32. Doc
DADDY
Will probably be late tonight, don’t wait up
DOC
Don’t worry, James can keep me company ?? Good luck.
DADDY
Thanks, baby, I need it
DOC
I’ll be ready for you when you get home, so you can release your…tension ??
DADDY
Behave, boy
DOC
Maybe
Gotta go, see you later, Daddy.
I put my phone away and grin to myself, knowing I probably just added on another day of being locked in this fucking cage, but it’s been a week and a half already, so does it even matter? My aching balls say yes, as it’s been a long ten days without an orgasm, but if thinking of ways to put me in my place helps Soren get through the dinner with his uncle and father tonight, I’ll take it.
“We ready to go?” I ask.
“Yep,” Kail says. “The van is ready and he’s secure.” He tugs firmly on one of the straps across De Luca’s chest, and the older man glares at him.
“You can be a little gentler,” he bitches.
Kail ignores him and says, “We’re ready when you are, Doc.”
“Let’s go then.”
Kail and James grab the transport bed on either side and wheel it through the house, Rose is already sitting in the driver’s seat of the van and Tennant waits by the opened door.
Once we get him loaded into the van, Kail steps back. “You sure you don’t want me to go to the house, too? I can help with unloading and getting everything situated.”
I shake my head. “No, you’re off the rest of the day, enjoy it. Rose and I have it, and there’ll be enough strong, strapping men at the house to help us get him upstairs.”
Kail looks between me and Tennant before finally nodding. “Okay, call me if you need anything, otherwise I’ll see you later.”
Kail leaves and I hop into the van, Tennant and James shutting the doors behind me. James gets into the van’s passenger seat, while Tennant makes his way to his own car, where Joel is waiting for him.
De Luca’s house isn’t completely done going through repairs from when the Amatos’ unknown enemy tried to take him out, but it’s liveable, and for Carter and Cristian, that’s enough. Neither of them want De Luca in their house any longer than he needs to be, so after consulting with me and Jayden, the choice was made for him to finish rehabilitating at home.
With a selection of trusted guards in place, my medical staff and I got his house as ready as it could be for him.
Unlike the Amato main house, De Luca’s monstrosity of a place doesn’t have an elevator, so it’s a long, slow walk up with the transport bed as we get him upstairs. He bitches and moans a few times, but none of us pay him any mind.
Once we get him transferred to the new hospital bed in the master suite, James, Joel, and Tennant head back downstairs to wait for me.
“I don’t need some nurse babying me,” De Luca complains as I help settle Rose in for her first shift.
“Good thing your opinion doesn’t matter,” I snap back, all patience gone when it comes to dealing with him.
“At least you’re leaving the pretty one behind,” he mutters.
Spinning on my heel, I march over to him and hit him across the face, enjoying the way color blooms on his cheek. “Do not dare to disrespect her, or anyone who works for me, you worthless piece of shit. I don’t care who you are or what your son has ordered. You do not get to abuse the people under me for any fucking reason, got it?”
He glares, eyes narrowing. “You won’t do shit. My good for nothing bastard has you all wrapped around his finger.”
Grabbing his hair, I press my scalpel against his throat faster than he can blink. “Try me. I will slit your throat and face the consequences with a fucking smile on my face.”
To get my point across, I draw a little blood, making him hiss. “Do we understand each other?”
He swallows, eyes flashing with anger, but he knows he’s at the disadvantage here. We might be in the heart of ‘his’ territory, but he has no power, and hasn’t for a long time. We are all distinctly aware that he’s only alive on Carter’s order, and while I would never want to go up against the mafia spouse, I would if it meant keeping my people safe.
“I hear you,” he says eventually.
“Good.” I pull back, making sure to nick him once more, enjoying the way the blood runs down his neck. It’s been far too long since I’ve been able to have my own kind of fun.
Wiping the scalpel clean on his shirt, I carefully hide it back in my sleeve, then turn to Rose. “You call me if there are any issues. The guards here are as much for your protection as they are to make sure no one tries to off the asshole prematurely.” De Luca protests at my choice of words, but we both ignore him.
