21. Emilio
I beat a staccato tempo against my leg with my fingers as I wait in the foyer of the Amato mansion. Keegan hovers behind me, uncomfortable in what he still considers a potential enemy’s den. With the news he has, I can’t blame him for already being on edge.
“Haven’t you ever heard of a phone call? It’s rude to just show up somewhere,” Hollis asks when he enters the room.
There is something about Hollis that makes me want to poke him, to play with the fire I see in his eyes. Considering my skin vibrates with the need for Il Padrone to put me in my place, to give me that stress relief, it shouldn’t surprise me that I’m more tempted by Hollis than the rest.
“I had hoped to speak to Roman in person. We have information to pass on, and I felt it prudent to not have the conversation over the phone.”
Hollis stares at me, as if I’m nothing, and I have to suppress the shiver that wants to run down my spine. “Do you think I would ever let Roman, or anyone in our organization, use phones that are not secure?”
His soft voice belies the danger ahead, and I tilt my head in his direction. I steel myself as I meet his gaze. “No. I believe you excel at your job, and my apologies for doubting that. I meant only that it’s easier to discuss some issues in person. Especially as I believe Keegan is necessary to the discussion.”
I feel like a bug being dissected as Hollis examines me. He must find my apology acceptable as he waves us forward into a sitting room. I wait for him to sit first before taking a spot across from him on a small loveseat. Keegan moves behind me, unwilling to sit next to me. I want to roll my eyes, but don’t dare. This “protect the Boss” thing grates on my nerves. I’m used to doing the protecting, not being protected. Benjamin’s long speech—more accurately, lecture—from earlier, reminds me I can’t throw myself into things like I used to.
“They should be back shortly. What’s this news?”
I briefly hesitate, wondering if I should wait for my counterpart. Then again, if I’m going to listen to Benjamin’s advice about not pissing off our allies, and committing to making nice with Hollis, I may as well go ahead. He can always summarize for Roman if needed.
“Jenna—our lawyer—looked into the court system. Prosecutors, judges, hell, even criminal defense lawyers who take our cases to protect any men who do manage to get picked up. It’s…bad. Her discreet questioning found that the cops aren’t the only ones out for our blood.”
Keegan follows up. “And this is where I come in. It’s likely you’re facing the same type of planning that I did in my old job.” I can’t see his face right now, but when he first ran this by me, all the blood had drained from his features.
“As an assassin, or an operative?” Hollis asks smugly as he leans back. It sets my teeth on edge, but I pull myself back.
Keegan snorts. “I’m not surprised you know my background. I’ve never hidden it. Back when I was still with law enforcement, we used to play these games. Find a weak spot and press on it. It only works when it’s personal. And yes, that includes when my own team killed my lover.
“Vengeance…it’s a hell of a motivator. We have someone from a law enforcement background using all of their tools, and it has to be personal. Did they lose a loved one? A partner? Hell, maybe they just went batshit crazy and think it’s personal. They most probably don’t know who is pulling the strings, they just want us out of the way. I’d suspect few people would actually know who sits at the top though.”
Hollis waves Keegan’s words away. “Roman already figured out it was another LEO?—”
Jumping up, I cut him off, stalking toward him. “Why the fuck wasn’t I informed? We could have already been investigating!”
Hollis’s bored look enrages me. I lean forward and he calmly stands, not bothering to push me back. We’re a hair's breadth away as he speaks. “It’s a recent development. One he wanted to discuss in person. Had you waited for his next phone call, you would know this already. If you want to be patted on the head…at least you found out the court system is also infested, and confirmed with your lackey. Now, I suggest—strongly—that you back up. You will not like the consequences if you do not.”
Hollis slips a knife out of the sheath at his hip, and I shudder. Fuck . I know Il Padrone accepts my need to use sex as a release. Hell, he taught me to do it. But would he have a problem with me going outside the Family? Right now, I want nothing more than to go to my knees and choke on Hollis’s cock.
“And if I don’t?” I croak out.
The dark chuckle from Hollis causes me to shudder as he presses the knife to my neck. My eyes plead for something I have no right to ask for. Not when he’s already in a relationship. He has his own harem. Maybe that’s why I want him. I’d never waver from Master, and with Hollis, I’d have no desire anyway. I don’t want to reassure my Boys, I want to be controlled instead.
“Ah, I see, Cucciolo. You want what isn’t yours… You need something that no one else is capable of offering you… I can promise you—you’ll regret it.”
I croak out, “Never.”
Keegan hisses behind me, but doesn’t interrupt. At least he’s well trained. All I can do now is balance on a knife’s edge. Either way we go, it’ll change things. Hopefully, for the better…