Page 48 of Brutal Queen

“Let you? I would never need convincing to marry you, Bambi.” His face lights up like a kid at Christmas. “But…” his face falls, and it hurts me to be the cause of that look, “I think nearly every therapist out there would agree that marrying you inresponse to learning life-changing information is not the wisest decision.”

Benny nods and tries to muster a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“I never thought we’d ever be in a position where marriage would be an option for us, Bambi. Our relationship was barely tolerated before The Syndicate dissolved, but believe me when I say this. One day I will ask you to marry me and you’ll never have to wonder if it was because I was scared of losing you. It will be because I know in every cell of my body that I’m worthy of you.”

“Well, when you put it like that…” he replies with a smirk on his face. “I want you on one knee and proposing with a ring and everything.”

I capture his lips again and kiss him until he melts into me. “I’ll propose however I damn well want, Bambi.”

“Yes, sir.”

A little whimper squeaks past his lips and I start to chuckle but I’m interrupted by him forcefully pushing me back against the sofa cushions and straddling me. He’s all over me, fingers raking through my hair, arms wrapped around my body, hands palming my cock. It’s like he’s grown extra limbs.

“Down, boy,” I say between thin lips while he continues to kiss me. Shuffling forwards on the seat, Benny yelps as I tip forward, bringing him with me as I stand and force him to wrap his legs around my waist. He leans back and waggles his eyebrows at me with his trademark ‘fuck me’ smile. “As much as I would love to fuck the living daylights out of you right now, I’m not going to, Bambi. We’re going to bed.”

His face drops into an adorable pout, so I touch my forehead to his and close my eyes. “I just need to hold you right now, Bambi. Can we do that?” I whisper, my tone as close tobegging as I get. His head drops to my shoulder and his arms squeeze me a little tighter.

“Yes, sir.”

It’smid-morning by the time we surface. I slept more soundly than I have in weeks. Although I missed Aurora—and oddly, Sin as well—I needed to sleep with just Benedict beside me. I needed to know he felt safe with me. That I hadn’t broken his trust. It would destroy me if I’d done any lasting damage to him or us.

I kiss his forehead and shuffle out from under the covers. Throwing myself in the quickest shower known to man. I pull on some jeans and a tank before heading downstairs to find Enzo and Aurora. I need to thank them. Sinclair too.

I find them all at the conference table in Aurora’s office, huddled around Sinclair’s laptop. They look up at the same time, and I smile at the identical expressions they’re wearing. Half concern, half what I’m guessing is a desire to punch me in the face for putting Benny at risk.

“So, I need to say some things,” I say, suddenly nervous. Aurora arches a brow and dips her head, inviting me to continue but saying nothing.

“First, I need to thank you. Thank you for intervening and looking after both me and Benny.”

“We’ll always be there when you need us,” Sinclair says and then adds, “for both of you. Whatever you need.”

“That’s the second thing. I need to talk to you about Sal?—”

“You don’t need to—” Aurora’s words are rushed and nervous, like she’s worried my even talking about that cunt will set me off.

“Please, just let me finish,” I say, holding my hands up. “Idon’t give a fuck that Salvatore De Luca is my father.” Dropping my arms, I shove my hands into my pockets and stare at my feet. “I don’t know how either one of you can look at me, knowing who my brother is. Not after what he’s done to you.”

There’s a small gasp before Aurora crosses the room and nestles into me, blocking my view of the floor. She couldn’t get any closer if she tried.

“You listen up and you listen good. When I look at you, I seeonlyyou. You’re nothing like Max.” Her tone is stern, but there’s a subtle waver, like she’s also pleading with me to believe her.

“How can you say that? My literal job is to torture people. I hurt people, and I can’t tell you that I don’t love my job,” I say, refusing to meet her eyes.

“Max De Luca is devoid of all emotion. The only pleasure he gets in life is through pain. You, Nico, feel more deeply than nearly anyone else I know. You love Benny with every fibre of your being.” She stops and cups the back of my neck, draws me to her, and then pushes down on my shoulders, bringing me to my knees.

I see her brilliant smile and it warms me from the inside out. With our height difference she’s not that much taller than me like this, and it’s the perfect height for her to press her lips to mine before wrapping her arms around me and holding me in a tight embrace. I rest my cheek above the swell of her breast and sink into this feeling of belonging that radiates through me.

“When I look at you, all I see is the man I love.”

Enzo stands and approaches us slowly. Reaching out a hand to me, he takes me by the forearm, lifting me into a firm embrace and patting my back. “Max De Luca is no brother of yours. You’re our brother.” His words are hushed as he continues, “You are my brother, Nico.”

“I will hurt him for what he’s done,” I promise.

“And I’ll be at your side when you do,” he replies, standing back and letting the weight of his words settle. “We stand together against him. The blood that runs in your veins is irrelevant to me.”

I heave out a huge sigh, only realising now how much I needed to hear him say that. From the minute I joined his crew, I’ve looked up to Enzo. Even when I was at my worst, he and Sinclair were there for me. When Manny spat those vile words at me, I was overtaken with a slow sinking feeling. A low-grade sheen of dread descended on me and now it’s like it’s finally lifting.

Sinclair stays in his seat and looks away, letting whatever moment is passing between Enzo and I, play out. However, I also need to say something to him. He’s lost in whatever he’s reading and doesn’t notice that I’m beside him until I hold out my hand and he takes it with a confused look on his face.

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