I look at the psychiatrist, meeting his mis-matched eyes. “You promise? Lio may be theLittle Monster, but I can and will kill you if you try to take what’s mine.”
Javi smiles. “I have no doubt. Come on, everyone, let’s move this party along.”
Javi leads the way, with Tennant following behind. I walk as close to Tennant as possible, every part of me itching to touch my friend, but the hall isn’t wide enough for that.
When we get into Lio’s room, Ten gently sets him down, smoothing his hand over Lio’s mussed honey colored hair. I don’t hesitate to climb onto the bed next to him, both of us fitting perfectly beside each other, as if we always were supposed to be side-by-side.
Grabbing Lio’s prone hand, I hold it gently, not wanting to disturb him. He whimpers a little, so I lean down and whisper in his ear. “It’s okay, Amico Mio. I’m here. You did good, you protected me, my Love. Now, let me watch over you.” I press a kiss to his forehead, and he moves a little closer, slotting himself against my side, like the perfect piece to my jagged puzzle.
“Come in if you want, don’t fucking hover.” Tennant’s words have me looking up, and I follow his gaze to where Allesandro lingers in the doorway.
The former Martelli Boss strides into the room, his steps sure, though not as arrogant as when he was still in charge.I doubt his time of…reflection has changed him too much, it's more likely that he doesn’t want to risk being killed by either me or Tennant.
Javi points to the chair by Lio’s bed and Allesandro sits, his features softening a little now that he’s seated. I imagine hauling himself across the medical wing to the therapist’s office, bringing Lio back from the edge, and then making his way down the halls would have worn him out, since he’s still recovering.
I wish I could say I don’t care…but the boy at my side does. I will never like Allesandro. Hell, I don’t think I ever did. I respected him, sure. At the time, he was a good Boss, but after the kidnapping? Even before he and Cristian had their…psychotic break, they were different, lacking in what made them good Bosses.
On one hand…I understand. I am not okay after what happened to Lio and me, but that mostly has to do with my friend, and how…broken he became, thanks to that fucking Senator. But on the other hand, it makes me want to cling tighter to my life—this life we’re building together.
I could never do to Lio what Allesandro and Cristian did to him and Carter. Ever. So…I might feel bad for him because he almost died, and I’ll deal with him because my Anima Gemella loves him, but that’s it. As far as I’m concerned, the former Martelli Boss is nothing.
There’s a brisk knock on the door, and I look up to see Jude striding in. There’s a hitch to his step, and I narrow my eyes at his lack of cane.
“If you don't need anything else…” Javi says, “I'll see myself out. Neither of you are hurt, right, Roman?”
I shake my head. “No…only…only that fucker.”
Javi nods. “I'll go update Dr. Ranlen, and call Doc, if she hasn't already—let’s hope his Daddy doesn't try to kill me.”
With that, he leaves, almost running into Hollis in his haste.
Hol makes sure to close the door behind Javi, then he strides across the room, his steps careful and confident, the hard glint in his dark brown eyes making me shrink a little closer to Lio. I am very aware of what that look means.
“I should go back to my room,” Allesandro says, breaking the tension between me and my lovers.
“No,” I tell him. “You're worried about Lio, you can stay. I don't mind. I… Thank you for helping him.”
Something soft passes over his expression. “I'll do anything for Emilio. You never have to thank me for doing what I can.”
I nod. “Yeah, well, thank you anyway. You can stay… I don't mind.”
“Having someone else here isn't going to save you, Giocattolo,” Tennant says in a hard voice. “If you want Allesandro to have a front row seat, that's up to you. Either way, you will be explaining yourself.”
I give him my best innocent expression. “I'm the one who was traumatized by the fucking therapist, why do I have to explain anything?”
Tennant stares at me, his eyes glacial. “Where'd the knife come from, Roman?”
“It was a gift.”
“Neither of you has left the medical wing since coming home, and none of us would have given him a knife. Or you. Hell, we haven't even fuckingseenyou, Roman.”
I wince at Hollis’s tone, knowing I've been unfair to them. It's just…been hard. All I wanted—needed—was Lio, and we've been finding our footing, trying to get ourselves back to level.
“I…it…it was a gift, okay? He wasn't going to use it. He promised me! But Lio without a weapon isn't Lio. You want us both to feel better? This is how.”
“I didn't allow him to carry a knife in the house,” Allesandro interjects. “He was—is—too impulsive at times.”
I glare at him. “He is a Council member, whatever rules you had when you were in charge no longer apply. I am allowing you to be here out of courtesy for my friend, do not mistake my kindness for weakness. I do not need, nor want, your two cents.”
