Chapter 14
“Uh. So. That was interesting,” I mutter as we get further down the hallway. Keegan makes a slashing gesture, and I eye him carefully, though I keep my mouth shut.
I mean, fuck, he’s got to be as creeped out by Leandro as I am, right? Because that kid is disturbing…although I get why Lio connects with him so well. Honestly, I understand it better than his and Benjamin’s relationship, with the weird friendship rules Benjamin enforces.
I follow Keegan to our suite and he tugs me into the bathroom, turning on the shower.
I glance at him quizzically, but he doesn’t say a word until the steam starts to fill the room.
Slumping against the wall, he tugs me close.
He brings his lips next to my ear and whispers, “I don’t want to take the risk of Leandro overhearing things…
He’s far too well-informed. If you have something to say about him, it needs to be somewhere far away from here. ”
Groaning, I realize he’s Antonio to the extreme when it comes to knowledge hoarding, and Keegan is right, the only way he could be succeeding at this is if he's bugging places, which… I pull back, staring into my lover’s eyes in horror. “He’s probably seen us have sex!”
Snorting, Keegan rolls his eyes. Keeping his voice low, he retorts, “For a Martelli, you have the weirdest sense of propriety at times. But yes, I’d wager he’s seen far more than he should…of everyone.”
I fight back a gasp as my eyes dart around the bathroom, now extremely freaked out. I mean…fuck. If he’s got the bedrooms bugged, would he do the same to the bathrooms? Keegan snorts, as if he can read my mind. It’s not that surprising given we've been together for so long.
“This is just wrong,” I mutter, shuddering.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a place of our own again, eventually.
And we’ll make damn sure to go through and de-bug it regularly.
” The grim slash to his lips belies that he’s not as accepting of this as he seems. He must consider the conversation enough because he backs up and starts to strip.
“I’m going to take a quick shower before we get our marching orders.
Sarah kept me in that damn bed recovering. ”
Biting my lower lip, I decide to take a chance. “Why don’t you stay here? Especially with all the chaos going on?”
“And what, send Antonio with you? There’s no way you two are going off together any time soon.” Keegan’s glare is lethal, but I can’t fault him.
I shake my head, cupping his cheek, as I know what I’m about to ask is going to be far more than he’ll want to give.
“No, I was thinking I could swing by and grab Allesandro. It’s just watching, and maybe if we have an opening, grabbing the asshole.
It would be a good first step to see if Allesandro can really handle it, if he’s serious about following orders. ”
Keegan scowls. “Fuck no. You want me to trust him with you while you’re alone? With no back up? No. And you absolutely will not be grabbing the target, not without significant discussion.”
“Even if I see a perfect opening?” I give him the best puppy-dog eyes possible, even managing a slight pout.
Snorting, he pushes me away, pointing his finger at me. “No. You will follow directions this time.”
“Even if they’re given by…” I shut my mouth at Keegan’s glare, a reminder of Leandro’s…
skills. Fucking hell. We need Lio back soon, if only so that Leandro can be distracted with the kid.
Clearing my throat, I redirect Keegan. “Fine. But, I still feel taking Allesandro would be the best option. Tennant is not well controlled right now. We have our son here. Carter is still down. Things are too combustible.”
Keegan runs his fingers through his short hair, cursing. He gives me a sharp nod as his shoulders slump. “Fine. But I’m warning you now, I expect a full, honest report. And if he fucks up…”
“Yes, Sir. I understand.” And I do. This is hard on my Dom and lover. But I need my former Master to prove himself, and the only way he can is if someone gives him a chance. Out of everyone left…I’m the only one who will.
Keegan grabs my shirt and pulls me close, slamming his mouth on mine.
His kiss is devastating, an ownership that stamps itself on my very soul.
It takes everything in me not to shiver against it, because fuck, when he goes into his Dom mode, I’m powerless…
and yet, I know I have far more control with him than I’d ever imagine.
Fuck, the dual sensations, needs, and overwhelming love for him almost bows me over.
