34. Emilio
W atching the Amatos walk into our home is eerie. There’s a level of pageantry, even if they don’t realize it; from the way they move to the absolute silence. I flick my eyes between Master and Cristian, curious about their relationship.
Master told me about the kiss and…fuck, it sounded hot. After everything they went through, it makes sense to me, but I wonder how Carter is handling it.
For a moment, I wonder if I should talk to Carter personally, but…
fuck, what the hell would I say? Maybe I should have asked Benjamin for tips on that…
Not that he’s been paying much attention today, too caught up in his Nocciola visiting.
There’s been a layer of anticipation covering the house all day, and even I haven’t been able to fight it.
Master’s reminders resound in my mind. This is business.
We must behave. And most importantly, our actions reflect the Martelli name.
With most of us up for punishment soon, nobody wants to step a toe out of line, even if it’s fucking tempting.
When I catch Hollis’s eye, the fissure of tension ratchets up in me, and I have to lock my muscles to stay in place.
Swallowing, I turn my attention to Master.
“Welcome,” he states simply, finally turning his attention to all of the Amatos. “Let’s head into the study so that we can discuss where we are with everything.”
He turns on his heels, leading the rest of us there.
I approve of the location, as his office, while large, would be uncomfortable if trying to fit thirteen people in there.
He gestures to the seat next to him for Cristian, and Carter immediately steps forward, leaning against it.
Cristian grasps his husband’s hip as I lower myself to the floor at Il Padrone’s feet.
It causes more than enough stares, and while it's not something Master requires, I need it for my own stability. When he cards his fingers through my hair, I breathe a sigh of relief, thankful he recognizes my need.
The rest of the Families scatter, but a clear line is drawn where the Martellis stay on one side and the Amatos on another. Both sides take a position according to where they rank in line with their Bosses.
Tennant glares as Ignacio moves closer to Benjamin.
To Ignacio’s credit, he ignores Tennant.
But fuck, he’s pressing a point, and I have no fucking idea why.
From the confused glance Benjamin gives him, neither can he.
It’s only when I study Ignacio closer that I catch it.
Tennant is acting as Second now, and while Benjamin is holding that place in the lineup, since I’m at Master’s feet, Roman is right next to Tennant.
And Ignacio? Ignacio only has eyes for Roman.
Fuck .
Clearing his throat and dragging everyone’s attention to him, Master waves the maids forward, who offer drinks and snacks. For the most part it goes ignored, but it’s only after they leave that Master starts the meeting.
“Thank you for coming. It’s been a month, and hopefully by now we have some answers. Who wants to start us off?” Master asks, as he meets people’s eyes one by one. None of them flinch, and I sigh in relief.
Antonio clears his throat, tilting his head toward Il Padrone, and then Cristian, before straightening.
“I’ve cleared the majority of our soldiers—as well as the lists that Jude has provided—and I believe, at least on the Martelli side, we have identified all of the moles.
While it’s possible a portion of the data came from them, it proves that not all of it could be found that way.
“I passed information to Hollis on two of them that we have exterminated. None of us were satisfied by their answers, or the fact they seemed to have more knowledge than they should. We think one may have gotten into the network, as he was a captain, and did come into the mansion several times. But it wouldn’t have been enough to gain access to everything. ”
“That is concerning…” Master murmurs as his hand tightens in my hair.
Antonio acknowledges his statement with a wave of his hand before continuing. “We are most worried about the LEOs’ actions or, shall I say, their inaction. While some still sniff around the whorehouse, for the most part, they’ve been exceptionally quiet.”
Ignacio starts forward at this and takes over from Antonio. “We believe that since Tom Court was killed, the LEOs fell apart. However, from the way they’re acting now…there’s a level of secrecy that makes me think that they are being taken over by whoever was above Tom.
“It does appear that whoever is pulling the strings is able to manipulate data. After all, we know Tom wanted us taken out because of children being in danger, but none of us have ever sold or provided weapons to kids. Hollis was tracking that down. Ely is still engaged with us on continuing blinds, but without more information, there isn’t much we can do. ”
Humming, I turn over to the Amatos, hoping they’ve found something more than conjecture.
There’s a pause before Cristian says, “On our end, we’ve found a few things.
Jude and Tennant have covered our internal team, but Hollis has made progress on the feds, and who may actually be in charge of all of this. ”
I glance at Hollis, not surprised to see his face is an unreadable mask.
Fuck. That makes me want to play with him even more.
There’s something about not knowing what a Dom will do that draws me in.
I bite my lip and the heat that flares in me has me desperately squirming, but Master’s hand yanks me back, holding me still.
I swallow the moan as Jude starts talking. I know he’s giving important information, but fuck. This is going to be a long meeting.
Damn, I really hope the Amatos can wrap up their presentation without causing any arguments. Perhaps the intensity that crackles between Il Padrone and Cristian will encourage it. Although, fuck, I don’t want to miss out on that either.
I force myself to pay closer attention, and Master loosens his grip, petting me instead. Fuck. Please let someone have found even a bit of information…