Javi purses his lips. “If you really believe that, then maybe you don’t fully understand Lio. Because I can tell you what I saw just a little bit ago, and it goes deeper than just a traumatized boy, but one who needs his submissive place… Though if you were only ever using him to get back at Allesandro, and didn’t really care about him…”
The threat is clear; the look in Javi’s eyes promises he’ll take us out without an ounce of regret or a second thought.
“I should kill you for insinuating that,” Tennant hisses.
Javi smirks. “I’d love to see you try,” he purrs.
Tennant jumps from his seat, and I barely get a hand on him before he launches himself across the desk at Javi. The last thing we need is the two of them trying to kill each other.
“Tennant, he’s baiting you.”
“He can become fish bait if he loves it so fucking much,” Ten shoots back, though he doesn’t make another move.
“Emilio is important to both of us,” I tell Javi. “We…we know about his submissive needs. I did what I could when Allesandro and Cristian were missing, but we haven’t had time for a full scene since spitting from the old Families…”
Javi’s face softens a little. “Kink is different for everyone. The beauty of it is that no two people are the same, and can have very different wants and needs. I haven’t dived too far into it with Lio, as we’re still getting to know each other, and other things have taken precedence, but…there are some things you’re not able to give him.”
Dropping my hand from Ten, I place both in my lap and look down at them. “I know,” I whisper. “And that’s what scares me. I am not Emilio’s Master. I…do not have the experience he does. My wants are different from his. I…I have to be honest, right?” I meet Javi’s eyes fleetingly.
“Yes, this only works if I know what I’m dealing with.”
Taking a breath, I nod. “I’m scared. Not of what Allesandro might do…well, not in the way you think. I hate that he hurt Lio. I want to flay him alive for daring to think he can touch that Boy in that way…but those are feelings I’m not ready to dive in with. Not when I’ve only ever said it aloud a handful of times. No, I’m terrified Lio will have this taste of his Master and…not come back.”
I look up at Tennant, meeting his icy gaze. “I am a controlling bastard, and a possessive one too, but I am not the one who introduced Emilio to the world of pain and pleasure. What if he realizes that what I have to offer isn’t enough? Allesandro is his Master. He can meet Lio’s needs in a way I can’t.”
Tennant drops to his knees in front of me, grabbing my hands. “That doesn’t matter, Hol. Emilio chose you, of all people, to be there for him when this all started. He came back again and again in the beginning. What he gets from you isn’t the same as what he gets from me. He calls you his Owner because that’s exactly what you are. You own him, heart, body, and soul, and you recognize how important it is for him to have his Daddy and Master.”
I start trembling, and it’s hard to take a full breath, but Ten is there to ground me, his hands warm in mine, his gaze steady and unwavering.
“What do you think?” I ask quietly.
“I think I want to stab Allesandro a couple hundred times and bathe in his blood. But…it’s not about us, is it?”
I shake my head. “No…it’s about Emilio.”
“Do you trust him?”
I bite my lip before I blurt out the first answer that comes to mind. The problem with that is…I do trust him. As much as I trust Ten or any of my other lovers. The cucciolo has wormed his way in and made himself important in a way I never expected.
“Yes,” I finally answer. “It scares the shit out of me, but I do.”
“It’s normal to be worried,” Javi says softly, drawing my attention to him. “Allesandro broke trust, not just Lio’s and the other Boys’, but yours as well. I have to admit, I believe him when he says he wants nothing but the best for Lio. I spoke to Lio, and he knows he needs this. He also knows his Master is the one who can fulfil this need. He doesn’t just need it, he wants it. Though I believe he doesn’twantto want it.
“You may have given your approval for him to be with Allesandro, but as his Owner, he’ll need your okay for this as well. I haven’t had time to unravel the intricacies of your relationships, but if there’s one thing I’ve gathered, and heard from Allesandro today, it’s that when Lio loves, he loves hard and completely. I imagine that will play into his decisions, as he knows how you feel about his Master.”
Being reminded that my actions and thoughts are hurting my Puppy has me flinching.
Tennant looks at Javi over his shoulder. “Keep your fucking mouth shut if you’re not going to be helpful, or I will close it for you.”
“This isn’t the time for flirting, Tennant.” Javi smiles. “Hollis knows I’m right. I’m here to help you all. If you can’t appreciate it…I have better things to do.”
Tennant goes to rise, but I squeeze his hands. “He’s right, Ten. I…I just feel like a failure. Lio trusts me to be hisOwnerand I…I can’t even give him what he needs.”
“You do, though, Hol. You give him a safe place to land. You dive into kinks no one else does, because you’re possessive as fuck and need to leave your mark in a way that’ll be remembered.”
I snort. “As if you don’t have a fucking blood obsession…”
Tennant shrugs. “That’s besides the point. What I am saying is…only you can give us all the feeling of safety and home. Youprovide it with how fucking possessive you are. You’re who we look to for comfort, Tesoro. Emilio trusts you, and I do too. So…if you’re okay with this, then, well, I can’t promise I am okay, but I’ll follow your lead. Always.”
