41. Doc
“ Y ou don’t have to do this,” I remind Soren as he shrugs into his suit jacket.
“I want to. If you try to talk me out of it one more time, I may start thinking you don’t want me there.”
My cheeks heat and I huff. “No, that’s not it at all,” I assure him. “I want you there, but I also know the shit we’re going to get from my parents, and I’d rather save you from that.”
“It’ll be fine, Doc.” He steps into my personal space and does up my tie. “I want to be there, and I can handle whatever your parents try to throw at us. I’m not ashamed to let the whole world know you’re mine.”
He presses a hand against my shoulder, directly over one of the fresh bite marks there. Heat flares through me, and my caged cock makes a valiant effort to get hard.
“You don’t play fair, Daddy.”
Soren smirks and leans in to kiss me lightly. “Never claimed to. Now, let’s go. I’m not sure I want to know the consequences of being late.”
I grimace but follow him out of the bedroom, because I know he’s right, Cristian doesn’t have the patience for tardiness.
James is waiting for us in the foyer, his expressionless bodyguard mask in place, but that doesn’t stop him checking me out from head to toe, and when he meets my eyes again, his lips twitch.
“You clean up nicely, my dear,” he mocks.
“Shut up.” I roll my eyes, even as the teasing words warm me from the inside.
“And me?” Soren asks with a quirk to his lips.
“You look like jailbait,” James says, serious except for the twinkle in his light brown eyes.
Soren laughs. “Exactly what I was going for.” He threads his arm through mine and gently tugs. “Shall we?”
James opens the front door and waves a hand for us to precede him. The driver of the car, Gabriele, is already patiently waiting by the rear door, and opens it as soon as Soren leads me out of the house.
Gabriele’s face is as impassive as James’s, but the sparkle in his eyes is hard to miss. “Looking good, Doc,” he says as he holds the door open.
“Fuck off,” I mutter, motioning for Soren to slide into the car first.
“Be nice,” he whispers into my ear before climbing into the backseat.
Taking a much-needed breath, I try to slow my racing heart. When I feel somewhat stable again, I follow Soren into the car.
I’m not surprised to see Cristian, but I am shocked that Tennant is also joining us for the ride.
“Where’s your shadow?” I ask Tennant, since it’s rare to see him without Joel.
“With Roman and Carter,” he replies. “Father and heir can’t travel together, and this way ensures they’re as protected as can be.”
It makes sense, but it doesn’t mean any of us have to like the outcome of it. I can see by the way Tennant holds himself tense in his seat that he hates being separated from his lover.
“Are we ready?” James asks, turning in the passenger seat after he gets settled.
“Yes, we don’t want to be late; Carter will never let me live it down,” Cristian replies.
That’s enough to get Gabriele moving, and I settle against Soren for the drive.
“Are you Roman’s date?” I ask Ten. “Or did he actually manage to convince Hollis to leave his office for a few hours?”
Tennant huffs. “Not even I could get Hol to join us, and I asked really nicely, too.” The way he smirks says we have different definitions of ‘really nicely’. “No, he actually managed to get Jude to agree.”
“I didn’t peg this as being his type of thing,” I muse.
Tennant gives what he thinks is a nonchalant shrug, but I know him far too well to believe it. “Roman needs someone who he can be with in public. I’m not ashamed to claim either of them, and if the opportunity presents itself, I will make our relationship status known; but I am Hollis’s, and my Tesoro has very different ideas of what should be shared with people who don’t matter.”
“Makes sense, I suppose,” I reply. “In a weird, only for you type of way.”
Tennant doesn’t respond, but I figured he wouldn’t.
I do understand what he’s saying though. Tennant has never cared about how other people perceive him, so I don’t expect anything less when it comes to his relationships. Hollis, on the other hand, is a different story.
What I know about his history tells me why he’s possessive over his lovers, and prefers to keep them as close to him as he can. And while Tennant isn’t a follower in any sense of the word, he’s molded himself into being whatever is needed of him. When I met him, that was Cristian’s right-hand man and best friend, but in the past five years, he’s become Hollis’s everything.
