Chapter 7 Leandro
“Don’t do it,” Roman warns.
I stare at him, wondering if he knows me at all. His caution only makes me want to say something more. “If people stopped being stupid, I wouldn’t have to step in.”
He scowls. “It’s not any of your business.”
“It is, though. Considering Tennant is mine.”
“Pretty sure you’ll have to argue that point with Benjamin. But…don’t make this any harder than it currently is.” He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. He only winces a little now, though I watch him carefully to make sure he’s not hiding his pain.
Dr. Ranlen said he didn’t reinjure himself during his panic attack, but Roman hasn’t made it a secret that he’s tired of being fussed over, so I wouldn’t put it past him to pretend he’s fine when he’s not.
“I’ll tell Hollis you bugged everyone’s rooms if you don’t leave Benjamin alone. I promise, it’s fine. Does it hurt knowing he’s not happy about my relationship with Ten? Yes, but…it’s something I expected once I knew how serious they were. And…I have a plan.”
I tilt my head in a silent question, but he acts as if he doesn’t understand, and I don’t feel like dragging said plan out of him.
Roman is a big boy, and I’m not going to baby him.
When he’s ready to talk, he will. In the meantime, I’ll be thankful he doesn’t want to.
He’s fucking exhausting. Though he’s…matured in a lot of ways since the beginning of all this, becoming more and more comfortable in his skin, and blossoming into the person I got a glimpse of all those years ago.
I didn’t expect this to be what finally forced him to leave behind the box his father had put him in, but I can’t say I’m mad about it.
The way I had planned to force him to accept the role I needed him to undertake would have been messy and far more work.
This is easier. It means I can start putting things into place for my “just in case” plan.
There's a reason I allowed myself to get swept into the Amato fold all those years ago. Not simply because I was a fourteen-year-old wheelchair user, who would have been asked many questions had I struck out on my own.
Something called to me when I saw how Roman rolled with his kidnapping and losing a finger. He was so sure and confident in his Family's abilities, and I chose to follow him simply because he fascinated me, and I wanted to see what he turned into.
Carter being my uncle didn't hurt either.
Even though I still don't know where I stand with him.
We've never talked about Julian, or anything beyond my insistence that I wanted nothing to do with the De Luca Family.
He's kept my secret all this time, and I probably won't kill him simply for that reason alone.
“Fine. I won't say anything to Benjamin, even though I think you're wrong.”
He rolls his eyes. “Thank you. We don't want to scare him off. I'm not sure he's realized that being with Ten means he gets you too. Tennant would be pissed if you fucked things up for him.”
I give him a smile similar to his own. “I am a delight.”
He stares at me for a moment before laughing. “You're getting scarily good at that.”
“That's the point. Are you sleeping here tonight?”
“Please? I don't want to go back to the medical suite. Not after getting kicked out of Carter's room because ‘I need rest’. Thankfully, he has Marcus and Keegan, otherwise I never would have agreed.”
“I don't care. Make yourself comfortable,” I tell him unnecessarily, considering how he's already under the covers and is using most of the pillows to help with his injuries.
Roman settles into the bed and closes his eyes, sighing in exhaustion.
His pale face shows off the dark circles under his eyes that speaks of a lot of sleepless nights.
Even when I stayed with him in his hospital room, when no one else could, I knew every time he woke up, though he pretended to be sleeping.
This whole ordeal has taken its toll, and while it works out for me that he is finally stepping up, seeing him as the Head of the Amatos, rather than the carefree and stubborn boy who forced me to be his friend, is still a jarring transformation.
Roman is exactly who he was always supposed to be, but the speed at which it’s occurred isn't healthy for anyone. Too bad he chose me as a friend, as I'm the least qualified one to help him. Though I know who can.
I stroke my fingers through his hair, the only touch I'll volunteer, but it's somehow enough for him, as he relaxes and eventually falls asleep.
I'll never understand how I'm the person he chose as his best friend. Even after he knew what I was, and that I could never return the affection, or give him what he needs. Though, he now has Lio, so maybe that helps? I don't know, and it's confusing enough that I don't try to figure it out.
When I'm sure he's asleep, I slide from the bed as carefully as possible. It's a testament to how exhausted he really is that he can sleep through me transferring to my chair.
Grabbing my gun, I don't bother with a holster, sticking it between the side of my leg and my chair. With a click of my fingers, Boston gets up from her bed, stretches and then pads over to me. She licks my fingers and I internally sigh, wiping the drool on my pants.
“Let's go,” I whisper.
She opens the door for me and we manage to leave the room without Roman waking up.
Much like the Martelli mansion, this one doesn't have an elevator to get upstairs, so I was given a downstairs room.
I don't mind, it means I don't have to worry about stumbling across any couples, or accidentally hearing things I don't want to.
