I swallow, nodding my understanding. “I’m not submissive. I don’t understand the nuances and differences that Lio does when it comes to the three of you, but I do get that you all bring out different parts of us both. So…I’ll try, too. For him. Sandro was…nice, in a weird way, yesterday. So…I should return the favor.”
“I’m sure Lio would appreciate it. Though he doesn’t need your approval, I know it’ll make it easier on him if he had it. Don’t be a Benjamin.”
I scowl. “Never. Fuck him. I’m surprised you let him live after all the shit he’s pulled.”
Hollis sighs. “It’s…complicated. I’m hoping to talk to him soon, to see if I can get him to break further than Tennant already has, so he can return to his normal self. If he can’t…we’ll need to be there for Ten.”
I wince. “Yeah… poor Ten. Benjamin better figure out what he has, otherwise I vote we kill him slowly, so he feels every ounce of pain Tennant will.”
Hollis laughs. “Such a bloodthirsty Toy.”
“Yep!” I smile, but then it fades a little. “If…if Lio can forgive his monster, I should talk to my own, shouldn’t I?”
“Only you can decide that.”
I look down, plucking at my skirt. “He apologized to Ignacio, as he said he would. I…I don’t want him to be in limbo anymore. I don’t want him to resent me for treating him like trash, but I don’t know if I can forgive him for breaking my dad’s heart.”
“What about your own?” he asks. “Carter is an adult, he can fight his own battles. He’s made peace with Cristian, for his sake and yours. It’s time for you to either do the same, or let him go. It’s not healthy for either of you, Roman. I am not telling you to forgive him, or to let him back in, but put him out of his misery.”
I nod. “Do you think he really does love Sandro?”
Hollis takes a deep breath. “Yes. I think the two of them have a lot to work out, but I believe there’s genuine love there, it just got buried under their trauma. Where you and Lio used your shared experience to bring you closer together, they allowed their demons to tear them—and everyone around them—apart. That’s something they’ll have to work on, together andindividually, but that’s a problem for the empire of therapists Javi is building.”
I wrinkle my nose. “More therapists?”
“Yes. A few who will probably be here soon, once Tennant and…probably Ignacio, give the okay on Javi’s plan to kidnap them.”
I raise my eyebrows in surprise, but don’t comment. I’ve been kept up to speed on Jude and Hollis’s decisions while Lio and I have taken more time to heal. I…have no idea how helpful a therapist who’s been kidnapped will be, but I trust the medical team. Well, I trust Doc and his team. Javi…is a topic I’d rather avoid for as long as possible.
“Why isn't it Ten and Marcus coming up with the extraction plan? Or even the three of them?”
Hollis hesitates before letting out a breath. “Because, last night, Marcus surrendered himself to Doc and Javi, and allowed them to admit him for a suicide hold.”
I gasp. “Oh no…what happened?”
“We, meaning Tennant, Leandro, and I, executed a plan to get Cole back from the Senator. Leandro’s contact came through, and we were able to get him out without any bloodshed or fighting. It was the quickest, easiest way. I’m sorry for not running it by you, or any of the Council, but we had to move quickly and quietly.”
“I should be mad,” I tell him. “But I can’t be, not for Cole. His safety is the most important. Why would that drive Marcus to admitting himself, though?”
“I don’t have all the details, and Javi would probably try to kill me if he knew I was discussing this with you—since it’s technically Marcus’s private business—but he’s been struggling since Cole went missing.”
I nod in agreement. The three of them have stayed locked in their suite, because both Marcus and Carter were having a hardtime. Not that I blame them. I might not be a father, but learning of Cole’s kidnapping sentmeinto a panic. If it wasn’t for Lio being here to hold me steady, I would have fallen apart.
“Paired with his grief over Amy still…I couldn’t imagine being in his shoes.”
“Shit, yeah, that’ll do it. Poor Marcus. Is there anything we can do for him?”
Hollis shrugs. “I’m sure Javi will let it be known if there is. Right now, they’re keeping him on suicide watch, and have limited his visitors while they try to get him stable.”
“Fuck,” I breathe out. “We really do need that empire, don’t we?”
Hollis sighs. “Probably. Not looking forward to therapy myself, but…I promised Doc and Ten.”
“I want you to be okay, Hol.”
“Same to you, Amore. Will you consider going back? Lio can, of course, be with you again—no knives this time—but it’ll be different.”
My insides churn as I remember the shame at having my insecurities exposed the way they were, and the need to be better for the people who believe in me. “I’ll…think about it. I don’t trust it…but, do you really think it’ll help?”
