30. Tennant
“ Y ou should be resting,” Roman’s raspy, sleep-roughed voice says.
Leaning forward carefully, I grab his water and help him take a few sips. “I thought you’d sleep longer. Leandro said Kail had to drug you again.”
He shrugs one shoulder. “I’m going to have to have another set of x-rays done tomorrow.
Doc wants to double check I didn’t make any of my ribs shift out of place, or break the ones that were only cracked but not broken completely; because then we’ll have to worry about one of them puncturing a lung. ”
“Roman…”
“I watched what happened at dinner,” he says quietly. “Leandro…I don’t know why, but he bugged the dining room and was watching it, and then when Lio and Carter made their stands… What the fuck is happening, Tennant? I don’t understand?”
I sigh and try to get comfortable in the chair.
My side hurts like a bitch, but it’s nothing I haven’t dealt with before.
“Your father stabbing Chaos set off a…chain of events. Il Padrone not only allowed it, but he is condoning the gutting. If Cristian had only stabbed him, no one would have batted an eye, but going as far as he did… Il Padrone has declared he’s not raising a finger against Cristian. ”
“What?” he asks sharply. “So Il Padrone is perfectly okay with one of his Boys possibly dying? That…that doesn’t seem like him.”
“Right. I don’t know what’s going on with Emilio and him, but apparently the puppy isn’t too happy with his Master.
It’s a smart move either way, if done correctly.
Emilio’s influence over his birthright would only make the Martellis stronger, but I’m not sure if Il Padrone will see it that way. He’s currently on Team Be-An-Asshole.”
Roman huffs a laugh and then groans. “And Carter? I know he and Dad had words and Carter took some space away from him after their argument—at least, according to Leandro, but what was that with Carter claiming to be a De Luca?”
“What else has Leandro told you?” I ask, my suspicions rising at my son’s sudden interest in everyone's interpersonal lives.
“That’s it? Why? Is something else happening? Besides the rescue plan?”
I shake my head, deciding not to worry him until I find out more.
With Leandro, nothing is ever as it seems. He purposefully chose what information to relay to Roman, and right now, with him possibly injuring himself further from worrying about his friend and his fathers, it’s not a good time to give him any more to stress over.
There’s a knock on the door before it opens and Benjamin steps into the room. “You should be resting.” He scowls when he sees me.
“That’s what I said.” Roman rolls his eyes. “But you know Ten, worst patient ever.”
“I’m fine,” I tell them both. I hold my arm out to Benjamin and he sighs, but closes the door and walks across the room to me.
His entire body is tense when he slips into my embrace, and I hate that there’s nothing I can do to ease it. I hold him as tightly as I can one-handedly, knowing he’ll growl at me if I try to use both, hoping that he gets some comfort from me.
“How’s Lio doing?” Roman asks.
Benjamin lets out a long sigh and shakes his head. “He’s…heartbroken. I’ve never seen him like this before. Il Padrone…he’s acting like an asshole. Even that word’s too tame for him, I think, but I don’t have any others.”
Roman’s face crumples. “Poor Lio. What the hell is Il Padrone thinking? I mean, I can guess where Dad’s head is at, but I haven’t spoken to him about it. I don’t agree with what he did. None of this makes sense.”
“Yeah…” Benjamin sighs again. “Which is why Lio wants to have a meeting after the rescue. He…has some things he wants to say, to run by everyone—not the Bosses. I know you’re both probably tired, and I hate doing it when you’re injured, but it’s important to Lio. Carter too, probably.”
“We’ll be there,” Roman says.
I’d protest, not wanting him to move around or to be anywhere near the shitshow I can guess is coming…
because my head is currently filled with many thoughts, but I can see where this is going.
Especially, since the Bosses aren’t invited to this meeting.
But, the look in Roman’s eyes, and defiant tip of his chin, tells me he’s not speaking as Roman, but as the Amato heir, and following his order isn’t a hardship.
“Okay, we’ll be there,” I say softly.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t do that. You never have to thank me for anything, Topolino. I’d give you the world if I could, so going to a meeting is nothing in comparison.”
“Gross,” Roman grumbles. “Can I convalesce in peace?”
Benjamin lets out a small laugh. “Bet you'd like it if Ignacio said it to you.”
To my astonishment, the little shit blushes. I wasn't aware he could blush. Filing that information away for later, I focus back on Benjamin. “Do you or Emilio need anything? I'm not allowed to do much, but I'd like to support you in any way I can.”
Benjamin shakes his head. “I need to go track down Carter and Dr. Ranlen, to tell them about the meeting. Can you pass the message to Hollis and Jude?”
I nod. “Of course. I'll give you one guess where Carter is right now. Jude was with Antonio, last I heard, while Hol and Leandro are pulling information for the rescue.”
“Okay. I'll go talk to Sarah then.”
“I'd suggest asking Doc to attend, too.” If this meeting is what I think, I already know his answer, but he can help Emilio and Dr. Ranlen coordinate the medical team.
“Okay. I should probably consult with both of them about Ignacio, anyway. I need to get going, so I can get that done.”
“Are you going on the rescue mission?” Roman asks.
I tense, waiting for Benjamin's answer.
“No. Antonio got Jude to agree, so I'll stay here to finish the task Lio set me.”
“You can come sit with me, if you want,” Roman offers. “Normally, I hang out with Hollis when I'm not in the field, but that's not possible now. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you stay with him and Leandro.”
“Thank you, I'll think about it.”
“If I can get away with it,” I tell Benjamin, “I'll be staying here with Roman during the rescue. So join us if you want—or need to.”
“Okay.” He kisses me, the touch full of passion, and for the first time since he walked into the room, I feel his tension ease a little. “I love you. Don't push yourself too hard, and I'll see you later. Okay?”
“Same to you. I don't want you to collapse from exhaustion, you'll be no good to Emilio then. Come see me when they're out, okay?”
“Yeah…” He presses one last kiss to my lips and pulls away.
After a moment's hesitation, he moves to Roman’s bedside and presses a kiss to his cheek. “Be careful. Lio and Carter both need you. Stop being stupid with your injuries.”
“I'll try.”
Benjamin sighs, but with one last look in my direction, he leaves the room.
Roman looks at the closed door and then to me. “I am suddenly very worried now. He kissed me. And…was nice? I mean, the look on his face wasn't forced nice, but he…seemed like he actually cared? Did I wake up in an alternate dimension or…”
I laugh and then groan as my wound aches. “Maybe you're finally winning him over. Don't question it, Little Prince.”
“Maybe…” he mumbles, but the look on his face says he's not buying it.
Roman isn't an idiot. He may play down his intelligence sometimes, but that's because he was trained to.
His pretty looks make people assume things about him, and he uses that to his advantage.
He is turning into a man anyone could be proud of, which is what makes Cris's actions all the more grating, because it's like his kidnapping made him forget that.
Sighing, I try to get comfortable in the chair. “Go rest, Ten. I'm fine.”
I shake my head. “I don't want you to be alone. I'm okay.”
“Tennant.”
“Please, Little Prince. Just let me do this.”
He narrows his eyes but nods. “Fine. But if you hurt too much, promise you'll go rest?”
“I'll be fine.”
“Please?”
I hate it. He really shouldn't be alone with everything going on, but… I also know I'll get my ass kicked by all my lovers, and the two doctors, if they think I'm not taking care of myself.
And if things play out how I suspect they will, I'll need every ounce of strength I have.
“Okay.”
He smiles softly and shifts on the bed, wincing as he does so, before settling down and closing his eyes.
All I can do is watch him, and hope he's not put in a position that he isn't physically or emotionally ready for. Something tells me we aren't that lucky though.