46. Tennant
You cannot call yourself family only when it’s convenient.
Javi’s words seem to echo around the room, and the despair and guilt on every single face in front of me is cutting. Good. They deserve it for the pain they inflicted on my poor Sweet Boy.
While they absorb the psychiatrist’s words, I pull my phone out and send a single text before putting it back in my pocket and focusing on the men in front of me.
“I’m disappointed in you all,” I say softly, and from the way they all flinch, you’d think I shouted, but I mastered the art of mindfuckery years ago. I know how to get the best reactions out of my victims, and I am not afraid of using those tools on them. Simply because they’re family.
They’ve forgotten. Because I’ve been working with Emilio, Benjamin, and Allesandro for so long, and have been nothing but their patient and understanding Daddy…they’ve forgotten who and what I am. But I never have.
My place in my Boys’ lives only makes me that much more dangerous.
“I thought you loved him, thought you knew who he was, but I see now you never really did.”
“It’s because we love him that we’re concerned,” Ignacio argues, though there’s no heat in his voice.
I shake my head and slide my hands into my pockets. “You have a hell of a way of showing it. I don’t say this to hurt you. I say it as someone who cares, not only for the man in question, but for everyone in this family.” My honesty gets me wide eyes and I bite back a smile.
“Sandro is deeply traumatized by what he went through as a child, and as an adult. Yet, he still tried to build the family he never had. I know what that’s like.
I never sought out this.” I shrug to emphasize that I mean everything we currently have.
“But when Cris offered it to me at eleven? I took it, because I’m not an idiot.
And neither are any of you. Otherwise, you never would have accepted his offer when he found you.
You would have taken the outs you were given.
” I eye Benjamin. “Or you would have kept walking when you took matters into your own hands.” I glance at Marcus.
“You all fucked up at some point in time, and you were all forgiven. But you failed in showing you actually understood your lessons.”
“Are you using him?” Marcus asks.
“Only in every way he wants me to. He would have told you, had you asked rather than attacked him. I’m not inclined to discuss my life with him, unless he tells me it’s okay, because only he can dictate if you’re worthy of knowing those details about him now.
So, if you’re curious, I suggest you figure out how to make it up to him. ”
I can feel their pain rolling off them in waves, but my need for bloodshed isn’t quelled, so I dig the knife in a little more. “I’ll say this once, and only once. After that, I will not discuss what happened unless it’s in the context of you trying to heal from it.
“You’re right, they weren’t safe. I hate to think what would have happened had we stayed as we were. But here’s my side of the story. I refused to allow Cristian to destroy himself while I was right there, so I did what I promised I would do since we met; I protected him and everything we built.
“I do not regret walking away. I do not regret protecting Roman and Carter, and I do not regret my relationship with Allesandro. Your guilt is yours to deal with, and maybe, if you’re lucky, Javi will help match you with a therapist to deal with that.
You’re allowed to feel how you want to feel, but you do not get to bully the man who’s only ever loved you.
Simply because you’re scared of facing him at his most vulnerable. How do you think he feels?”
None of them look me in the eye, and I don’t bother saying anything else. Anger still courses through me, twisted and ugly, but I shove it down. Anger doesn’t get you anything but sloppy regrets, and I don’t do regret. No, let them wallow in their shame.
I don’t turn as loud footsteps echo out in the hall, nor when they enter the room, but the widening of the eyes of the men in front of me gives me satisfaction, as I can practically smell the fear and regret rolling off of them all.
“What’s going on?” Jude asks.
“Our Boys seem to have missed the lesson on bullying—it hasn’t even been an hour since the family meeting, either,” I say with a tsk.
“I’d rather not hash it all out. I’m sure your Boys will do a better job of telling their side of the story.
” Holding my hand out, I say, “Come on, Topolino, we’re going to have a private chat. ”
He lets out a little squeak and hurries to my side, slipping his hand into mine. I turn to go, but, as if it’s an afterthought, I look to Antonio and say, “Don’t ever call Emilio a snitch again. He was doing what he’s been taught—using his Daddy when he needs me. You can take lessons from that.”
Grabbing Benjamin’s hand firmly in mine, I lead him out, leaving Keegan, Jude, and Jayden to sort out the mess left behind.
“Tennant, I’m—”
“Quiet,” I order as I pull Benjamin along the hall and up the stairs, heading straight to his bedroom. When we get to the door, I turn to him and lift his chin with two fingers, forcing his gaze to mine. “I’m not mad, Baby Mouse. I’m disappointed in you.”
His bottom lip wobbles. “I just… I hate seeing him like that.”
“You think I don’t?” I ask a little too harshly, finding it hard to control myself now that we don’t have an audience.
He flinches. “I’m sorry.”
“You will be. Inside.”
I usher him into his bedroom. Once the door is shut behind us, I order him to strip.
“I’m going to spank you, Benjamin. And this time, it’s not going to be nice.
After, you will write Sandro a letter of apology—which you will read out loud to him when he’s ready to hear it.
I will read your letter when you’re done, and if I feel you’re not sincere, we’ll start the process all over again until you are. Understood?”
His breath hitches and tears roll down his face. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good.” I caress his face. “I promise, I’ll take care of you, Benji. You don’t have to be scared.”
“I trust you.”
“Over the bed, then.”
I don’t give him time to overthink as I help him into position and then remove my belt. It’s a quick and hard punishment. Every lash makes his skin color beautifully.
I count for him as he tries to stifle his cries, though his attempt is futile. I hear every gasp and whimper as I count out twenty hard lashes of the belt on his ass.
He’s red, and I grip his hot ass once I’m finished, letting him feel the pain blossoming through him, as I lean over and whisper in his ear. “Shhh. Good Boy, that part’s over now. You did so good, Benji.”
“Th—thank you, Daddy… For helping me.”
I squeeze his swollen ass and kiss the side of his tear-streaked face. “Always, Amore Mio. Always.”
I let him rest for a few moments while I get him a drink of water, letting him cool down before I go to the small writing table in the corner of the room and pull out the chair.
“Time for the next part, Benji.”
He sniffles but brings his water with him, gingerly sitting down. “Will you stay close, Daddy?” He looks up at me with heartbreaking green eyes.
I run my fingers through his sweaty hair. “Of course, Benji. I’ll always be here when you need me.”
He nods and grabs a notebook out of the drawer, along with a pen, and I’m glad I didn’t have to tell him not to use the computer. It’s much more impactful to handwrite this apology letter.
It takes him ages to actually start writing, but I simply stroke his hair and the back of his neck while I wait, knowing it means he’s actually thinking his words through.
This is not at all how I thought the day was going to go, but I shouldn’t be surprised.
No one in this house does what you think they should or will.
As maddening as it is, it’s what makes them who they are, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.
Even if it’d make my life a little less irritating.