“I’ll be fine, sir.”
“I have someone who will be here in a few hours for the overnight shift, and I’ll be back to relieve both of you in the morning.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll see you then.”
With a nod and another glare in De Luca’s direction, I head downstairs. Tennant is waiting for me in the foyer, though James is nowhere to be seen.
“Right, Rose is going to stay here and make sure that bastard doesn’t die. I’ll come back and check on him in the morning. I also contacted Jayden, and he knows a few other specialists who will come and do their own checks in a few days; since we, you know, gotta keep him alive for Carter.” I smirk and Tennant doesn’t exactly roll his eyes but I can feel the exasperation rolling off him.
“The commentary isn’t necessary, Doc.”
“Probably not,” I agree. “But I have to entertain myself somehow.”
Ten shakes his head but, sadly, doesn’t say anything else. It’s disappointing, as De Luca got my adrenaline up and I am itching for some type of outlet. I wonder if James will play with me.
“If you’re finished, we can get going. I’m sure your Daddy would appreciate me getting you home at a reasonable hour.”
I roll my eyes at his commentary. Fucking Roman . When he came for a checkup the other day, he walked in without knocking, like the brat he is, so managed to overhear me calling Soren that.
Within hours, everyone in the house knew about our relationship status. We weren’t hiding it, but there are some things, like our kinks, that I would have preferred to keep under wraps.
It doesn’t bother me, and Soren hasn’t given any indication that he cares about everyone knowing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t grumble over it—I have a reputation to uphold, after all.
“Don’t forget, I know how to kill a man and make it look natural.”
Tennant laughs. “So feisty. Do you get punished for your mouth?”
With a grin, I say, “I’ll have you know, Soren loves the things I do with my mouth.” Disgust crosses Tennant’s face and I shake my head. “Don’t ask if you don’t want to know, Ten.”
That blank mask of indifference he wears so well falls over his face and he spins on his heel. “Let’s go.”
Before he can even make it a step, the front door opens and James comes into the house. “Sir,” he says, shutting the door firmly behind him. “There is a Mario Manassero outside, he wants to see De Luca.”
If Tennant is surprised by this unexpected visitor, he doesn’t show it. “Send him in.”
“Yes, sir. Should we strip him first?”
Surprisingly, Tennant shakes his head. “No, we need to build the De Lucas’ trust in us again, especially after we stifled their reach. Pat him down, but unless he’s heavily carrying, allow him to keep whatever weapons you find.”
“Yes, sir.” James goes back outside and Tennant turns to me.
“I want you to remain here while he is. Don’t let him stay for long, but don’t rush him out either.”
“I thought we were supposed to be ‘building their trust’?”
“You’re De Luca’s doctor, you’re just doing your job. He doesn’t have to know you’re already finished here.”
I’m sure Tennant can see the glee barely held back by my words as I ask, “Am I allowed to kill him if he gets out of line?”
“You or James, whoever gets there first.”
“And it’s not even my birthday,” I say as the front door opens and James comes back in with an older man in tow.
The man is shorter than both Tennant and I, with graying close-cropped hair, and eyes that are almost as black as Cristian’s. He’s not a very impressive man overall, but the longer I study him, the more I see features of Jude—Tennant, Hollis, and Roman’s new paramour—in him.
He carries himself with authority, but his eyes widen when he realizes who Tennant is. It’s always amusing when people come face to face with the Amato Second. He, impressively, keeps his composure, but his steps do hesitate for a second.
“Mr. Mason,” he says, stopping just feet from where we’re standing. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
Tennant ignores the pleasantries. “Why are you here, Mr. Manassero?” he asks in that annoying conversational tone of his.
“I’ve come to see Georgio,” he says. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, sir, but I am one of his most trusted men. I oversee?—”
“I know what your job is,” Tennant interrupts in a bored voice. “What I want to know is why you thought you had the authority to come here uninvited. This house may be where Georgio lives, but it is under Amato control. I do not care who you are. You no longer have the authority to come and go as you please. Especially since whomever tried to kill dear Georgio is still out there.”
