“He deserved to know… Just like he’ll be allowed to watch these tapes, if he wants.”
I leave him with that parting gift, before giving the guards outside his room an order to take him down and tie him to the table in there.
Making my way to the office, I collapse into the desk chair, turning the sound on the monitor off, while turning his music back on. Then I pull out my phone and call Hollis, needing my Tesoro to ground me.
Iglare at the phone, even though I’ve just hung up on Marcus and Antonio. If I could reach through it and strangle them, I would. Too bad that’s not an option. Maybe Hollis can make it one?
“Here.” Benjamin rushes into the room and shoves a cup of coffee at me. “Drink. Calm down.”
“Isn’t coffee a stimulant?” someone mutters, and furious whispers break out. I don’t pay them any attention as I focus on the goodness in the mug. Benjamin even remembered one of my favorite mugs—a gift from Roman that says “stabby soulmates”.
Once I’m halfway through my mug, I take a bracing breath and finally look around the room. I wince when my eyes land on Hollis. He’s stabbing the keyboard in furious, fast typing. Jude’s jaw is clenched so tightly, I’m worried we may need to call a dentist. Keegan isn’t much better, with his arms crossed, angerand fear radiating off him. Roman’s eyebrows are furrowed and his hands are curled into fists.
Benjamin alternates between casting worried looks at Hollis, Roman, and me. I feel bad that I’ve worried him, but fucking hell, this is a nightmare. I don’t even know what the fuck to do. The only calm is Leandro, and I can understand why Roman gravitates to him. His slight smirk is almost comforting right now, and I put that aside to think about later.
“Alright.” I break the thick silence, causing several people to jolt. Even Hollis’s fingers pause on the keyboard. “This is…not ideal. Even if they weren’t told not to do this, they should have known better. At the very least, they should have alerted their Bosses—or Seconds—to what the fuck they were doing. We need them to understand that this is something we should have had a plan in place for, because if Hollis hadn’t stepped in…”
Keegan grunts at that, while a few people mutter curses. Roman’s hands are flying as he signs for Jude. I’m still way behind on learning, but have at least started. Hopefully, after all this shit is taken care of with our enemies, Roman can help teach me more.
“They took the majority of my trackers,” Hollis growls as he goes back to typing. I bite my lip, because as horrible as I feel about it, his pissed off voice? That goes straight to my dick.
I run my fingers through my hair, draining the last of my coffee. I stare at the empty cup mournfully before I set it aside. Benjamin rolls his eyes at me, but I shrug. “Alright, the issue is…what do we do about this? They both deserve to be punished somehow. However, both were under Il Padrone, so a lecture isn’t going to cut it.
“When Il Padrone was kidnapped, I had to step in on punishments using his methods. I obviously do not want to be Il Padrone 2.0. This is our chance to have a new beginning, not fuck things up. Does anyone have any suggestions?”
I hold my breath, hoping someone has an idea. I hate having to ask for advice, but I can’t afford to let my pride get in the way. Not if we’re going to make this work.
I wish Carter was here, but he’s still in recovery. Thankfully, I know he has complete trust in Keegan to act as his voice.
“I believe that Keegan and I can handle punishments, as their Doms.” My lips twitch at Jude’s hard voice. You don’t fuck with your Dom. I’d feel bad for Antonio and Marcus if I wasn’t so damn pissed still.
Inclining my head, I respond, “I agree. You’re both best suited to that. Do you think there should be a specific punishment for Antonio, coming from me as his Boss?”
Roman sighs and nods. “Yes. I think you can tell Antonio that Jude will handle part of his punishment, but as his Boss, you need to do something as well.”
“Fuck,” I mutter. “I was afraid of that. I’m really not sure what to do in this case. It’s not like I can demote him, though if it were possible, I’d be fucking tempted.”
“Make him pay for the trackers,” Leandro interjects, and Hollis turns to him in shock, before laughing. I relax at the sound, and at Leandro’s input. He may sound bored, but his sharp eyes don’t miss anything.
“I think that’s an excellent plan. Hollis, if you can give me the cost?”
My phone pings and I glance down to see an email from him with the invoice. My jaw drops at the cost, and while I know Antonio has the money, it’s definitely going to hurt. Fucking hell. Technology. That shit’s expensive. He’d better hope those trackers survive.
“Alright, I think that’s everything then. Thank you all so much.” I blow out a breath, relaxing now that we have a plan. I also feel slightly more confident. I may not have had theanswers, but we have a solid team, and we pull together. I just wish I didn’t miss Master so damn much.
Now we just need the two assholes to get here. I hope they enjoy their last minutes of freedom, because from the looks on Jude and Keegan’s faces, this is going to be the end of it for a long time.
Serves them fucking right. They’re lucky Hollis isn’t getting a turn. Although, maybe he’d be willing to put me on my knees… From the increased typing, I’m thinking he’s going to be too busy.
Fucking hell. We need our enemies gone, if only because I need some time with my Sir.
Waiting for Marcus and Antonio to get back is excruciating. Some part of me says I need to relax, and be thankful they’re returning in one piece, while the more prominent parts want to take them both over my knee and spank them raw. From the look on Keegan’s face, he’s in the same boat.
“What would the kitchen think if I asked for a bag of rice?” Keegan asks Roman. I chuckle and almost ask how they’d feel about giving up two, but the idea does spark another…
“Nothing. I can have one sent to your room, if you want? They’re discreet enough that they won’t say anything to you, though I’m sure the speculation will run wild.”
“I don’t care if they talk, but yes, arrange that for me, if you could.”
