Page 15 of Killer Daddy (Fendi Mafia Daddies #2)

Benjamin

‘Daddy, you’re driving very fast, is everything okay?’ Benjamin asked, looking across to Michael as he powered his SUV along the road out of the city.

‘Don’t worry boys,’ Michael replied. ‘This is just a temporary thing. The city is going to be pretty busy for the next couple of days.’

When Michael and Matteo arrived back at Matteo’s townhouse, they explained that there was a problem in the family that needed to be resolved – and it wasn’t the kind of problem that involved sitting around a table and talking either.

Benjamin knew what this meant, and even as they were speaking, he could tell that Michael was genuinely concerned about what might go down.

So when Michael and Matteo said that Benjamin and his two Little friends would stay at the beach house for the next few days, Benjamin was more than happy to go along with it without asking too many questions.

Perhaps Benjamin’s instinct for mafia business was getting stronger, but every inch of his body told him in that moment that the last place he needed to be was in the city.

‘My Daddy told me that some bad stuff might happen,’ Kyan said, arching his head across and leaning forward from the seats in the rear.

‘I was there when Matteo explained. And I know enough about you guys to know that bad stuff means really baaaad stuff.’

‘As I say, there is no need to worry,’ Michael said, his tone making it clear that this was the end of the conversation as far as he was concerned.

Benjamin smiled nervously and turned to look at Kyan and Reece. Both of his Little friends seemed happy enough, even if this was slightly less relaxing than a playdate at Kyan’s house.

‘We’ll be at the beach house soon,’ Benjamin said. ‘And then we can have lots of fun, okay?’

Kyan and Reece both smiled and got back to being busy on their sketch pads.

‘I wish I could color in the car,’ Benjamin said. ‘But my tummy just won’t let me! Bleurgh!’

Benjamin saw a hint of a smile on Michael’s face and this put him at ease too. Even in a moment that was quite clearly way more serious than Michael was willing to divulge, Benjamin was glad that he could still make his Daddy smile a little bit.

In fact, Benjamin was handling the situation way better than even he might have expected.

It wasn’t that he was totally fine and chill about what his Daddy did for a living, but over the time he had spent with him, Benjamin had found himself adapting quickly and realizing that his feelings for Michael were way stronger than any doubts he might have about how he lived his life.

All Benjamin could see was a Daddy who cared deeply for him and would do anything to keep him safe. As crazy as it might have sounded to someone on the outside, Benjamin felt safer with Michael than he had ever felt with anyone in his whole life.

Michael could be tough, intense, and even scary at times. But when it came to showing affection and doing what was right, Benjamin could see that Michael always went above and beyond for him.

As the rain clouds began to clear and the sun revealed itself once more, Benjamin turned his head and looked out of the passenger window.

It wouldn’t be long before they arrived at the beach house – and even though Michael wouldn’t be staying for long, Benjamin felt sure that he would have plenty of fun and frolics with Kyan and Reece.

And maybe get into some Little mischief too…

The door to the beach house swung open and Benjamin and his friends burst forth in a charge of excitement.

‘Be careful of my paintings!’ Michael bellowed, shaking his head in disbelief as the three boys almost brought down a very valuable portrait that he bought at auction in Milan some years ago. ‘Behave!’

‘Yes, Daddy,’ Benjamin replied, his voice already distant as he headed into the bedroom. ‘Sorry, Daddy!’

Benjamin shut the bedroom door behind him and with Kyan and Reece already unpacking their bags, he whipped his clothes off and began to change into his romper suit.

‘Hey, let’s put bikinis on underneath our onesies,’ Benjamin said, pulling his romper off. ‘If the sun stays out, we can run down to the beach and go for a paddle.’

‘A paddle you say?’ Kyan giggled. ‘I thought Michael was going back to the city!’

‘ Nawwww , not that kind of paddle, silly!’ Benjamin laughed, almost tripping backward over his suitcase. ‘I’ve got plenty of spare water wings so we can all be safe.’

‘I can swim without then,’ Reece boasted, putting his swimming trunks on and parading around the room with pride. ‘In fact, I trained as a lifeguard in school.’

‘ Woooooo , that’s cool,’ Kyan said. ‘If me or Benjamin need help you can be the Daddy Little.’

The three friends all cheered in delight and after getting their swim suits on they buttoned up their rompers and made their way out of the bedroom and into the living area.

