5. Tennant
Ibrush Sandro’s hair back from his forehead as he sleeps.
His emotional breakdown in Ian’s office wore my poor Boy out.
I keep my touch light and gentle, even as he stirs awake, his eyelashes fluttering before he opens his vivid blue eyes.
The softness in them is breathtaking, and I want to see that every day, though I wouldn’t mind seeing some bloodlust there as well.
There was a spark of something when he took care of Jenna’s murderers, but it dimmed too quickly.
Allesandro seems to be having a hard time reconciling the past with the present, and it’s holding my Boy back.
It's something I’m going to have to take care of, to nurture and bring back to life, because I can’t stand seeing him live such a half-life.
My answer would have been different a few months ago—hell, even a few weeks ago—but seeing him care for Emilio, seeing him try with Roman and the Boys...
It gives me understanding and a connection to a man I never wanted to like, let alone care for.
The different pieces that he’s broken himself into, in order to “fit in”, has left a sour taste in my mouth.
I may be an asshole, but I don’t want to see anyone broken.
If Allesandro would be happy spending all his time in the kitchen, I wouldn’t say a word, and although the hours he spends baking brings him joy, it’s not sustaining him. There needs to be a balance, and that’s where I step in.
Even without…whatever it is that we’re doing, I would have taken care of it, because I don’t want a broken thing around my Baby Boy. And right now, that’s exactly what Sandro is.
That was all before. One look at the way he cared for his Boy, his love for him, it was a glimpse into the man he could be, as he sat on the other side of Emilio…
The protective instincts that stupidly thought I could save Cris when we were younger, that I have since honed with every lover I’ve collected, flared to life. For him.
Becoming Sandro’s Daddy wasn't planned, but as surely as I knew Hollis was it for me, I also know Allesandro Martelli is as well. He’s climbed under my skin as deeply as our Baby Boy did, and as irritating as it is that I can't hate him any longer, it feels right.
“You okay, Sweetheart?” I ask quietly.
A lovely flush runs across his cheeks as he nods. “Tired.”
“I know. You can go back to sleep if you want? You’ve only been out for a few hours, and it’s been quite the emotional few days for you.”
He lets out a shaky breath and scoots up a little. “C—can I ask you something?”
“Of course. You never have to hide your thoughts…unless I tell you not to speak, of course. But you’re such a good Boy, I know I won’t have to do that.”
He reddens further and sits up in bed, moving away from me a little.
I watch him carefully as he wraps his arms around himself. “Sandro?”
He lets out a shaky breath, and stares at me with such vulnerability that I know I have to tread carefully, lest he break apart.
“Are…are you really my Daddy?”
I sit up and study him, watching the way he curls in on himself, and looks so hopeful and terrified all at once. “Do you believe I’m the type to string you along?” I ask dangerously, reminding myself that he’s lost and vulnerable, and Emilio would kill me if I scared him.
“No…but…it’s just for Emilio, right? You can’t…possibly care that much about me. And I get it, okay. I understand that you’re his Daddy, and want him to be safe, but—”
“Quiet,” I order. “I do not want to hear another word out of your mouth right now.”
His mouth snaps shut with an audible click of his teeth. Shifting, I move to loom over him, forcing him to slide down in the bed as I place one hand beside his head to hold myself up.
“Listen to me, and listen well, Allesandro, because there is nothing I hate more than repeating myself. I do not do anything I don’t want to.
I don’t touch, kiss, fuck, or even look at another man, unless I’m serious about keeping him.
” I won’t tell him that Javi is the exception to that rule, because like fuck am I keeping that ball of psychopath.
“If you believe that is the type of person I am, I wonder how you became Il Padrone.” A flash of defiance enters his eyes, but it's there and gone so fast that if I wasn’t looking, I would have missed it.
“I never do anything I am not confident about, Piccolo.
“Did I expect you and me? No, but do you not feel it? You call me Daddy with such ease. I won’t lie and say feelings are easy for me.
We both know I’d rather do without those pesky things.
