Snapping my head up, I narrow my eyes at him. “Nope. You are not going to call me that. Pick something else.”
Roman taps his chin as he studies me, while Tennant takes a seat next to me. “Fine. I won’t use it. But you have to tell me what I’m missing, because I know there's something.”
“Little Prince…” Tennant growls in warning, but Roman waves him off.
Sighing, I remind myself I’m an adult. Supposedly, at least. “Imayhaveclaimedyou.”
“What was that?” Roman’s nose scrunches up in confusion, and I huff in exasperation.
“Fine. I may have claimed you.” I meet his gaze steadily, refusing to show fear, even if I’m slightly worried about his reaction.
He barks out a laugh, and shakes his head in disbelief. “From who?”
“Your father. I claimed you, Tennant, and Ignacio. And I’d fucking do it again. He had no right to do what he did. Speaking of…” I turn to glare at Tennant. “You and I are going to have adiscussion about you stepping in for me on things like bullshit punishments.”
Tennant’s expression darkens. “I did what needed to be done.”
“As interesting as this is, and by that I mean not at all,” Dr. Ranlen cuts in. “I need to go check on Ignacio. Was there anything you needed from me in the meantime?”
“Yeah, actually, I wanted to check on Ignacio as well.”
“Vitals are steady. I think we can start tapering off his medication tomorrow and bringing him around. I gave him a little more during the transition to help keep him under, but it’s about time he starts waking up.”
I slump in relief. I had worried the move would be too much on him, even if they did everything to minimize any issues. Doc and Sarah—hell, their entire team—really came through on it. I hope Doc is managing with the two assholes that stayed with him, but he had the chance to leave.
“Thanks, Sarah. Alright. I need to get moving again.” I hesitate briefly before asking Roman, “Did you want me to come stay with you for dinner?”
“No, I’m going to keep him company. You can go deal with the rest,” Leandro says as he wheels himself into the room. I jolt as I didn’t realize we’d been talking that loud.
Standing, I nod to him, before brushing a kiss on Tennant’s head, and then awkwardly giving Roman a peck on the cheek. Clearing my throat, I open my mouth before closing it again. Giving up, I rush out of the room, embarrassment swamping me.
Fuck. I did not want to let Roman know I claimed him. I can only imagine what he thinks of me now. He’ll be insufferable… Maybe I’m wrong. At least, I hope so. For now, it’s time to check more items off my seemingly never-ending to-do list.
Getting three Families up and running is ridiculous. Fucking Il Padrone and Cristian. This is all their fault. I definitely wish I would have stabbed Il Padrone on the way out…
“Imay have claimed you.”Benjamin’s words swirl through my mind as I try to make sense of them. Ten and Ignacio, sure, I can see that. He’s possessive as fuck over them both, and I’ve seen his protectiveness for them rise up now and then, even though those two are the last ones who need protecting from anything.
What I don’t understand is why me? He hates me… Or at least I thought he did? It’s all too confusing, and I can’t wrap my head around why.
“Don’t think so hard, Little Prince,” Tennant chides.
“But he…likes me? Maybe?”
“You’re thinking way too hard about this,” Leandro agrees with Ten, rolling his eyes. “Yeah, Benjamin claimed you. We all know Cristian doesn’t deserve you. Benjamin was just makingsure he knew it. Take it however you want, but don’t be annoying about it.”
I scowl at my best friend. “You’re not helpful. And…how long have you known about this?Whydo you know this?”
I get a blank stare. “You really want me to answer that?”
“No, not really. It’s best if I don’t know, plausible deniability and all that.”
“You’re learning.” Leandro looks at Tennant. “You should also be resting. You’re still hurt. Has Dr. Ranlen even checked your wound?”
“I’m fine,” Tennant says. “It was a knife wound, nothing I haven’t had before. He didn’t even try that hard to kill me.”
“Tennant…”
He reaches over and squeezes my fingers, going for comfort but falling flat as I can see right through him. “I promise, I’m fine. Yeah, it hurts a bit, but it's nothing some sleep can’t fix.”