That doesn’t diminish the relationship and feelings he has for Roman and Jude, anyone who thinks that deserves to be on the other end of one of Tennant’s experiments. No, it’s because of the relationship he has with Hollis that allows him to be with the other two as well.
“It seems you two are moving along well,” Cristian says, taking the attention off Tennant’s complicated relationship.
Soren sets his hand on my thigh as he answers. “We’re figuring it out. It’s not at all what I expected when I took the job, and my uncle won’t be thrilled when I finally tell him, but…I’d like to think we’re making each other happy, so that’s all that matters in my book.”
Cristian hums and he exchanges a look with Tennant. “Good,” he finally replies. “I know you’re already aware of the consequences for betrayal, so I won’t waste my breath or insult both of us by repeating things already said. I’m glad to see Doc finally has someone in his life who can stand him, aside from James, that is.
“As for Petrov, do you feel safe telling him about your relationship? Knowing you’re gay and hearing about it are two very different things. I can respect your need to not keep Doc a secret, but if it’s going to endanger his life, I’d prefer you didn’t take that risk.”
I’d bristle if I didn’t know Cristian so well. He’s aware I can take care of myself—he and Tennant trained me themselves— but it’s in his nature to care. I don’t let it bother me because I know he doesn’t give two shits about whether I want him to defend me or not—he’s going to do it anyway.
“Yes. He was the first person I came out to, and…other circumstances over the last few years have shown he’s not just tolerant, he's accepting. I can’t say more without outing other people, but trust me; Doc will be safe with Uncle Ivan.”
“That’s all I need to know,” Cristian says after a heavy pause.
Thankfully, we arrive at the event before any other conversation can be started up, and our car pulls in alongside the other in our party.
James gets out of the car first, and my heart leaps into my throat as it always does whenever he does a threat assessment. Knowing it’s his literal job to keep me safe doesn’t help. My feelings have grown and made things overly complicated during the last decade. That’s not to say I’ve allowed them to compromise me or James, but it doesn’t make things any easier.
When he finally opens the back door, Tennant is the first one out, and when he gives the all clear, I follow his lead, reaching in to help Soren.
As soon as Soren’s feet touch the ground, Joel opens the door to Roman, Carter, and Jude’s car.
Pulling Soren gently out of the way, so Cristian can finally make his grand exit from the vehicle, I hold him close, enjoying the simple ability to do so in such a public space.
By the time everyone is ready to enter the event hall, we’ve gathered a fair crowd of obscenely wealthy people who can’t help but pretend they’re not watching our every move.
The rumors about the Family may strike fear into many, but money talks, allowing us to move amongst the city elite without a care. Because if we’re being honest, Cristian is more honorable than most here about how he comes into his money.
Joel and Gabriele lead the way inside, while James takes up the rear, and Roman’s head guard, Benji, sticks close to his charge’s side. They’re not the only Amato guards around, but they’re the visible ones. The only ones who don’t have their own personal guard tonight are Jude and Carter. The latter because he won’t stray far from his husband’s side, in part because Gabriele is acting as the guard for them both, and because Carter is also serving as Cristian’s guard. Mafia spouse or not, Carter will never truly leave his former position behind.
I can only assume the same goes for Jude. There’s no way Roman will let his lover leave his side, and Tennant will watch over them both.
The host of the event fawns over Cristian, and it’s amusing to watch the mafia Boss tolerate such an act. When she notices Roman is with his father, I think she’s going to faint for a moment. The way she gushes over the boy is quite a sight, especially since her entire goal is to get him and his father to spend more money, as if everyone here didn’t already come in with an agenda and goal to show up one another. Nothing sells more to rich people than allowing them the opportunity to show up other rich people.
Of course, the Amatos have their own budgets and agendas, and won’t be swayed by fake platitudes, no matter what they allow everyone else to think.
When the ever so kind and gracious hostess gets to me, her smile drops just a fraction.
“Mrs. Willington.” I give her my most charming smile. “You seem to get lovelier every year. How wonderful to see you.”
