Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang Us, Daddy (Murder Daddy #3)

15. Bennet

CHAPTER 15

BENNET

T he longer I look at Nito, the madder I get. He’s crumpled in a heap like a beaten dog, as if he’s not the world’s worst person ever. He’s acting like he’s somehow the victim in all this. I mean, maybe he is, but he hurt us worse than anyone’s ever hurt us before, so he doesn’t deserve to cry and sob and beg for mercy.

When Meadows arrived, he knelt in front of Nito with his hand on the weeping man’s shoulder. He’s been coaxing Benito to roll over for five minutes, displaying nothing but kindness and compassion, but I can tell he’s reaching his limit.

“Benito,” he says sternly. “I’m trying to do this nicely. Please don’t mistake my kindness for weakness.”

Benito sniffles before slowly rolling over. His cheeks are drenched with tears, his eyes sunken in and hollow. Those sunken eyes widen when he sees who’s in front of him, then he shoves his hands against the couch cushion as if he’s trying to back away, but there’s nowhere for him to go. Nowhere to hide. Good. We didn’t have a hiding place either, and he never let that stop him.

Meadows smirks. “We meet again. I’m going to be honest; you looked a lot better last time I saw you.”

“Please,” Nito whispers. “Please don’t take me back there.”

Shit. I forgot this isn’t Nito’s first time at the metaphorical rodeo. After he shot Abi a few months ago, Tatum shot Nito in the kneecaps, rendering him immobile. We were in the waiting room, waiting to see if Kincaid was going to make it, when Meadows toted Nito in like he was carrying a pillow. I don’t know what they did with him after they took him into one of the restricted areas of the underground labyrinth, but whatever it was, it must have been awful, because Benito looks like he’s going to pass out.

“There you are,” Meadows murmurs, brushing a hair away from Nito’s eyes. “We’re going to have a lot of fun together, Benito.” He pinches Nito’s cheek, making him squeal, but I think it’s more out of fear than pain. “Don’t worry, it won’t be all bad. I even brought you a present.” He motions for Daddy to hand over the hatbox without taking his eyes off Nito. Once it’s in his hand, he opens the box and pulls out . . . is that a dog collar?

“What on Earth is that thing, son?” Daddy asks, but Meadows doesn’t answer him. He just keeps staring into Nito’s ever-widening eyes.

“I got this just for you. Do you like it?” He brushes his thumb against the pink-and-white polka-dot fabric. “A pretty trinket for my pretty new pet.”

Benito swallows. “W-what are those things on the side?”

Meadows lifts the collar and stares at two small metal rings inside the collar. “A security measure of sorts.” He taps the hole on the left. “If you’re a naughty boy who needs to be reminded of where his place in our hierarchy stands, this little piggy will poke out and dose you with a sedative. Just as a reminder.”

“Y-you’re going to drug me?”

Meadows snorts. “I’m going to do a lot more than drug you, kid.” He cups Nito’s cheek. “I’m going to burn you down to dust, then rebuild you the way I see fit. Wouldn’t you like that, Benito? Do you want me to fix you? I’m confident I can.”

Nito’s eyes frantically dart to Benji, and I have to resist the urge to hide my boyfriend behind me so he doesn’t have to look at him for another second. “Benji! Please don’t let him do this. I’ll do anything, I’ll?—”

“Benito!” Meadows barks. It’s a sound that makes everyone in the room jolt. Once Benito’s eyes are on him again, the look of rage that was just covering his face fades entirely. I think he might be a sociopath. Too bad, so sad for Benito. He lifts the collar and hands it over. “Put it on.”

Benito shakes his head and tries to back away, but, like before, there’s nowhere for him to retreat to. No refuge from this oncoming storm.

“Put it on,” he repeats, firmer this time.

“Why don’t you just put it on for him,” Tatum groans. “For the love of the Goddess, everything doesn’t have to be this damned dramatic. Put the collar on and drag the motherfucker out of here kicking and screaming.”

Meadows glares at Tatum. “I am doing this because he needs to know who has control.” When he looks back at Nito, the anger is gone. I don’t know how he changes demeanor so suddenly, but it leaves me a little dizzier each time. “I own you now. You understand that, right?”

