39. Soren
H ours after we finish patching Jude Manassero up, he’s awake, and Doc allows his lovers in to check on him. Tennant and Roman were waiting outside the office, while Hollis was still sequestered away in his, going over the information found in the Manassero database.
By the time Hollis makes his way down, Jude is more alert than someone who just got shot multiple times and lost a good amount of blood should be.
Doc is finishing checking his vitals, responses, and bandages when Hollis sweeps in, barely allowing Doc time to move out of the way before he’s standing over the younger man.
“Hey, I’m okay,” Jude says. His voice is low and thick, whether it’s from the pain meds, or the ordeal he just went through, I don’t know, but his words are clear enough to understand.
The crack of flesh hitting flesh echoes around the room as Hollis strikes him across the cheek.
“I just stitched him up,” Doc bitches. “I’d rather not do it again so soon.”
Hollis ignores him and says to Jude, “You fucking bastard. ”
“Hol,” Roman tries to cut in. “Not now.”
I can’t see Hollis’s face from where I’m standing, but whatever look he throws at Roman, it has the young heir backing down, his head bowing a little.
“I’m sorry,” Jude says. “I…I’m sorry for leaving and not telling you. I just… I couldn’t do nothing. Not after everything you’ve done for me.”
Hollis raises his hand and smoothes it over Jude’s cheek for a moment before lifting it away so he can sign. I can’t make out his words from this angle, but Jude’s look of confusion comes seconds before Hollis pulls his hand back and hits him again, making his cheek redden further.
“Don’t make me kick you out of here,” Doc reprimands.
“Hush, boy,” I say, reaching for him and pulling him closer. “Mind your business.”
Because while I can agree that Hollis probably shouldn’t be hitting our patient, I understand where he is coming from.
It’s not out of malice or abuse, but out of care for someone he loves, for who he considers his.
“Until I release him, Jude is my business, Soren,” Doc argues.
“Don’t get smart with me. You’re already in trouble from this morning.”
He deflates. “Yes, Daddy.”
Lowering my voice, I say, “I would never strike you while emotional, but I can’t tell you how I would respond if we were in their position. So long as things don’t get out of hand, we’re not to interfere, understand?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m sorry. I know it’s not what it looks like, that he’s putting him in his place, it’s just different from how you treat me.”
“That’s right, baby.”
“And that’s why I had to do it,” Jude says in response to whatever Hollis told him. “Nobody else has ever cared for me before.” He reaches out for Hollis, but ends up wincing in pain as he moves his injured arm.
Doc pulls away from me and stomps back over to the bed. “Don’t fucking move,” he growls. He signs something that has Jude nodding and wincing, and Doc turns to Hollis. “You really know how to pick them, Hollis.”
“A–Doc…” I warn.
He ignores me—though we both know he’s just earned himself more marks for both his rudeness and disrespect—and checks Jude over to make sure he didn’t pull anything, before making his way back to me.
“How about we give them some space,” I suggest. “Let’s step out for a moment.”
Gently, I nudge Doc out the door, but don’t close it behind us, in case we’re needed in a hurry.
Surprisingly, Cristian and Carter are waiting in the hall.
“How’s it going in there?” Cristian asks.
Doc snorts. “Well, Hollis has hit him twice, so there’s that. I can’t say I’m happy about his expression of feelings, but Jude’s good. Jayden needs to do his own evaluation, of course, and make an assessment on how much PT he’ll need. I’m more worried about his hip. I had to dig the bullet out, and I’m not a fucking surgeon.”
“We’ve addressed that already, but unless you have a solution, there’s nothing I can do about it right now.”
I speak up. “I might, have a solution, that is. It’ll take some convincing, but I know a surgical hopeful in medical school right now, who, with some stipulations, might be willing to take the job.”
“I’m listening.”
“My best friends, they grew up much like I did; in the Bratva, but not really part of it. I was able to get out because of who my uncle is, they don’t have that luxury. All of them are outstanding people, a little weird, but they’re Russian, so we can forgive them.
“Anyway, Donovan is the one in med school. And I know he’ll be expected to work for the Bratva doctors, but all of them are strict, ‘follow the old ways’ type of men. My uncle is working hard to change that, but it’s not going to help the three of them now.”
“I’m assuming they’re queer as well? Which is why you’re worried about them, and why this information is important.”
“Yes. Vonny is a med student, Nico is working to be a physical therapist, and Dima is a bodyguard.”
“All useful skills,” Cristian muses. “Bring them in. If they’re amendable, I’ll speak to Petrov on their behalf.”
I don’t allow it to show, but the relief running through me is so fierce, if it wasn’t for my hold on Doc, I think I would have stumbled.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Don’t thank me yet, there are no guarantees, but we’re looking for more people we can trust, and your recommendation could get them far.”
“Understood, sir. I don’t have siblings, but these three are as good as brothers to me. Any help I can give them, to put them in an environment that won’t kill them for being themselves, I’m going to take it.”
“I admire that. Though, I’m surprised the bodyguard can’t find his way. Even if they hate him because he’s queer, it’s a much-needed, highly desirable skill.”
I try hard not to scowl. “They’re judgmental pricks and refuse to give Dima a fair chance, but I’d trust very few people to watch my back, and as the Pakhan’s nephew, I’ve had my share of bodyguards over the years, so I want to say I have some knowledge on that subject.”
“Fair enough. As I said, I make no promises, but I won’t say no to bringing in more reputable people, so long as Petrov and I can come to an agreement.”
I nod my understanding, though I don’t think Uncle Ivan will have a problem with it. He knows as well as I do that the road for the trips will be a very short, hard-fought one, should they stay with the Bratva.
I am also distinctly aware that Cristian doesn’t have to say yes, even if Uncle Ivan agrees to allow them to come over. Just because he’s willing to humor me now, doesn’t mean anything. There’s time to change his mind, or he could meet them and decide their special brand of crazy isn’t what he wants in his organization. Not that I believe the latter would happen. After all, he employs Tennant, for fuck’s sake. But, there’s still no guarantees in this life. For them, though, I’m willing to take that risk.
“Come,” Doc says, bringing me from my thoughts. “Let’s go break it to them that if they want to stay with Jude tonight, they have to listen to my rules. It’s late, and I want to get some shitty sleep, wrapped in your arms on the shitty cot.”
I smile at my boy before turning to Cristian and Carter. “Did you want to see Jude?”
Carter shakes his head. “No, mostly we were here in support, but we can wait until morning. If you can ask Tennant to step out for a moment though. Hollis too, if he’s amendable. Otherwise, we’ll speak to him tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Come see me in a few days, Soren,” Cristian says. “We’ll speak more about your friends’ future employment.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I follow Doc back into the office, the whole time fighting the urge to pull out my phone and text the trips with the—hopefully—good news.