“What are our other options?” Keegan asks.
Hollis shows him the maps and aerial view of the area. “We don’t have many, at least, not good ones that won’t end with toomany of us dead. If we want to mitigate the risks to our people…this might be the only way. Ten volunteered to set one of the blasts, but we’d need one, ideally two, more to do the others.
“We can have our people gather here and here.” He points to two smaller outposts further out. “It’ll protect them from the blast radius, while also being close enough to move in as soon as possible. The scramble should allow our people to slip in and get up close and personal with the enemy, to take them out before anyone knows it’s happening.”
“Marcus?” Keegan asks.
“It’s solid enough that it might be the only option we have. The other ones…there’s too much risk involved.”
“Okay. Then let’s get to work on making sure we’re as safe as possible, and come up with a backup plan.” Keegan leads Marcus back over to the couch opposite Hollis and me.
I’m pissed that I can’t join my Family on the ground for this. It goes against my very nature to sit back and let others put themselves in danger without me, but if this means I may get my Little One back…then I’ll support them however I can, to make sure they’re able to deliver him to me in one piece.
As soon as I get my arms around Roman again, I’m not letting him go. We settle in to fine-tune our plan, victory and vengeance so close I can almost taste it.
The anger in my gut churns, chasing the shattered feeling away. My friend is no longer trying to get me to talk… Instead, he’s curled into a tight ball and is so fucking silent. Roman Amato doesnotdo silent. He is a whirlwind of personality, of chaotic emotions, and he often gives me whiplash with the way he can run from one end of the gamut to the other over feelings. Hell, he’s the perfect counterpoint to Leandro on that, much like Benjamin is to me. Although, at least Benjamin provides friendship rules in the hopes of teaching me appropriate social skills.
“Roman…I need you to check in with me,” I say softly, using his name and hoping to snap him out of the prison his mind must be keeping him in. Fuck knows I understand how absolutely painful those demons are, the way they imprison the soul and torture the heart. All I get is a torn whimper from histhroat, and it. Fucking. Kills. Me. Louder, I snap, “Rome. Come back to me!”
He startles, turning his head to look at me, and my breath catches. His face is ravaged by tears, his eyes red from the amount of silent crying he’s done. Fuck. I am not equipped to deal with feels, but for my friend? My stabby soulmate? I’ll do anything.
I shakily hold out my hand, waiting until he grasps it. It’s the closest we can get, and I curse these fucking chains. I’ll use them on Cecily and make her pay for every bit of torture she’s put my friend through, and then I’ll sit back and watch Roman gut her. It’ll be beautiful…
“What are you smiling about?” Roman croaks out.
“The thought of you gutting Cecily.” I shrug, unbothered by the thirst for blood that runs through my veins. I know Roman will understand, even if others wouldn’t, and his snort doesn’t let me down.
“I will gladly do so once we’re out of here.” His words are a vow, and a balm on my own heart. Because having been kidnapped three times? I can safely say, I’m over this shit.
Groaning, I shake my head. “Tennant is never going to let us go anywhere.”
“Ah, yeah. Your Daddy for sure isn’t. I may have some leeway.” Roman attempts to tease me, but it falls flat.
I raise an eyebrow and retort, “Yeah…he may be my Daddy, but I’m sure he’d put you over his knee, too.”
“I’m more concerned that Hollis is going to kill us.”
I cringe at the thought of what my Owner must be going through. I mutter, “Yeah…valid point. Or your bestie. Leandro is not going to be happy over this.”
“Aw fuck. He’s probably on the warpath already.” Roman’s hand squeezes mine tighter, and I almost shudder at the thought. Leandro on a warpath…is not like the rest of them.There would be a coldness to it that could very well destroy the world, and as much as I’m interested in seeing that, I’d prefer to see it in person, not locked up here where I can’t enjoy it—or help.
Sighing, I glance around desperately, but there’s still nothing I can do to get us out of here, and the fury inside me has nowhere to go. It’s a lava building inside with no outlet to burn. “I have to say, I may finally understand a bit what Master—I mean, Allesandro—went through.”
Roman side-eyes me, his lip curling up. “Don’t tell me you actually feel sorry for him after what he did to you.”
I press my lips into a tight line, trying to think of a way to explain this to him. “Luca gave me a different perspective to think about, and since we’ve been stuck here…well, I knew Allesandro wouldn’t handle having his freedom taken away, and coming home to chaos afterward. I’m not excusing what he did, but I kind of get it.”
Roman shakes his head violently. “Nope. Fuck that. You are far too forgiving, Amico Mio.”
I shrug as I can’t disagree. Forgiveness comes easily to me. I only have two settings, it seems…stab first or forgive. It’s part of why I love watching Roman, and the way he runs such a gamut of feels, even if it seems to be a little exhausting.
“I still love him,” I say simply. There’s not much I can add to it, and it’s not like he doesn’t already know. Maybe some people could walk away…I certainly should. But, he is the Master of my heart, my soul. Hollis is my Owner, my Angel. Tennant is…my Daddy, the man who holds me together when I shatter, who lets me be his Little Monster. Fuck, I miss them all so much.
Roman exhales loudly, but doesn’t call me on it, and this is why he’s my stabby soulmate. You always stand by those you love…even when they’re making fucked up choices. And it’s not like I’m unaware my love for Allesandro is…problematic.
“Are you doing any better?” I glance over at him, noting his breathing is at least more steady, and his face is calmer…not as destroyed.
He shoots me a weak smile. “Yeah. Ready to get the hell out of here.”
