“I didn’t mean to make him worry about me!” Emilio rushes to interrupt me, and I hold up a hand to hopefully stop him from spiraling.
“First of all, that is not on you. You cannot control other people’s emotions. Second, the reason I’m bringing this to you is because Allesandro would like to do something that is…slightly unorthodox.” I carefully keep my face blank, not wanting to do anything that will sway him. He’s been emotionally manipulated too much in his life for me to add to that.
“What’s that?” Lio asks, but Roman reaches out and grips his hand, pursing his lips as he studies me. I’m not surprised that Roman likely knows what’s coming.
I briefly meet Roman’s eyes before turning my attention back to Lio, wanting to capture his full reaction. “He wants to use kink. In fact, he referenced using it in the past, the last time you were kidnapped.”
Lio shudders and his breathing speeds up. I stay still, not wanting to jump in before he has had a chance to bring himself under control. Roman, however, does not receive that memo.
“Oh, fuck no. There’s no way that asshole is coming near Lio like that.” Fine shudders rip through Roman, and my heart hurts for him, but this isn’t his call to make.
“Roman, this is Lio’s decision to make.” I say it as softly as I can, but his jaw drops and he rears back as if I hit him. He stares at Lio, who won’t meet his eyes, before his shoulders slump, and I think he may finally get it. Whether the others will… Fuck if I know.
“I…I really think it would help. I know that makes me fucked up.” Lio cringes, staring down, and Roman flushes, his eyes widening in what must be horror. I shake my head at him before I answer Lio, hoping he’ll stay quiet.
“No, it doesn’t. From my understanding, you’re submissive. There is nothing wrong with that. And you struggle with emotions. Many do. If kink helps you sort through the emotions that get too loud, that’s not a bad thing. But I have to ask this…do you still trust him enough to engage in that type of relationship?”
I send another warning look toward Roman, whose opinion is very obvious, and from the way he grits his teeth, it’s a struggle for him to keep it hidden. But this isn’t about Roman. Or even Allesandro. The only one who matters right now is Lio.
He raises his head and stares directly at me. “Yes. Without any reservation at all. I don’t know how to explain it, as I’m sure you’ve already been made aware of what happened, but I know my Master. What he did was evil, it was wrong, but he wasn’t himself. He would never hurt me. We’ve come too far together, and what’s inside me, the twisted edges of me…the blood that stains my hands? That part fits with him, and always has. There are very few I trust, but yes, Master is one of them.”
While Roman flinches at Lio’s response, it was as I expected. I won’t try to sway him either way. But, fuck. This is not going to be a fun conversation to have with Tennant or Hollis, but I can see that Lio truly does need this. And, unfortunately, Allesandro has the experience necessary.
“Thank you, Lio, for being honest with me. I’ll go ahead and give my approval then. But, please, promise me that if you are at any point uncomfortable, you’ll speak up. That’s not just for your sake, but for your Master’s too. You’re right, he doesn’t want to hurt you, so please, I need you to promise that you’ll communicate.”
Lio bites his lip as he watches me for a moment, before he inclines his head. “Yes, Sir, I promise.”
Ignoring the honorific, I stand and offer him my hand. His warm handshake certainly feels solid. There’s no tremor to it that would make me think he’s hiding anything.
“Very well. I’ll come speak with you again later. With you as well, Roman.”
Roman doesn’t respond, but Lio at least says goodbye to me before I leave the room. Stepping out into the hallway, I mentally run through every curse word I can think of, because this is not going to be an easy sell. But the truth is…Allesandro may actually be right. Fuck if that won’t be fun to explain to Lio’s Owner and to his Daddy.Fuck. I hope I live through this.Maybe I should send Ely at least one more text, just in case I don’t make it out…
“Any hints on what this is about?” Tennant asks.
“Nope.” And it’s irritating. Javi has yet to prove he’s effective, since he’s only been here less than a week, and his insistence that he’s the one in charge…it makes me want to take a knife to him and see howhelikes someone messing with his emotions and brain.
Though…the medication he prescribed for sleep has allowed me to get a few hours more than usual. It’s not enough to keep the nightmares away, but the last time I took it, the fear wasn’t as bad as it normally is. I’m not ready to give him any credit, however. Not without more data. Since Cole’s still missing, there isn’t time for me to sleep, so whether the change in medication will help me in the long run, I have no idea.
“Best to get it over with,” I grouse, knocking briskly on the office door.
When we’re given permission to enter, Tennant opens the door, slightly stepping in front of me as he does, as if he’s worried we'll be attacked.
I want to say it’s overkill, but with the knowledge that there’s still a mole unaccounted for—not counting the one Leandro and I are already watching, plus the nanny—I understand my love’s caution.
“Thank you for meeting with me,” Javi says smoothly, not rising from his seat. He gestures to the chairs across from the desk. “Please, take a seat.”
“What’s this about?” I ask, eyeing him and his…outfit. The lavender dress shirt actually complements his skin tone—for once—but the lime green suspenders with a paisley pattern do not, and they can probably be seen in the dark.
Javi folds his hands over a notebook lying on the desk, as he studies Ten and I with those eerie eyes of his. “I’ve had an interesting day, and it’s not even noon yet. I’ve spoken to both Allesandro, or Sandro, as I believe he’s wanting to be called nowadays, and Lio. As you know, I’m very careful about making sure I have express permission before I speak about a subject with anyone else. This situation is…uniquer than most, as Allesandro has requested it.”
“Don’t play coy,” Tennant tells him carefully.
“Allesandro made an observation about Lio, one I assessed for myself. He believes, especially after the…incidentwith Stanley, that Lio would benefit from getting out of his head. That he’s drowning in his guilt, and he needs to release it.”
I let out a breath. My chest tightens with sudden fear, though not about Lio…well, not because of what happened between him and Allesandro the last time they were together.
“Fucking hell,” Tennant says in that too-familiar conversational voice of his. The one he uses when torturingsomeone, or…when he’s trying to keep himself reined in. “I hope you told him that was why you are fucking here.”
