23. Keegan
L io adjusts himself, trying to find a way to be comfortable in the limo. Considering the stitches the Amato Doc had to use, I’m unsurprised he’s feeling it—especially since he refused pain medication. He didn’t want to be in a daze in case anything happened. While I’d find that admirable, I’m the one who had to listen—through the door—to him arguing with Doc.
From what Roman sulkily told me, Lio is lucky he won that round. Dr. Ranlen may have an acerbic tongue, but I’d rather deal with her than Doc’s less than welcoming bedside manner. And for fuck’s sake, may they never meet.
At least I was able to overhear Lio and Doc talking about safety. It was a relief to hear that the Amatos take safety seriously, with the blood play and sex they all engage in. I may not always agree with Il Padrone’s policies, but I respect his view on testing, making sure his Boys are safe, including being on PrEP.
“Fuck,” Lio hisses as his back is jostled. “Fucking hell, this is going to suck.”
I don’t say a word. I want to point out that it’s his own fault, but at the same time, I do understand. My Marcus is the same way. He needs a level of control to keep his sanity. None of us are able to give that to Lio. If Hollis can do it… I suppose, Il Padrone can just kill Hollis afterwards, to make things more simple. Although, from what I’ve heard, Il Padrone lets others control Lio when he’s unavailable—likely to encourage as much sanity as Lio possesses.
Instead of addressing that, I pull his attention to another major issue. “What are you going to do about Benjamin? And, I’d like to point out, Ignacio?”
Growling, he runs his fingers through his hair, wincing as it pulls at his stitches. “Fuck. I don’t even want to think about Ignacio’s reaction. Tennant insisted on Benjamin staying there and, while I’m not happy, I understand his point. Benjamin hasn't received any training yet to be a Second. If he’s going to be effective, he needs it, and fuck knows I don’t have time to do it. And regardless of the fact Luca trained me, there’s no way in hell I’m letting him teach Benjamin. When Luca was my teacher, it was under Il Padrone’s careful watch.”
“Well, we can at least say Benjamin agreed. Preferably without telling them that was after he threw a fit about your…treatment.” Lio snorts, shaking his head. “Yeah, I know. You got what you needed, and finally convinced Benjamin of that. It was still a tad shocking to your best friend. The Amatos prefer blood play far more than we do.”
“Eh. True. Had it not included blood play, he wouldn’t have batted an eye. It felt good to release that tension, though. And now we have a stronger tie to the Amatos.”
I struggle to hold back words to that. I will never understand how the Martellis treat sex. Marcus doesn’t bat an eye at their orgies, insisting it’s a way they connect. To tie their personal relationships together. Whatever. If this does strengthen the alliance, I’m all for it, I guess. I’m just not looking forward to explaining to Ignacio why the fuck we left Benjamin there.
“Are you going to have someone step in while Benjamin’s training?” I ask, tightening my hand into a fist as I worry that he’ll choose Luca.
Rolling his head around, he stares out the window of the limo. He’s quiet as we pass the scenery. Finally, he sighs. “I’ll need to, unfortunately. It’ll be short-term. I have faith Tennant will get Benjamin to an acceptable level shortly. We can figure something out after that. I…I’m worried about it.”
Humming, I acknowledge the stress of the position. “Who are you thinking about?”
“There’s Luca. He trained me. He’s already been a Second. Problem is, I don’t trust him. I also feel like he’d try to take over, and he’s already pissed the Amatos off. Really, I’d feel better if he was back doing what Master ordered him to do, instead of being here. Master will not be happy that he disregarded orders, but that’s not my problem.
“Ignacio, I think, will be too busy being worried about Benjamin. Marcus needs to stay concentrated on strategy, and both of you need to be there for Cole as well, or I’d choose you. I think it has to be Antonio. He fits well. He’s referred to as Ghost for a reason, and I could use that. The twins can take over his job momentarily. What is your opinion?”
I stare at him, unsure why he’d ask me, skipping over the shock of being included. “You’ve been around them longer.”
Lio rolls his eyes at me, huffing out, “Yes, and you have significant experience as a LEO. You can’t tell me you don’t know how to examine data and give an analysis.”
Tilting my head, I can’t say he’s wrong. I stroke my chin as I walk through it, and I can’t find a hole in his reasoning. “I’m inclined to agree with your own assessment. Hopefully, Benjamin won’t be gone long. I think he’s the best option for you, but until then, Antonio would be the best out of all of the options.”
