Chapter 30
Entering Jude’s newest domain as one of the Council’s Voices has me feeling antsy.
I want to be with Roman, but it feels right to be back at work.
The only problem being my current jailer…
who is very much proving the point that all physical therapists are sadists.
Sadly, he’s the exact kind I like, which makes it harder to resist.
Jude gestures for me to sit as Jayden comes up behind me.
He plants himself stiffly beside me, crossing his arms. “You will make sure he doesn’t overdo it.
I’ll be back in an hour with the wheelchair in case he didn’t listen to my rules.
For both of your sakes, the Princess had better listen. And if you finish early, call me.”
With that, he whirls around and strides out.
A blush heats my cheeks, especially as Jude stares at me.
There aren’t words for the swirling, confusing feelings Jayden pulls from me.
Nor do I understand why he’s so interested in me, especially as he’s made it clear that it’s not just sexual for him, despite his words when we first met.
Regardless of the fact Roman gave permission, it’s a line I won’t cross.
I can’t bring myself to do it. At least, not on my own.
With a tired smile, I greet Jude, signing as I do. “Hello. The triplets are teaching me to sign. May I practice? I’m sorry for any mistakes.”
Jude raises an eyebrow, shock momentarily crossing his face before his expressionless mask drops back into place. “Of course. Is there a reason you’re learning?”
I sigh, grateful that he’s carefully and slowly signing as he speaks.
His confusion, however, escapes me. Trying to be careful of my body language, I attempt to solely sign this part so he can understand.
“You’re important to Roman, which means you are just as important to me.
Roman loves you, and I’ll do everything I can to foster a relationship of my own with you. ”
A brief smile is there and then it's gone, but he takes a moment to fix my fingers on the word relationship. The trips have thrown so many different variations and types of signs at me that, even though it’s not a complicated sign, I still mess it up.
Thankfully, Jude doesn’t make an issue out of it.
Although I quickly go back to speaking at the same time as signing.
“I wasn’t given much information. Can you tell me what you need my help with?” I ask, waiting patiently.
Jude grimaces as he mutters under his breath, his fingers working too fast for me to follow, but I’m fairly certain I can make out the meaning of those signs, and he is not thrilled.
With a deep breath, he starts again, this time speaking directly to me as he signs.
“Javi and Doc want two therapists brought in. The other therapists agree that they are at the top of their field. However, for different reasons, both seem…unlikely to want to work with us.”
Sitting back, I relax in my seat, finally understanding why they need me. I tended to be in charge of…acquisitions for the Martellis. “Kidnapping or blackmail?”
His sneer is there and gone quickly, but it hurts my heart.
I know what the Amatos think of us, but fucking hell.
This was my job—and it’s one I was good at.
It wasn’t something to argue over at the time.
And right now, if we’re being told these two therapists are necessary, then fuck yes, I’ll get them here.
Still, Jude scrubs his face in frustration, before saying and signing, “I can’t find anything to be used as blackmail.”
“Alright then, kidnapping it is. I can’t do the initial stalking. Jayden won’t let me out for fieldwork yet. Would Antonio be able to help?”
“He’s supposed to have surgery soon for what that bitch did to him.”
“The twins?” I respond, knowing that Antonio has trained them to be perfect little ghosts.
With an unhappy sigh, he agrees, “Very well. How would you go about it?”
“Do you at least have a file started on the two people you want pulled in?” I ask, needing something to go off. Kidnapping takes special skill. Not everyone reacts the same way, and we’ll be fucked if we apply the same rules to both of them.
Jude hands me two folders and turns to his computer as I study the information in front of me.
With a curse of my own, I raise my eyes to meet Jude’s.
“You realize it will take a miracle to pull off Brannigan, right? The man is surrounded by security, based on what you have here, not to mention Javi’s note about how the guy doesn’t deal with criminals?
Kidnapping him…that may be the only option, but to be honest, it’s a risk.
Far more than Connor, who, from what I’m seeing, is so batshit crazy that he’d probably laugh afterward. ”
“Any other ideas for Brannigan? I can’t find anything to bribe him with.” Jude’s sharp eyes somehow become more intense, and fuck, I can definitely see why Antonio and Marcus were whispering about him being a Dom.
“There has to be something,” I say grimly. “There’s always a weak spot, you just need to find it.”
“Like what?” Jude snaps, his fingers emphasizing his frustration.
Shrugging, I put my life on the line. “A family member. A loved one. Hell, his reputation. Something.”
“You think a mental health professional will happily help us if we threaten him or his loved ones?” Jude’s disbelief is valid, but, unfortunately, I’ve been stuck here before.
Sometimes there’s no good answer. Sometimes a person’s back is against the wall, and it’s necessary to make terrible decisions, ones that prevent someone from looking in the mirror.
“Look, I’m not saying that’s the way we have to go, but until we know more, there’s no way to make this decision.
Bribery, kidnapping, threats… They’re all going to impact him differently, and influence his choices afterward.
What we have to our advantage, once we get him to listen, is a very real need for his expertise.
However, until I know more about him, I can’t begin to guess which is the best route to take.
“Fuck, I wish Il Padrone was still Il Padrone in this situation. You may hate him, but he had the silver tongue of the devil for a reason. His confidence did far more than any threats.”
Jude doesn’t say anything, he just stares down at the folders blankly. “So where do we go from here?”
“Have the twins start tailing both of them. For Connor, ask them to figure out the best time to grab him. But for Brannigan? Tell them you need a full work up. They’ll have to integrate more with Brannigan than just following him, but it’ll give us an idea of what we’re up against. And then we regroup and make the best decision we can. ”
“Should we…?” He trails off, and I know what he wants to ask, but I won’t make him.
Shaking my head, I respond, “No. Whatever the hell is going on with Allesandro, he won’t be able to help now.
He’s too broken. And whatever you think of that, since I know you’ll protect Antonio the same way I’d protect Roman, you need to understand that most—if not all—of us Boys still care for him, or have some loyalty toward him. ”
Jude’s face gives away his opinion, but I hope he can let it go for Antonio’s sake. I’m not here to fight with him about it though. When there’s a knock on the door, I glance at the clock on the wall and groan. Fuck.
The door opens before Jude can say anything, and Jayden is right there, pushing a wheelchair.
Of course, I’ve been sitting this whole time, but I don’t plan on arguing with Jayden.
Not when he has that look in his eyes. Plus, to be honest, the emotional fatigue is pulling me down harder than the physical at this point.
Jayden points to Jude in warning—likely because he sees right through me, including when I’m upset—before turning his attention to me. “Alright, Princess. Time to get you back to your room.”
“Yes, Sir,” I mumble, not fighting as I switch to the wheelchair.
I make sure to say goodbye to Jude, but for the most part, everything blends into the background.
I blink when Jayden is suddenly urging me out of the chair.
I didn’t even notice I was back in my room.
Fuck, I wish I had asked him to take me to see Roman.
Something, anything, to calm the thoughts preying on my mind, making me question myself.
I need my Little One’s sunshine. He may not realize it, but he carries my entire heart with him. His soul is what makes me smile, and gives me the strength to go on. Sitting in this room alone is like being bitterly cold with no way to get warm.
Jayden must understand, though, because after he has helped me into bed, he parks himself in the guest chair. I don’t ask any questions, just taking comfort from his presence as I try to shut down the past that's chasing me.
Maybe Jude’s got a point about bribery, but fuck, if this is the guy who can truly help Marcus, then I feel no guilt doing what needs to be done. Family first. Despite no longer being the Martelli Family, I’ll always be a Martelli at heart—and we take care of our own.