She has the grace to play her part, the fake laugh coming automatically. “You’re such a charmer, dear. It’s so lovely to see you. I believe your parents are already here. I’m sure they’re anxiously waiting on you, so I won’t keep you long.”
My charm may be on point, but hers is not. To everyone else, she’s a good liar, but Matilda Willington has been my mother’s closest friend for over fifty years now, and I can see through her fakeness with ease.
“Oh good, we’ll go see them first then. I haven’t yet introduced my date to them.” I motion gently to Soren. “This wouldn’t be my ideal setting, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to show him off.”
Mrs. Willington takes in my Daddy for a long, calculating moment, before plastering her fakest smile yet on her painted lips. “How…lovely to see you with a guest. Please, do go in. I have other guests to greet, and I’m sure your mother would love to meet your…young man.”
“I am quite looking forward to it.” I give the older woman a real smile. “I’m sure we’ll see you later, Mrs. Willington.”
She allows me to kiss her cheek, as it's expected from the son of her perceived best friend, and we follow our group inside.
“I’m impressed,” Cristian says, right before we enter the main event room.
“Have I ever let you down?” I ask blandly.
“No,” he agrees. “But it is no less entertaining to watch you don your suit of sophistication.”
I make a face but quickly smooth my features out. I know exactly what he means, as I’ve never hidden my true nature from Cristian, but that doesn’t mean it’s not as easy as breathing to slip back into the role I was born to play.
“We’ll go find our table,” Tennant says.
Cristian nods in agreement. “We shall be there shortly. I’m sure Doc wants to get this over with quickly.”
“Rip the Band-Aid off,” I confirm.
Soren presses his hand to the small of my back, and I look at him. His bright eyes are full of concern. “Are you sure? We don’t have to do this.”
I shake my head minutely. “I have never been more sure of anything, Daddy,” I tell him. “I’ve been looking forward to this for years, if I’m being honest.”
He searches my face, assessing the truth of my words, before finally nodding in acceptance. “Lead the way.”
It takes a moment to orientate myself. The room isn’t too crowded yet, but that doesn’t make it any easier to find my parents. Especially since they’re the type to make others go to them, rather than take themselves to people.
Scanning the room, I’m not surprised to find their table near the front of the room, closest to the stage. My mother would accept nothing less than making sure her status as important was known, and my father is arrogant enough to believe he deserves the best his wealth can afford.
With Soren’s arm threaded through mine, I make my way slowly through the room, towards where my parents are taking post. My mother is currently sitting at the table, content to pretend she’s not shrewdly keeping an ear on the conversation my father is having over her head with someone I don’t recognize.
However, as we get closer and the stranger shifts on his feet, bringing his profile into view, Soren seems to realize who it is as he freezes. Stopping in my tracks, I look down into his pale face.
“Daddy?” I say as quietly as I can.
He looks up at me wide-eyed, before turning his face enough to say over his shoulder to Cristian and Carter, “My father…”
Fuck.
“You can go sit with Roman and the others,” I tell him quickly.
Those bright blue eyes of his meet mine, and the breath gets knocked from my lungs when I see the fear in them.
“No,” he whispers, shaking his head at the same time. “There’s no way he won’t find out I’m here. I don’t know what he’s doing here; he never makes public appearances, but it’s better to meet him on our terms rather than his.”
“You sure?”
He takes a deep breath. “Yes.”
Soren is the one who moves us forward, and I let him, even when my mother finally notices us and reaches up for my father’s hand where it rests on her shoulder.
He gives her a sharp, disapproving look for the interruption, but whatever she says gets both his and Nikolai Petrov’s attention, and both men turn to face our approach.
“Mother,” I say with a practiced ease. “It’s been far too long, I’ve missed you,” I lie.
She rises and gives me her cheek, allowing me to press a chaste kiss to her smooth skin, even as I try not to choke on her perfume. “I wasn’t sure you would be coming, Ashby darling,” she says. “I know how busy your job keeps you.” Her eyes flick to Cristian over my shoulder, but she doesn’t comment further.
“I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” I assure her. “Besides, I thought it would be a…fitting event to make Soren’s debut.”