We lapse into silence again until the limo slows to a stop. Lio takes a deep breath and nods, as if bracing himself against what’s to come. I mentally wish him luck, because this is going to be a shit show. I intercept him as he tries to get out, glaring him into submission. He needs to fucking remember, now that he’s acting as Boss, we have to get out before him.
Grumbling, he follows me out of the limo, but hesitates at the steps, looking at the mansion as if for the first time. I wonder what’s going through his head as he pans from one side of the expansive house to the next. Times like this, I’m reminded he’s only in his early twenties. Maybe I’m jaded, but I’ve slipped into this world gradually, compared to what Lio has gone through. Either way, he shakes it off and gestures for me to continue. The guards open the door to the mansion, and I’m not surprised to find the Boys standing in the foyer—ready to pounce.
“Where the fuck is Benjamin?” Ignacio demands when the door closes behind Lio. His hair is tousled, his arms are spread in either anger or worry—maybe both.
I glance back at Lio and quickly move aside. Ignacio is taking the exact wrong track on this one. “He’s being trained. By an expert.”
“I trained?—”
“He survived?—”
“Enough!” Lio roars, cutting off Luca and Ignacio. There’s a mild wince as his body tenses and he straightens his back, but I think I’m the only one who catches it. “Yes, he survived Jax. That doesn’t give him the necessary skills to be a Second. But it sure as hell shows he’ll make a fucking excellent one. Luca, you trained me. Yes. But Tennant is making a fucking great offer. Do you know how many people would be grateful to learn under him? Most of all. This. Is. Not. Your. Choice. Not only did Benjamin choose to stay, I am the Boss . You will not question me.”
“What do you need from me?” I cut in quickly, trying to stop any stupidity. The problem is? Stupidity has no limit.
“This is fucking bullshit! You should have pulled Benjamin out. Even if Tennant is training him, there’s no reason for him to stay. And why the hell are you wincing? Did they do something to you? They’re supposed to be our fucking allies!” Ignacio rants, stalking toward Lio and towering over him.
Lio turns to me, this time not hiding the pain from his back, and gestures toward Ignacio. “Take him to the playroom. I believe a lesson is needed on who controls this family. And the Amatos are still our allies. I’m wincing because Hollis gave me what I needed, what Il Padrone would have approved of. Before any of you dare bring that into question, think fucking hard on that last part.”
Sighing, I step forward and grab Ignacio by the arms, locking them behind him. Fucking idiot. When he struggles, I warn him, “Don’t make me hurt you.”
Thankfully, it sounds like Luca has shut the fuck up. At least, I can’t hear his annoying voice as I push Ignacio upstairs.
When I get Ignacio into the playroom, I skip over the manacles, having some respect for what he went through while chained to a wall with Jax. Instead, I push him onto the spanking bench. Not that it’s likely much better. Still, it’s what I have to work with.
He at least doesn’t fight me as I strap him down, his hands going to the pegs and relaxing the best he can. It shows how often he’s faced this room. Marcus told me that Ignacio is the one who has faced the black room the most, so I have major doubts this will do much.
I barely hear the door open, Lio slipping into the room quietly. I watch as Lio closes it and takes in the situation in front of him. There’s a flicker of anguish in his eyes before they go flat. It’s a terrifying expression—one I hope is never turned on me.
“Ignacio…you fucked up. Not only am I disappointed, but so will Il Padrone be when he’s back. Worse, I think, for you will be when I tell Benjamin what happened. And I will tell him. You think as my Second he’d put up with your shit? You’re not doing him any favors. He wouldn’t thank you for it.”
I back up, letting Lio come closer to circle around Ignacio. By the time he’s finished, he’s facing Ignacio head on. He yanks Ignacio’s head up by his hair, forcing him to meet his eyes.
Ignacio struggles against the grip, growling out, “Benjamin doesn’t know what he’s getting into. You should be protecting him. He can only be a Second if he isn’t broken!”
“You must have a very low opinion of your Little Mouse. I believe in him.” Lio takes out his knife and passes it to me, gesturing for me to strip Ignacio, using the only method I can now that he’s tied down. “You’re not going to make this easy on me. But I’m fine with that.”
I finish cutting through Ignacio’s clothes—thankfully, he wasn’t still wearing a suit jacket. Lio lets go of Ignacio’s head and strides toward the wall where Il Padrone keeps all of his toys. Murmuring to himself, he grabs three items from it. I’m not surprised by two of them—but I raise my eyebrow at the third. He passes me a flogger and cane, keeping the prostate massager for himself.
