16. Jude
The medical team whisks Nario off to his new room—at least, for the next few weeks—and as much as I desperately want to follow him, I head upstairs for my other Boys. Troublemakers that they are, they need to see our Angelo as well.
Walking into the bedroom, I meet Jayden’s eyes. “Thank you for watching them. I hope they were good for you.”
Jayden’s lips quirk up a little. “It was no trouble. I know how to handle a brat, but they were on their best behavior, don’t worry.”
I follow Jayden’s gaze to where Antonio and Nicolo are tied to the bed posts, both of them sitting on the floor on opposite sides so they can’t see each other.
Neither are tied tightly, as I wasn’t sure how long I would be gone.
And even though I had Jayden, a far more experienced and ruthless Dom, watching over them, I would never put their safety at risk by preventing them from having an easy escape.
I walk over to Nicolo first. My Star looks up at me with wide, pleading hazel eyes. I tsk as I crouch and undo his bonds. “My poor Star. My good Boy. I know you’re hurting. I’m sorry I had to leave you, but I’m very proud of you for being good for Jayden.”
Taking his wrists into my hands, I rub my fingers over them, smoothing out the marks imprinted on his skin by the soft rope I used to restrain him.
“I want you to use the restroom, and drink some water. I already asked the kitchen to get a snack for you and your partner in crime. Then we’ll go see your other half, okay?”
He nods. “Yes, Sir. Thank you. I’m sorry…”
I kiss him lightly. “I know you are.”
Helping him stand, I make sure he’s steady on his feet before going over and repeating the process with Antonio.
My brat meets my gaze with wide, too-innocent-to-believe eyes, and I cup his cheek. “You’re such a good Boy, Bel Fiore.”
He flushes under my praise. “Daddy…”
“I know. I’m not mad, Bello, just hurt. But you’ll make it up to me, won’t you?”
He nods rapidly. “I will, Daddy. I promise.”
“Good Boy. Now, come on. Bathroom, water, snack, then we’ll go see our Star.”
I release his restraints, rubbing his wrists gently before I help him stand. Raising his face to mine, I lean down and kiss him firmly, taking his mouth with mine.
Before he leaves, Jayden checks on both of my Boys, admiring the slight marks on their skin from their restraints and pressing firm kisses to their heads. “I’ll happily babysit for your Daddy anytime,” he tells them with a sadistic smirk that has Antonio shivering.
I wrap an arm around my brat and level a look at the other Dom. He shrugs, unapologetic for catching my Boy’s eye. As if the Sadist needs another Martelli in his fucking harem.
“Good luck,” he says, before leaving the room with a dismissive flick of his wrist.
“I like him,” Antonio says.
“Don’t even think about it, Bello,” I warn.
Grabbing his and Nicolo’s wrists, I tow them behind me as we head downstairs to the kitchen for the quick snack the staff prepared. Nicolo only picks at his food, and I take his plate from him, force-feeding him a little before I’m satisfied he has something in him.
“Sir…”
“I know, Stella. I know.” Cupping his face in my hands, I force him to meet my eyes. “It’s going to be scary. You’re going to see him hurt, and it’s going to be hard, but I’m here. Antonio is here. We’ll take care of you.”
Antonio slips in next to Nicolo, wrapping an arm around him and pressing a kiss to his head. “We’re here. You’re not alone. I have you. We both do.”
I watch as Nicolo melts into Antonio’s embrace, even as his gaze stays locked on mine.
It’s special, watching my Bel Fiore comfort my Star.
It could be easy to forget that Antonio isn’t simply my perfect brat who likes to keep me on my toes, but a switch who dominated and took care of the Stars long before I came around.
I can’t wait until I get to see my Bel Fiore take my Stars in hand. It’s going to be a beautiful sight that Daddy Doms only dream about. Until then…we need to be there for our sweet Angelo.
“Let’s go see our missing piece. The docs have had enough time to get him settled.” I lean in and press a gentle kiss to first Nicolo’s and then Antonio’s mouth before taking their hands in mine and leading them to the medical wing.
Nicolo’s grip on my hand tightens as we stop outside the room. He trembles a little. “It’s okay, I’m right here.” He nods absently as Antonio reaches out and opens the door for us.
Together we step into the room. Doc is waiting for us, his expression softer than it usually is.
“He’s okay,” he says, signing along with his words.
“We gave him a heavy dose of sedatives to keep him under for the transfer. He’ll probably be out for a few hours, but sleep is good for him.
You can sit with him for as long as you want.
We’ll be in and out to check on you all.
The prognosis is good right now. We’ll do assessments when he’s awake and discuss the next steps with the other doctors once we’re able to determine any revision surgeries, but for now, he’s okay. ”
Nicolo nods, then lets out a cry, and I release my hold on Antonio to gather him in my arms. “Thank you, Doc,” I say.
He nods and slips out of the room, as I gently move Nicolo over to sit in one of the bedside chairs. He refuses to let go of me, so I sit, pulling him onto my lap, while Antonio takes the seat next to us.
“He’s alive, Stella,” I say against Nicolo’s hair. “He’s here with us, with you. We’re never letting him go.”
He nods his head in agreement, burying his face into my throat for a moment before looking at the sleeping face of his twin.
I never had any siblings, and my cousins, who should have been as close to me as brothers, were participants in the abuse and neglect I suffered.
My family came from first Roman, Tennant, and Hollis choosing me, then from the whole of the Amatos embracing me and my flaws.
Then I met Antonio, and if I believed in a Higher Power, I’d say it was Fate that sent him and our Stars to me.
This family we have, as strange and scarred as it is, it’s ours.
And I’ll make sure my Stars know that as they’re taking this time to heal.
I know my other loves will too. Because while things have been busy and there hasn’t been time to reconcile the two parts of my heart together, one is not more important than the other.
One day, very, very soon, I’ll have all the pieces of me in one place, and I won’t let them go. How we actually do that, I have no idea, but we’ll figure it out, as a family. We always do.
Pressing a kiss to Nicolo’s head, I hold him as he reaches out and grips Nario’s hand. Antonio covers their hands with his. The move angles him closer to me and Nicolo, so I wrap an arm around him, while keeping my other firmly on Nicolo’s waist, securing him to me.
Me and my three Boys, we’ll get through this, and the fucking Senator will feel every single ounce of pain they all feel. It won’t make up for the havoc he’s wrought, but it’ll give my Boys something to look forward to. I am an indulgent Daddy, and they won’t be denied their justice.
After, I’ll fuck them and remind them that their Daddy always does right by them. Because that’s the type of family we are. And it’s beautiful.