Chapter 26 Hollis
“Well, Dr. Javi Graves is an actual medical doctor—a psychiatrist to be exact,” Leandro says. “Interesting.”
More like terrifying. I’ve only heard his voice, but there’s an edge to it that has all my alarm bells ringing.
“I’m sending his name to H to do a deeper dive; he has the time that I don’t for it. See how far from the crazy tree this guy is.”
“Good idea,” I mutter. I’m going to need to buy an entire distillery at this point for all the extra work we’re throwing his way, but it’ll be worth it.
“Do you think there’s actually a traitor?” Leandro asks.
I stop what I’m doing for a moment to look over at him. Though he makes no indication he’s aware of my attention, I can practically feel his anticipation of my answer.
“Yes,” I finally say with a sigh. “Do I think it’s you?
No, I don’t. Despite the trouble you’ve gotten up to over the last year, I don’t think you’re a bad person.
You’ve had plenty of opportunities over the years to fuck us over.
Are you grounded until eternity? Yes, but you knew that was going to happen.
Plus, whatever punishment the Council comes up with.
Besides, the Martellis aren’t going to trust you anytime soon, but we don’t need them to.
Just don’t give them an excuse to see you as the enemy. ”
“Don’t worry about that; I’m not.” The sureness in his voice is worrisome, but his friendship with Lio isn’t something I want to get into. Especially not when I know he meant what he said—he’d never purposefully put Lio or Roman in a position to get hurt.
Leandro’s circle of trust is small, but when he lets you in, that’s it, nothing else will change his mind. The Martellis may not like it—or him—but Lio is probably safer under Leandro’s overbearing surveillance than anywhere else.
Keeping an eye on where Jude and the others are, I only wait a few minutes after they return before pushing back from my desk.
Heading to the medical wing, I find where Doc and Dr. Ranlen are looking Marcus and Antonio over. “Everything okay?” I ask.
“No, come right on in, we’re not trying to work or anything,” Doc grumbles.
“It went fine. Don’t think we can expect any extra help from the gang, for multiple reasons, but the time for calling in outside help has passed,” Jude answers.
I hum in agreement. “That’s fine. We still have the Bratva to pull from if we need to, though I’d rather not.”
“Here,” Keegan says. I turn to him and catch the USB he tosses at me. “That guy…Javi, gave this to us. You heard what he said?”
“It’s why I came down here, yes. We really need to have the Council look at the budget and get bodycams. Not having eyes on you was…stressful.”
“I’m fine, Hol,” Jude says.
Shoving the USB into my pocket, I walk further into the room, right up to my Little Lamb…who’s gone from the wolf in sheep’s clothing to having a place in this lions’ den of ours. I couldn’t be prouder of him for coming into his own—doesn’t mean I’m not going to put him under me every chance I get.
Jude’s eyes darken when I get a fistful of his hair and pull him in, close enough that I can lower my voice and feel the heat of him at the same time.
“You’re mine, Agnellino. I don’t care how many Boys you Daddy, or what your position is in this Family. I’m always going to worry about you. Tu sei ciò che fa girare il mio mondo.”
He kisses me, hard and claiming, and I moan into his mouth, enjoying the feel of him against me.
He yields so beautifully when I take over the kiss, and the thrill that rushes over me knowing I’m the one who can make this beautiful man submit to me…
Fucking hell. Roman’s orgy bed is looking more and more appealing with every day that passes and I can’t have all my lovers in the same place.
I pull away, releasing his hair and enjoying the mussed look of him with his curls now in disarray. “Take care of your Boy,” I sign. “And then…I’ll take care of you.”
Doc snorts. “You’ll take care of yourself. It’s almost time for your meds.”
I turn to the doctor and make a face. “I’m fine. I have work to do.”
“Consistency is key, especially when we’re trying to figure out what you respond to and what you don’t.”
“I don’t have time to take out of my day for a stupid nap. I am not a fan of the fucking drowsiness side effect.”
“We can look into that,” he says. “See if something else will help you…a lower dose or a different medication, but for now, you need to stay on a schedule.”
“At least, let me take a cursory look at what we were given first.”
Doc meets my stare, his amber eyes are flat and almost daring me to go against his orders. His mouth presses into a thin line before he gives a short nod. “You have an hour, then I will drag you out of the office myself.”
“Deal. Now, how’s Antonio?”
“I’m sitting right here,” the man snarks. “You could ask me yourself. The answer is I'm fine, by the way.”
Doc shrugs. “No visible injuries. I suggest watching for a concussion, just to be sure, but he seems to have adopted the Amato curse of having nine lives, and has come out unscathed.”
“As I said, I’m fine.”
I turn to the man in question, eyebrow raised. “You belong to my Little Lamb, Bello. Which means your care and well-being is my concern. Don’t get snippy with me.”
He swallows and looks to his Daddy, who is no help, as Jude gives him the same hard stare I am. Antonio wilts a little. “Sorry, Sir.”
I nod and reach out, gripping his chin firmly as I lift his face. “I will put you on a leash right alongside Emilio if you keep scaring your Daddy. You’re not allowed to get hurt, understand?”
His breath hitches and I smile inwardly, enjoying his reactions, even if it makes me miss my puppy that much more. “Yes, Sir. I’ll try to behave.”
“Good.” Leaning in, I press a firm kiss to his delectable mouth, staking my claim, letting everyone know the Boy is now under my protection. “Listen to your Daddy, he worries.”
Straightening up, I smirk at Jude’s amused expression, though I can see the gratefulness in his eyes as well.
As if there was any doubt I would care for not just Antonio, but all of his Boys.
They may be Jude’s, but he is mine, and much like Benjamin falls under me thanks to Ten, the same can be said for Antonio and the twins.
Add “bring up bigger house and orgy bed to the Council” onto the list of things to do. Because like hell am I going to be without anyone in our ever-expanding family once given the chance.
First though, the USB Doctor Graves gave us is burning a hole in my pocket, so I leave the doctors to finish up with their patients, and head back to Leandro, ready to dive into who the fuck else needs to die. And this traitor will die, slowly, painfully, and with extreme prejudice.