When he finally draws back, I gulp in some much-needed air as I let those intense gray eyes bore into me.
I may still have feelings for my former Master, but they pale in comparison to what I feel for Keegan.
One is nothing but a sense of loyalty and a reminder of life owed, and the other?
The other is the warmth of belonging, the intense desire to be one, and the utter surrender to another…
He must see the truth in me, because he lets me go with nothing more than a simple sigh.
I don’t risk waiting around for him to change his mind.
Instead, I give him one more quick kiss before leaving the bathroom and hurrying for the exit.
I have my keys in one hand, and my phone in the other when I stumble into Antonio in the foyer.
“Going somewhere?” my best friend asks me, anticipation stamped all over his face.
Eyeing him carefully, I curse my luck. “Yep. Have to run a task.”
“Let me message Jude and I’ll come with you.” He whirls around and I breathe out noisily, grabbing his arm. He turns back toward me, his forehead furrowing in confusion. “Is there a problem?”
“Uh, yeah. Keegan would prefer we don’t go together on this.”
Antonio narrows his eyes at me, and folds his arms together while he studies me. Ever seen a pissed off twink? It’s like fitting an excessive amount of dynamite into a tiny but cute package. Not a good thing. “There’s something more going on…”
I cringe, unsure how he knows I’m hiding something. Watching him warily, I respond, “No. It’s just…I am going to take Allesandro with me.”
“WHAT?!” Antonio lunges at me, pushing me off balance. Cursing, I grab him in my arms, crushing him to me.
“Enough,” I hiss in his ear. “This is not the place. And regardless, Keegan gave permission.”
My friend struggles against me, but I don’t let go until he stills. I slowly drop my arms, stepping back slightly. I take in his pissed off stance, the way his hands are clenched into fists, and I consider stepping back further. Because this is not good.
“You…you are actually going to give him a chance? It’s bad enough that he’s being allowed to live, but letting him be part of our families, in any shape or form…it’s wrong,” Antonio spits the words out, trembling from the force of his emotions.
I run my hand down my face, unsure how to handle him. This level of volatility…fuck. I expected it, but I had hoped to have more time. Preferably, after Allesandro has proved himself.
“What’s going on here?”
Antonio jumps at the question. Jude’s voice isn’t loud, and I note that while Antonio drops his head, it’s only for the quickest second before he raises it again to face his Dom. Pulling himself together, he carefully modulates his voice as he relays that I’m choosing to take Allesandro with me.
Jude’s lips press together, and it appears he has the same reservations as my friend, but he turns toward me, asking, “And Keegan is allowing this?”
“Yes, Sir.” I curse not knowing how to sign, but hopefully, I’m respectful enough that he overlooks my poor manners.
Fucking hell. No wonder Lio was trying to arrange lessons for everyone before he was kidnapped.
Jude’s sheer presence demands respect, and it feels…
wrong not to communicate with him through signing, even if he’s wearing his hearing aids.
“Very well.” Jude moves in front of Antonio, reaching out to clasp his shoulder.
The grip looks slightly painful, but it seems to work to his advantage because Antonio takes a shuddering breath, relaxing into him.
“You will let Marcus do what his Dom has instructed. You don’t have to like it, but you do have to respect it.
Keegan is Carter’s Voice. An instruction from him is the same as an instruction from me or Benjamin. Do you understand?”
Antonio’s nose wrinkles at Benjamin’s name, piquing my interest, but he grudgingly nods.
Jude’s gaze flicks over to me with a clear dismissal, and I don’t hesitate to take it.
I’m almost gleeful when I step out of the house, because fuck, that was intense.
Of course, I have a feeling that may be the easiest part…
Getting into my SUV, I head out and hope that Allesandro meant what he said, because I need him to prove himself.
I can’t shelter him from any consequences if he does fuck up, and I’m not even sure his psyche could handle fucking up at this point.
He emanated such a sense of being lost that I can understand Keegan’s concern over whether he’d be an appropriate back up. Still, I have to try.
