Page 24 of Unfettered

He strikes out quickly, biting my shoulder roughly, and jarring me from the apology on my lips. It’s a shock to the system. I’m not sure what to think, and I stare at him with wide eyes.

“You weren’t where I could spank your ass, and I’ll use any method I can if I think you’re about to misbehave.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

I fucking blush, but it’s impossible not to given the intensity of his gaze, and when his hand brushes against my hardening cock, I swallow. His dark chuckle has me squirming more than his hand, but eventually he moves it away and I breathe a sigh of relief.

Fuck. I shake my head, trying to clear my mind as I know this isn’t the time to have sex, but damn if Daddy doesn’t just exude a sexual dominance I’ve never seen on anyone else…

“Now, onto the board,” he rumbles, as if he didn’t just tease me. “I think you’re right. You need to have a discussion. I’ll have Robert picked up for a…personal meeting. But I need you to promise me something.”

“Of course!” I retort immediately, ready to sign myself over to him.

“No, don’t give me that. I want you to really think about this, because what I’m going to ask is hard.” He takes a deep breath and touches my cheek gently. “You need to accept yourself—all of you. I’ll be there to watch you, to help you with it, but when we have Robert, I want to see you in action. The man the world feared… Because you’re still him.”

I open my mouth, but no sound comes out. I don’t know what to do as my mind spins out of control, the fears chasing me like a pack of demons that may well destroy me if I don’t outpace them. It’s an impossible request, yet he doesn’t ask much of me. He’s been the only one who hasn’t…

Finally, I give him the only answer I can. “I’ll try. But…promise me something. If…If I go too far, if I let that side out and it takes over, put me down. Don’t let me hurt anyone again. Please.”

He runs his fingers through my hair, a sad expression on his face. “Have you talked to Brannigan about this? Because Il Padrone was not the one at fault. You—who you are inside—are not evil. You did something wrong, but you’ve worked hard to make amends. Don’t bend so far that you break.

“I want you to be whole. To recognize that what you and Cristian went through was so painful that it set off a reaction that neither of you would engage in. But that doesn’t mean Il Padrone is evil and Sandro is good. I’m sorry, Sweet Boy, that you’re trying to break yourself into pieces, but Daddy won’t let you anymore. Not when you are good. And you are my Sweet Boy.”

I don’t say anything. I can’t. There are no words there. Instead, I take a moment to lean against Daddy and soak up the acceptance he’s giving me. It’s terrifying. I…I don’t know if it’s the right thing to do. But I know I can’t keep going as I am. He’s right. Even if I bury Il Padrone deep, he never leaves… I’ll have to learn how to live with him.

“Now, on a fun note, because you deserve that,” Ten says, finally breaking the silence. “I want you to take a look at a new room I had fixed up. Not right now, I know we’re waiting for our Boy to wake up… But I think we’re going to need to use the new room sooner than later.”

I tilt my head in question. And this time, his laugh is drenched in sadism, piquing my interest even further. Damn if he doesn’t know exactly how to tease the different parts of me…

“What’s the room?” I finally ask, unable to stop my curiosity.

With a wicked grin, he replies, “A nursery. We have to share it with Anderson and Ian, but…I don’t think you’ll be opposed.”

My jaw drops as I take a quick look at where Emilio is lying. The idea of being co-Daddy Doms to my precious Tesoro… Fuck. Ideas rapidly fill me, fantasies that I know will have Emilio squirming, pretending he hates it while his body shows us the truth.

Turning back to Tennant, I throw my arms around him and attack his lips, kissing him with every fiber of my soul, because this? This is a dream come true. When I break away, we’re both breathing heavily.

As soon as I’m under control, I say, “Emilio isn’t going to know what hits him when he has both a Daddy and a Papa Bear…”

We fall into a quiet discussion of ideas while we wait for our Boy to wake up. He’s going to learn exactly what it means to have two Daddies. And I can’t wait to make his dream come true… Because every day he gives me something I never thought was even possible.

Love. Friendship. Family. And most of all…he gives me redemption. Not only with what he offers me himself, but with the men he’s integrated into our lives. And thank fuck for that.

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…”