“Alright, either way, he’s out due to mental health issues, and it’ll take significant clearance to allow him back in, at least in my opinion. We’ll also need to discuss bringing in a physical therapist for him, if he doesn’t make progress with Dominic. Jayden has made it very clear that he will not work with Benjamin.”
“Fuck,” I curse, unsure what the hell to do. Given Roman’s mulish expression, the idea of Benjamin being allowed back in is as likely as him giving up nail polish. Carter, it seems, is backing his son’s opinion. I want to argue, but…I really can’t. For now, I set it aside. Until Benjamin is cleared, it’s not even up for discussion.
“And speaking of being part of this Family… We have to address Cristian and Allesandro.” Carter’s words cast a chill around the room.
“Why?” Roman spits out, dropping his arm that was around my shoulders. He immediately crosses his arms instead, his entire posture screaming defensive.
“Figlio Mio,” Carter says with a sigh. “Cristian is still your father. He does love you.”
Roman tilts his head up, his lips pursing as fury flashes in those stormy green eyes of his. I’d find it hot if I wasn’t suddenly so fucking sad over it all. I lay a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to give me his attention.
“Love, you can’t do this. You can’t keep drinking poison to spite your father. He acted like an asshole, but he also paid a steep price.” I stare at him, memorizing every line on his face created by anger, but underneath lurks such a wealth of pain that it takes my breath away.
I gently brush his hair back with my other hand, needing the connection between us more than ever. “Please, don’t keepswallowing hate just to keep him at arm’s length. We know more than most that there’s no guarantee in this life. The good and the bad. I’m not saying you have to embrace him with open arms, but…isn’t it time to start moving forward?”
“Kid has a point,” Javi mumbles around the sucker, although he doesn’t bother to look at any of us, his attention fixed on the kitten now curled up in his arms.
Roman pouts, but eventually, he grudgingly nods. “Fine. I’d be alright if he came back on a very limited basis to start with. But he needs to show he’s making a change. He’s also to remain under Javi’s care. And I want Ten to oversee him.”
Carter winces, and I almost want to agree that it may be the worst idea ever, but I let it go. There’s no way I want to get involved in that. It’s enough that I got Roman to agree to work on letting his father back in. I need to step aside at this point and just support him.
“If Ten is going to oversee him, then I expect both of them to see a therapist together to work out any lingering issues.” Javi doesn’t elaborate, and considering his feelings on confidentiality, I don’t bother to pry.
“That’s fair,” Carter responds warily. I know we’re all thinking that convincing Tennant of that is not going to be fun, but fuck, that can be a Javi problem.
“We have news that may impact the question of Allesandro,” Keegan interjects smoothly. “We’ve caught Jenna’s murderers.”
I lean forward, excited at the possibilities. I can’t wait to kill them. My fingers itch for a knife I’m not allowed to carry, but fuck, retribution needs to happen.
“That is excellent news,” I respond happily, my mind already going over all the possibilities of how to make the fuckers pay.
Keegan gives me a hard stare that has me sitting back in confusion. With a frown, he states, “I think Allesandro deserves to get justice on this, since they were close.”
Wrinkling my nose, I can’t disagree. If anyone has a claim, it would be him, but fuck, I want to kill someone. It’s been way too long.
“You really want to let him back into the family?” Roman demands, frustration rolling off him.
Allesandro has gained respect from Roman, but…it’s limited. He’s an avenging angel, and I love the fact he wants to protect me—even if it’s from the wrong things.
Keegan pinches the bridge of his nose before dropping his hand and studying Roman carefully. “Look, I know Allesandro…or Sandro…relatively well. I’m the closest to that side that can at least speak with some amount of impartiality, no offense meant.”
His eyes seek mine and I give him a sad smile. “I understand. Continue, please.”
“Sandro needs this. And if we’re talking trust? I trust Allesandro. As long as he’s continuing his mental health care. I know he has a long way to go. And it may not make sense that I would trust him, considering what happened, but…he’s never tried to justify his actions. He’s accepted everything that's been thrown at him. As a Council, you want to be different? Prove it by moving forward. Prove it by giving them the grace they didn’t give you.”
It’s like the air is sucked out of the room, and we’re all left on the precipice of greatness or failure. Giving those two more freedom could be suicidal, or it could strengthen us. There’s really no way to tell until we try. But as I search myself, as I look deep in my mind and heart, I know there's only one possible answer.
“If he wants to come back, we can start slow. Have him prove himself. He may not even want to, as he seems very content to bake instead.”
Javi interrupts us. “This is the other reason I’m here, to give you my honest opinion on Sandro, since I’ve spent more time with him lately than most of you. I’ve also observed him since my arrival. I believe this could be healing for him. He needs to confront his past—including his past as Il Padrone. But he won’t do it without support.”
“That brings me to my next point. Tennant has asked that all decisions about Sandro include him,” Carter adds. “It appears they have developed a…well, fuck if I know what it is.”
Javi laughs and retorts, “He’s basically being Sandro’s Daddy.”
My heart melts as I smile, warmth touching me again. This subject has been so painful, but I never should have doubted that my Daddy was already taking care of things. Smugly, I nod. “Feels whisperer. That’s so Daddy.”
Roman makes a strangled noise in the back of his throat and Carter’s jaw drops, but I merely arch an eyebrow. I know I’m right. If anyone understands feelings and can help parse them out, it’s Daddy.