His expression darkens, and I have to admire the fact he doesn’t let his irritation bleed into his tone. Not many people can control themselves so well in front of Tennant, especially if they’re not used to dealing with him. “Understood, sir. Would I be allowed to see him for a while?”
“If our doctor thinks he’s healthy enough for visitors, I’ll allow it.”
Pulling out my rarely used bedside manner, I say, “He’s still weak, I don’t want any unnecessary stress to come to him. So I’ll kick you out without a second thought if you do or say anything to upset him; he needs calm and rest as much as possible.”
Manassero nods. “Yes, I promise, I’m not here to cause him any more pain. We’ve met many times over the years and he’s always been good to me and my family. I just want to make sure he’s okay.”
I call bullshit. There’s something in his tone I can’t place, but I’m not in a position to argue with Tennant’s order since there’s no medical reason to. “Very well, come with me.”
“Thank you, Mr. Mason.” I scoff at his politeness, but give him points for trying to stay on Tennant’s good side.
“Do not make me regret giving you such grace.”
“No, sir. Never.”
Tennant dismisses Manassero and heads for the door.
I lead Manassero upstairs, aware of James trailing behind us.
Rose’s eyes widen when we enter the bedroom, but that’s the only sign of her surprise. “You have a visitor,” I tell De Luca. “I am allowing this as I believe it will do you some good, but I will be monitoring your status, if I feel you are under too much stress, or get too excited, I will be cutting the visit short, understand?”
De Luca glares but he nods his acceptance anyway. Manassero heads straight for De Luca’s side, his posture still straight, but the air of confidence he had downstairs has been replaced with despair. It pours off of him as he reaches for De Luca’s hand.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
De Luca nods. “I am fine. See, still in one piece, old friend.”
Rose and I move to stand near the window where we can still see the monitors De Luca is hooked up to, while staying out of the way. James stands near the door, ready to step in should anything go wrong.
Pulling my scalpel from my sleeve, I begin twirling it between my fingers as I watch De Luca and Manassero. They don’t give anything away outwardly, at least not with their words as Manassero catches De Luca up on what’s been going on with his side of the organization. His words are meaningless, I don’t care to learn about what’s going on in that part of the Family. What I do care about is how, even though they’re no longer touching, Manassero can’t keep his eyes off De Luca. He watches the other man with an affection that one could sum up as a life-long friendship, but I see the depth to his dark eyes.
It figures that De Luca, who spent the past twenty years tearing Carter down for being gay, would have his own secret lover. Fucking hypocrite. I want nothing more than to cross the room and gut both of them. My scalpel is heavy in my hand as I grip it loosely, positioning it between my fingers in such a way that’ll make killing a man easier.
James must read something in my expression because he meets my eyes from across the room and minutely shakes his head. With a quiet sigh, I lean against the wall and spin the scalpel between my fingers once more, bored with this whole ordeal.
“Would you like a chair, sir?” Rose asks, making both De Luca and Manassero look over at us.
Manassero blinks at her before shaking his head. “No, thank you. I need to be getting home, I promised my wife I wouldn’t be out long. Can I come see you again, my friend?”
De Luca nods and then looks to me. “Yes, I would like that very much, if my keeper agrees?” There’s a bite to his words that has me gripping my scalpel tightly, trying to fight the urge to shove it up his ass.
“As long as you continue progressing, and the visits prove to do more good than harm, I don’t see the problem.”
Manassero grips De Luca’s hand again, and lingers far longer than is usual between friends, before letting go. “Then I will see you soon. For now, I’ll let you rest.”
With one last glance at De Luca, Manassero leaves the room. I linger for a moment longer, pretending to watch the monitors before turning to Rose. “That is my cue to leave. Call if you need anything.”
“Yes, sir.”
I meet De Luca’s hateful blue eyes. “I’ll be back in the morning, try not to die before then. Or do, I really don’t care anymore.”
As he sputters obscenities, I step out of the room, meeting James in the hall as he returns from escorting Manassero out.
“Take me home and fuck me into a coma,” I tell him.
He laughs and reaches for my arm, drawing me close and holding me for a long moment. “Whatever you want, Ash,” he whispers.