“Speak for yourself on the kink thing,” Hollis replies pointedly, raising a brow. “I can maybe understand that, to a point, but what about the fucking couples therapist?”
“Cristian and Allesandro, Lio and Allesandro—hell, just assume anyone Allesandro decides to be with from here on out is getting tossed into therapy with him. Tennant and Benjamin could benefit as well, seeing as how the fucking dumbass keeps trying to die.”
Hollis’s expression darkens at the mention of Benjamin. I give it fifty-fifty odds the dumbass is still alive by the time we get all of this settled and the therapists are ready to work.
“Tennant won’t agree to more therapy, not with Javi working on getting him released from his court order,” Jude says.
“He will if it’ll help his Topolino make better choices,” I argue. “After all, he’s all for Hollis, Lio, and Roman getting help.”
Hollis shakes his head. “Your funeral if you want to die, because guess who gets to tell Tennant he and his jealous Little Mouse need couples counseling?”
I cringe.Oh, Daddy is going to be so pissed if I end up getting stabbed.
“So, how do we get them on board?” Hollis asks, then turns back to his computer for a moment.
When he looks back to me, I say, “I’m going to have Javi convince Anderson…maybe have Soren help, as Anderson is…a sensitive touch. He cares, and well, I don’t want to use you or Lio to make our point, but he’ll want to help. A little monetary persuasion, appeal to why he became a therapist in the first place, and promise that he’ll never want for anything. If I know Javi, he’ll want to go straight for Ian, and that could backfire majorly.”
“I don’t appreciate being cannon fodder.” Hollis narrows his eyes.
I wince.And this is why he better not ever find out how I got Javi on board.“You’re not, but Anderson…he’s seen a lot of people come out of a lot of different situations. He does his best to make sure everyone he sees gets what they need—from him or others. It’s not manipulation when you’re reminding them why they do their job in the first place.”
Neither of them looks like they believe me, but meh, it’s the truth. There’s a reason all of these men got into their line of work, and coming from Javi? They’ll expect some fuckery. “Getting him on board will help persuade Ian.”
“Not his husband?” Jude asks.
“Reid and Ian aren’t just business partners—the three of them are in a relationship. Reid trusts Ian’s opinion, so get the two of them, and he’ll follow along.”
“Okay,” Jude says. “I’m in charge, since Keegan and Carter are with Marcus…he’s not taking Cole being missing well—which is understandable, after everything he’s already been through—and Roman is awake, but…out of commission with Lio down.”
Jude takes a breath and sits up straighter. A mask falls over his face, blocking out whatever he might be feeling now.
“I am agreeing to therapy for Roman, because today showed just how badly he needs it. Hopefully, with the right person, Lio being unavailable won’t rock him so hard in the future. I don’tbegrudge him for his need, and I am happy Roman has someone he can lean on, but…seeing him like this makes me want to kill someone.”
“A sentiment we all share,” Hollis tells him, reaching over and caressing the younger man’s cheek briefly.
“Good. I’ll let Javi know he’s good to move forward there. The issue is now getting Connor on board. As I said, he won’t be persuaded by money or even…interesting cases. He…isn’t as unique as Javi, but he operates under his own moral code and values; I admire him for it.”
“What will get him to work with us?” Hollis asks.
I bite my cheek, looking between them, not wanting to say it, but… I raise my hands and do it anyway. “Kidnapping.”
“Fuck, no!” Jude says. “No,” he repeats, his fingers almost making an audible sound when he closes them together so hard. “We’re supposed to be moving away from that with the Council, not falling back on Martelli traits!”
“I know, I know,” I try to soothe. “But…Javi wants him for Roman, and I agree, he is our best shot at getting the little shit to open up. Connor…might pitch a fit at first, but once he meets Roman, once he understands why we’re here, that we’re different, he’ll happily agree.”I hope, or maybe he’ll kill us and none of it will matter.
I give Jude a few moments to ponder the issue, knowing as the only Voice available, this decision is on him. Unless he wants to go bother either his traumatized lover, or the traumatized fathers.
Hollis switches to LIS—which I am behind on, as I started learning Italian Sign around the time the trips began teaching me Russian Sign. And unlike Cristian, I am not a polyglot who soaks up languages. Being so out of practice with it, because lessons got put on hold due to everything that’s happened, means I can’t follow what Hollis is telling Jude at the speed he’ssigning. Whatever he says has Jude running a hand through his curls.
“I’m throwing you under the bus with the Council,” Jude finally says.
“Fine.”And I’m throwing Javi…sharing is caring, after all.
“Is that all?” Jude asks.
I nod. “Yes, for now.”
“Good. I…need to figure out how to frame a kidnapping of a reputable therapist to the rest of the Council, and Hollis needs to finish running the background checks on the two new ones you and Javi want to add. If you two need anything else, don’t hesitate to reach out.”