“I’m a person,” Benito whimpers. “You can’t own a person.”

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I already do.” His smile widens, giving off super-creepy vibes. “Now, I want you to take this collar, and I want you to put it on. Please don’t make me ask again. I can promise you, you won’t like my stern side.”

With trembling hands, Nito takes the collar and stares at the soft faux fur fabric. He rubs a finger against the other metal hole, looking terrified. “What does the other one do?”

Meadows cups his cheek and pulls until they’re eye to eye. “Trust me when I say, you don’t want to find out.” Playfully, he taps the tip of Nito’s nose. “That’s the Benito goes bye-bye button.”

Benito’s chin wobbles. “Please don’t kill me. I’ll do anything you ask.”

“Then put on the collar.”

Nito brings the collar to his neck, flashing Benji and me one final pleading glance like he’s hoping we might show him mercy. Doesn’t he realize that’s what this is? Us giving him to Meadows is our greatest act of compassion to date.

“Put it on,” Benji says, surprising me. Hell, I think he’s surprised everyone, judging by the gaping mouths and dumbfounded expressions all around. Nito chokes back a sob as he places the collar on his neck and snaps it shut.

“Good boy,” Meadows praises, but his voice is filled with condescension. “If you continue being my good boy, I might even reward you.” He stares down at Nito’s emaciated body, now bruised and battered, probably from Tatum’s husband. “That looks very painful.” Meadows is pointing at a cut that looks to be infected. It’s red and yellow around the gash with a little hint of green. “I’ll tell you what—if you’re quiet the whole ride home, I’ll fix you right up. Would you like that? Do you want me to stop the pain?”

“Please don’t kill me,” he mumbles, closing his eyes.

Meadows shrugs. “The offer stands. If you’re quiet on the ride home, I’ll fix you up. Don’t worry. I’m the best surgeon this side of the border.” When all Benito does is weep softly to himself, Meadows sighs. Nito shakes when Meadow picks him up and carries him toward us.

“Do you want to say goodbye? I don’t like to share my toys, so you probably won’t see him again.”

“You won’t kill him, right?” Benji asks.

“You have my word.”

“And you’re not going to rape him, are you?” I add, because as much as I hate Nito, no one deserves that.

Meadows’ usual cool and collected facade slips, revealing the man behind the curtain. His mouth drops open like I’ve just told him he’s adopted or something. “I’m not gay, Bennet.”

“You’re practically salivating at the prospect of emotionally breaking him,” Daddy adds. “It certainly feels like there may be a bit of underlying sexual tension.”

“Yes, well, I’m a bit of a sadist, Mr. St. James.” He smirks at Nito, who’s staring up at him in horror. “Unlucky for you.” Clearing his throat, his expression hardens again, and he takes a step toward Daddy. “But I’m not gay. If you ever insinuate that again, someone might just wake up dead.”

Color drains from Daddy’s face, but he doesn’t let the fear stop him. “It’s okay to be gay.”

“Of course it is. I’m not, though, and I don’t enjoy falsehoods. Again, watch that mouth of yours.”

“Mr. Meadows?” Benji says. “Not to interrupt whatever weird pissing contest you’ve entered into with Dad, but how exactly does someone wake up dead?”

Meadows’ eyes narrow as he takes another step toward Nate. “They cross me. That’s how.”

“No, I get that. I think we all understand the concept of a death threat, it’s just, if he’s dead when he’s sleeping, how’s he supposed to wake up dead? You don’t wake up after you die.”

Meadows growls. “I will resuscitate him, then I’ll shove a pocketknife into his fucking aorta.”

Dad clenches his fist. “I’ve warned you more times than I can count; you watch that filthy mouth when you’re within earshot of my boys.” He turns and stares at Kincaid. “Abdulov, please remove the monster from Meadows’ arms.”

“He’s mine,” Meadows growls possessively at Daddy.

“I’m well aware. You’ll get him back in a moment. Abdulov, now, please.”

