He glances over at me, his expression blank, but I can feel the judgment rolling off him. It was worth a shot. At the end of the day, the Martellis will get used to Leandro and his ways, or his…peculiarities will always be an issue—I’d rather not have that headache. But then, I'd rather Leandro didn’t have to pretendforever either. Something will give eventually. Or he'll kill us all. Whichever comes first.
In the meantime, there's a puppy that needs me, and that is more important than worrying whether anyone likes the psychopathic mimic.
When I get to Lio’s room, I give a courtesy knock, but enter before he can say a word—at least I knock, unlike Tennant.
My Puppy smiles when he sees me, but it's weak. The pain in his eyes says the session he had with his new therapist tore through his emotions already.
“Come here, Cucciolo.”
Sitting on the bed, I open my arms and accept a lapful of cuddly Puppy.
“I'm sorry, Sir,” he whispers against my chest. “I hope I didn't take you away from anything important.”
Tightening my arms around him, I press a kiss to the top of his head. “Nothing is more important than you, Cucciolo. It doesn't matter where I am, what I'm doing, or even who I'm with. If you need me, I'm there. I wouldn't be a very good Owner otherwise.”
He hugs me as tight as possible. “You're the best Owner.”
That earns him another kiss. We sit in silence for a while, soaking up the feel of each other. It's…nice. Something we never got the chance to do before. Though, our relationship didn't start because we saw something in the other.
Unlike Benjamin and Tennant, Lio and I started because he had a need I could fulfill. Sex, kink, calming his chaotic and worried mind, that's all it was supposed to be. I never thought I'd claim the boy, but…I wouldn't go back and change it either.
Emilio is mine. Nothing will ever make me give him up. He carved a place in me, same as all my other loves.
It doesn't matter that he has a Daddy. Tennant is a part of me, and therefore, whatever is his is mine. Speaking of which,there's the matter of a certain psychiatrist I need to deal with. Especially after what Jude told me last night. So many things to do, so little time.
As for Lio having a Master… I'm not as homicidal as I once was. Am I still uncomfortable with Sandro? Yes, but part of that is due to my own experience with rape—that’s probably one of the things my new therapist will want to talk about… I hope they're as good as Javi and Doc claim, and they understand why I'm not jumping for joy at the prospect.
So far, Sandro has stayed true to his word. He helped steady Emilio, and got him to let out the emotions he kept bottled up, but I am in no way disillusioned to believe it “fixed” him. A stop-gap is all it was, but it was desperately needed by our Puppy.
Rubbing my hand up and down Lio’s back, I press my lips to his hair, keeping them there as I take in his scent. I realize that while I may not always be comfortable with Sandro, I no longer want to outright kill him, so at least there's that. Baby steps.
“I won't ask unless you want me to, Baby. What happens in your sessions is your private business. But if you want to discuss anything, you can.”
Javi's views on privacy is something I strongly agree with him on. Even if the man is determined to drive us all up the wall, he does seem to know his stuff. Case in point, I might not agree with the meds I'm on, and still hate the side effects, but things are…better. Not great, not perfect, but better. I understand it's not a magic fix, but he wasn't wrong for getting me to accept them and the changes he made.
Still not looking forward to having to talk to someone about the shit from my past. Making myself vulnerable to someone not under my control? No, thanks. But for the Boy in my arms, and the other three lives who rely on what they see as my steady strength, I'll do it.
Lio pulls back enough to look up at me with his gorgeous moss green eyes. “It was just an introduction, but…it was still hard. He asked me about my friends, and I told him about you, Daddy, Master, and Roman. I…it hurt, Sir. Having to talk about and remember what I did to Benjamin…”
I look at him in confusion. “What did you do to him? Orthinkyou did to him?”
He bites his lip and wiggles a little on my lap. His eyes are wide and pleading.
“He fell in love with Tennant and I… I was a dick about it. How could he know it was love when he had just broken up with Ignacio, but then, I…” His eyes fill with tears. “I did the same thing! After Allesandro… When we broke off from the old Bosses, I didn't give a second thought to falling right into Tennant’s arms. I'm such a fucking selfish hypocrite.”
“Off.” I push at him.
Lio goes easily, sliding off my lap and standing in front of me. He waits patiently for his next instruction, even as his tear-filled eyes stare back at me.
“On the floor, Pup.”
Dropping to his knees, I can almost hear the relief pouring off him as he’s directed to familiar territory.
“Such a good, Cucciolo. Now, look at me.” Reaching out, I grip his chin hard enough to bruise. “I want you to listen to me very carefully, Emilio. Do you remember what I told you, about what you deserve, the first day I got to see you?”
“You get to decide what I do and don’t deserve. You’re the only one who can because you’re my Owner.”
“That’s right. I’m your Owner, and I am the one who decides what I want you to have. The same goes for all my lovers. If I didn’t want Tennant to have youorBenjamin, then neither of you would. Neither one of you are in charge here, despite what Benjamin might think.” I’ve given him far too many liberties,and it’s time to remind him who gave him such privileges.And maybe take some away.
