20. Tennant
“ W hat are you doing here?” I ask Roman, shutting the door to the security room firmly behind me.
“I’m here to watch the show, obviously.” He gestures to the monitors showing Jude and Benjamin’s current predicament. The high-tech cameras that Hollis installed are easily able to show a clear image, even in the dark.
Jude explains to Benjamin that they’ll be there as long as I deem necessary—or for as long as it takes for them to work their way out of the rope. My Little Lamb doesn’t tell Benjamin the last part, of course. If Benjamin’s not smart enough to work it out on his own, or to figure out that while I’ve tied them up efficiently, but not as much as I could have, to prevent them from escaping, then it’s not my problem.
I’m here to teach them, not to hold their hand through every little thing. My new toy will learn quickly, or this will be very painful for him. The fact that no blood was spilled today—his, at least—was mainly pure luck, not because he impressed me.
“I can work from here,” Roman says. He gestures to the laptop and phone resting on the desk. “The house was getting too stifling, so I asked Benji to bring me; Carter approved it.”
There’s resentment in Roman’s tone over that, but I ignore it. He might be the Boss, but there are protocols in place to keep him protected. No one is allowed to override my orders—not even Cristian—when it comes to safety, but it’d be remiss of us to not have a safety measure in place.
I might not agree with Carter’s decision, but I trust him to look after his son, so I won’t give him too much shit for allowing Roman to run around town.
“How much did you see?” I ask.
Roman shrugs. “Enough to know we have a problem, a big one.” He chews his lip for a moment, his dark green eyes are wide and full of pain. “I think we’ve gone about this all wrong.”
“What do you mean?” Leaning my hip against the desk, I keep my eyes on the monitors, watching as Jude tries to struggle free of the rope, before realizing I didn’t leave them loose , just not impossible to escape from.
“Hollis is trying to track down whoever thought it’d be a good idea to fuck with us, right?”
“Yes. They clearly have more resources available than we expected, if they’re able to bribe our own people against us. Cops not on our payrolls? Fine. They can be easily bought off, but this guy is either holding something over their heads, or his pockets are really deep.”
“That’s what I’m saying. It doesn’t make sense. Especially when it’s both of our Families in the crosshairs. You’re telling me they have the money and reach to pay everyone off? I don’t think so. But…” He pauses for emphasis, worry filling his eyes. “Who would cops go out of their way for? Who could get them to turn against us, despite the money and other bonds we’ve created?”
Fucking hell. “It’s another member of law enforcement…” I muse.
Roman nods. “It’s something we’ll have to take into consideration. Now, that would make a lot of sense. It doesn’t explain everything, because we pay our men really fucking well, and despite how the dumbass in there,” he nods to the monitor, “tried to act, dirty cops are dirty cops. None of them would have taken the money had they really been upstanding citizens. Hell, I can name five people off the top of my head who were cops and ended up turning around to work for us.”
So could I. Protect and Serve may be the motto of most police departments, but they’re still human. And humans, inherently, are selfish. Sure, you get the occasional do-gooder who gets a bee in their bonnet about getting rid of us “criminals,” but as Jude pointed out, we are the ones standing in the way of the truly bad people.
We might sell weapons and drugs, but that’s because we’re businesspeople. Everyone has to feed their family in some way; trafficking is ours. While the drugs mainly go to the lovely citizens in our territories, we sell to some gangs as well. The weapons we get from the Brazilian cartel are hot-off-the-line—literally—and are coveted by many.
And it’s not just the gangs and other organizations that buy the weapons either. I know for a fact that we’ve had precious “officers of the law” buying our guns. Because they very much need not-legal-because-they-technically-don’t-exist assault weapons to do their jobs. Right.
“Have you told Hollis your theories? It won’t change much, since we don’t know who we’re dealing with, but it will help narrow down the scope of investigation.”
“I texted him while you were tying your new playthings up. He responded with a lot of cursing. Pretty sure he’s been taking Russian lessons from the trips, because I didn’t recognize some of the words.”