Kincaid looks just as confused as the rest of us, but he takes Nito into his arms, anyway. His eyes bulge when Daddy suddenly grabs Meadows by the earlobe and tugs as hard as he can. Meadows cries out when Daddy pulls him toward the kitchen like a dog on a leash.

“I will not tell you again,” Daddy growls, pulling Meadows to the sink. “Benjamin and Bennet are impressionable young men, and I will not allow you to corrupt them with that filthy mouth of yours.” He grabs a bottle of Dawn dishwashing soap and shoves it into Meadows’ mouth, squeezing until the ginger-headed man gags. Daddy points at the sink. “Now, you wash out that disgusting mouth, and you apologize to the Bens. They’re good boys!”

Meadows lunges for the sink, twisting the tap and shoving his mouth under the faucet. He barely gets a gulp in before Daddy’s rears back his arm and spanks Agent Meadows, making the normally statuesque man cry out, sending soapy bubbles flying into the air.

“What the fuck?!” he screams, sending more bubbles flying.

Daddy pops him again, harder this time. “There you go again. Bad boy, son. Bad, bad boy!” He spanks Meadows three more times before finally relenting, retreating a few steps and folding his arms over his chest.

Once Meadows has a squeaky-clean tongue, he wipes his wet mouth with his sleeve and glares at Daddy. I’m shaking like a leaf, because I’m genuinely scared Meadows is going to kill him.

“Who the fu—” He stops himself, swallowing down the four-letter word like cold beer after a long day at work—or whatever the hell heterosexuals drink to unwind. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I believe we’ve already covered this, but I’m Nate St. James, and those are the men I love. You will behave like a gentleman in their presence. Is that understood, son?”

Meadows’ icy demeanor fades, and to my surprise, a smile settles on his face. “You’ve got balls. I’ll give you that.” He turns and glances at us. “Fine. I’m sorry for swearing in front of you both. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“Forgiven!” Benji and I quickly shout. When I look over at him, Benji doesn’t seem nearly as worried as I am. If anything, he looks drunk on lust. His eyes are locked on Daddy’s ass, and he’s holding his bulge, discreetly tugging his cock through his shorts.

Kincaid hands Benito back to Meadows, and once we’re all in the foyer, Meadows pauses, turning to face us. “As I said, you won’t see him again. Any final words?”

Tatum surprises me by approaching first. He’s been quiet through most of this, and when he reaches Benito, that doesn’t change much. “Hope you cry, hope you die,” he whispers, then sniffles. “Hope it hurts so bad you don’t ever recover.” Closing his eyes, Tatum takes a step back. The moment he pauses, Kincaid scoops him into his arm and slides his finger between Tatum’s cheeks, then into his hole. Tatum melts into Kincaid, clinging on for dear life.

“What about you, boys?” Daddy asks. “Do you want to say goodbye?”

I don’t have anything left for Benito Blankenship, and he doesn’t have anything left for me, so I shake my head. “No, sir.”

Daddy beams at me. “Good boy, Bennet. What about you, Benji?”

Benji stands in front of Benito, cupping his cheek. Benito leans into the touch, and I have to resist the urge to rip Benji’s hand away. This is what my boyfriend needs to heal, and I want him whole more than I want anything else in the world.

“I hope you get better, Benito. I hope you don’t hurt anyone ever again.” He leans down and kisses Benito’s forehead, sending a protective spike right up my spine. “I forgive you, if it helps. I don’t think I’ll ever forget, but I forgive you.”

“Why?” he croaks.

“Because I loved you once. Did . . . did you ever love us back? Even if it was just a little. Only, I remember a lot of good times at the beginning, but then you got mean. Was any of it ever real?”

He stares at Benji through his sunken, weary eyes. “Benji.” He closes his eyes like he can’t bear to look at Benji. There’s a tear dripping down his cheek, slipping lower and lower until it falls from his face and lands on Meadow’s arm. Whatever Benito’s wanting to say goes unsaid when he turns away from Benji and buries his face in Meadows’ chest. “Just kill me,” he whispers. “Please? Just get it over with.”

“Oh, Benito. Where’s the fun in that?”