12. Keegan
The conference room is seeing more traffic lately.
This time, it's to “welcome” Atticus. From the look on Jude’s face, welcome is the very last thing he’s feeling.
I understand the protective instincts, even though I’m not a Daddy.
It’s still a person we know nothing about, as neither Leandro nor Hollis were able to find anything about this guy.
It raises the hairs on the back of my neck, and I desperately want my lovers and our children away from the one-man killing machine. And his pet fucking bunny.
But first up, we’re waiting on Javi. Not only does he need to be here for the introduction, I know we’re all anxiously wanting an update on everything, even if he can’t break confidentiality.
Still, for now, it’s only Jude, myself, and Carter in the room.
And, of course, a damn basket of baked goods.
At this point, if Sandro keeps baking at this level, we’ll need to buy him a bakery so things don’t go to waste.
“Breathe,” Carter whispers to me, and I try to follow his direction, but fuck if it isn’t hard.
Growling, I glance at my watch, muttering, “I’m not a fan of people being late.”
“It’s only two minutes…” Carter’s eyes dance with amusement, but I can’t help my natural state is promptness. The military reinforced that, and even after so many years out of it, that hasn’t left me.
“Sorry! Sorry!” Javi jogs in, carrying a notebook, with his hair all askew.
I purse my lips at his outfit. It’s…colorful.
I’m beginning to question where he even finds this shit.
Green, pink, and blue are swirled together like a damn tie-dye—on a button-down shirt!
Normally, he’s at least wearing khakis, but this time he has on jeans with crystals studded through them, including a heart made of a rainbow of crystals on one of the back pockets. This may be his worst outfit yet…
Jude makes a noise in the back of his throat that pretty much summarizes the absolute horror that we’re all likely thinking. However, Javi seems unfazed as he opens his notebook. Glancing up at us, he raises his eyebrow as if we’re the ones running behind.
“Thank you for joining us,” Carter says smoothly, even as his fingers twitch. “We wondered if you had an update?”
Javi sighs before staring up at the ceiling. The three of us exchange a glance. I’m not sure if we collectively want to strangle Javi, or if we should be concerned. Eventually, Javi shrugs and turns his attention back to us.
“Sorry, I didn’t sleep well.” It’s then that I notice he truly does seem sleep-deprived, even if the colorful statement he’s making distracts from it.
“As for an update, let’s see. I obviously can’t tell you much, but here’s the brief rundown.
Lio is at the point of discharge. He’s had several sessions with the therapist, and Anderson feels comfortable releasing him from suicide watch, especially given that he seems committed.
“Connor reports there are issues with Hollis. While he initially agreed to more extensive therapy instead of being admitted for observation, he’s back to avoidance. We’re watching the situation closely.
“We also have an issue with Roman… Basically, we’re unable to clear him.
Physically he’s fine, and we were hoping seeing Lio get help would motivate him, but it seems to only isolate him further.
So unfortunately, until he works with us, we can’t let him leave.
It’s too dangerous. We’re hoping that someone can help get through to him, because right now, he won’t see Connor.
“Sandro is consistent at making time to get better.
That being said, Cristian has only just started coming around to the idea of getting help, he and Roman are very alike in this instance, but considering Atticus is here now, that will help to not overload our therapists. Plus, I think those two will mesh.
“I have some concerns, mainly around Benjamin, but we’re working on a plan. Marcus has met with Brannigan, and I think that will go well. He can likely leave the medical wing, if he feels up to it. His medication appears stabilized.
“Monroe seems to be working his magic as well. The only concern Reid would like me to bring up is that the bodyguards seem to be being careful not to intrude on their privacy, but after Atticus…he would feel more comfortable with a bodyguard who takes, uh, closer initiative with Anderson.”
“Well, since you, Doc, and I are going to be talking about your friend after this, we can also discuss that issue,” Jude states firmly.
Javi winces, but otherwise, maintains his calmness. Considering the slight homicidal rage lurking beneath Jude’s skin, I’m not sure if Javi is foolish or has an untapped well of courage. Possibly both.
Carter sighs, his forehead wrinkling with the stress of Roman.
I wish I had an answer for him. Part of me wants to reach over and lend him my support, but I’ll never suffocate him, and as a Boss, I know he needs to stand on his own feet.
Afterwards, though? That’s time for him and me. And our Tease.
“Do you have any suggestions regarding Roman?” Carter seems to reluctantly force the words out.
Javi rubs his chin for a moment before saying, “I think you should talk to Hollis and Lio. I think Hollis can help with understanding why Roman is hesitant, and Lio and Roman spend most of their time together. Perhaps having that reinforcement will help. Unfortunately, therapy is only successful when the subject wants it. Otherwise…”
The air feels like it’s been sucked out of the room with that statement.
