Hovering behind him are Nario and Nicolo, my beautiful Boys. I sigh in relief. No words need to be spoken between the three of us, they never have been. Ever since Allesandro gave me permission to train them, it’s like we just…clicked. And fuck.Allesandro. That’s another thing on my fucking to-do list. But getting cleaned up first would be fucking lovely.
As if he knows what I’m thinking, Jude tugs me into our bathroom. Thank fuck the O’Connels went down the lavish route, as the room is large enough to spread out, and I have a moment to breathe.
My Sir goes through the motions silently, turning on the water and then stripping me. The large shower has just enough space for it to be cozy with all four of us in it, without us feeling too trapped.
Between all three of them, there isn’t an inch of my body that isn’t touched and examined. It would make me feel self-conscious, but fuck…there’s something about Jude that’s…comforting. And it draws Nario and Nicolo in just as much. I’m not sure he realizes what we would do for him, or how much we love him. There is nothing he couldn’t ask of me that I wouldn’t do—yeah, I may be a brat, but fuck, if there’s something he truly wanted, I’d make it happen.
After washing me as thoroughly as they can, without getting water anywhere near my head, or turning me on too much, I’m dried off and bundled into one of the few lounging around outfits I own. They’re still stylish, but certainly not up to my normal standards. Still, I can’t find it in me to fucking care. I’m warm, and cuddled up in bed with Jude, Nario, and Nicolo. Now, if I could just stop myself from breaking out in tears…
There’s a knock at the door, and all it takes is Jude putting a hand on Nario’s leg for him to slide out of the bed and pad toward the door. Opening it, he doesn’t even get out a greeting before a little boy is running inside. I light up at the sight of my nephew, even as he grunts when he’s unable to get onto the bed on his own. Jude reaches over and scoops him up, depositing him in my lap. I stare at my Sir for a moment, my heart thudding. The sight of him with a child…damn. It doesthings to me. Thoughts invade my mind, ones that I’ve never contemplated before. Thankfully, I’m distracted before I can go too far down that rabbit hole.
Cole shoves up against me, his small arms trying to wrap around me and not having much success, despite my petite size. Still, I wrap him up and drop a kiss on his forehead.
“How are you, kiddo?” I whisper into his soft hair.
He peeks up at me before trying to burrow into me even more. I frown when he doesn’t answer, and look at Marcus in confusion. His eyes are sad, the worry not even hidden on his face. I open my mouth to ask, but he shakes his head slightly. Well, whatever is going on, I trust Marcus to get to the bottom of it. For now, I bask in my nephew’s hugs. Not much is better than those, and when Marcus hands me a box, I raise an eyebrow. Rummaging through it, I have to suppress a laugh. There's so much chocolate, but also a couple of action figures and a teddy bear as well.
“He picked it out for you.” Marcus smiles weakly, before exhaling. “Fuck, I’m so glad you’re alright.”
Relief floods me. Fuck. I know we’re going to have a lot to go through to get our friendship back on track, but damn. At least, I know it’s not a lost cause. Even though I owe him a million apologies right now.
I open my mouth to say something, but Tennant strolls in, his face a perfect mask. “Antonio, did you learn anything?”
Jude glares at his lover, signing quickly. Tennant merely shakes his head, staring at me in exasperation. Clearing my throat, I cut in, “No. I didn’t learn anything while I was there. I’m sorry.”
The mask slips, but only momentarily. It’s enough to see the weariness that’s weighing on him. Having two of his lovers kidnapped…I can’t imagine. No wonder Jude isn’t willing to move away from me.
“Very well. Marcus, Jude, do you want to go with me to introduce ourselves properly to Cecily?” Marcus lights up and nods immediately, although he seems surprised to be included.
Jude hesitates as he looks at me. He runs his fingers across my cheek, lightly touching me as if to reassure himself I’m here. I give him a reassuring smile, but he seems torn. With a sigh, he turns away from me and looks at Tennant. “I don’t know…do we need to go right now?”
“Before they figure out we have her and decide to…” He doesn’t finish his sentence, but we can all figure out what he means. Dispose of Roman and Lio.
They’re under the clock, and I grasp Jude’s hand and squeeze. “Go. I’ll be here when you get back. I want our Bosses back.”
He twists his fingers in his hair, pulling at it before dropping them. He grasps my chin tightly, his words controlled, but barely. “You will not step foot outside this house. In fact, if you go anywhere outside this room, you will have a guard. Do not lose him. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Sir,” I promise. I already know my ass is on the line for leaving and getting myself kidnapped. I’m not going to risk Jude’s wrath by doing anything else stupid.
He gives me a rough kiss, asserting his dominance, and I melt into it, content in a way I could never imagine. I didn’t think he’d still want me after seeing the proof of who I am at heart. But damn if he doesn’t still show he cares.
He pulls back, and thumbs away the tear that slips out. “Are you alright?”
“Yes, Sir. Just… I love you.” I blush at my simple declaration. Those three words have never seemed so insufficient before this moment.
His eyes soften, and he leans in for another kiss. This time, more gently, and he whispers against my lips, “I love you too, Bel Fiore.”
With careful movements, making sure to grab his cane, even as he mutters curse words about it, he heads out with Tennant and Marcus, who takes Cole out of the room. I’m assuming he'll give him to Keegan, as it’s still a little early to start his education in this family.
Fuck, I hope they can get the information from her. I need Lio and Roman back. No matter where I look in this house, they’ve left their mark, and we haven’t even been here that long. Carter’s been doing an amazing job, but he’s only one man. And the Council? It needs all three of them. If we’re truly going to break the mold, it needs to have them all. And fuck. Thinking of becoming something new reminds me of the past. Somewhere I try not to go too often.
I need to find out the truth, but it means facing the one man I’m not sure I can face anymore. I definitely can’t take a weapon with me if I do see him. Not that I’d need a weapon. But fuck, it can only go one of two ways. It’ll either end with him dead, or me facing the biggest challenge ever. Forgiving the man that broke my heart…who I’m still not sure deserves to live.
For now, though, I think taking a damn nap is the best option. The rest will still be there when I get up. Maybe then I’ll be stronger. Maybe by then I’ll be ready. Fuck knows I’ll need to be. At least, if I do kill him, Lio isn’t here to see it.
Ihold Jude’s hand as we head to my torture chamber. I hate taking him away from Antonio like this. Fuck knows nothing would get me to leave Roman and Emilio once they’re back, but this needs to be done, and if he wants to get his taste of revenge for what was done to his Boy…
As for inviting Marcus? War needs an outlet. My son put him through the wringer. While I can’t—won’t—apologize for the boy, I can offer up a reprieve from the madness. And even if I won’t admit it, my fucking arm hurts like a bitch after all the excitement earlier.
