Page 38 of Destruction

“Yeah,” he says. “Better, I think. Do whatever you want with the Martellis, Roman and Ten, too. I want to watch the three of you have fun… It might be educational.”

I grin. “I didn’t know you were such a voyeur, Bello.”

He huffs. “I liked watching you with Emilio. He’s very different from Roman in his responses.”

I hum in acknowledgement. Roman just wants to be used. The little shit will do anything and everything to get the desired result. Emilio’s submission…on the surface it looks the same, but in reality, he needs it to help keep his sanity. Both of them are cocksluts in their own right, which would make watching the two of them together very entertaining. That is, if Emilio is willing to top our Toy, because Roman sure won’t take up that mantle, even if it meant he got to have fun with his friend.

“I almost feel bad for Benjamin,” I tell him. “I don’t think he’s fully thought out what having Tennant will mean.”

Jude shrugs. “I think you underestimate him…but that’s definitely going to be a fun show.”

That is…very much one way to put it. Planting one last kiss on Jude’s irresistible mouth, I finally pull away. “Go, maybe stop in to see your training partner? I have work to do.”

“I should do that, yes. I don’t think any of the Martellis know what to make of me.”

I laugh at that. “Probably not, you’re an enigma, Agnellino. It’s what makes you so much fun to play with.”

He smiles and shakes his head. “Uh-huh. I’ll see you when Tennant comes to drag you out of here.”

When he leaves, to hopefully actually spend some time with our Martelli guest, I turn to my work, feeling lighter than I have since this whole mess started. If only the feeling would last.

Igroan as I roll out of bed when the alarm goes off. I feel like I’ve only slept for a couple of hours, and really, it probably wasn’t much more than that. Being in our bed without my Master… It’s an itch I can’t scratch. I refuse to let the maids change the sheets, wanting to draw his scent to me each night. Yet, each inhale is like a knife to my heart.

Shuffling to the bathroom, I turn the shower on, blasting the hot water. By the time I step in, I’m at least a little more awake. When the water hits my back, I let out a yelp and scramble out of the shower.

Fuck. I didn’t think about the fact my back was shredded, thanks to Hollis. I turn the water to a cooler temperature, praying I can at least get through a short shower. Fucker didn’t hold back. Then again, it was exactly what I needed to make the chaos in my head slow down.

I’m not embarrassed by my needs, and Master taught me to get them fulfilled if he wasn’t available. But fuck if I don’t know how the Amatos are taking it right now. I’m assuming, if Hollis gave the okay, the rest of them will accept it, but not all of their faces showed joy—or acceptance. That’s a problem for another day, and hopefully it’s Hollis’s, not mine.

Stepping back into the shower, I manage to grit my teeth and get cleaned up. I notice the water runs pink occasionally, and I hope to fuck I didn’t pull any stitches. At least Dr. Ranlen will be here this morning. Chances are, she won’t hold back her opinion any more than the Amato doctor did.

Once I’m dressed and ready, I head down to my Master’s office. I have no desire to go to the dining room. I know our family meals are important, but I don’t have it in me today to pretend there’s any normality in our lives right now. I barely sit down before Antonio and Dr. Ranlen come into the office. I knew I should have fucking closed the door.

“You wanted to see us?” Antonio asks as he stops in front of the desk.

I wave for them to sit and take a deep breath. I face Antonio first. “Benjamin is undergoing training with the Amatos, so right now, he’s unavailable. I need a Second. I want you to take that position until Benjamin is back.”

Antonio leans back in the chair, his jaw dropping. He goes to speak several times, but nothing comes out. I’m not surprised. We didn’t exactly have the easiest start to our relationship.

Clearing his throat, he finally manages to say, “I’m very…surprised, but yes. It’s an honor.”

I don’t show my relief, but I was worried he’d question my decision and I’d be forced to start the day by doling out more punishments. I didn’t realize how fucking exhausting that must be for Il Padrone at times.

With that covered, I address Dr. Ranlen. “I know you're busy with your position at the hospital, but I need you here. We don’t know what’s going to happen. It’s one, for your safety, and two, in case we have any medical needs.”

With an arched brow, Dr. Ranlen retorts, “From what I hear, you already have needs.”

I look up at the ceiling, cursing whichever Boy snitched on me. Shaking my head, I focus on her again. “Well, you know me…always having fun. Does that mean you’ll move back?”

“I suppose. But I expect you to keep me updated. And you’d better start going to family meals. I’m told you’ve been ignoring those as well. You need to keep your mental health in check—and not just by whatever else it is that you’re doing. Come see me after your meeting. I want to check out what happened.”

Without waiting for a dismissal, she stands and strolls out of the room, her heels clicking as she goes. I assume she’s headed to the clinic she has set up here.

“I have no idea how she can walk in those,” I comment lightly, before turning to more serious matters. I gesture for Antonio to speak, as I’m hoping he has some insight already.

“She has a point.” At my silent command for more, he clears his throat nervously. “You need to go back to the family dinners. Not only because it’s a way to pass information along, but also to reinforce our bond. We all need it. It doesn’t help if we become disconnected from each other.”

Sighing, I nod in agreement. “I know, you’re right. I just…haven’t had much of an appetite. But if anything, being around everyone will be good. We never know what may come up while talking.

---