“Brutal.” My lips press into a thin line, the memories of them both slinging insults bothering me deeply—especially how far Antonio went.
Granted, I’m not happy that Marcus went so low either, but fuck. Antonio proved that words can be just as harmful as weapons. Hell, sometimes moreso, because there’s not a day that goes by where Marcus doesn’t think of his angel in heaven. Calling his fatherhood into question… I trust Jude to figure out what the hell is going on with Antonio. My only responsibility in this argument is to my Tease—and to my Love.
“Any idea how to solve it?” My Love’s worried voice is a balm to my heart, reminding me I’m not alone in this, and fuck if I didn’t realize how much I needed that.
Closing my eyes, I let his care wash over me. Opening them again, I meet his gaze, snared in the love he radiates. “I…don’t know. But one very important issue was raised. Antonio says they are from two different Families now.”
Carter’s jaw drops, and I feel a flash of vindication that I’m not the only one who feels shocked by such a claim. Regaining his composure, he narrows his eyes. “I did not expect that. I mean, I suppose it makes sense given the way we broke things off and our initial migration here…”
“But we are supposed to be more. We are not divided,” I finish softly.
He tenses his jaw as he heeds my words, and this time he squeezes my hand, a deep stubbornness blazing in his eyes. “Then perhaps I should make that clear. Just because we have three Seconds, it does not mean we are three… No, that’s merely organization. Even without Roman and Lio here, I know in my heart what they would say.”
“We’re one.” He nods at my words, and I feel it deep inside. The sense of belonging finally clicks within me. I’ve only felt this before with my Tease, but now? Now, I know I’m exactly where I should be. Led by three men who can help guide our organization into the next phase, and fuck if I’m not lucky to have that.
Now I just need to wait for Marcus to wake up so we can start to get everything straightened out. Because fuck if I’ll let a stupid squabble divide us. And if I need to work with Jude to help fix this…well, two Doms are better than one at times. It’ll be fun—for us.
“I don’t think I like that look on your face,” Carter mentions lightly, even as his eyes widen.
Chuckling, I bend over and give him another kiss. Sitting back, I smile at him innocently. “What do you mean? I’m merely thinking of ways to fix Antonio and Marcus’s relationship. And that perhaps Jude would be willing to share some…thoughts with me.”
Carter shakes his head as he glances over at my Tease, still knocked out from whatever Doc gave him. “I almost feel sorry for him. I don’t want to know what sadistic things you two can come up with together.”
I merely smile. Especially, as I wonder if Carter has realized that he’ll be under my domain now as well. I take being a Dom seriously. I’ll follow Carter and the Council wherever they lead me, but in our relationship—in our bed, I will always be the one in control…
“You should get some rest, Tesoro,” I tell him softly.
He scoffs. “Youshould get some rest.”
Huffing a bitter laugh, I rub my fingers over Benjamin’s cold hand. “I will when he wakes up.”
“And I’m staying with you.”
“Hol…” I look at him, and his tired brown eyes are watching me just as carefully. “You need to rest. They…didn’t give me all the details about what you’ve been dealing with, but I can guess.” I pointedly don’t look down at his bandaged arm.
Hollis sighs. “There was a video… Of Emilio…”
I stiffen. Releasing Benjamin’s hand, so I don’t accidentally hurt him, I turn fully toward Hollis. “What video?”
He grimaces. “I…I can’t…”
“Shh. It’s okay, Tesoro.” Reaching for his face, I kiss him softly, swallowing down his pain. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
Hollis shakes his head. “I should be stronger. How can I be the Owner Emilio needs if I fall apart so easily?”
“It’s not easy, Hol,” I tell him firmly. “We both know it’s not. After everything you went through, sitting alone with your pain for so long…anyone who says it was easy deserves to get stabbed. I do not blame you one bit for having such a visceral reaction. I just wish I was here to catch you when you fell.”
He lets out a big breath. “I need to learn to be strong for me, Ten. I agreed to do Doc’s stupid therapy because I don’t want to let you down, or Jude, Roman, and Lio… I love you all, you’re so very important to me. I wouldn’t be who I am without you, Tennant. And I want—I need—to be better for you.
“I don’t want you to see the video. The things they did to him… You don’t need to see that.”
“You’re not doing this alone, Hol. Not only that, I need to do this for Lio. I need to be able to help him. You’re not doing any of us any favors by trying to keep it from me, Tesoro. I know you’re just trying to protect me, but you can’t, not from this.”
He takes a shuddering breath. “Fine. You can ask Leandro about it. Only he, I, Doc, and Soren have seen it, and I’d like to keep it that way. Lio is owed some privacy, especially since everyone is going to want to make sure he’s okay once he’s home. You saw how well it went when what Allesandro did to him got out.”
I grimace. “Yeah… Don’t worry. Anyone who makes an issue over the video will have to deal with me.”
He glances at Benjamin. “I’ll stay with him.”
