“Sometimes, we hurt the ones we love the most,” Carter says softly. “It doesn’t make it right. Doesn’t make it okay, but…I forgave Cristian once, and he did the same to me. I took him back once…” He looks up at the man at his side. “I can’t do that again. Not when he shattered everything that made meme. I…I think I’ve found my happiness, a family of my own, but does he deserve to die for his transgressions? Or live in the knowledge that I moved on…”
Keegan swipes his thumb over Carter’s cheek, wiping away his tears.
“I love you, Carter,” Roman tells him. “You’re the parent I always wanted. I…I want you to be happy, and I want Cristian to choke on his regret. Maybe that makes me petty, but I’m okay with that. So…I vote we let him live; I’ll kill him myself if need be.”
“I’ll support you,” Lio says. “But he cannot have you. You’re mine, he can fuck off. You and Carter have each other.”
Carter is silent for a long time, his focus still on Keegan. “Yes,” he says softly. “Whatever Cris turned out to be…he is still a good man. I love him. I will always love him, even though I think I’m finally ready to move on.”
Keegan leans down and presses a kiss to Carter’s head, whispering something that I can’t hear, but has Carter closing his eyes and slumping in his hospital bed. More tears fall down his cheeks.
“My Master…” Lio’s voice breaks the silence that descends the room. “We wouldn’t be here without him… He hurt me so fucking badly… But I wouldn’t be your little monster without him. I wouldn’t know what love is… I don’t know if I can ‘get over’ or ‘move past’ what he did to me. You don’t hurt the people you love, not like that. But…I want to try.” He looks at Hollis, and then me. “I’ll…I’ll have you?”
“Yes, Baby Boy,” I assure him. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Okay… Then, yes.”
“Yes.” Carter seconds Lio’s vote. “I have been on the other side of such forgiveness. I wouldn’t be here without it, so give him a chance.”
Roman frowns, pain on his face along with distrust. I know the little shit well enough that he’s probably imagining stabbing Allesandro rather than saving him, but I also know he loves Lio too much to deny him this chance.
“I will fucking kill him with my bare hands if he touches you again,” Roman says softly.
Emilio smiles a little. “You’ll have to get in line. Pretty sure my Owner and Daddy will want to get there first.” Lio takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I’ll fucking take him out myself, if I need to.”
“Together,” Roman tells him. “If he makes it through…whatever the fuck he’s going through, I’ll be right by your side to help put him together again. And we’ll take him out together, if need be.”
“Thank you…” There’s barely any sound to Lio’s words.
Roman shakes his head. “Don’t thank me. Not for this.”
They collapse into each other’s arms, and I stride across the room, sweeping them both into mine.
“It’ll be okay,” I tell the three of them. “You’re not alone in this. We will get through this, and we’ll support you. None of you are alone, and neither are they.”
Carter nods and cries hard enough that he winces, but Keegan is there to take care of him, as Hollis moves around the room to join me in holding our Boys.
The Council may have chosen to spare the old Bosses, but that doesn’t make it any easier than if they decided to put them down… Fuck, it might even be the harder of the two choices.
But, it’s done now, and whatever happens next, they won’t be alone in it.
Iwalk out of the medical suite with my head held high, even if the rest of me still feels like it’s falling apart. I didn’t realize just how badly a heart and soul could hurt…not until this. For all the pain Master inflicted on me, it pales in comparison to knowing he is ready to give up on life. He was my center, my guide, and to know he’s crumbled… Fuck. At least, I have my Owner and Daddy to take care of me. I hope Doc is right, that Allesandro and Cristian can recover. However, if they fuck up again…well, both will learn that I cannot give mercy twice.
Benjamin, Antonio, Jude, and Marcus are waiting in the hallway for us, and the exhaustion must be evident on us because they approach slowly, not swarming as I would have expected. I glance toward Roman, unsure what to say. Thankfully, my friend steps in, showcasing every inch of the Boss he is.
“We’ve decided to let them live. Under strict conditions.”
The simple statement is met with varying responses. Antonio stiffens, fury flashing across his face as he opens his mouth. I brace myself for his outburst, but Jude reaches over and grabs Antonio’s wrist, squeezing it. Immediately, Antonio’s demeanor changes. He closes his mouth and relaxes into Jude. Aside from a brief flicker of concern in Jude’s eyes, he merely resonates the strength I’ve come to expect from Roman’s Second.
Marcus breathes out a sigh of relief, not hiding his approval of our decision. Since Keegan is still with Carter, he doesn’t stick around, intent on finding the men he loves. I’m glad he has that. Of all the people who deserve a happily ever after, Marcus certainly has earned his.
Benjamin…shows nothing. Roman and I exchange a wary glance, and I realize he must know what’s been happening with Benjamin. There are no secrets in this family. It worries me that he’ll harden his heart against Benjamin, when I know my friend has such a capacity to love. If he’ll only let himself. Still, my heart hurts when Benjamin doesn’t offer anything—comfort, or hell, even condemnation.
Hollis gently pushes me forward and I walk further along the hallway, up to the room Tennant, Hollis, Roman, and Jude all share. Although, lately, it’s begun to feel like a home for me as well. Roman, Tennant, Hollis, and I are all gathered, the Seconds electing to stay out of this part it seems. Personally, I can’t blame them. As glad as I am that Master is going to live…I’m not sure I’m strong enough to face him yet.
“Alright,” Hollis says crisply. “Let’s get this sorted out so that we can move forward.”
Sighing, I nod and perch on the edge of the bed. Tennant immediately sits next to me and wraps one of his arms around me. Roman, the cuddler that he is, claims the other side of Tennant, and I breathe easier. Having Daddy here to comfortme, with my stabby soulmate and fellow Boss, all ready to strategize under Hollis’s watchful eye…it feels right. Although…