Thankfully, the drive isn’t long, and I leave the vehicle outside the front door. I barely glance at the guards, other than to recognize they belong to the Amatos.
Stepping inside the mansion, I have to take a moment to breathe because I suddenly realize…
the Martellis are truly no more. The Master of the Family has no desire to lead, and, in fact, cannot.
Instead, the Council is managing everything.
The little bit we left Allesandro with is gone, and the pain hits me hard.
Fuck. The destruction, the carnage, the loss…everything is almost too much. I force myself to press on, to remember the objectives in front of me, but I know I’ll come back to this.
I wonder if Allesandro has realized that while he may have been allowed to live, he’s essentially had all of his power taken away. Then again, from what I saw, he didn’t want the power anyway. Makes me question what Cristian must be going through…
I quickly make it to the medical wing and head directly to Dr. Ranlen.
She’s busy scribbling in charts, but her attention soon shifts to me.
With a snarl, she demands, “What now? I’ve already had to sacrifice some people back to the O’Connel house because Benjamin is an idiot.
I’ve got two men here that I’m responsible for, and if you’ve come to take more resources, or add yet even more responsibilities, I’m not going to care that you’re my brother’s love. ”
Okay, so it turns out, Antonio isn’t the scariest person I’m going to face. Wonderful… Giving her my most hopeful smile, I say, “Actually, I’ve come to help. I’m going to take Allesandro with me to do some spying, so that’ll only leave you with one person to deal with until we get back.”
Dr. Ranlen stares at me as if I’ve told a joke and she’s waiting for the punchline.
My hopeful smile becomes strained, but there’s not much I can do about it.
She pushes the charts out of her way, one falling onto the floor as she stands up, putting her hands on her now empty desk, which I’m thankful is between the two of us.
“He is still getting used to him medication regime. Hell, he’s not even off suicide watch! And you want to take him and waltz into danger? At what point does your brain actually engage and do that thing called thinking?!”
Yep. Fuck. Worse than Antonio. I attempt to blink innocently, but from her glower, I completely fail.
Gambling on her love for Lio, I cajole, “Sarah, favorite sister-in-law, best doctor in the world, he needs to be given a chance, and this is a step forward. Not only to find Lio and Roman, but in fulfilling Lio’s hope that Allesandro heals.
Don’t you want that? Isn’t it a good thing he showed interest in finding Lio?
This is the perfect opportunity. I’ll watch him the entire time, I promise. ”
She pinches the bridge of her nose, grumbling several curse words I’m going to pretend she doesn’t know, before sinking back into her chair.
Still glaring at me, she shakes her head in resignation.
“Fine. But I want it understood that you are taking full responsibility for him. And you’d better bring him back safe and sound.
He is my patient. Doc did not keep him alive only for me to lose him. Got it?”
Convinced she’s thoroughly terrified me—and she has—she starts to pick up the charts again.
I duck around her, knowing any help I offered wouldn’t go over well, and try not to rush toward Allesandro’s room.
I do slightly, but only to get the hell away from Dr. Ranlen before she changes her mind.
As scary as Keegan can be, his sister has him beat.
I knock on Allesandro’s door, barely waiting for him to respond before entering. He looks…better? Maybe? Honestly, it’s too hard for me to tell. Still, at least, he’s somewhat dressed.
With a winsome smile, I ask brightly, “Feel up to doing some spying? We have a lead on the guy who set up the Amatos. We may be able to get info from him. I’m being sent in to relieve the twins, and thought you may like to come along.”
For the first time, I see the echoes of my former Master in his now pale blue eyes.
They seem to visibly sharpen as a slow, savage grin overtakes his face.
My heart hammers as he opens his mouth. It’s only one word, but I’ve never felt a word echo so very much, the promise and anticipation curling around it.
“Absolutely.”
Well, fuck. Keegan may be right. Keeping Allesandro in line may be a tad more work than I expected. I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time…