20. Tennant
Ihead back to Cristian’s room after depositing Roman with Lio.
He needed a break, even if he didn’t want to admit it.
The Little Monster will keep him occupied, and distract him from worrying.
Watching their friendship grow over time, seeing their feelings for one another blossom, it’s been something special.
We all knew about Roman’s interest in Lio from the start. After they first met, the boy became besotted with him. The more time they spent together, after the Bosses were kidnapped, I saw Roman’s crush turn into something more.
It wasn’t until they returned from their time with Cecily Dowing that I understood it wasn’t one-sided.
Emilio’s obliviousness to his own feelings wasn’t a surprise, considering how much my Baby Boy struggles sometimes.
Though it was clear as day to see he felt something for Roman, even if he thought it was only friendship at first.
Watching them come together, to explore a side of themselves they never had before…it’s adorable and hot, all rolled into one.
Roman will do anything for his friend, and I’m not sure Emilio fully grasps that, but hopefully, this time together will help reset them both.
And will maybe lead to Roman taking an active role in his healing.
Hollis, Jude, and I have been very careful not to push too hard, not wanting him to feel stuck or forced into it, but at the same time, we’ve missed having our Little Prince in our bed.
The chance to have both Roman and Lio? It’s a need I desperately ache for.
Sandro is still holding Cristian’s hand, and the worry and love in his eyes is clear to see. Kail is also in the room, the nurse making notes in Cristian’s chart. Only Sandro looks up when I enter, and the pain in my Sweet Boy’s eyes is impossible to ignore, so I don’t.
Crossing the room, I step right up to him, letting him lean his head on me, even as he continues to hold Cristian’s hand.
“He should wake up soon,” Kail says gently.
I run a hand through Sandro’s hair. “I thought Doc was keeping him under?”
“He was, but now he’s more stable, so we’ve lowered the sedatives.
They’ll still keep him comfortable, along with the pain meds, so don’t expect a dissertation from him, but he should start coming around soon enough.
I’ll be back to check on him, but if you need anything in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out.
I’m happy to answer any questions, or get you anything you need. ”
The nurse leaves, and as soon as the door closes, Sandro leans more heavily on me. Burying his face in my abdomen as I thread my fingers through his hair and pull on the strands, giving him a little pain to help ground him.
“He’ll be okay, Sweet Boy,” I reassure. “He’s too much of an asshole to die.”
Sandro lets out a watery laugh. He looks up at me, his blue eyes swimming with affection, mixed with sadness and fear. “Do you think Carter’s right?” he asks.
Sighing, I nod. “Carter knows him as well as you and I do. He knows what Cris looks like when he’s in love…I do as well. I can tell you now, he does love you, Sandro. As messy, confusing, and insane as that is.
“What you two found in that cell, it’s real.
It simply got lost beneath all the bullshit.
But, as we discussed, none of that was any fault of your own.
You’re the product of your upbringing, as is Cristian, and even I am to an extent.
Though I was never ‘normal’ from the get-go.
Still, what the three of us lived through… no one else could understand.”
He gives a wry grin. “Well, four. Since Luca was there with me, much like you were there for Cristian.”
I hum, but don’t agree nor disagree. Luca was too weak to do what needed to be done, and he allowed the person he was supposed to protect to get hurt.
I grimace, because in many ways, I did the same.
There are so many things in our past that I failed to protect Cris from, even though I tried my best. Hell…
I allowed myself to get locked up and turned into a shell of myself for a long time because of it. Luca got off easy. Fucker.
Still, knowing my Sweet Boy had someone, even someone as…barely tolerable as Luca, eases a little of my ire. Not much, but some.
Sandro releases Cristian to place both hands on my hips, looking up at me with such trust…such devotion, it makes me want to shove him to his knees and put my cock in him. He’d let me, too. I can tell by the look in his eyes. The want and need there.
He’d do anything to please his Daddy. It’s a heady feeling that has my cock hardening. Sandro must notice because he squirms in his chair, eyes darkening, as his tongue darts out to lick those sensual lips.
Leaning down, I kiss him, long and slow, dominating his mouth as he opens so easily for me.
Knowing I have the former Il Padrone at my beck and call? It fills me with a pleasure I never thought I would have. Not after what he did, where he’s been, the hell he’s put himself and our loved ones through. But…that’s the thing about this life, isn’t it? None of us are good people.
Allesandro may have done something he can’t take back, but haven’t we all. You only have to look at my relationship with Benjamin, how all in we went without concern for what would happen when the dust settled.
I don’t regret anything about my Topolino. I never will. The same can be said for the Boy in my arms.
