“I won’t say it’ll be easy, but I’m not unreasonable. Just know that if he ever tries to touch you again, I’ll make what Cristian did to Ignacio look like a papercut.”
He laughs. “I have a protective Daddy. I love it.”
Snorting, I shake my head.
He stares at me for a long moment before asking, “Daddy? Do you think you’ll ever want to get married?”
I watch his expression carefully, but don’t see any hints there one way or the other. Answering as honestly as I can, I say, “No. Marriage…I don’t need it to show those I care about howI feel. If…if you wanted that, I’d give you the best proposal and wedding possible, but otherwise, it’s not in the cards for me.”
His nose wrinkles. “I know it seems as if I should want that, but…I like what we have—you, me, and the Stars. We don’t need anything else.”
“What about children?” I ask, knowing Roman plans on having many, and wondering if my Bel Fiore wants that as well. I wouldn’t mind either way. I never gave children any thought, but I’ll help care for Roman’s as best I can.
He shrugs. “I was always content with being Cole’s fun uncle. The one who loaded him up with chocolate and then sent him back to his dads, but…I’ve seen you with him. I’ve watched how gentle, sweet, and kind you are. And you look fucking hot with a kid in your arms, Daddy. I…I think I could raise one or two with you, Nicolo, and Nario. Maybe, if it’s what the three of you want as well.”
I brush my fingers over his cheek, then kiss him softly. “Roman wants kids. At least four, maybe five, I can’t remember the exact numbers, but enough to keep us busy for years. I would love to raise a child with you, Bello. If that’s what you want. You can be the doting uncle, or the fun-loving, trouble-making stepdad, if that’s what you’re more comfortable with. But…I’m not ruling it out.”
His smile is blinding. “Then…maybe after all this shit with the Senator is done, we can…talk to Nario and Nicolo?”
“Yeah, Bello, we can do that.”
He throws his arms around my neck, hugging me tightly for a moment before letting go and snuggling back into my lap. “Love you, Daddy.”
I tighten my arms around him, holding him so close he might as well be in my skin. “I love you too, Sweetheart.”
Love or not, Tennant’s stupid brain chemistry argument or not…nothing else in the world matters more thanthis. A Daddyand his Boy? It’s something worth fighting and living for, and I will never take it for granted.
Antonio will know how much his Daddy feels for him, always and forever.
Istand outside Leandro and Hollis’s domain, and every inch of me is ready for battle. But fuck, who thought I’d get to this point? It’s hard because I know this is going to hurt—both of us. I can only hope that in the end, we’ll come out of it stronger, more cohesive as a unit and as a family.
For now, though, it’s time to rip the bandaid off and remind people I am a co-ruler of the Council. That I am Death. I may be a submissive, but Master taught me a long time ago that embracing that side of myself doesn’t make me weak. Hopefully, my Owner understands that as well.
Knocking, I wait for permission to enter, which thankfully, Leandro gives me. When I enter, both Leandro and Hollis are at their units. My lips tighten, and I’m not sure what Leandro sees in my eyes, whether he can read the desperation and fury coming off me, but he immediately stills.
Cocking his head, he studies me carefully, and the brief warning glance he sends my way likely should concern me. Instead, all I do is shake my head minutely. This is between my Owner and me. He can’t step in the way, even though I’m sure he’s already scheming.
With a subtle sigh, he calls out, “I’m going to take Boston outside. Remember, no sex in the office.”
Hollis blinks, straightening from the computer. When he notices it’s me, he gestures for me to come closer. “What is it, Cucciolo?”
The sincere concern in his voice almost breaks me, but I can’t let it. Even though I’m desperate for his comfort. Instead, I give him what I can and slide easily to my knees, offering him the gift of my submission. I fervently wish that it won’t be the last time I give it to him, but the next part of our journey is up to him.
“I need to talk to you, Sir.” The words are soft, but firm.
Hollis pushes his chair out from the desk and turns to stare at me. His hand reaches out and cups my face, an exact mirror of what Master does. These two…they’re so fucking similar, and it crushes me that they don’t see it.
“What’s going on, Pup?”
Taking a deep breath, I slowly let it out, trying to steady myself. Looking into my Owner’s eyes, I try to put into words what I need. “I need you to work with Master, Sir. I…I need you two to be on the same page.”
He removes his hand as if I’ve burned him, a scowl automatically replacing the concern that lingered on his face. “Your Master and I are fine.”
“No, you’re not. Please, Sir. You’re my Owner, and I love you. He’s…struggling. He doesn’t feel like he can be a Master to me.”
Hollis’s brow furrows, and he hesitates for a moment before waving the issue away. “That’s not my issue, Pup. He can work on it in therapy, or talk to Ian. It has nothing to do with me.”
Scrambling to my feet, my body goes numb. This…this is what I was worried about. Because if Hollis loved me, he’d know that my heart can’t survive without my Master, no matter how much I try to make it do so.
