9. Benjamin
M y muscles are deliciously sore after Ignacio stamped his mark on me, but I manage to walk into the office without a problem. I’m not surprised that Lio is already waiting for us, even though we’re earlier than anyone else. I immediately sit in the Second’s chair, unsurprised that Ignacio sits next to me.
“Have fun?” Lio smirks at me, even though the amusement doesn’t reach his eyes.
My heart hurts for him, but I know all I can do is be there for him. Because we will find his love. “Mmm, we did. But we’re ready.”
“I didn’t expect anything less.” Lio runs his fingers along the desk, taking a deep breath. “I’m not sure how to deal with Roman.”
“What do you mean? You’ve talked to him a million times before. Unfortunately.” I cringe, having never hidden my disdain for how close those two are now. It’s not that I don’t want to share my best friend, it’s just that I don’t want to share him with Roman—or anyone that might be too compatible with him. After all, I’ve trained him to be the best friend ever.
Rolling his eyes, Lio smirks at me, and this time there is true amusement on his face. “You know that as much as I enjoy Roman, he’d never replace you.”
Looking down at my nails—which need a manicure—I mumble, “Of course. After all, friendship rules won’t allow it.”
“I hate to interrupt your…love fest here, but can you clarify?” Ignacio inserts himself into our conversation, earning a glare from us both. He immediately dips his head toward Lio, suddenly remembering that Lio is the Head of the Family right now.
“It was different before. Roman and I weren’t Heads of the Family. We were just us . Now there’s all these expectations. Am I supposed to be suspicious of him? Of their Family? What’s the protocol? Can I still treat him as a friend?” Words tumble from Lio, and my heart goes out to him, because yeah, this is a fucking shitty situation.
“And this is why I should have been given the position,” a new voice cuts in, icy coldness dripping off each word.
I turn in my seat and watch Luca enter. Since Ignacio left the door open, the fucker must have heard Lio. I grip the arms of the chair I’m sitting in, so I don’t do something rash—for now. Antonio files in afterwards, giving a discreet nod to Lio. He must have been able to confirm that Luca did actually fly in just now, and isn’t behind this attack—or at least not overtly.
“Luca. I’m so pleased to see you,” Lio sneers, reminding everyone there’s no love lost between those two. “And you weren’t given the position for a damn good reason. You betrayed Master before. I haven’t. If you want to be helpful, then you can be here. If you want to start shit, I’m sure any of the Boys would gladly escort you to the airport. Whether you’d be in one piece afterward or not, I wouldn’t give a fuck.”
Luca presses his lips together and crosses his arms as he tries to stare down Lio. He looks like a toddler who hasn’t had a nap yet. “You need me. After all, I’m not the one who allowed Il Padrone to be kidnapped. That’s on you, as a Second.”
“Whoa! Back the fuck up, Luca,” I snarl, unwilling to let him attack our Boss. “Do you want me to list your sins from when you were in charge? Lio was kidnapped under your charge. Let’s not cast stones, because we’ll be here all night while I go over your fuck ups.”
Antonio laughs, trying to cover it with a cough. I thrust out my chin, waiting for Luca’s response. If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll back down. Sadly, I’ve never known him to be smart.
Grumbling, Luca actually does shut up, even if he’s still glaring at Lio. I want to say something, but it’s not worth it. I don’t need to fight all of Lio’s battles. He wouldn’t appreciate it if I did, and when Lio ignores Luca, it confirms I made the right choice.
“Message Marcus. See when he’ll be here.”
“No need, Boss. I’m here,” Marcus states as he enters the office. Keegan isn’t with him, but I suspect he stayed back with their son. He gives a small nod to Luca, but that’s the warmest greeting he gets. I’d feel bad, but…no.
“Good,” Lio says as he keeps his attention on Marcus. “I need your expertise.”
Marcus nods encouragingly. There’s a reason Il Padrone nicknamed him War. Allesandro taught him strategy so well that I don’t think he can even turn it off.
“When we go into Amato territory tonight…how do I treat Roman?”
“Ah, because you’re used to hanging out as friends?” Marcus clarifies as he comes closer, stopping just behind my chair. It forces Luca back further, since he originally tried to take that position.
“Yes. I know things have changed now that we’re both Heads of the Family. But does that change our relationship or how we interact?”
Frowning, Marcus doesn’t answer right away, his eyes are unfocused as he seemingly starts thinking through the issue. Finally, he clears his throat and gives his attention to Lio.
“I would take my cues from him. But yes, things have changed. You’ll want to treat him with careful respect. Remember, you’re dealing with another Family, not your friend. However, if he chooses to react as a friend, then you can continue that way. It may start one way and transition. I’m not sure. This isn’t a situation I’ve seen before. We typically don’t…mix. Even for Families that are blood related. It’s just not done.”
“Alright.” Lio takes a bracing breath before rising. “Let’s head out. Benjamin, Marcus, Ignacio, and Luca, you’re with me. Antonio—please keep watch on everything. We’ll be back. Hopefully, with answers.”
“Of course, Boss,” Antonio says, before he stops Lio on the way out to the limo. It’s hard to hear, but I believe Antonio wishes Lio luck. I really hope we don’t need it…