I snort. I am not surprised. Everyone’s taken to the newest additions because, as sweet and innocent looking as they are, they’re also batshit crazy. Perfect fit for the Family, really.
“We can get together and discuss the theory with the Martellis—later. Right now, I’m teaching.”
Roman laughs. “How long are you going to keep them in there?”
“Until they either prove they’re not completely useless, or I get bored. Whichever comes first.”
He sighs and shakes his head, but lets it go. He knows there are methods to my madness, having been on the receiving end of them—is still on the receiving end. His training isn’t done, just paused while we get Cristian back. Honestly, at this point, him getting his ass kidnapped is inconvenient. I have shit to do. I don’t have time to be babysitting untrained and underprepared Martellis—no matter how cute they are when they try to stand up to me.
I watch the monitor for a long while, as Roman runs the Family from his phone, and with each second that passes by, the need to do something rushes over me. There’s only so long before I can hold my true nature back; the one that emerged when I was fifteen and brutally killed two men who were double my size.
It’s easy to contain the bloodlust when someone is holding the leash… Too bad the only one strong—or dumb—enough is currently fucking kidnapped .
“What do you think of Benjamin?” I ask Roman.
He snorts. “He hates me, but I admire him. He somehow got Lio under his thumb, and anyone who can manage that is someone to watch. He’s loyal, maybe a little too loyal, and clearly doesn’t think before he speaks.” Roman looks up at me. “But, he’s willing to challenge you and not care about the consequences. I don’t know if that makes him stupid or just reckless.”
“Maybe a little of both,” I muse. “Emilio made a good choice. If he survives, he’ll serve his Family well. He is…amusing. A kitten trying to stand up to a lion, but there’s a fine line between humoring his bravado and killing him for his disrespect. For your sake, and your friendship with Emilio, I hope he learns quickly.”
I wouldn't mind shedding some of Benjamin’s blood, he needs a little bit of a wakeup call, but I’d rather not kill him. I will, if I have to, there would be no guilt or remorse, but I meant what I said; I’d hate to damage Roman’s relationship with Emilio. He needs someone who understands him. Leandro doesn’t count, mainly as I’m not convinced Leandro actually likes Roman. So, I’ll train the boy, and it can be my wedding gift to Ignacio, even though he doesn’t deserve it.
“Ignacio has done him a disservice though, by not getting him up to speed quicker.”
“They’ve been just as busy as we have. I’m sure it’s on Il Padrone’s never-ending list of things to do.”
I hum in disgust. “Not good enough. If Ignacio wants to keep him alive, he should have started his training much, much earlier. I want to take him down a few pegs, for being such a neglectful partner.
“Benjamin can be molded, the potential is there, even if he’s proving to not be an easy student. He’s not a natural, but there’s a fire burning in him. A need to prove himself, and to see his family safe; it’ll serve him well, if I can pull it out of him.”
Roman grins. “If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
“Your faith in me is biased, Little Prince.”
He scoffs. “Please. You’ve done good work with Jude and Hollis. You’re the best for a reason, Ten. The Martellis recognize that, even if they don’t agree with your methods.”
“Do you agree with my methods, Little Prince?”
“Not at all, but I know they’re necessary.”
Reaching for him, I grab his hair and tug, pulling him toward me. He winces but doesn’t complain, allowing me to drag him around.
“Do you think I care?” I ask lowly.
His breath catches and he licks his lip, his eyes darkening as his cheeks flush. “No,” he whispers. “I know you don’t.”
Leaning down, I ghost my lips across his. “And you like that , don’t you? You like when I don’t care about you or your feelings.”
He moans and I grin, my cock waking up, along with the urges that tell me to wreck this boy. Tightening my grip in his hair, I pull until he’s forced to stand from the chair in order to ease the pain and tugging on his scalp.
Roman tries to reach for me, but I hold him away, twisting my fingers in his hair, and forcing a beautiful cry from his throat.
“No touching, this isn’t about you.” His breath stutters and he blinks away tears. “Such a beautiful giocattolo,” I murmur, relishing in his responses.
“Please,” he gasps.
