Chapter 25 Keegan
Iglare at the back of the guard’s head when I get into the SUV. Thankfully, it’s one of the larger ones, but fuck if I’m going to deal with protocol right now. Snapping my belt on, I finally turn to look at Jude, who is as tense as I am.
“If you think I’m riding separately…” I narrow my eyes, making it clear I give zero fucks about Tennant’s rule on that.
“No, you’re right. We need to stay together right now. We’re going into unknown territory…”
I nod, relief coursing through me as I sit back, waiting for them to get going. All I want is Marcus in my arms again. He’ll be lucky if I let him go anywhere after this. Right now, I could tan his hide just for scaring me like this.
Jude finally breaks the tense silence between us as we travel toward our hearts. “What made you think that Antonio needed something else?”
For a moment, my mind is blank, but when the pieces snap into place, I give a half smile as I turn toward him. “You took my advice?”
“Yeah,” he responds roughly. “But how did you know?”
I shrug a shoulder, as it’s hard to put it into words.
“To be honest, it was watching Lio with Allesandro. Antonio and Lio have certain…similarities. Having someone take control isn’t always enough for some.
For Antonio and Lio, there’s a need that’s…
I hesitate to call it deeper, but in some ways, it is, since it’s the ultimate vulnerability.
“I know I can put Marcus on his knees and he’ll melt for me. Lio? Lio would go on his knees and find a level of peace there, but not completely. He has to let go of everything—the entire adult world has to fall away for him. That seemed to be what Antonio needed as well.”
Grunting, Jude doesn’t disagree. I wish I could help him, but it’s not a kink we share, and I doubt he’d feel comfortable talking to Allesandro about it.
After all, when Lio expressed an interest in Daddy kink, Allesandro was the one who researched everything and met that need.
But Jude’s fury toward Allesandro would prevent that connection. However…
“You may want to speak with Tennant. He’s taken on the role of Daddy to Lio.”
Jude rubs his chin in consideration. “I suppose that’s an option. I want to make sure I’m giving my Boy what he needs.”
“The fact you’re even worried about it says that you will.”
We lapse into silence, but it’s comfortable enough.
There’s the edge of impatient anticipation as we both want to get to our men, but I can see myself becoming closer with Jude.
It’s a novel concept for me. Most consider me the older-brother-type, but to have someone as an equal…
as an ally and friend…that’s different. My lips quirk as I contemplate some of the other fun things we could do together as Doms…
The SUV comes to a stop in front of an ugly house—if it can even be called a house. I wrinkle my nose while exchanging a worried glance with Jude. I already wasn’t a fan of the situation, but fuck if this doesn’t ratchet up my anxiety even higher. Thank fuck we’re here.
I bite back my annoyance as the guards exit first, knocking on the passenger door when they deem it safe. I’m out of the SUV in a flash, heading directly for the door. To my surprise, it opens before I can even knock. Considering my first look is at a scowling Daniel… Fuck.
“Sorry, man,” I grimace, offering him my hand.
He folds his arms, glaring at me until I drop my hand, all pretenses of our previously friendly alliance disappearing. Jude stiffens as he comes up beside me. We stand in the front doorway, neither of us moving or backing down.
“For fuck’s sake, Daniel, let them in.”
I smother a grin at Ely’s command, especially when Daniel grunts and backs up. His eyes flash with irritation, but he knows better than to go against her. I wonder if she’s a Domme…
“Thank you,” I say calmly, trying to hide my need to rush in and find the other part of my soul.
“Whatever,” Daniel grumbles. “Collect your shit and get out.”
I struggle to remain civil, but I refuse to break our alliance—if any of it remains.
From Ely’s welcoming, albeit tired, smile, it does.
I nod a greeting, but my gaze quickly zeros in on Marcus and Antonio.
My lover looks far worse than a “little bit of glass and a concussion”, but maybe I’m biased.
Still, I’ll have him checked out by Doc or Sarah as soon as we get home.
“I’m so glad to see you,” Antonio murmurs, and Jude gives up all pretense as he rushes toward his Boy.
