Allesandro looks up from where he stands over Lio, giving her a soft, sad smile. “I believe you. But…what is one trait of his that never falters, ever?”
She sighs, and some of her ire fades. “He’s incredibly loyal—even to those who probably don’t deserve it.”
“Right,” I answer for Allesandro. Sweeping my arm toward the door, I say, “Shall we continue this conversation in the hall? Let Lio get some rest.”
They both hesitate, and I wonder if I’m going to have to use my scalpel after all…
“I’ll stay with him,” Soren says. “It’s my shift anyway, he’ll be fine under my care.”
Both of them walk slowly out of the room after watching Lio sleep for a moment. I turn to Soren. “I would have stabbed her…”
“I know, Baby,” he says. “But you also know you would be just as overbearing if it were me in that bed. Give her some grace, she’s only human, and Lio is her friend.” He leans in and kisses me gently. “She cares, and that’s not a bad trait to have. Let her worry, give her room to express herself alongside the work you both have to do.”
“I’ll try.” It’s all I can do. Seeing the snarky, tough Dr. Ranlen have such vivid emotions is…hard, and jarring, and maybe I need to learn to not be so uptight… But fuck, I also can’t let her compromise Lio’s care simply because she loves him.
“Go, finish talking to them. I got this.”
“I love you, Daddy.”
My words earn me another kiss and a soft smile. “Love you too, Baby.”
With the strength he gives me, I leave the room, shutting the door firmly behind me. I study Allesandro as he leans against the wall. “Shall we take this to your room?”
“I’m fine.”
I snort. “Bed. If you want to help Emilio, you’ll continue taking care of yourself.”
He sighs but allows Sarah and I to escort him back to his room, where I firmly shut the door behind us. Sarah bullies him into bed, and it’s nice to see some of my friend come back. The worry that was rolling off her in Lio’s room was…weird, and concerning.
“Hollis is a possessive bastard, but he’s not unreasonable,” I say without preamble. “If he was, he would have killed Benjamin already.”And you, but I don’t think I’m allowed to say that.
“I’m glad Lio has him,” Allesandro says slowly. “It…it’s good to know Lio has given his loyalty to someone who deserves it.”
I watch him carefully, hearing his sincerity, but remaining wary of it at the same time. “The three of you are going to need to work together in order to support Lio. Let him know he’s loved, that he’s safe, and that no one will be upset by his relationships.”
“I… It’s different from what we had before. I’m not used to sharing him. It…grates.” I can see the pain in his eyes, and hear it in his voice.
I do sympathize with him, but I have a patient to care for, and so whatever feelings Allesandro is working through need to be done in his own time, with his fucking therapist.
“Yes, well, that is something you’ll have to work out. An Owner, a Daddy, and a Master…” I muse. “Emilio is one spoiled Boy.”I’m kind of jealous.“I’ll be meeting with the therapist Dr. Ranlen and I picked out the day after tomorrow, and…I have a lead on a psychiatrist. I want them both to evaluate you, but I don’t think you’ll need a meds change, since you’re doing well.”
Allesandro nods. “I am. Thanks to you and Dr. Ranlen.”
“Good. Still, I want the professionals to give their opinion. You will start therapy, and whatever happens with Lio…you will not let it interfere with your own healing.” I stare at him as he tries to protest.
“Doc is right,” Sarah says. “You can’t be there for Lio if you're not well yourself. You helped today, and we are both grateful.” She gives me a look, as if daring me to disagree. “But hopefully the next time he wakes, it will go as you and Hollis had planned.”
We can all hope that, but…none of these fuckers do what they’re supposed to.
“I’ll leave you to rest. You had quite the adventure today.” If he pulled a stitch, or hurt himself, that is Sarah’s problem, not mine. “Don’t hesitate to call if either of you need anything.”
“Thank you, Doc,” Allesandro says.
Inclining my head in acknowledgement, I leave the two of them. Once the door is shut behind me, I let out a breath andreturn my scalpel to my sleeve. I'm glad I didn’t have to use it, but also sad about that…Fucking hell, I need a vacation.
Sadly, that’s not going to happen anytime soon, so I adjust my sleeves, and run a hand through my hair. Next order of business is tracking down a psychiatrist whowasn’ton my list for a reason… But if he wants to insert himself into these games, I’m more than happy to use the pieces laid out in front of me.
If this were any other situation, Dr. Javi Graves would have been at the top of my list, but I was trying to avoid putting him and Tennant in the same room together. Though, now…that might work to my advantage. Or get me killed. We’ll see which comes first.