But…you feel like mine, Sandro. I have my lovers, the people I would burn the world down for, and somehow, someway, you became one of them.
Is it going to be complicated? Only as much as we want it to be. ”
A lone tear runs down his cheek, but neither of us do anything to wipe it away. His stare burns into mine, and I hope he sees the truth in my words. I am many things, but I am not a liar. This only works if he trusts what I say.
“You can speak now, Piccolo. Tell me what's on your mind.”
“I want you to be my Daddy,” he whispers. “When I’m with you…I feel safer than I have…ever. You’re…dynamic, addicting, and I want nothing more than to be worthy of you.”
Leaning down, I kiss him softly. “You already do, Sweetheart. Non devi guadagnarmi, Allesandro. Ti darò il mondo intero se è questo che vuoi.”
His breath catches in his throat, and his lips part as he stares up at me. “Daddy…”
“Yeah, Piccolo, I’m your Daddy. I’m here, with you every step of the way.”
“Hollis…Jude, and Roman are going to have a problem with this,” he whispers.
“I’ve already spoken to Hol. I can’t tell you his story, but I can reassure you that he won’t touch you…
unless you want him to. He’s protective and possessive, but he’ll keep you safe for me, because that’s what he does.
What’s mine is his, and you never have to worry about ever being hurt again, Piccolo. I promise.” I kiss him again.
More tears fall down his face, and I wipe them away.
“Roman…he loves Lio more than life. Those two are twin souls, and he’ll follow Lio’s lead, even if he’s not sure how to feel.
Roman is incredibly loyal, he trusts me and Lio.
All you have to do is be honest with him, show him the type of person you are. ”
“He’s already seen, and he has a right to hate me for that.”
I shake my head. “He saw what you were turned into. I know you’re not the type of man to rape and abuse.
Roman understands what it’s like to be a Boss now.
He’ll respect you more for being honest and open, than trying to make up for your transgressions in a way that tears you down.
Roman just wants everyone to be loved, so show him you deserve his attention.
” Am I laying it on a little thick? Yes, but the Little Prince is incredibly sweet when he wants to be, and his heart is big enough to take Sandro under his wing as a friend, if Sandro shows him who he is—and that’s not hiding behind a bread basket, but I won’t bring that up quite yet.
My Boy has been through enough emotions in the last twelve or so hours.
“Jude…he’s very protective. A Daddy with a soft spot for his Boys, and a sadistic streak that is going to keep your Ghost entertained for years to come.
That’ll be more of an uphill battle, but he’ll bend for me.
And I’m sure I can get his Bel Fiore to talk to him about you.
” I smirk. “Don’t worry about Jude. He won’t stab you unless you’re a threat to his Boys, or to me…
but we both know you’re not. Right, Piccolo? ”
He shakes his head. “No, Daddy. I want to protect you, not hurt you.”
I huff out a laugh. What is it with all my Boys being protective little shits when it comes to me? I’m the last one who would ever need protecting.
“I’m the Daddy here. I do the protecting. I’ll keep you safe, Sandro, from my stab-prone lovers, and yourself. Okay?”
He lets out a shaky breath. “Ian said I need to…to try. To show everyone who I am… I…I’ve lived nothing but a lie, except for my love for my Boys and Emilio. I don’t know who I am anymore. He’s asking for the impossible.”
“No, he’s not. He’s asking you to show everyone what I’ve already seen.
The competent man who can skin a man alive without flinching, the firm and loving Master who can give our Baby Boy what he needs, and the sweet, loving Boy that wants his Daddy to keep him safe.
You’re all of that and more, Sandro, and I will be there for you every step of the way.
You’ll find your balance, Piccolo. I refuse to believe otherwise. ”
His entire body shudders, and I drop down to lay over him, pressing him into the mattress, allowing him to tuck his face into my neck as his arms wrap around me.
“I got you, Piccolo,” I whisper. “Con me sei al sicuro. Te lo prometto.”
Of all the promises I’ve made in my life, this one is both the easiest and hardest to give, but it’s one I will keep until I die.