Because we can’t lose Roman, but I worry that’s what will happen if he keeps pushing help away.
Fuck. Carter’s throat bobs, and he reaches for his glass of water.
My sharp eyes notice his slightly shaky hand, but I doubt others do.
After he manages a few sips, he sets the glass down and takes a deep breath.
“Thank you, Javi. We’ll work on the information you gave us.”
He nods, humming happily as he turns toward the door. With a bounce in his seat, he exclaims, “Atticus!”
Blinking, I’m surprised that, one, he could even hear the man coming down the hallway, and two, how very different Atticus looks today. I saw the video from yesterday. I fully expected a bear of a man in worn-out denim and a leather jacket with unruly hair. Instead…
“It’s good to see you, Javi,” Atticus returns smoothly, before turning to face us and offering his hand.
Gone is the wild-man look. I exchange a glance with Jude, because I almost can’t rectify the change.
He’s still got an earring in, just a plain stud, but he’s dressed in a suit that, in the past, would’ve fit in with the Martellis perfectly.
It’s black with a snow-white shirt and a skinny gold tie.
Hell, even his dress shoes are polished.
His beard is gone and somehow he managed a haircut, although fuck if I know how. It’s now so neatly done that it would have met Allesandro’s policy. Fuck. This is insane.
Hell, the only reason I'm sure it’s the same person is the bunny by his side. I eye her warily. The name Fury, and the way Atticus seemingly changed overnight, concerns me. As someone who spent so much time undercover, there’s a feeling there that doesn’t go away whenever someone acts…suspiciously.
After shaking our hands, he takes a seat, folding his hands in front of him and staring at us intently, as if he wants to pick us apart to see what makes us tick. Eventually, Carter clears his throat and starts the introductions.
“It’s, uh, nice to meet you, Atticus. I’m sorry we were unprepared for your arrival. We weren’t given a time that you’d be here, and things are a little…dicey right now. I’m Carter, one of the Council members, and please, let me introduce Keegan and Jude, our Voices.”
“It’s a pleasure.” His voice is warm, and not as gravelly as it was yesterday when he talked to Lio. “My apologies for not giving a time of arrival. Javi and Doc both called me—that’s how I knew it was urgent. So as soon as I was done with my previous assignment, I came right away.”
I bite my tongue, trying not to ask questions, but thankfully, Jude doesn’t have that issue. “Your previous assignment?”
“Yes,” Atticus responds simply, his body language giving nothing away. It’s…disturbing on so many levels.
“Well, you are a sight for sore eyes,” Javi says cheerfully. “I’m sure you have plenty to do before starting to see clients. I’ll warn you, there’s a reason Doc and I called you. This is going to be your toughest assignment yet.”
“Even tougher than…?” Atticus lets the statement trail off, shutting down any insight into him.
Javi nods grimly. “Yeah. I have you scheduled with the former Head of the Amatos first.”
Atticus strokes his chin, and I note the brief flare in his eyes.
He seems surprised there’s no beard there anymore, alongside his obvious interest. At least, that’s how it reads to me.
It’s been too long since I’ve had to step into the past, but with Atticus…
I have a feeling profiling will be my friend with him.
Shrugging carelessly, Atticus says, “Very well. You have notes, I’m assuming?”
“We can sit down and go through everything after this.” At Jude’s very loud cough, Javi rolls his eyes. “After I meet with the lovely Jude, of course.”
“Very well, I’ll wait for you to come get me. I’m going to walk Fury outside for a bit. I hear there are goats?”
“Yep, you’ll meet Monroe later. He’s the owner of Lizzie and Billy.”
“Wait!” Carter calls when Atticus stands up. “Shouldn’t we discuss pay? And how you know Javi and Doc?”
Atticus just laughs as he shakes his head, as if Carter isn’t serious. “Nah, we’re all good. I’ll let you know if I have any questions. For now, Fury and I are going to do some investigating.”
With that, he strolls out, with his…bunny by his side. The three of us stare hard at Javi, but he merely smiles. Carter drops his head into his hands, groaning.
Javi magically takes that as a sign that the meeting is done, and when he stands, so does Jude. From the guilty look Javi gives him, he was absolutely thinking of absconding without facing the consequences… Good luck with that. Hopefully, Jude can find out more information regarding Atticus.
For now, I merely open my arm and let Carter lean against me. No words need to be spoken, just the constant support of knowing he has us. I’ll definitely be watching Atticus closely though.