s probably why Benjamin felt so strongly about finding Tanner and giving him a home. He knows what it’s like not to have love. Benjamin’s heart is so big, ready to give love to anyone that needs it. It’s obvious Tanner needs it from how he’s soaking up all the affection Benjamin gives him.
The night before was one of the few nights I didn’t stay the night at Benjamin’s apartment and I must admit I missed them both. I didn’t think Tanner would open up to me, since I’m an alpha like his shitty father, but he has. Not as much as with Benjamin and I have to coax him a bit to have a conversation, but eventually, he talks to me as well. I’m growing quite fond of him.
If all goes well, our relationship can grow from here.
When I step into the office, both sets of eyes look up at me. Tanner gives me a small smile, raising his hand in a wave. Benjamin gives me a shaky grin, moving his hair back from his sweaty forehead. Frowning, I rush over to him, turning his chair around so he’s facing me. Putting a hand against his forehead, I feel how clammy he is. “Baby, are you sick?” I ask, looking him over like that would give me answers.
He waves me away. “Stomach bug. It’s been going around the office and it finally caught up with me.”
