Tennant nods. “I suspected as much. Don’t worry, I’ll make it very clear he’s to follow the good doctor’s orders. I think this latest breakdown finally got through to him, though.”
I glance at Ignacio, who’s stone-faced and acting as if talking about his ex-fiancé doesn’t hurt. My heart aches for him, knowing how much damage Benjamin did to him that I’m now having to undo, but hopefully, having me, Tennant, and Jayden in his corner will show him he’s not what Benjamin reduced him down to.
It must be true love between Lio and me, because that’s the only thing stopping me from finishing the job Tennant started with Benjamin.
“Speaking of therapy,” I say carefully. “Javi said you and…Cristian need to see someone together. He wouldn’t elaborate on why, but I’m assuming it has to do with fixing your friendship.” The damn psychiatrist is too fucking observant. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if he wasn’t so tight-lipped and moral about confidentiality. Who knew a serial killer had ethical lines?
“Cristian needs therapy, there’s no one on earth who can refute that. But Javi can fuck a cactus if he thinks I’m going to do therapywithCris,” Ten says flatly.
Lio unhooks his arm from mine as he says, “Therapy…isn’t completely awful. I’m sure whoever Javi puts you with will be helpful. I know you and Cristian were close. Carter thought it would be a good idea, and well…I’m not saying you have to forgive him, but maybe it’s time to stop feeding into the negativity? We’re trying to be better than before, but we can’t do that if we don’t grow from what happened.”
Lio might call Tennant the feels whisperer—which is weird as fuck—but it works for him, because I don’t think anyone else would be able to pull such inspiring and impactful words from my Anima Gemella.
God, I am so in love with him.
“We don’t need therapy in order for us to talk things out. Or more realistically, for me to beat the shit out of him.”
I sigh. “Think about it, please? Lio made a good point about me…giving him a chance. We need to utilize him, since he’s here. I don’t know if I can forgive him, but he did apologize to Ignacio and mean it, so that’s a start.”
Tennant sighs, bends down and picks up Echo. He comes over and presses a firm kiss to my mouth. “For you, I’ll give it a go.”
“Thank you. I want you to supervise him. If he wants to make himself useful, you’re in charge.”
Ten lips spread into that fear-inducing smile of his. “Now that’s a deal, Little Prince.” He deposits the kitten into my arms.
“There’s one more thing,” I say cautiously, unsure how Tennant is going to take this news. “We caught Jenna’s murderers, and Javi has plans to call a meeting with Sandro regarding who gets to take them out. Dad said you wanted to be kept in the loop on anything that involves Sandro, so…”
Tennant’s eyes darken slightly, the blue seeming to grow colder at the mention of Jenna’s death. “So this will be a test…Yes, I can see why Javi will need to be involved. Don’t worry, Allesandro is safe with me.”
I nod slowly, still confused as fuck over the whole situation between them, but…there are some things I’ve learned not to question or think too hard about. Otherwise, it’ll just give me a headache.
Lio hops into his Daddy’s arms, kitten and all, so I make my way over to Ignacio with Echo.
Jayden mutters something about people interrupting his sessions, but goes to busy himself at the other end of the gym while I step into Ignacio’s space.
“I know I already said thank you, but…I really do love the kitties. They’re perfect.”
“Like you.”
I flush and look away from him for a moment, before asking, “What do you think about the whole Sandro taking care of Jenna’s murderers thing?”
Ignacio shrugs a little. “I am not on the Council. It is your decision, one I do not envy. As for him getting a chance to take them out… He led us for so long, has an arsenal of tricks up his sleeve, and they were close, so if anyone deserves retribution, it's him. Yes, he fucked up and got lost for a while, but…I can see he’s trying. If he can find a way back to himself, and learn that he still has the means to do his part, who am I to disagree with the Council?”
I study him for a long moment, before carefully asking, “Do you miss him? Who he used to be?”
Ignacio lets out a long breath. “Yes and no. I miss the way we were. The family we had…but now I know it was nothing more than lies. He built what he thought he had to because of his past and his own fucked-up family. But…he did give us all a place to belong, and I will always be grateful for that. My Brothers…they’re the only family I have.”
“You have me now, and the insanity that is my family.”
He smiles softly. “Yeah, I do. And I love the family we’re all making together. Not Martelli. Not Amato. Just…us.”
I lean in and kiss him softly. “Me too. I love you.”
“I love you more, Little One.”
Echo meows between us and we laugh. I press a kiss to her head. “I love you too, little miss.”
“Maybe you can help me come up with a name for my own troublemaker? I’m not nearly as good at it as you are. Left to my own devices, she’d just be named Kitty or something.”
