Chapter 48
Awet, scratchy sensation wakes me up and I blink my eyes open, coming fully awake to the sound of a small, almost pitiful, meow.
Widening my eyes, I sit up in the narrow bed, jostling Lio. He startles awake, his hand automatically reaching for a knife that isn't there. When he sees our new bed companion, he relaxes.
“Where the fuck did you come from?” he asks the tiny kitten.
Another meow comes from the kitten, and I reach out to pet it. A weight hops onto my legs, and I look down to see a second kitten there.
“Uhh…” I look at Lio, who shrugs and pets the cat sitting between us.
So, magically appearing kittens are a thing now? I shouldn't be surprised, not with Javi coming home with one, and then adding two more as a signing bonus for one of the therapists… Yeah, getting two kittens while sleeping shouldn't be a surprise.
Reaching down, I pluck the kitten off the bed and hold it in front of me. It’s dark-gray, with splashes of white on its mouth, nose, chest, and all four paws. The one Lio has is black, with similar markings, only two of its feet aren't white, but the tip of its tail is.
“Do you think they’re boys or girls?” Lio asks.
I shrug. “No idea. The more important question is: Are they for you or me?”
“Or both of us?”
He makes a good point, but before we can contemplate it further, the door to our room opens and Javi walks in. “Oh good, you’re both awake.”
“Are you responsible for this?” I ask, holding out the kitten.
“Nope, though I approve of it. No, your boyfriend went on an excursion earlier to get them for you. Don’t worry, I already brought in all the basic supplies you’ll need for them.”
My chest warms, and I feel my face heat at being told Ignacio did something so sweet for me. “I’ll have to go thank him; I’m surprised Jayden let him out.”
“They went together.” Javi smirks, but it dies quickly. “You might want to go see him now. He and Benjamin just had a rather…interesting conversation for all to hear.”
“Fuck!” I place the kitten I’m holding on the bed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll watch the kids,” Javi says, though I ignore him, not even bothering to find my shoes as I leave the room.
I all but run out of the medical suite to Ignacio’s room. The need to get to him, to make sure my sweet, generous love is okay, is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt.
Ignacio’s door is closed, but I don’t let that stop me. I barge in and go straight to him, aware of Jayden in the room, but not paying him any mind.
Dropping to my knees so hard it hurts, I clutch at Ignacio’s hands as he sits on the end of his bed. He grips my fingers so tightly it's borderline painful, and stares at me with lost, glossy dark eyes.
“I’m here, Love,” I mutter. “You’re okay. I’m here. He doesn’t get to hurt you anymore.”
A lone tear rolls down his cheek, and I can’t stop my own from falling. My heart shatters for this man—this sweet, kind, loving man who has the biggest heart I’ve ever seen. Chaos. His name doesn’t encapsulate who he really is.
Ignacio might be the badass trainer, and Il Padrone’s former bodyguard. He might be the one sent in to cause havoc, and do all the dangerous jobs, but that’s not all he is.
He’s also smart as hell, loves books, is fun, loving, and spoils me more than I deserve.
How anyone can throw him away as callously as Benjamin did, I don’t know.
There’s not a chance in hell I’d let this man get away from me.
Benjamin can fuck off. I was fine with him hating me, and being with Ten, having Lio.
But to hurt Ignacio? No, fuck that. He better learn to keep his mouth shut around me, because like hell am I going to allow him any grace now.
“What happened, Amore?”
Ignacio winces and shakes his head. “I…he’s changed so much. I’m not sure I ever really knew him.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing. I…” He takes a shuddering breath. “I just want to forget. To get out of my head for a bit. Just stay with me for a while? I…need to just not think.”
I bite my lip as I stare into his pain-filled eyes.
I know what he won’t say, what he will never ask for, because he doesn’t want to put me in a position I might be uncomfortable with.
Which is another reason to be upset with fucking Benjamin.
I know it’s his doing; the reason Ignacio is so afraid to ask for what he needs, because Benjamin’s jealousy meant he had to walk on eggshells.
Looking away from my hurting love, I meet Jayden’s dark brown gaze. My breath hitches at the hardness in his eyes, at the way his dominance seems to pour out of him, and all he’s doing is standing there…holding a cat.
“You care about him?” I ask.
Jayden nods, a small smirk crossing his lips. “The Princess is mine already.”
Letting out a breath, I turn to look at Ignacio. Our gazes meet and I lean in, pressing my forehead to his. “I love you,” I whisper. “I want you to have whatever you need.”
“All I need is you.”
I give him a small smile. “I know that’s not true, but I love you for it anyway.”
Pulling away, I stand. Ignacio reaches for me, but I move back and gesture to Jayden. “Whatever you need, Ignacio. I just want you to be happy. I love you enough for that. Besides…” I give him a genuine smile. “I told you I wanted to see you on your knees for Jayden.”
He sucks in a breath, but before he can do anything else, Jayden places the cat he was holding into my arms, and moves to stand in front of Ignacio.
“On your knees, Princess,” Jayden orders.
There’s a beat of hesitation on Ignacio’s part, but when he glances at me, I give him an approving nod and he doesn’t hesitate to slide from the bed to his knees.
It’s not graceful, as he has to be mindful of his injury site still, but as soon as his knees make contact with the floor, something changes.
There’s a difference between knowing Lio and Ignacio both like, need, and want to be controlled and placed on their knees, and seeing it.
Ignacio’s shoulders fall, and I can almost feel the stress rolling off him.
His face doesn’t lose its pinched look, but when he straightens as much as he can, I see the difference in him.
Jayden reaches out and grabs his hair, forcing Ignacio’s head back so their gazes can meet. “You’re mine, aren’t you?”
“Yes, Sir,” Ignacio says softly.
“I’ve wanted this for a long time. So have you, haven’t you?”
Ignacio’s body shudders. “Yes, Sir.”
“Such a good Princess. You’re going to be my favorite Plaything, I think, in time. For now, though, you need a reset, don’t you?”
“Please, Sir.”
Jayden hums. “It’s okay; I’ve got you. You can rest with me.”
Jayden sits on the edge of the bed, and Ignacio turns to face him when instructed.
Jayden puts him where he wants, with Ignacio’s face near his groin.
I can see Jayden’s cock bulging in his pants, but he simply directs Ignacio to press his face into him as he runs his fingers through my love’s hair.
Jayden and I lock eyes as Ignacio lets out a wounded noise, but otherwise, he doesn’t move from where he’s been placed.
I may not be naturally submissive like Lio, but I can feel Jayden’s power as clear as day. Taking a shuddering breath, my tension eases along with Ignacio’s as I watch him get what he needs from the last person I ever expected, but the one who’s been there for him even when I couldn’t be.
Jayden’s lips quirk up into another of those irritating smirks of his. “Good Boy,” he says. And I know he’s talking to both of us.
Tears fall down my face, but this time they’re of relief. Because even though I can’t give Ignacio what he needs, I’m more than capable of giving my permission, if that’s what it requires. It’s the least I can do for the man who gave me his broken heart and trusted me to put it back together.
Because that’s what love is: selfless, generous, and all-encompassing.