Chapter 20 Keegan
Marcus is…not light. At all. Fuck. I glance down the long hallway, and the mere idea of lifting him up the stairs and all the way to our room is a no. A fuck no. Because I’m too old for this shit.
Sighing, Doc eyes Marcus in frustration. “There’s a cot. It’s being put in Carter’s room. I assume you know how to behave. Although, asking anyone in this damn family to behave is foolish. I don’t know why I expect it, or how Sarah managed with all of you as well…”
I bite my tongue, now used to Doc’s sunny personality, and let him guide me to Carter’s room, where there is indeed a cot.
I gently lay my lover down and step backward, rubbing my lower back.
Doc just snorts at me and mutters something about Jayden—not words I want to hear.
My lower back is fine. I do not need a sadistic physical therapist.
As soon as Doc is out of the room, Carter demands, “Is he alright? I thought it was Allesandro who was shot!”
I stare at Carter, slightly impressed by his willingness to wait until Doc is out of the room.
Likely because he wants to get out of here soon, and pissing Doc off is not in anyone’s best interest. Walking around the cot and the hospital bed, I stop at the chair next to Carter. But first…the most important part.
Bending down, I brush a kiss against his lips.
I don’t mean to linger, but he’s so fucking addictive, and when he moans…
damn. All I want is to strip him and worship every inch of him.
Fucking injuries. Pulling back, I promise myself to spend hours with him as soon as he’s healed.
And the thought of having him and Marcus together makes my dick so hard it fucking hurts.
Breathing out and forcing myself to be patient, I sit down and take Carter’s hand in mine.
“He’s fine, Love,” I reassure Carter. “Doc drugged him. There was an…incident in the hallway. Both him and Antonio got a little caught up in their feelings and it devolved into an argument.”
“Wait. Marcus and Antonio?” Carter’s flabbergasted tone matches my thoughts, and had I not seen it all unfold, I’d struggle to believe it as well.
Shrugging, I brush the hair from my forehead, desperately wishing I could just be done with this day.
“Antonio still harbors a great deal of anger at Allesandro. He wasn’t happy with Marcus’s decision to bring him here, but that likely saved him.
And…in all honesty, I know Marcus struggles with the love and loyalty he has toward Allesandro.
Not romantic love, but more the love of a parent. ”
Carter cringes as his nose wrinkles in distaste. “Despite…?”
Snorting, I respond, “Yeah, despite the kinky shit. Allesandro does truly love his Boys. That was evident to me when I spent time watching him. He’s just not used to love, and only knew how to show it in a way that wasn’t right.
But, he saved Marcus, and taught him strategy, how to be better.
He gave him a place of belonging. Hell, he even gave him the Martelli name. ”
“Did he really step in front of Marcus?” Carter’s brow furrows, and I understand. It’s a heavy thought to carry about a man we thought to be our enemy.
I squeeze my Love’s hand, wanting to give him comfort.
“Yes. He once again saved Marcus’s life.
Quite honestly, I’m not sure what to make of everything.
I thought what he did to Lio proved who he was at the core—rotten.
But now I wonder if the PTSD just twisted a part of him, one that was already broken, and maybe he has more loyalty than I thought. ”
Carter stares at me warily, a frown marring his beautiful face—scars and all. “Would you apply that same thought process to Cristian? That he was only reacting based on what he went through?”
My heartbeat stutters as I’m captured by his words. My frustration toward Allesandro doesn’t come close to the utter loathing I have for Cristian. It’s comparing a spark, a mere ember, to a raging bonfire. Gritting my teeth, I shake my head.
“I don’t know him well enough to say, but…Allesandro has given up everything without a fight. And has shown he puts others before himself. He offered himself to our—to your—disposal.”
Carter merely hums, the pain not leaving his face, and I wish I could fix it.
Unfortunately, it’s not my place, and admittedly, I’m biased.
I’d rather run a knife through Cristian’s heart than try to accept any sort of amends.
Roman being grown doesn’t change the fact they’re still tied together as parents—regardless of what Roman feels—nor does giving a ring back end a marriage permanently.
That fear resides in me, that our Love will walk away.
Yet, how can I do anything other than wish for his happiness?
Breaking into my bleak thoughts, Carter asks, “Just how bad was the fight?”
“Brutal.” My lips press into a thin line, the memories of them both slinging insults bothering me deeply—especially how far Antonio went.
Granted, I’m not happy that Marcus went so low either, but fuck.
Antonio proved that words can be just as harmful as weapons.
Hell, sometimes moreso, because there’s not a day that goes by where Marcus doesn’t think of his angel in heaven.
Calling his fatherhood into question… I trust Jude to figure out what the hell is going on with Antonio.
My only responsibility in this argument is to my Tease—and to my Love.
“Any idea how to solve it?” My Love’s worried voice is a balm to my heart, reminding me I’m not alone in this, and fuck if I didn’t realize how much I needed that.
Closing my eyes, I let his care wash over me. Opening them again, I meet his gaze, snared in the love he radiates. “I…don’t know. But one very important issue was raised. Antonio says they are from two different Families now.”
Carter’s jaw drops, and I feel a flash of vindication that I’m not the only one who feels shocked by such a claim. Regaining his composure, he narrows his eyes. “I did not expect that. I mean, I suppose it makes sense given the way we broke things off and our initial migration here…”
“But we are supposed to be more. We are not divided,” I finish softly.
He tenses his jaw as he heeds my words, and this time he squeezes my hand, a deep stubbornness blazing in his eyes.
“Then perhaps I should make that clear. Just because we have three Seconds, it does not mean we are three… No, that’s merely organization.
Even without Roman and Lio here, I know in my heart what they would say. ”
“We’re one.” He nods at my words, and I feel it deep inside.
The sense of belonging finally clicks within me.
I’ve only felt this before with my Tease, but now?
Now, I know I’m exactly where I should be.
Led by three men who can help guide our organization into the next phase, and fuck if I’m not lucky to have that.
Now I just need to wait for Marcus to wake up so we can start to get everything straightened out. Because fuck if I’ll let a stupid squabble divide us. And if I need to work with Jude to help fix this…well, two Doms are better than one at times. It’ll be fun—for us.
“I don’t think I like that look on your face,” Carter mentions lightly, even as his eyes widen.
Chuckling, I bend over and give him another kiss. Sitting back, I smile at him innocently. “What do you mean? I’m merely thinking of ways to fix Antonio and Marcus’s relationship. And that perhaps Jude would be willing to share some…thoughts with me.”
Carter shakes his head as he glances over at my Tease, still knocked out from whatever Doc gave him. “I almost feel sorry for him. I don’t want to know what sadistic things you two can come up with together.”
I merely smile. Especially, as I wonder if Carter has realized that he’ll be under my domain now as well. I take being a Dom seriously. I’ll follow Carter and the Council wherever they lead me, but in our relationship—in our bed, I will always be the one in control…