Doc huffs. “Yes, fine, whatever. Go take care of that, we’ll be fine.”
“I know you will be. Thank you for everything. For…doing what I couldn’t.”
“Don’t thank me, you fucking asshole. I care about Cris as much as you do. Which means, I didn’t have a choice. But, I’ve done my job, now go do yours.”
“Yes,Sir,” I say sarcastically.
Giving them both an assessing look, and trusting Soren to take care of his Boy, I leave them to it. Knowing Doc is right. He did his job, and now? It’s time for me to do mine.
Fucking Cristian.
Good thing I have more tools in my arsenal than he did when he was forced to save me… Let’s hope it’s enough.
Marcus nuzzles closer to me as we wait outside the medical suites. We’re both sitting on the floor, and my ass is fucking numb from it. Glancing down, I notice my Tease is asleep, and I tilt my head against the wall as I hold back the sigh that wants to break free.
The others have come and gone while we wait for news. Roman’s lovers constantly have to drag the boy back to somewhere more comfortable as he heals. I’ve promised to message as soon as we hear something, but it’s his father. While I didn’t have the best relationship with my parents, I see the pain in his eyes, and understand why he doesn’t want to leave, even though it’s important for his body to rest.
I think the only reason he’s willing to leave for any amount of time is the way Marcus and I keep vigil. Fuck, Marcus won’t even take the time to clean his blood off. My Tease is not thetype to give himself halfway. Breaking away from Allesandro…I’m so fucking proud of him, but there were so many nights where I held him as he broke. My heart bleeds for him over it. So many years of loyalty tossed to the side. I know he had held out hope that Allesandro would come around, not for his sake, as his loyalty is with Carter, but for Lio’s. We both know the Boy wants his Master back. Despite how fucked up Allesandro is, before the kidnapping twisted him up even worse, there was no doubt he loved his Boy.
I shake my head, pushing the worry away. The distraction isn’t working. Not while Carter is in surgery. It was just last night my Tease and I came to an…understanding. Putting him on his knees dragged it out of him…the way the friendship and loyalty toward Carter has become more for him. And hell, I’m right there with him.
I’m not sure how Carter went from being the man we respect to someone we can’t live without, but fuck if he hasn’t lodged himself into our hearts—into our souls. He’s branded on every inch of us, all without a single touch.
My only fear is whether he’ll accept all of us. The Dom in me, who wants to put both my Tease and my Boss on their knees, and the submissive in Marcus that wants us both to command him.
Marcus shifts uncomfortably when I can’t hold back my sigh this time. He blinks his eyes sleepily at me and I brush the hair out of them, grimacing at the dried sweat and blood from where he ran his fingers through it.
“Any news?” he asks softly, his stare so full of trust that my heart almost can’t take it.
Shaking my head, I cut my gaze toward the closed door that's separating us from the man who has claimed us. “No. Not yet.”
“Maybe that’s a good sign. It means she’s still able to fight for him to live.” Marcus bites his lower lip and I merely nod, unable to get words past the lump in my throat.
I wish we would have told Carter we loved him. I’m kicking myself for it now. We know time is never on our side in this life. Yet, he was so worried about seeing Cristian, we didn’t want to add to what he was going through.
If there’s one thing I can promise, if he lives through this, there will never be a single second where he doubts our love—our commitment—to him. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised he found his way into our hearts. How can you not love a man who puts his son first? Who puts ours first? A man who didn’t plan on leading, but stepped in because he knew it was needed.
Fuck Cristian for ever making Carter doubt himself. We will never do that to him. All we want is to lift him up, to remind him he has people behind—and beside—him. A single touch on my face brings me out of my murderous thoughts and I meet Marcus’s worried gaze.
I cup his cheek as I clear my throat. “I love you. And we’ll get through this.”
“I love you too, Sir. And I know we will. I’m just in a hurry to hear from Dr. Ranlen.”
I keep my mouth shut, to stop from pouring more salt on the wound. Like how we’re going to convince Roman we’re good enough for his father, and how we’ll survive if something does happen to Carter.
Thankfully, we don't have to wait for too much longer before Dr. Ranlen walks out. Exhaustion comes off her in waves, but she manages to remain standing. I help reposition Marcus so we can both stand, after I send a text to Roman.
“Give his son a moment. I’m sure you don’t want to repeat yourself.”
She nods tiredly, barely able to stifle a yawn. Thank fuck we don’t have a long wait as Roman appears within moments. Marcus holds open his arm, and to my surprise, Roman manages to nestle himself in there, despite the discomfort ofbeing in a wheelchair. I shift my attention back to his trail of lovers and friends that are following him.
“Alright. I’m ready.” Roman may say the right words, but the shakiness of his voice makes me doubt it. Then again, it’s why I’m keeping my mouth shut. Me falling apart is the last thing Carter or Marcus needs.
“It…was a fight.” My sister massages her temples, and I’m surprised to note that she’s not even wearing heels right now. It must have taken everything from her to give those up, even momentarily. “However, he is stabilized. We have him on broad-spectrum antibiotics, and we’ll be monitoring him around the clock. I can’t let anyone in to see him yet. Not with how precarious his situation is, but as soon as he’s allowed company, I’ll let you know.”
I growl, surprising everyone—even me. “He’ll do better if we can at least let him know we’re all here waiting for him.”
My sister glares at me, or at least tries to, but it makes fuck all impact on me. Tipping her head up like she’s praying, I notice she’s clenching and unclenching her hands into fists. Finally, with a deep exhale, she studies our group. “Roman can go in for a short period. Marcus needs to get cleaned up, as I’m not letting him shed dried blood in my clean medical suite. As soon as he’s able, I’ll let you in for a brief period. Do not test me on this. He’s my patient more than he’s your …whatever.”