My mother flicks cold brown eyes Soren’s way, and it takes all my etiquette training to not hide him from her sight.
I look to my father and greet him with a nod of my head. “Father, Mother, let me introduce you to my date, Soren Petrov Knightly. Soren, this is Arthur and Madeline Wescott.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you both.” Soren gives them a well-practiced smile. “I have heard many good things from your son.”
My mother raises her chin delicately and keeps a shrewd eye on Soren as she says, “Forgive us…Soren, for Ashby has kept us quite in the dark about his personal life over the last few years.”
Before Soren can reply, my father speaks up. “Petrov? Any relation to Nikolai here?”
While I had hoped the older Petrov would have disappeared into the growing crowd over the duration of the introductions, that is, of course, not the case.
“Soren here is my son,” Nikolai says, and for a moment, he manages to sound genuine, but when he turns his shrewd blue eyes on me, I can see the burning hatred in them. “I did not know you’d be here, Synok.”
“I didn’t expect you here either, Papa, but I am glad to see you,” Soren lies. “This is Ashby Wescott, my partner.” Soren lets the words hang for a moment before stepping back and gesturing to where Cristian and Carter are quietly observing the unfolding trainwreck. “And this is my Boss, Cristian Amato, and his husband, Carter.”
“It is lovely to see you two again,” Mother has the grace to say.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Cristian tells her charmingly. “It would be remiss of me to not greet you and your husband, especially when you’ve both so graciously allowed me to commandeer your son.”
“We are very proud of Ashby and all he’s accomplished,” Father says. “I am very glad to see he’s proving to be of use to you.”
Cristian’s eyes turn cold, but he doesn’t lose his gentlemanly veneer. “He is one of the most valuable members of my staff.” Cristian turns to Nikolai. “Your son, as well. He is a very competent nurse, and I am happy to have poached him from your brother. Is he here? I would like to thank him in person for recommending Soren.”
Soren’s father shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, I am here in his place as something unavoidable came up.”
“Well, no matter, I am happy to meet with you personally, though I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what a good man your son is.”
Nikolai doesn’t smile, or even play the game of pretending. Instead, he gives Cristian a measured, calculating look. “If you say so. Medicine isn’t the first career of choice I would have picked for Soren, but it seems to be working out for him.”
“It is,” Soren speaks up. “I’m happy, Papa. And I am glad I get to introduce you to the people I work with, who’ve helped make me enjoy my life.”
“Well,” Mother says. “I, for one, am very happy to have met you, Soren. Anyone who makes our son happy is a good person in our books. That’s all we’ve ever wanted for Ashby, after all.” Her well-practiced line shouldn’t be comforting, but it is, especially in the face of Nikolai’s quiet hatred.
Luckily, before anything else can be said, an acquaintance of my father’s comes up to speak to him.
“We shouldn’t keep you any longer,” Cristian says. “We still have the rounds to make.”
“Of course, of course,” Mother says gently. “It was wonderful to see you again.”
“We’ll get together soon,” I tell my parents, before leaning in and kissing my mother again.
“We would love to get to know your paramour,” she says automatically. “Call soon and we’ll arrange something.”
Oh, how easily we lie to one another. “I will.”
My father has the grace to look away from his conversation long enough to give me a nod goodbye, and Cristian shepherds us away.
“Sory,” Nikolai says, following us. We stop and the older man looks between the four of us before saying, “I would like to speak to my son alone.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Cristian says evenly. “Soren is mine now, and he has my full support and protection. I would hate to have to tell your brother that you were…less than gracious over that.”
Nikolai glares at Cristian, but in a room full of virtually innocent people, there’s nothing he can do about the not so subtle fuck you Cristian just gave him. He says something sharp in Russian, and the way Soren tenses against me lets me know it’s not pleasant.
Without another word, he stalks off and gets lost in the crowd.
“Well,” I say slowly, “he’s pleasant.”
Soren lets out a tense laugh. “Let’s go find our table and get a drink,” he says.
“Good plan,” Cristian agrees.
Thank God for open bars.