Page 24 of Destruction

Tennant’s wave in my peripheral gets my attention, and I look over at him. “They’re here,” he says, brandishing his phone.

Standing, I make my way over to him. “How do you want to play this?”

His grin is slightly unhinged. “I am going to break you, Agnellino.”

“I’m ready.”

He laughs a little. “I hope so.”

He opens the door and makes a detour to the bathroom, before leading the way to the main room of the warehouse, where Enzo is waiting with Marcus, Benjamin, and their offering.

“Was the escort really necessary? Either you trust us or you don’t,” Marcus says when we appear.

Tennant shrugs casually. “There are some things that are on a need-to-know basis. You’re lucky you’re here at all, I could have just as easily sent an escort for Benjamin only.”

Marcus snorts. “Yeah, right. I would have liked to see that.”

“Next time,” Tennant muses. “It’ll be fun.”

“Uhh, or not,” Benjamin says. “I don’t think Lio or Ignacio will be happy if you do that. Not to mention, Il Padrone will be back by then—hopefully—so, unless you have a death wish, bad idea.”

Tennant grins. “Oh, did you think this was a one-time offer? No, you’re mine now, or, at least, you will be. And until I release you, you do what I say, when I say it. Understand?”

“That’s not what we agreed to,” Marcus snarls.

“Did I forget to send the fineprint?” Tennant asks in a cheerful voice. “You signed up for this, which means it’s my rules. And if I want to kidnap you from your home for a while…there’s nothing anyone can do about it.”

“We’ll leave.” Marcus takes a step forward, to put himself in front of Benjamin.

“No.” Benjamin grabs Marcus’s arm and pulls him back. “He’s right. I asked for this.” Benjamin raises his chin and looksstraight at Tennant. “Do your worst.” He gives a pain-filled smile. “I’ve already been through hell and back for my Family. Anything you throw at me will pale in comparison to that.”

Tennant laughs while I watch Benjamin in fascination. His lack of fear is…reckless. The way his cheeks tinge pink, and the quick breaths he takes, tells me he’s not as fearless as he wants to appear, but any challenge thrown at Ten is going to be taken; either he doesn’t realize that, or he’s so desperate to prove himself, he doesn’t care. No matter the answer, all it will do is end up with him broken and bleeding.

“We’ll see about that.” Tennant tosses the bag he retrieved from the bathroom at Benjamin. “I’m glad you wore your makeup, good to know you’re not completely hopeless. Now, remove it.”

“Excuse me? You can’t be serious.”

“I am always serious, Benjamin,” Tennant says, just low enough that I can barely hear him. “This is what you agreed to. I told you, I’m going to break you, and strip you of everything that makes youyou.”

“This is uncalled for!” Marcus protests.

“You’re no longer needed here,” Tennant tells him. “Enzo will escort you back, and he will work with you and Carter on the best ways to utilize our forces, so we’re not spread too thinly.”

“I think I’d better stay,” he replies.

“No,” Tennant says calmly. “You won’t. You have a job to do, and that doesn’t involve being here. Benjamin is in good hands. I would hate to tell your Boss you’re being uncooperative.”

“It’s fine, Marcus. I got this. I’m not afraid of him.”

Marcus looks at Benjamin, and says something too low for me to hear, but he gestures to the bag in Benjamin’s hand, so I can guess. They exchange quiet words for a moment before Marcus turns back to shoot daggers at Tennant.

“The Boss said no permanent damage…”

“I agreed not to kill him. How bloody he ends up will be up to him and how well he can listen.”

“Are you sure about this?” Marcus asks one last time.

“Do as you’re told, Marcus,” Benjamin says in a firm voice, the order clear.

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