‘Okay,’ Michael said, standing at the entrance to the living area with his hands on his hips. ‘It’s time for me to bounce. Benjamin, can I have a quick word please? In private.’

‘O-O-O-Okay, Daddy,’ Benjamin answered, his heart beating hard as he wondered whether he had done something wrong. ‘Were we being too loud?’

‘No, of course not,’ Michael replied, wrapping his arm around Benjamin and walking them both through into the privacy of the kitchen. ‘But we do need to talk.’

Benjamin felt a shot of adrenalin course over him as Michael took his hand and sat them both down at the kitchen table. Michael had his serious face on, and Benjamin guessed that this was going to be something to do with his trip back to the city.

‘It’s okay, Daddy. I feel safe here,’ Benjamin said, attempting to cut Michael off and make sure that he knew that he was okay.

‘I know, my darling,’ Michael replied, a wry smile on his face. ‘You’re a very brave boy. One of the bravest I’ve ever met. But what I wanted to say was that I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I come home to you in one piece. There’s nothing I won’t do to make that happen. But…’

Benjamin momentarily felt his bottom lip tremble as he waited for Michael to continue.

The reality was that he knew precisely where Michael was heading with this.

Benjamin could see that his Daddy was worried about his own survival, and that whatever was happening back in the city might be the end of him.

‘It’s okay, it’s going to be okay,’ Michael said, holding Benjamin’s chin in his hand and planting a kiss on his lips. ‘But if it’s not… then I want you to remember this kiss. And I want you to know that you mean the world to me and always will do. Okay?’

Benjamin nodded as he fought back the tears.

‘I…’ Benjamin said, unable to get any more words out.

‘I know,’ Michael replied, kissing him once more and then standing up from the table.

‘Now, stand up tall and proud, boy. It’s time to show Kyan and Reece that you’ve got the most fun day imaginable planned for them.

And judging by the weather out there, I think the beach has got your name written all over it. ’

‘Yes, I think so too,’ Benjamin said. ‘And when you come home, I think we should swim in it every single day. Even in winter!’

‘ Yikes , I don’t know about winter,’ Michael laughed. ‘But, sure. If that’s what you want, baby boy.’

With that, Michael walked out of the kitchen, waved goodbye to Kyan and Reece and headed out of the house.

As Benjamin stood at the door and watched the car pull away, he took a deep breath.

There was danger in the air, that wasn’t in doubt.

But Benjamin knew that his Daddy would be okay. He just had to be…

After a fun play and paddle on the beach, the three Littles arrived back at the beach house ready to crash out. And it was a good job that Benjamin had some perfectly sweet milk in stock to heat up and divide into their three bottles…

‘For you, for you, and for me!’ Benjamin giggled, easing himself down onto the couch next to Kyan and Reece. ‘Shall we watch a movie?’

‘Yes!’ Reece said. ‘I’ve got a big audition coming up for a new play in two weeks. I think I need to watch as many movies as I can to help prepare.’

‘Perfect. Let’s stay up as late as we can!’ Kyan giggled, taking his milk bottle and latching onto the brown teat before glugging down some delicious milk.

‘I say we start with… Lion King,’ Benjamin suggested, taking the TV remote and loading it up.

‘ Hmmm … I’m not sure how watching cute cartoon lions will help my audition but I still say yes,’ Reece laughed, clutching onto his bottle.

It wasn’t long before the movie was half an hour in and the three Littles were all looking very drowsy indeed.

It must have been the sea air and all the jumping over waves that did it, but Benjamin could feel himself getting sleepier and sleepier by the second – and not only that, but he was very much in Little Space too…

‘I tired… I… sleepy…’ Benjamin mumbled, a feeling of warmth and happiness coming over him as he watched Simba embarking on his adventure. ‘But… I like Simba… want to watch…’

‘Close your eyes and imagine,’ Kyan said, his milk bottle empty and his legs tucked up to his body as he snuggled himself up into a ball. ‘We all dream together.’

‘Me be Simba,’ Reece giggled. ‘ Rawwwwr !’

Benjamin playfully nudged Reece and then cozied himself up under the thick patchwork blanket that Michael had got out of the guest bedroom earlier. The three friends were together, safe from harm, and a million miles away from the drama that was unfolding back in the city.

Deep in Little Space and heading for an even deeper sleep, Benjamin didn’t have a care in the world. If only the same thing could be said for his Daddy however…