I agree the Little Prince needs help…but I’d rather not think about the other information I was given on Connor.
“This is one of the subjects,” Javi says. “I’ll let you come to your own conclusions when you meet him, but he is…deeply traumatized by the events that have happened to him, and a previous attempt at therapy. You’d have to work hard at establishing trust, but I believe, out of everyone on my list, you’d be the best fit.”
“Amato…” Connor mutters, raising his head from the file to look at Carter.
“My son, and fellow Council member,” he replies carefully. “I’m sure you understand that I’ll do anything for him. He…has good reasons to be mistrustful, but Javi and Doc assure me you’re the best, and we—he—needs that. I’m sorry for the kidnapping, but…as a father, I’m willing to do what needs to be done in order to make sure my son is safe.”
Connor doesn’t say anything for a long moment, but he stares down at the file again, while I so helpfully turn the page for him—since his hands are zip tied still.
“I don’t like this, and I don’t appreciate my hand being forced.” He looks up at Javi. “I don’t likeyou, but…I’m willing to hear you out and meet with him. I won’t abandon my clients, at least not those that still need more time, but I’m willing to shuffle my schedule around and?—”
Doc shakes his head. “This is a full-time, on-site position. You can do sessions online, and we’ll help you with anything you need to prepare for a sabbatical, or closing down your practice, but this isn’t something you can just…do your usual with. I understand from Javi, and the research completed by my team, and the Council’s research experts—” I snort at that description of the twins. “—that you have a unique way of doing things. One that I believe can truly benefit this patient. Javi and I will go into more detail, if you accept the job, but I will say this: this patient is loved by everyone, but he doesn’t love himself, and if anyone could benefit from your brand of care, it’s him.”
There’s a tense moment of silence before Connor sighs. “I make no promises, but I’m willing to listen. For him.” He inclines his head at the file. “Not for you, or anything else. And I want a ten—no—fifteen percent increase of my usual fee.”
Jude winces, his mind probably spinning over the budget, but he doesn’t shoot it down, knowing as well as I do that Roman needs this.
“Done,” Javi says before Carter can. “Welcome to the fun.”
Connor makes a discerning noise, but doesn’t argue, which is something. Leaning back over him, I cut the zip ties from his wrists, and pull his chair back, so I can get at his ankles.
When I’m finished, I look up at him, grinning at the blank look he gives me. I wish Connor luck with my Little Prince, but maybe he’ll survive. Though this time I’ll make sure to pat down both Roman and Emilio before he meets with them. Better safe than sorry.
My office was too small for this meeting, but at least Doc was able to transform the break room into an acceptable space, as I not only need room for everyone to take notes, but visual aids too. Fucking hell do I need visual aids with these fuckers…
“Alright, let’s get down to business,” I say, after introducing everyone. Dr. Ranlen, I can tell, is itching to leave, but for now, she’s part of the team. Alongside Doc, and all four shiny new therapists, may they still be alive later today.
It was a little too optimistic for Anderson, Reid, and Ian to start immediately, but this lets us onboard all four of them together.
“Where do you want to start?” Anderson asks, his adorable energy either the result of me laying down their largest challenge yet or unknown amounts of coffee. From the grouchiness onIan’s face, I’m going to assume that Anderson found out just how seriously this place takes their coffee.
“I’ve put together some briefs on each patient for you. My preference is also listed on each patient’s folder, but I’ll leave it to your expertise to make the final decision on that.” Ely would be proud that I didn’t stumble over the wordpatient, but I still feel test subjects fits better. “I’ll give a brief overview of each patient, the dynamics of the Council and this Organization, and then it’ll be time for a break. We can, after that, meet individually to discuss options.”
“That sounds good,” Reid says, as he folds his hands, staring at me intently.
“Then let’s start with Emilio, who prefers to be called Lio. He is a Council member, former Second to Allesandro ‘Il Padrone’ Martelli. He…is a very complicated case. As you will see in your brief, I’ve broken his story into smaller segments. I do have permission to share this with you, as he agreed it was best that everyone was up to date.”
“Wait. I’m seeing three kidnappings? That can’t be right,” Ian mutters as he scans through the pages.
Sarah clears her throat and responds stiffly. “That is correct. He has undergone significant trauma, and he’s an active suicide risk, especially given his recent attempt.”
For a while, there’s silence as they read through everything, and I take a sip of my coffee. I’m waiting for the shit to hit the fan, and when Ian’s chair flies back, making a horrible squealing noise, I have to resist sighing. It’s too bad I didn’t put a bet down. I figured this would happen.
He slams the paperwork down, stalking over to me. His looming does nothing to intimidate me, as I merely blink and cock my head.
“Yes?” I ask calmly.
Ian’s hands clench into tight fists, the knuckles turning white. “You have to be kidding. I know I saw a folder for Allesandro. You expect me to work with him after what I just read? Hell, you expect me to put my Boy anywhere near him?”
I wait it out for a moment, and take another sip of my coffee, wishing it was something stronger. I can already feel the tension headache creeping in.Fuck. Raising my chin, I stare directly into his eyes and gesture for him to sit back down. Not that he listens… I mentally applaud his attempt to be intimidating, but there’s no way in hell it’ll work against me.
With a flash, I’m standing, my knife at his throat. Nobody makes a move, and frozen silence coats the room. When I’m sure I have everyone’s attention, I speak.
“Let me make this clear. If I thought he was a danger to anyone, he wouldn’t be alive. Now, I brought you in because you’re the best. I need the best to work with him, and the others. However, what I won’t allow is for anyone to judge him by normal society expectations.
“You haven’t even glanced at his folder yet. You don’t know what he’s been through. Until then, shut up, sit down, and wait. After all that, if you’re still not comfortable, we’ll discuss our options, but I. Will. Not. Have. Anyone. Judging. Sandro. Do you understand me?”
I let the monster swim to the surface, showing Ian exactly what lurks behind my different colored eyes, and I wait. I’m in no hurry, but fuck if I’ll let anyone harm one of my test subjects.
