Chapter 5 The Fucking #2
Benji was still upset, but he appeared to have accepted what Sin had told him.
The man got easily attached to things. It was the main reason why the northern headquarters was usually filled with strays and rescued animals.
They rehomed most of them. That said, Sin had no doubt that they would have been overrun by now if he hadn’t limited the number Benji was allowed to keep.
Sin found it a tad surprising that the only animal currently living at the branch was a lone hedgehog named Reginald the Third—there were no previous.
Despite his somewhat outlandish appearance, Benji was one of Sin’s more sensitive members, and tended to overreact. Which was why he usually made sure Benji was not assigned any cases that would devastate him.
Sin supposed he should stop coddling the man, but he saw most of his members as family—if not close, then extended. And Benji’s puppy-like nature had gained him a special place in Sin’s heart. His feelings toward the vampire were close to those of an overprotective parent.
He worried that some cases would needlessly destroy part of Benji’s refreshing innocence. Every time he thought to give him a more advanced case, the question of whether it was worth crushing something so precious plagued him. So far, the only answer Sin had found was that no, it was not worth it.
Maybe Benji could work on Cecil’s case. Surely, knowing the victim was safe would help soften whatever he would find.
Patting Benji on the back, he eyed Cecil, who was staring blankly down at the folded tissue. “Would you like me to throw that away for you?” Sin inquired, already knowing the answer from how gently the young man held it.
“No,” Cecil gasped, his hand closing tightly around the small square.
Sin nodded and sat back down on the couch. “I assure you, your father will be dealt with. Whether you will have to testify, that is yet to be seen. Am I correct in assuming you will be listening to the healer’s suggestions of staying for a few more days?”
Cecil rolled his eyes. “Yes.”
“Very good. The question now is what happens afterward.”
The man stiffened, and once again turned a very suspicious gaze Sin’s way.
“You know very well I cannot allow you to continue as you have.”
The young man snorted. “I knew you couldn’t be trusted. Let me guess, this is where you bring out the cuffs and tell me I’m under arrest, right?”
Before Sin could say a word, Benji spoke up. “No! Boss would never do something like that. He doesn’t lie!”
While he appreciated Benji trying to protect him, it was unnecessary, and also false.
Sin had lied many times before. Honor aside, to protect others or lead a criminal into a trap, he would lie with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
It was an unfortunate necessity that came with the job.
And at the moment, there were other factors in play, and it was quite possible that Benji’s words would cause more harm than good. It was cute that Benji thought him so noble, but there was no way to avoid the truth of the matter. Which was that he had lied to get Cecil into the hotel.
“He never lies? Is that what you think? You’re a bit na?ve, aren’t you, Benji?” Cecil snickered.
“I…he doesn’t lie!” Benji’s lips pressed together, looking determined to stand by his beliefs.
“I see. Then I suppose you wouldn’t mind proving me wrong, would you, Sin?” Cecil turned a rather sinister smirk his way.
Oh, no, he did not like where this was heading. Seeing Benji about to fire back, Sin tried to stop him. “Benji—”
“Of course, he can prove it! Just try him!” Benji yelled over him.
“Okay then, where do you want to do this?”
What was about to happen, Sin would never live it down. At this point, he could only hope word of it did not spread to the rest of the branches and outposts…or to King Adrian…or—Sin shuddered—Dante…
Benji’s brow scrunched up in confusion before asking, “Do what?”
“Cecil, please don’t do this. We both know it is not necessary to prove your point,” Sin begged.
“The fucking,” Cecil said calmly, ignoring his plea.
“The what?” Benji squawked, his face turning bright red.
Sin could not help but cringe at the word the young man had used.
“You see, Benji, I went to the hotel with Sin, under the impression he wanted to fuck m—”
“Cecil!” he growled, not able to keep silent a moment longer. “While I will confess to bringing you there under the false pretenses that I wished to engage with you sexually, there are more suitable words you could use to make your point.”
Cecil’s eyes widened in shock. “Really? That’s what is upsetting you? I just outed you as a liar!”
“You cannot even begin to understand how abhorrent I find such words. I lied, that is a fact, and I would and will do so again. Never fear facts because at times they are all you can trust.”
“Boss…you…the fu—” Benji cut out on a snort and started to laugh.
Sin let out a sigh, making a mental note to disconnect Benji’s phone. “I lied because Cecil was hurt. It was a path I had to take to help him. He would not have gone with me otherwise.”
“Of course.” Benji giggled.
“Hello? I’m still here, you know. For someone who likes to act all proper, you would think you’d know talking about someone like they aren’t there is rude as hell,” Cecil huffed.
When yet another swear word left the young man’s mouth, Sin felt a headache start to form.
“I have not forgotten,” Sin assured him.
“You may not trust me, but I have not told a single lie since I’ve been here.
You are not going to be arrested or thrown in jail.
But you cannot continue to steal. However, I do understand your difficulties.
You need money to survive and at your age, that is not easy to obtain. But I have a solution.”
“And what would that be?”
“I want you to move in with my group. We have had youths do so before. Benji, for instance, came to us at fifteen. If you do not find that agreeable, I am sure there are other arrangements we can make. But know this, while the decision of where you go is yours, I will not allow you to continue as you have.”
“Well, it sounds like I don’t have much choice in the matter,” Cecil growled.