12. Tennant
T his meeting is going just about as well as I could have predicted. It’s hard enough working with another Family when it comes to business dealings, but this is much more than that. The stakes are higher, and the atmosphere in the room is…volatile.
I stare at Benjamin, impressed by what I see in his sea green eyes. It’s not enough to convince me he’s ready for the position he’s been thrust into, but there’s promise—enough that I’m happy to take him under my wing.
He’s also very, very lucky I was able to divert his attention. Hollis is holding himself back for Roman’s sake, but there’s a difference between letting me handle the insult to Jude and allowing someone to threaten him. It’s only his utter trust in me that allowed me to swiftly defuse the situation.
It's bad enough that the one they should have killed long ago disrespected Jude, the last thing we need is to make another enemy because they pushed Hollis too far. His respect for Roman’s position only goes so far, especially when they’ve already shown they’re unwilling to get rid of those who don’t know their place…
“As Hollis said, I’ve sent men out to do ground work at both scenes. They’ll canvas the area, before moving on to where the van and body were found. I have low expectations, but nobody is perfect. This kidnapping may be textbook, but they’ll have to fuck up eventually, and when they do…” I let my words hang in the air, as my lips stretch into a grin that I’m sure is more than a little feral.
Whoever decided to fuck with us is either brave or really fucking stupid. Either way, there’s nothing anyone in this room wouldn’t do to get back what’s ours.
“And the matter I asked Hollis about earlier?” Emilio asks.
I can’t decide if the boy really does have a death wish, or if he’s just trying to establish his rule. Whichever it may be, I hope his Second reminds him to tread lightly. I may be the one officially diagnosed with anti-social personality disorder here, but my lover is a whole different beast. Just because he doesn’t often get his hands dirty, doesn’t mean he won’t if pushed too far. And not even Roman’s fledgling reputation as a Boss will stand in his way.
“I need time. As good as I am, I cannot be in two places at once, even with help. I have programs running to do a deep dive for anything that even hints at either of our Families. As I said before, there’s been chatter, but nothing concrete.
“The one possible culprit has been more careful than anyone else. I’m hesitant to say they’re the one targeting us, only because there’s no proof. Hiding your tracks is the smart thing to do, as you never know who you’ll run into on those sites. Being good enough that not even I have been able to trace them isn’t an admission of guilt… If you wanted to be sure, I could ask my brother to take a stab at it.”
“No,” Emilio says vehemently. “No outsiders. We’ve already found one traitor amongst us, who’s to say there isn’t more? Have you started to clear your people yet?”
Tension coils inside me at the thought of someone on the inside betraying us. After everything we’ve been through, the last thing this Family needs is another traitor.
“We have,” Carter says. “I have people I trust on it, and Leandro will start running his own checks once he’s finished with the tasks Hollis set him. Unlike you, though, we don’t have any outsiders on our payroll.”
“You sure about that?” Emilio’s attention flicks to Jude for a moment, before focusing back on Carter. “Your father is still alive, isn’t he?”
Carter flips his knife over in his hand. The silent threat is clear, but I know him well enough to know he respects the new Boss’s spirit. “I’ll be having a conversation with him in the next few days. While I’ll never trust him, Georgio has never done anything to make me doubt his loyalty. Even when we killed his lover. He knows his place.”
Jude shifts a little and I watch him carefully. The way he carefully shifts his weight, and the slight grimace on his face, tells me it’s his leg that’s giving him trouble.
I know better than to draw attention to it, though. Roman told me about their conversation when he named Jude as his Second. Our Agnellino doesn’t want to look weak. He doesn’t want Roman to have a disadvantage because Jude dares to need accommodations, not only for his deafness, but the injury he sustained while dealing with his family that’ll follow him for the rest of his life.
Voicing my concern over his discomfort won’t win me any favors, not after I already rode to his rescue when that bastard insulted him. Taking care of those under my protection is first nature, and Jude has already been through enough with his family. Anyone daring to come into his home and disrespect him will only ever make that mistake once.
Luca is lucky he’s a Martelli…or maybe unlucky. Just because Il Padrone isn’t here, doesn’t mean the rules still don’t apply, and I’m curious to watch as Emilio steps up to the plate.
The conversation shifts from De Luca’s loyalty to more practical things, such as how to pool our resources. “Hollis and Leandro have all the virtual stuff down,” Roman says before pausing for a moment, as if to give Emilio a chance to once again challenge Hol. When nobody says anything, he continues. “Carter and Tennant are in charge of our men, so I’d suggest coordinating with them on how best to utilize both forces.”
“That’s Marcus’s area of expertise; he’s the strategist here,” Emilio responds.
We already knew that, of course, but it’s nice to know that Emilio trusts those around him to do their jobs.
“I’ll be happy to have you join me,” I tell Marcus, meeting his eyes briefly. “I have people in place to coordinate the men on the ground, but I would appreciate your insight. You can bring Benjamin to me so I can start his training.”
Ignacio doesn’t hide his dislike of his lover being under me, but I ignore him. If he doesn’t trust Benjamin and his abilities, their relationship won’t survive under the pressure of Benjamin's new responsibilities.
I meet Benjamin’s gaze, once more impressed by the determination I see in them. “Come prepared,” I tell him. “I’m going to break you.” I look to Jude. “Both of you.” With my attention back on Benjamin, I smile at him. “And remember, first impressions are important, so impress me.”