Ducking down, he picks up the lube from below the spanking bench. Silently, he prepares Ignacio and slips the massager in. Ignacio’s body jerks against the restraints as he hisses.
With it firmly in place, Lio turns it on and moves in front of Ignacio. It’s connected to a wireless remote, giving Lio multiple options to play with. He taps Ignacio’s chin, and the moan Ignacio must have been holding in slips out when he looks up at Lio.
“I’m going to make you come. And while I do, I want you to think about the fact that Benjamin is at the Amatos, working his ass off to come back, to be better, all for the Family—including you. But here you are, getting pleasure…even if it will come with a side of pain.” Lio glances at me and commands, “Start with the flogger.”
“Yes, Boss.” I set the cane down next to me and start swinging the rubber flogger, trying to be at least somewhat gentle in the beginning, knowing it’s going to hurt like hell. At Lio’s sharp glance, I inhale deeply and pick up the pace and firmness, ignoring Ignacio’s pained cries—and this is before the cane.
“I’m not going to give you an option on coming. Because I’ll have Keegan continue until you do it. Until you reach that moment where you tip over and hit your pleasure, he’s going to keep this up. I suggest you stop holding back. But, I’ll be nice and help you out.” Lio presses a button on the remote, and Ignacio’s back bows as much as possible against the restraints, which isn’t much.
I continue on, trying to block out the cries and moans. The fuckery Lio is doing…it’s more than I expected him to be capable of, and it shocks me to see him doing it. Reminding Ignacio he’ll have pleasure while his lover is facing only pain…it’s fucking evil. But this is what he gets for going against the Boss. It certainly is a reminder for me—and I’ll fucking relay it to Marcus as well.
“Please,” Ignacio whimpers, and Lio holds up a hand at me. I quickly stop, hoping this is the end.
“Are you going to come?” Lio whispers, just loud enough for me to hear.
“I. Don’t. Want. To,” Ignacio grits out. His body is covered in sweat, and his ass is so red, I know it’s going to be more than miserable tomorrow.
“Too bad.” Lio’s voice is ice cold, and I shiver from it. “I’ll adjust the setting again, but you don’t have much more to go. And since I gave you a small break, I’ll have Keegan use the cane to make up for it.”
I swallow, setting the flogger down and picking up the cane. From the marks on Ignacio, I worry this will be too much. “Boss?—”
“Do you need to switch places with Ignacio?” Lio interrupts me. Grinding my teeth, I shake my head. “Then start—no warm up.”
“Fuck,” I mutter. “Come on, Ignacio. Please.”
I’m five strokes in when Lio hits the remote again. Finally, Ignacio breaks, and screams out his orgasm. I quickly drop the cane, surprised when I realize how hard I’m breathing. This may as well have been a punishment for us both. I enjoy what I do with Marcus, reminding him who he belongs to, and hell, even putting him in his place. But this? This was too much.
Lio kneels down, flinching as the stitches in his back no doubt pull. He stares at Ignacio with no compassion. Gone is the teddy bear that Benjamin teases him about. No, right now, the homicidal part has taken over—a psychopath in my mind, certainly.
“Remember. Your Little Mouse is suffering, and you got to enjoy yourself.”
Ignacio sobs harder than when I was striking him. I cringe because did Lio have to keep reminding Ignacio of Benjamin, and what he was going through? I can’t imagine having to come to that. When Lio stands up, his gaze flicks to me.
“Help me get him on the bed and you can go. But send Antonio a text to be here in the morning. Dr. Ranlen, as well.”
We work silently, and I’m thankful for it. I have a feeling this will keep me up at night—seeing this new side of Lio. I suppose it may not be a new side, but the mask finally slipping. I hope to fuck we find Il Padrone soon, before the mask is gone completely.
I leave them while Lio is putting cream on Ignacio, murmuring something to him. I’m not sure if he’s trying to comfort him or reminding him of the consequences. Whatever. I give the nod of respect as I exit.
For a moment, I just stand there, wondering what the hell is going to happen next. Shaking it off, I send the two required texts, quickly receiving agreements back. Without wasting any more time, I head to my Marcus. This time, I’m the one who needs reassurance from my love. And a firm plan on what we need to do to get Lio’s Master back.