“As if Ten isn’t happy to get his hands on Oliver already, now that he’s even more under his purview.”
Carter shrugs. “He’s alive, that’s more than he or Lachlan deserve.”
I’m tempted to shoot him. Roman must guess what I'm thinking because he stands and moves in front of me.
“Don’t you fucking dare,” he hisses.
I stare at him, forcing a mask of indifference over my face. “I might live under your rules, but you do not control me.”
“You don’t get a pass. You’re paying for Antonio’s plastic surgery because it’s your fault he ended up traumatized and scarred further, and you are paying for your precious bodycams. The final nail in the coffin is that you are not allowed to have Oliver as your guard. This is indefinite, and it is final. If youdon’t want to live under this…challenge us. Take your place as Julian’s heir; I dare you.”
Well, well, well, Roman’s finally grown some balls. All it took was falling in love with Emilio and almost dying to achieve it. I’d be impressed, if his actions didn’t contribute to fucking with my life.
“Fine. I’ll accept your verdict. But your end of the bargain is ironclad.”
“We’ll make it clear toeveryone,” Lio replies. The way he stresses the word “everyone” tells me it was for Carter’s benefit.
Whatever, they can clean that mess up themselves. I have better things to do.
“If that’s all, I have work.”
“Dismissed.” Roman steps back.
I turn my chair and open the office door, glad it’s a lever rather than a knob, so I don’t have to ask one of them to assist me.
Boston follows in my wake, though Midas stays with Lio. I almost feel petty enough to take the boxer as well, but…I’m a lot of things, cruel isn’t one of them. I trust the dog more than I do anyone else to watch over my investment.
Rather than going to Hollis’s and my office, I leave that wing of the house entirely, heading to my bedroom.
Pulling out my phone, I turn it on speaker as I transfer from my chair to the bed.
The call barely rings before it’s picked up. “Sir?”
“My bedroom.Now.” I hang up, so he knows I’m not playing games.
Palming my knife, I lean against my headboard. Oliver better hope he doesn’t disappoint me today… Because if he’s lucky, a few days off work will be all he needs to take, and if not? Well…the Council will knowexactlyhow far I’m willing to go to prevent myself from being controlled.
“You wanted to see me?” Tennant barges into my office. I glance up from the paperwork I’m going over with a sigh. I need to start locking that fucking door. “Well, I don’t have all day.”
I bite back my caustic reply because he seems…stressed. Never a good thing for a psychopath. Reaching over, I grab a folder and hand it to him. He glares at me suspiciously before opening it. There’s a flicker of emotion on his face, one that I desperately want to dig into, but I resist. Barely.
“You are no longer under any obligations to the court. No therapy, no oversight, nothing. You are free to continue on as you are.” I sit back, folding my hands on the desk. Anger still surges through me at what he’s dealt with. Thank fuck I had Ely.
“How?” One word. Barely audible. But it covers everything.
“Unfortunately, it was not as much fun as I’d hoped. Between my reputation and Sinclair’s skill, and a couple of…strongly suggested discussions with a judge, you were released.”
He stares at me, the intensity so strong that I fight shivers against it. Holy hell. The man is fucking dynamic. No wonder his lovers are so willing to give everything for him. Although…I still much prefer Doc.
“Thank you,” he says softly. It isn’t effusive, but it still makes me uncomfortable. I wave it off.
“Nothing to thank me over. I was righting a wrong. I abhor bullies. However…I will say that although you are no longer obligated to have therapy, it can be beneficial. Or, at least, find something for stress management.” I stand up, stretching as I grab my keys out of one of the few unlocked drawers I have. “Which is exactly where I’m headed.”
Tennant crosses his arms, glaring at me. “The therapists aren’t the only ones that have been assigned a bodyguard. We can’t afford for you to be taken out.”
Snorting, I wave him off. “I’m perfectly alright taking care of myself. I highly doubt your bodyguards would accept my plans for stress management.”
His jaw clenches, but he knows he can’t say shit at that. For some reason, people get all weird about serial killing. It’s somewhat ridiculous, in my opinion, especially given this is a criminal organization. However, it’s best that they’re not in my way. Hunting takes talent.