After getting a reassuring kiss from Marcus, I turn toward Ely. “I’m sorry trouble was brought to your door.”
Daniel mutters something I don’t catch, and from his expression, it’s better I didn’t hear it. Ely sends him a cutting glare that he ignores and an uncomfortable silence falls around us. With a quiet huff, I turn toward Marcus.
“I’m ready,” he says, answering my unasked question. I stifle a sigh of relief on getting the fuck out of here.
A man snorts as he strolls into the living room. He’s certainly…eye-catching. His outfit leaves a lot to be desired… Ratty jeans, a bright shirt with a geometric design, and shoes that are almost falling apart. He pulls a sucker out of his mouth as he raises an eyebrow.
“Make sure your doctors follow up on concussion protocol with him. And if you need a plastic surgeon recommendation for the other one, let me know.” The man’s smokey voice rolls through the room and I steel myself against a shiver.
His eyes are different colors, one a rich honey and the other a dark green, but the intensity…that’s something I’ve only seen in a predator. I have a sinking feeling his outfit is nothing more than a red herring, a way to hide what’s beneath his skin.
“Javi, I’m sure Keegan plans on taking care of our friend,” Ely says in exasperation.
“So long as it’s not here, I don’t give a fuck what they do.” Daniel’s sneer doesn’t touch me. I barely manage not to roll my eyes. “It’s bad enough we have a traitor in our midst—but it’s working with your organization that has put ours at risk.”
“How would you know that?” Jude’s voice is low and deadly, one that I wouldn’t question.
Javi grumbles as he takes out a thumb drive and tosses it at me. I catch it automatically. Raising an eyebrow, I wait for him to give me some sort of explanation. He rolls his eyes at me, before staring at Ely. When she waves her hand in permission, he turns back to face me.
“We identified one of our traitors. Not the main one, I’m still searching.
However, that’s where we found the interesting intersection between what we’re going through and what you have hidden.
Granted, most people will say anything when being…
actively encouraged, but I take care to minimize that.
After all, torture is an artform.” He shrugs as if it means nothing, and maybe for him it doesn’t. Still, it turns my stomach.
“We expect recompense.” Daniel’s hard voice cuts into my thoughts.
Jude scoffs. “You’ve already been given more than enough for the assistance you’ve given us. I have no plans to give you more. I’ll pass it along to the Council, with my recommendation.”
Ely laughs, drawing Daniel’s attention. With a smile, she shakes her head. “He has you there, Daniel. We agreed and have been paid handsomely for the original terms. Regardless of what’s happened, this doesn’t change those terms. Now, if they’d like additional help…”
“Then that, of course, would be more,” Daniel finishes, smugly. I want to point out that Ely isn’t acquiescing to him, but I know to leave that shit alone.
I tuck the thumb drive into my pocket, grunting an acknowledgment, but making no promises. With a heavy sigh, I stare at Javi. “Very well. If we need you, who do we ask for? I assume just Javi wouldn’t cut it…”
“Oh, I have several names.” His voice slithers around me. “But I suppose you could ask for Dr. Graves. The guard will give you a card on the way out. Although Ely always knows how to reach me.”
I have so many questions, but I keep them silent.
For now, all that matters is getting Marcus and Antonio home.
We can try to figure out the mystery of Javi later—and exactly what type of fucking doctor he is, if it’s even true.
Given his amusement at my reaction, I have a sinking feeling he’s not lying.
Shouldn’t doctors take an exam to test for sanity?
Turning toward Marcus, I offer him my hand, letting him put his full weight on me.
Jude scoops Antonio up easily, and he doesn’t make a single complaint.
With a labored grunt, I nod my thanks toward our…
hosts, as I follow Jude out of here. As we leave, I can feel the heavy weight of Javi’s stare like it's an itch between my shoulder blades.
Fuck. Capturing his attention does not seem wise.
We help buckle our men in, and it’s only when we hit our territory that I breathe easier. There’s a lot to figure out, to discuss, but at least I have part of my soul back. Now we just need to figure out how the fuck he was targeted…