“I know. It’s fine.” I wave off his apologies, even as Tennant snarls under his breath.
Marcus leans into me, his forehead touching mine briefly before stepping back. “I—we—can’t lose him. He’s… Fuck, Lio. We love him. I…”
I hang my head, unable to face him.Fuck. The torment in his eyes…it’s the fear we have all faced in this life. Losing a loved one. And Marcus has been there before. If anyone deserves his happily ever after, it’s him. But fuck, does it have to be Carter? At least, both him and Keegan are on the same page, it seems.
“Come on. Let’s get you out of here,” someone says, although I don’t recognize the voice.
I don’t say a word. Shame fills me for not being there for him, but my heart has nothing in it anymore—the pieces of my soul are so scattered, it’s dust in the wind.
It’s not until a gentle touch caresses my cheek that I manage to raise my head again. Staring into the depths of Tennant’s icy blue eyes, the storm of pain inside me begins to subside. I nuzzle against his hand and fall even deeper. This wasn’t supposed to happen, yet somehow…somehow he makes me feel safe.
“Come on, Little Monster. We need to get out of here.” His rough voice sends chills down my spine, and I take a deep breath, stepping back.
There’s little to say as chaos reigns around us. The world could be burning down and fuck if I’d care once he tucks me against his side. He opens the door to the SUV and I slide in, waiting for him.
I fumble with the seatbelt and he stills my hands, taking it from me and putting it on. With a sharp command, we head back to the house. I lean against him, my eyes closing as I set everything aside, except for the feel of him, the scent of sweat and gunpowder, and the depth of feelings that shouldn’t exist.
When the car slows down, I go to straighten up, but he doesn’t let me. My heart pings at the way he seems to know exactly what I need, and that he’s giving me this precious extra time to just…be. To not stand in front of everyone as a Boss, to somehow have answers that I don’t, but to be protected instead.Too soon the car comes to a stop, and with a bracing breath, I follow him out.
We don’t say anything as we hit the front door in sync. His hand brushes against mine as he splits off, headed for his lovers. And me? I’m left bereft for a moment. Because really…who is there for me?
I bite the corner of my thumbnail, glancing between the hallway that would carry me toward him and his lovers, and the other that will take me to where Marcus is likely waiting for news. He’s no longer part of my Family, but regardless of what Il Padrone tried to force upon us, there’s still a deep tie between us. Resolved, I head that way, to give whatever comfort I can to him and Keegan. Maybe I can borrow Cole for a while, to let them focus on their love, while I have some Uncle Lio time with my nephew.
I could use the distraction, as worries about my co-ruler push against me, and my chaotic thoughts of love and feelings swirl around inside. When I turn the corner, I see Benjamin leaning against the wall, his hand making small circles on Keegan’s back. Thank fuck someone is here to handle their emotions. I almost duck out and leave him to it, but somehow my friend must have a damn sixth sense when it comes to me. He opens his other arm when I come closer and pulls me into a hug. I grumble against him, but he just squeezes me tighter.
Fuck.
“We’ll make it through this, and Carter will live. He’s strong. And hell, he knows he has a lot to live for. He wouldn’t leave Roman. Or Cole.”
My ears pick up the sound of a wheelchair and staccato steps heading our way, and I turn in Benjamin’s arm. Roman is there with the rest of his lovers, and Antonio and the twins are trailing behind Jude.
There are moments that define our lives. That take us by surprise. This? This is one of them. We may be three different Families, but here, under this roof, we are one. It doesn’t matter how we are tied to each other—lovers or friends—we’ll stand together. And this. This is why we’ll come out on top.There’s no other option…
Waiting is never easy. The restless need for blood and retribution lives just under the surface, and if it wasn’t for my lovers needing me, I wouldn’t be here. Carter and I…we may have never seen eye-to-eye, especially after Cristian let him live, but I don’t deny he’s been an amazing father to Roman, and an efficient leader.
If someone like War can get behind him, then I don’t have any doubts about him and his place on the Council. Not when he’s spent years at Cris’s side, learning everything he could. Being a Boss may never have been in Carter’s plans, but for as soft and gentle as he is, he’s still his father’s son; ruthlessness is in his blood.
“Fuck,” Hollis hisses, forcing everyone’s eyes on him.
“What’s wrong, Tesoro?” I ask, shifting the little Boss in my arms as I turn to face my lover.
“Luca’s finished with his…task.”
Emilio tries to burrow himself deeper into me, even as his body tenses at Hollis’s words.
“And?”
Hollis looks up from his phone. “You need to go pick up Cristian,” he signs rather than voices.
I frown but loosen my grip on Lio. The boy whimpers, but I lift his face to mine and kiss him softly. “Whatever happens, it’ll be okay, Mostrotto. Stay here with Hollis and Benjamin. Roman needs you, andIneed you to be safe. Okay?”
Lio takes a breath and he straightens up, the mask of Boss coming over his features as he switches from pliant Boy to Council member. Hollis reaches out, though his focus is still on his phone.
I pass Lio to him, enjoying the way the Boy instantly complies, curling into my lover like he belongs there—which he does.
Benjamin comes over to stand with his friend, and I pull him to me, kissing him firmly. “Be careful,” he says quietly.
“Always, Topolino. You and Hol are in charge, yes?”