Hurt, lost, and desperately in need of love and care. Sandro will never be a mistake or regret.
Not even when I help him rise out of the ashes of the fire he set himself. My Sweet Boy will learn to embrace everything he is, because his Daddy will have it no other way.
Pulling back, I smile at the whimper he lets out. “Soon, Sweet Boy,” I reassure him. “Patience is a virtue, but don’t worry. Daddy won’t make you wait too long for a taste of him. I can’t wait to feel this hot mouth wrapped around my cock.”
Setting a thumb on his bottom lip, I can imagine how good his lips will look stretched around me. It’s enough to make me ache with need. But…not yet. My Sweet Boy will learn that good things come when he waits, and his Daddy can be patient when he wants to be.
Moving away from him, I break our connection, only to sit in the seat beside him, wrapping an arm around him. He snuggles closer, breathing deep through his nose. I kiss the side of his head. “Good Boy.”
When he has himself back under control, he reaches out for Cristian again, even as he rests against me.
We stay like that for a long while. Sandro soaking up my presence and leaning on me, even though he’s there for his love. Their relationship might be undefined, but if anyone deserves to discover how deep their love goes, it’s the two of them.
Cris may have pissed me off, and ruined his relationships with both his son and husband, but that doesn’t mean I will ever fully abandon him. No matter how many times I may want to.
A groan comes from the man in the hospital bed, and Sandro sits up, alert as he watches Cristian carefully.
Another pained whimper, and Cristian tries to move without opening his eyes.
“Shhh. Stay still, Dolce Cuore,” Sandro urges. “You’re okay. Don’t move.”
Cris sucks in a breath, and his eyes flutter open and closed a few times before he finally blinks them open all the way.
Onyx eyes filled with pain and confusion meet mine, before he flicks his attention to Sandro.
“I’m right here, Sweetheart,” Sandro tells him. “You’re okay.”
Cristian’s lips part, but no sound comes out. He closes his mouth and clears his throat, trying again. “R…Roman?”
“Is fine,” I reassure him. “He’s with Emilio, because the little shit would have wasted his life away waiting for you. Keegan is fine, too. He’s not too happy that he has to be nice to you, or some bullshit like that, but I assured him he doesn’t. You deserved to be shot.”
Sandro shoots me an unimpressed look, but Cristian just huffs. “You’re an asshole,” he whispers, his voice cracking.
Getting up, I grab the water pitcher that was left for Roman and Carter, pouring a little in a cup for Cristian. I even give him a straw.
He gladly sips at the water before I take it away. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. As soon as you’re no longer pretending to die, I’ll have you under me. You’ve been slacking in your training, I see.” I tsk. “No matter, I’ll gladly kick your ass again until you’re back in top shape.”
Cristian scowls, but the wheezing laugh that has him wincing in pain gives away his true feelings. “Such an…asshole,” he says as he tries to catch his breath.
“Be nice, Daddy,” Sandro tries to scold, but I can see the relief in his eyes and how relaxed his shoulders are now.
“I’ll be nice when he stops trying to fucking die like an asshole,” I reply mildly. “I don’t like seeing the Little Prince so stressed out.”
Cristian looks between Sandro and me, his eyebrows furrowed. He mouths the word Daddy and I lift a brow. Daring him to say something to hurt my Sweet Boy’s feelings.
He either decides it’s not worth it, or the drugs still running through his system, plus the pain, are getting to him.
He shifts a little on the bed, groaning as he does so.
Sandro jumps up to adjust him and his pillows, being so attentive that I decide he’ll get rewarded for such behavior.
My Sweet Boy is exactly that: sweet, loving, and so fucking adorable that I want to ruin him.
“Get some rest, Dolce Cuore. I’m not going anywhere.” Sandro sits again and takes Cristian’s hand in his.
Cristian looks at him with such hope and fucking love. “I’m glad you’re here,” he whispers. He meets my gaze. “Both of you.”
Sandro raises Cris’s hand to his lips and presses a kiss to his knuckles. “Always, Sweetheart.”
Cristian sighs, relaxing further into the bed, letting himself be swept away once again by the good drugs as his eyes slowly close. Though he never stops watching Sandro, not until he can’t open his eyes anymore.
Sitting next to my Boy once more, I wrap him in my arms, giving him what he needs as he cares for the one man he was never supposed to love, but does anyway.
And that only gives me another fucking reason to make sure Cristian Amato lives.
Because like fuck am I going to let him disappoint my Sweet Boy.
No, the two of them will be just fine, if I have anything to do with it.