It's bad enough when I have to shift through all the sex in order to make sure I don't miss any important conversations on the recordings.
I'm fairly certain Hollis suspects I bugged all the rooms, but unless absolutely necessary, I don't plan on telling him. Plausible deniability and all that. Plus, I can't get in trouble that way. Though if anyone is surprised by that information, they haven't been paying attention.
Boston and I make our way to the medical suite.
No one tries to stop our wandering—because they’re not stupid enough to risk their lives—but it being the middle of the night makes it easier, since only the guards are around, and I don’t have to deal with any people.
Stopping outside the room I want, I knock, hoping he's not asleep, though I have no qualms about waking him if he is.
Thankfully, it doesn't take long for there to be a response telling me to “come in”. The doorknob isn’t a push down lever, so I have to turn it, but when there’s enough space, Boston uses her snout to help open it for me. Ignacio blinks when he sees me, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
“Is everything alright?”
“Depends on how this conversation goes.” I push myself forward, following Boston, making sure the door shuts firmly behind me.
The hospital room is sparse, with only the single medical bed and a few cabinets that I’m assuming are full of supplies. From what I know, Dr. Ranlen is planning on upgrading him to one of the downstairs rooms near my own to finish his recovery, before he’s allowed to move to an upstairs room.
Ignacio watches me warily as I stop a few feet from the bed. “What can I do for you, Leandro? Is Roman okay?”
“He's fine. Sleeping, which he doesn't do enough of. He is why I'm here though.” I position myself across from him in such a way that I will have a direct shot should I need to shoot him.
Even injured, I’m not taking any chances with him. He's far better trained than I am. Hence why I brought Boston with me. She moves to stand in front of me, carefully watching Ignacio. I don't correct her. Her instincts are good, and for now, I'll let her do what she was trained for.
“Do you still love Benjamin?”
“Yes, I do,” he replies firmly. “But what does that have to do with Roman?”
“We'll get there. So you still love him. Enough to take him back? To re-propose?”
Ignacio hesitates, anger and…confusion? Maybe?
Swirling in his eyes. “If you're trying to get me to say I love him more than Roman, we're done here.
There is no comparison. I love them both, and I will always love them both.
What I get from them…it can't be compared.
You've been around Roman and his lovers long enough to know that's not how it works.
They give me different things, but my love for them cannot be measured.
“Yes, I wanted to marry Benjamin at one point, but right now, that’s off the table, and our relationship isn’t more than that of friends.
Roman and I…he is so much more than I imagined.
Smart, sassy, funny, and so much stronger than he believes.
I'll stand by him for whatever he needs and wants. He has all of me, always.”
“Tennant asked Benjamin not to marry you.”
Ignacio sucks in a breath, and I imagine if he wasn’t in bed, his knees would have buckled. I see the despair on his face before he gets himself under control.
“Benjamin never said yes or no, but I think we both know which way he's leaning toward. My question to you is: Will you marry Roman?”
“Yes. In a heartbeat.” He looks away. “I don't deserve him. He should marry someone better, who wouldn't get so many questions from the public about being on his arm, but I already told you, I'm his. I'll be whatever he needs me to be.”
“Good. That's all I needed to know. He'll need you.
He says he's fine, and that he has it all worked out, but we both know how softhearted he is.
I'm reasonably sure your Little Mouse would have something to say if you hurt Roman; he claimed him and all that.
We also know Benjamin is jealous as fuck.
And Roman will break himself apart for those he loves.
“He's spoiled, but when it comes to matters of the heart? His is the biggest, and he'll make sure everyone else is happy as well. So, when the time comes, do the right thing, Chaos, or I'll make getting gutted look like a fucking paper cut.”
Ignacio watches me carefully, assessing my words, before finally nodding. “He's safe with me.”
“Benjamin thought the same thing.”
He flinches, but it doesn’t faze me. It never hurts to remind someone of their fuck ups, if only to help make sure they don't repeat them.
Clicking my tongue, I signal to Boston. She huffs but stands down, moving back a little and off to the side, though she still has a direct line to Ignacio.
He doesn’t say anything as I back up and turn toward the door, though he doesn’t take his eyes off me—smart.
“Goodnight,” I say cheerily as I leave his room. Once I'm clear in the hall, and Ignacio shows he's not going to go after me, Boston trails behind me.
Boston and I make our way back to my room, and when I release her from duty, she jumps on the bed and snuggles Roman, who hasn't moved in the time we were gone.
Putting my gun on the nightstand, I get back in bed and under the covers, arranging myself so I can get one hand on Roman’s still-casted arm.
I have no idea if my conversation with Ignacio worked, but I did what I promised Roman and left Benjamin alone, so no one can get upset over it.
I am so glad I never have to deal with this. Relationships are bullshit.