I laugh. “We need to get you to train under Murry after all this.”
Stepping back, I wave my hand, letting the trip do his thing, because he’s right; the whole point of hiring him and his brothers is because they have the skills we need.
I keep a close eye on Vonny, but he does a better, more careful, job than I could do with such a delicate and risky procedure. To think, he hasn’t actually had any on-hands experience with a surgeon, outside of Dr. Ranlen, but he’s already more competent than most fuckers. At least, poaching him from the Bratva proved to be a good move.
“Got it,” Vonny says, extracting the bullet and dropping it into the pan. “We’re going to need a consult with a specialist once he wakes.”
“Agreed. But that’s not our problem. We just have to get him stable enough to be moved.”
We finish up, giving him another heavy dose of sedatives and painkillers to make him comfortable, and to keep him out for as long as possible. Two days, max, I’m hoping, and then Leandro can deliver him back to where he belongs. While the Council voted to let him spend a few days here recovering, I highly doubt anyone in the household will be able to handle more than that.
Not that I blame them. If it wasn’t for my need to make sure everyone on my table lives, I would have been happy to see him die. Leaving a child in a nightmare situation? Not even I am that heartless.
“Okay, Donovan, you’re on first watch, once you and Kail get him cleaned up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Soren and I wash up, and then our roles change once we’re done. He goes from my medical assistant to my Daddy, turning me in his arms and holding me tightly as I try to center myself and prepare for the…less than pleasant interaction I’m going to have beyond the surgical suite doors.
“I’ll be right there, Baby,” he whispers.
“Let’s just get it over with. Then I can drink.” My muttering gets me a raised eyebrow, but other than that, Daddy doesn’t say anything. He probably realizes that I need something, even if he won’t actually let me get shitfaced.
Together, we leave the room. The Council is waiting in the hall, along with Leandro, James, and Roman’s guard. I should probably be concerned that Roman, or most likely Hollis and Ten, thought he needed his guard on him, but I’m too tired for the bullshit. Mentally, emotionally, physically, I'm just done in.
“He’ll live. We’ll monitor him for a few days, make sure he’s stable, then you can put him back where you found him.”
Leandro’s face is perfectly blank. “We’re giving him sanctuary. You already said that, Roman.”
“Keegan and Marcus are not okay with that,” Carter argues, though his voice is rough, as if it’s a conversation they’ve had a few times already. “And neither am I. I don’t care that you vouch for him, Leandro. I do not want him in the same house as my son. Either of them, for that matter.”
“He’ll be safe for as long as he’s under our roof,” Roman says. “But I agree with Carter, his stay needs to be short. I support the promise you made him. We’ll make sure he lives long enough to get into his own doctors’ hands, but that’s it. We have no formal agreement with his Organization, and until we do, we’re not obligated to do more than we currently are.”
A spark of pride rushes through me at how grown-up Roman is. Throughout everything this Family has been through over theyears, watching someone I helped bring into this world find their place in it…it’s special, and sends a pang of longing through me…one I’ve never thought about before, and now definitely isn’t the time.
“He’s alive, and will be out until tomorrow at the earliest. For his sake, I hope he stays under as long as possible. It’s…not going to be an easy road for his healing, but that’s not my problem.”
“Thank you, Doc,” Carter says. “You’re the best.”
I incline my head, too weary to take pleasure in the compliment. “You can see him in a few hours, once he’s cleaned up. Donovan will let you know when it’s okay. Any problems…ask him or Kail first. I’m done for the night, unless there’s an emergency.”
I don’t stick around, with Daddy and James following closely behind, and not even my cock is interested in having them in bed with me for anything more than cuddling. Part of me is jealous that Javi is out hunting right now. I could sure as fuck use some type of stress relief… Lucky bastard.
When we reach our room, my Daddy and best friend work in tandem to undress me, and as they usher me into the shower, I concede that I might be lucky as well. Too bad I’m too tired to enjoy it.
Istruggle to settle, and only Carter’s hand on my thigh does anything to calm me down. Waiting for three therapists to join us is excruciating. I’m in hell, not being near my son or my Tease. I want to be everywhere at once. Yet, I refuse to leave my Love’s side either. Fucking hell. At least, Roman is watching Cole, as I have my doubts about Sandro being involved as well.
When the knock on the door comes, I exhale shakily, ready to get this over with. I hate to agree with Javi, but a damn empire of therapists is likely what we need at this point. I’m still very much unimpressed with the Council’s decision to save Lachlan’s life, and I hate that my anger is twisting me up this way. I need my Tease’s cool strategic mind. The only problem? I’m sure he’d happily join me in taking care of the issue—for good.
Carter’s strong voice calls for them to enter, and I manage to keep my face blank, but only barely. I thought I was usedto unique outfits with Javi. I shouldn’t have underestimated the people he chose. As we shake hands and exchange introductions, I take a moment to size each one up.
Anderson. Boy. Married to Reid. In a relationship with Ian as well. And his outfit? Well, it may rival Javi’s, although it’s more cohesive at least, and doesn’t give me a headache. The baby-blue button-down is tucked into his slacks, with a dove-gray vest overtop. It’s sharp, but certainly more colorful than I’m used to around here. The makeup makes me think of Benjamin, and there’s a pain in my heart with that mess. I have no idea what to do with it. Hopefully, one of these specialists and Tennant can make a difference.
Reid is almost the exact opposite of Anderson. In fact, he looks like he’d fit in with the Martellis’ style. Although, perhaps I should say their former style. Seeing Sandro in an apron, when I dropped off Cole to help him and Roman with baking, fucks with my mind.
Still, Reid’s in a sharp three-piece suit, navy with pinstripes, a white pristine button-down, and a slightly lighter shade of blue tie. The only problem I foresee is, damn, the man is gorgeous. His sharp blue-green eyes are framed in stylish glasses, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he was a model.
On the far other side, if you told me Ian was a gang member, I’d believe it. The leather pants and leather jacket certainly have…uniqueness. Not to mention, the man’s presence screams menace and dominance. It’s smothering, and even Jude seems slightly on edge. That or turned on, fuck if I know with these psychopaths.