“Please, what, Toy?”
“Use me.”
With my free hand, I grab his hip and flip him over the desk, shoving him face down into the wood. “Don’t say anything you don’t mean, Giocattolo. I will take full advantage.”
Roman gasps and tries to thrust his hips back. Using my hand in his hair, I force him further down onto the desk. His hands scramble for purchase, and he can’t seem to decide if he wants to escape or push for more.
This is what I need. I need my Toy to fight, to offer up everything we both want, but make us work for it at the same time. Benjamin’s barely concealed disrespect has had me on edge all this time, and getting to use Roman will help quell some of that need.
Roman’s skirt has a zipper in the back, and I don’t have any problem undoing it, shoving the fabric down his legs. Like always, when he’s wearing tight clothing, he’s sans underwear, baring his beautiful ass to me.
“Do you want me to fuck you, Little Prince?” I ask, holding him down with one hand, while using my free one to trace along his hole.
He bucks, and I release his hair to grip the back of his neck, digging my fingers into his skin. “I think I’m going to fuck you just like this,” I tell him. “You look so good while at my mercy. How can I pass up such an opportunity?”
Spitting onto my fingers, I rub the barely-there slick around his hole, letting him feel every inch as I roughly push two in. He moans at the sudden intrusion, but doesn’t protest. I don’t bother opening him up, I'm just getting his channel a little wet.
“I’m going to force you open on my cock, and you’re not allowed to come.”
He whines, trying to shift away from me, but I hold him firmly. “No,” I muse. “I’m going to use you for my pleasure, without giving you anything, and you’re going to take it like the good toy you are. Maybe I’ll let Jude fuck my cum out of you as his reward for passing my test.” Roman tries to lift his head to glance at the monitor, but I yank my fingers from him and replace them with my cock.
He shouts at the sudden intrusion as I force my dick halfway in. It’s tight, dry, and not pleasurable for either of us, but the feel of him contracting around my length has me hardening further. The stimulation trips the too much sensation button and leads into pleasure.
“Your focus should be on me,” I hiss through clenched teeth. “Nobody else matters, unless I allow them to. For that little stunt, I’ll tell Hollis you’re not allowed to come until I say so.”
He chokes on a sob but I ignore him, pulling out before shoving back in. The friction makes it more intense, but the pleasure from being in such a warm hole overrides everything else.
Roman is too far gone to realize when I reach into a drawer and remove a small tube of lube. The next time I pull out, I use just enough lubrication to make the glide in easier—for me. He doesn’t deserve such courtesies.
My Giocattolo takes everything I give him, even as he cries and writhes, his hands scraping against the wooden desk. Watching my cock fuck in and out of him, how easily he opens for me, even when it hurts, when I don't give him even a moment to catch his breath… It’s a heady feeling that has my dick thickening further, and I release my hold on Roman’s neck to grip his hips in both hands.
He doesn’t dare move, whether that’s because he’s too fucked out, or has learned his lesson for now, it doesn’t matter. It leaves me with nothing but opportunity to fuck him harder into the desk. I’m sure the edge is cutting into his skin, but he doesn’t protest. I do love when he gives up the fight and just takes it.
This delicate boy is so strong—even though he doesn’t believe it—that taking him apart piece by piece is an honor, one very few of us have. Holding him bruisingly tight, I thrust in a few more times before pressing deep and coming inside him.
He’s shaking and gasping as I stay still, savoring the feel of his ass contracting around me. Letting go of him, I reach around and touch a finger to his slick cockhead, swirling the sticky pre-cum around.
Roman moans. “Please…”
“No.”
I pull my hand away and then slowly remove my dick. He whines and reaches a hand back, as if to keep me inside him, but we, sadly, have other things to do.
“Are you okay, Little Prince?”
He lets out a watery laugh. “You fucked me over a desk and didn’t let me come, what do you think?”
“If you can give me attitude, you’re fine.”
He snorts and then groans as he tries to push himself up by planting both hands on the desk.
Carefully, I place my hands back on his hips and help him to stand, holding onto him for a moment to make sure he doesn’t fall over.
