40. Roman
D oc pushes me into the study, and already I’m a ball of anxiety. The pillow between my back and the wheelchair, and the one I’m clutching, do nothing to save my poor, abused ribs from more damage, as the tenseness in my body is what’s making them ache.
Hopefully, the meds Doc gave me before they helped me into the chair will kick in soon. Not that any type of medicine can heal a broken heart…
Unlike the last time we had a meeting in this room, everyone is commingled. Jude sits with Antonio at his feet, and Tennant is in the chair next to them, while Benjamin hovers protectively at Ten’s side.
Hollis stands behind Lio’s chair, not touching my friend, but I can tell from the look on his face that he wants to desperately.
Carter is between Marcus and Keegan, the two men look like they're the only things keeping my dad upright.
Seeing his worn, drawn face, my heart aches, and tears fill my eyes once more.
Dr. Ranlen is in the room as well, looking both as pissed and resigned as everyone else in the room.
Once Doc and Soren get me situated, they migrate over to where Dr. Ranlen is, and Doc doesn't hesitate to wrap an arm around her.
Boston licks my arm, before leaving my side to go back to her handler. Leandro makes a face as she licks him before settling at his side, and for a moment, the familiar act forces a small smile to cross my lips, until I look around the room once again, and why we're here comes crashing in.
When I meet Lio’s eyes, there's a wealth of pain in them, and I can't stop my tears from falling.
Lio takes a breath and stands, looking at everyone before saying, “We all know why we're here.
You either heard or witnessed what's been going on the last few days. Or are probably a victim of the Bosses yourself.” He glances at Carter and then me. “I…I can't do this anymore. I won't .”
He fiddles with his ring, a nervous gesture I never thought I would see on my friend.
“I called myself the Head of the O’Connel Family and I meant that.
Despite what they want you to believe, I am not just ‘throwing a fit’.
I'm taking back what is mine.” Lio lifts his chin, and I see the Boss he was forced to become way back when the only issue we had was our Bosses being kidnapped.
That was easy compared to whatever the fuck is happening now.
“I'll be moving into the O’Connel house and starting my rule from there. I am not telling you what to do, I will not become one of them. But if you would like to join me, the offer is there.”
Even though I knew it was coming, my heart still stops in my chest, and I let out a stuttered breath.
“I'd like to request sanctuary,” Carter says.
I look at him, and when he meets my eyes, I see all the love he's ever had for me in them. Swallowing, I have to look away. Not because I don't want to see it, but because I can't handle the weight of anyone else's emotions right now.
“As Head of the De Luca Family, I am asking for help from the O’Connel Boss.”
“Granted, of course. You and I… We don't deserve this.”
“No, we don't. So…we'll do what we need to. I don't have much, but I have people who will follow me. How trustworthy they'll be…that's negligible, but it's protection.”
“I do have people that can be trusted,” I say. All eyes look at me, and I try my best to gather myself, but being stuck in a chair with multiple injuries, and having my heart ripped out of my chest by the one person I should have always been able to trust makes it impossible.
“I'm the heir to the Amato Family. I already proved I am a decent Boss once, I'm prepared to take a stand and do it again.”
“Roman…” Carter says.
I shake my head and clutch my pillow a little tighter, ignoring the flash of pain in my chest.
“I know what he told you. He was wrong and out of line.
No one, and I mean no one, gets to disrespect you.
You're my dad, the one who loves me and has supported me from the very beginning.
The one who taught me that it doesn't matter if I like to paint my nails, that I can be confident and wear my skirts.
That doesn't judge me for loving more than one person. I will always stand by you.”
I look around the room, meeting the eyes of each of my lovers, devastated that one is missing still.
“It's time to prove, not only to the men who don't deserve the title of Boss, but to ourselves, that the old ways are gone and over with. We want so badly to be better than them, this is how we do it.”
Carter comes over and presses a kiss to my hair, before cupping my face in both hands and lifting it to his. “Ti voglio bene, Figlio Mio.”
“I love you, too,” I whisper. “You're my dad, no matter what other people try to say.”
He presses a kiss to my forehead and backs away.
I look at my lovers. “I'll follow you, Amore,” Hollis says. He glances at Lio. “Both of you.”
Tennant struggles for a moment, and my heart breaks all over again, because I know as hard as this is for me and Carter, it's a million times worse for Ten. He doesn't trust easily, but when he does, it's because someone proves their worth. And that all started with my father.
“I can't leave him to his own devices, not for long, but he doesn't get to hurt my people and get me at the same time. I…need to speak with him, eventually. But that can wait. You need me more, Little Prince. Emilio needs me.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Tennant shakes his head. “Don't thank me for doing the right thing.”
“I…” Jude looks from me to the man at his feet. “I’ll stay if you need me to, Bello.”
Antonio looks up at him. “You're Roman’s Second. He needs you. Family first, always. It's part of loyalty.” He sounds so confused, and I want to hug him.
“You are part of that, Antonio. If you need to stay, I'm not letting you do it alone. I don't trust him.”
“I…” He falters. “I can't trust him anymore…”
“Shhh, come here.” Jude helps him up into his lap, the smaller man curling around himself. “It's going to be okay. Whatever happens, he's not allowed to hurt you anymore. I got you. I…” Jude swallows and closes his eyes. “I love you, Bello. And I'm going to take care of you.”
Antonio cries, and I have to look away. Not because my feelings are hurt over Jude saying those words, I don't need them, I know how he feels about me. But the least we can do is give them as much privacy as possible.
Doc steps forward, away from Dr. Ranlen and Soren.
“I need to stay. I don't condone what they're doing, but Cristian was the first person to ever believe in me.
And I need to see if there's any of that left in him.
I can take care of Luca, make sure he doesn't get into trouble, and keep the assholes alive—or put them down.
Either way, for now, I'm staying put. Kail and Rose will go to help with the medical stuff, but Daddy and the trips will stay here with me.”
“We can't trust him, Doc,” Ten says.
“I know.” Doc’s voice wavers. “I know. But one of us has to try, Tennant. You need to be with your family, to help keep them alive, and I need to do the same here. Plus,” he looks between Carter, Lio, and me, “I have James, and maybe Jayden, if he's not too pissed to work PT with Cristian and Luca.
Joel will obviously follow Ten anywhere.
But…the three of them can easily stay in communication with one another. It'll be helpful for us to have that.”
“If they get caught…” Lio says.
“It's a risk they'll willingly take,” Doc replies. “But we'll be careful.”
“I could probably help with that,” Leandro says. “I'd offer to stay as well, but Cristian knows too much about me to trust that. But…the dining room isn't the only place I bugged or have access to.”
“The first move they'll make is having our people lock you out of our systems,” Marcus points out.
Leandro grins. “I like a challenge.”
“I'm more than happy to have the Amatos and De Lucas as allies,” Lio says carefully. Then, one by one, he looks at each Martelli, and the tension in the room becomes palpable as we wait for their responses.