“Tennant—” Someone touches my shoulder and I lash out, turning to strike whoever dared touch me.
Doc takes the hit across his face, blood immediately dripping from his nose. The sight of his blood should calm the raging storm, but it doesn't. In fact, it only makes it worse.
Soren takes a step toward me, but Doc holds an arm out. “Help Vonny with Benjamin. It’s fine, Daddy.”
The younger man doesn’t look convinced, but turns his attention to my love, which only marginally helps.
Doc takes a step closer and lowers his voice. “That was your one free hit, Ten. Try it again and my Daddy won’t be so easily called off. Now, get out.”
“Doc…”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Out. I need to take care of your lover; if you want him to live, that is?” He tilts his head. “It’s not like you to leave them breathing…”
Grabbing the front of his scrubs, I pull him closer, staring into his hard amber eyes. “You will save him, you hear me, Doc? Don’t fucking test me.”
“Out, Tennant. Or I swear to fuck I will sedate you.” His voice doesn’t waver or change, and neither does his expression.
It’s the sense of normalcy that has me backing down, as some part of my fucked up head recognizes that it can trust Doc.
Stumbling out of the bedroom, I find Jude waiting in the hall. He doesn’t say anything, but he reaches for me, pulling me into him. I don’t resist, letting him wrap his strong arms around me.
“He’ll be okay, Ten. Doc will save him.”
I shake my head and let him hold me as I fall apart in his arms. My body trembles and tears fall down my cheeks at the reality of what I’ve done…the cold truth of being such a fucking monster means that I might lose one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.
“They’re moving him downstairs,” Jude says quietly.
I don’t move, instead I bury my face into his neck, so I don’t have to see my precious Baby Mouse’s lifeless form.
“Do you want to wait up here? Or downstairs?”
Swallowing, I pull back and look at Jude. His pale green eyes are devoid of anything except worry—for me or Benjamin? Not that I deserve to have anyone worry about me. “I…fuck, Agnellino.”
“Come with me.”
Jude grabs my hand and leads me downstairs. I clock the way he takes the stairs slowly, his hand tight on the railing.
“When was the last time you saw Jayden?”
He turns to look at me. “Repeat that, please?”
Clearing my throat, I hope my words come out at a normal volume. “Your leg. When was the last time you had a PT session?”
He grimaces. “I’m fine.”
“Not what I asked.”
“Don’t worry about me?—”
Slipping my hand out of his, I push him against the railing, my hand at his throat. “Do not fucking test me, Agnellino. You’re not allowed to ignore your health, do you understand? I—” I swallow around the lump in my throat, as the words clogging my brain become hard to get out, but I force them anyway. “I can’t lose you, too.”
“Hey…” He reaches for my face, cupping my cheek. “I’m okay. I’ll get checked out soon. It’s just been a rough few weeks. I promise, I’m fine. Come, Benjamin needs you now.”
Shaking my head, I squeeze his throat for a minute, cutting off his air. Jude lets me, his expression never changing, his eyes still trusting.
“Fuck!” I rip myself away from him. “You should go find your lovers, Little Lamb. Or check on Hol. I can’t…”
“They don’t need me right now. Hollis is being monitored by Doc and Leandro; he’s fine. Doc didn’t tell him, but he included a sedative in the meds he gave him, so he’ll be out for a while. I just got out of a meeting with Carter, the twins are working, and Antonio is waiting for orders from me based on what Carter and I spoke about. So, the only place I need to be right now is with you.”