“Just give me a minute to catch my breath,” he says.
“Take all the time you need.” I help him back into his skirt, smirking at how his still-hard cock looks in the tight fabric.
“I regret wearing this suit,” he grouses.
“It looks good on you.” I adjust his jacket and tie, the light yellow shirt paired with the royal blue pencil skirt and jacket compliments him well. Especially now that his cheeks are flushed a rosy red.
I lift his hand and examine his chipped nails. “Have Jude fix your polish later.”
Dark green eyes meet mine. “You’re usually telling me to take the polish off .”
“You’re the Boss, Roman. Right now, you need to look and feel the part; there will be plenty of opportunity to put you in your place once this is all over.”
“Yeah…” He looks and sounds so dejected, like he’s struggling to believe we’ll win this.
“None of that.” I lift his chin and force his gaze back to mine. “We are the Amatos, and they, whoever they are, will learn why it’s a bad idea to fuck with us. Cristian won’t die so easily. The fucker is extremely hard to kill; ask me how I know.”
Roman huffs a little and a smile tugs at his mouth. “Thank you, Ten.”
“You can thank me by doing your job, and making your father proud.”
He doesn’t look confident, but there’s a determination that enters his eyes that wasn’t there moments before. “Okay.”
“Now,” I nod to the monitor, “shall we go release them?”
Roman laughs. “Sure.”
I lead the way into the torture chamber and don’t give a warning before turning on the lights. Both Benjamin and Jude blink rapidly as their eyes adjust to the sudden brightness.
“I am very disappointed in you, Benjamin.”
“For what? Not dying after you left me here tied up?”
I tsk and nod to Jude, who’s sitting with his hands in his lap.
Benjamin gapes. “How the fuck did you get out?”
Jude holds up his thin knife. “You learn a lot by blending into the background and observing. I picked this trick up from Doc.” He slides the knife back into his sleeve. “The ropes weren’t meant to keep us here,” he says blandly. “Surely you realized that?”
Benjamin wiggles in his bonds, trying and failing to get loose. “I have fucking rope burn on my wrists and forearms from them sliding around.”
“Next time, pay closer attention,” I tell him mildly. “I told you exactly how to get out of them as I was tying you up.”
He glares at me yet doesn’t respond. Sighing, I release him, but press down on his shoulder so he stays sitting. Crouching down, I whisper, “You are so much better than this, Topolino. I am very disappointed.”
He swallows and tries to glare, but…there’s something in those sea green eyes that I can’t name. It’s not the indignation he tries to hold onto, though.
He looks away, his cheeks flushing red. I let him, this time, not wanting to push him too far right now. I’d rather hold onto the pleasant sensations my rendezvous with Roman created, not ruin it with this interesting, but slightly clueless boy.
Benjamin scowls. “It’s not nice to talk about people.”
I look over to Roman and Jude, who stare back at Benjamin. Jude with amusement, while Roman frowns. “It’s not nice to eavesdrop.”
“Be nice, Little Prince. My topolino has had a long day already.”
“Would you stop calling me that?” Benjamin asks. “It’s not nice to call people names when they don’t understand what you’re saying, either.”
Roman laughs and then signs, “Ignacio isn’t going to like it when he hears you call his precious Little Mouse that.”
I grin. “Ask if I care.”
“That’s…not ASL,” Benjamin points out.
Roman rolls his eyes. “No shit. It’s LIS—Italian Sign Language. Because American Sign isn’t the only one out there.”
“I know that.”
Roman gives him a dubious look, but turns back to Jude and helps him out of his chair, picking his cane up off the floor, where it must have fallen while he tried to get out of the rope.
“You can ride back with Roman, Agnellino. Benjamin will come with me.”
“I should call someone?—”
I cut him off. “Marcus is still working with Enzo and Carter, last I heard, and Roman needs to make a call to Emilio when we get back, so you will ride with me to save everyone time.”
He grits his teeth and glares, but gives a clipped nod anyway. Good. Maybe he can learn quickly, at least with some things.