Chapter 33
Akilling/torture session followed by a kidnapping? It’s been a while since I’ve had this much fun. Though, I doubt my Little Lamb would appreciate it if this adventure ended with a blow job… He is quite protective of his Shining Stars.
Not that I can afford another tick in my shitlist column with Hol… He hasn’t done anything about me and Javi yet, which makes me marginally fear for Javi’s safety, but not enough to warn the psychiatrist. It’ll be his “Welcome to the Family” present from Hollis—if he lives.
Connor Throne is rather boring. His routine is straightforward, and staking him out wasn’t nearly as exciting as it should have been for a man who apparently needs to be kidnapped to agree to work with us.
I watch as Connor enters the coffee shop.
The one variant in his weekly routine is that he switches where he gets his coffee from once a week, as if determined to find that “perfect” place.
Something both Hollis and Lio tried to explain is very important and serious business, but I am not an addict like they are, so I’ll just take their word for it.
When Connor leaves the coffee shop, he cuts through the alley, because apparently, the guy likes walking when he can. While I can appreciate a good exercise routine…walking? How utterly uninspiring.
It’s good for us, though. It allows Nario to stop him, using his big hazel eyes and sweet demeanor to lure out Connor’s caregiving side. And that gives me enough time to sneak up on him.
Connor tries to turn, but I grab him, holding him close and subduing him, even as he tries to fight back. He’s as tall as I am, but is built more like Hollis, so it’s all muscle memory for me as I hold him still so Nario can slip the needle into his neck.
The sedatives Doc’s been using are different from the ones he slips Hollis and I for our kidnapping games, and it’s quite disappointing when things are over so quickly.
“Your Bel Fiore has taught you well,” I compliment, as I readjust Connor in my arms, now that he’s a deadweight.
Nario beams at me, but doesn’t get to respond as Nicolo comes down the alley with the car.
After putting a few zip ties around Connor’s wrists and ankles, we stuff him in the trunk.
“I’m kind of disappointed,” Nario says with a pout as we get into the car. “That was so straightforward, it was almost boring.”
I snort, understanding now what drew Jude to the twins—they’re as insane as the rest of us.
The drive back to the house is short, and Connor is waking up when I drag him from the trunk. His wide green eyes don’t look scared, more annoyed, which is interesting. Though he doesn’t say a word as Joel comes out to help me carry him into the house.
“I hate when you go places without me,” the bodyguard bitches.
“I know,” I reply cheerfully.
We take Connor to the conference room, where Javi, Doc, Jude, and Carter are waiting. As soon as Connor sees Javi, he blanches.
“Of course, it’s fucking you,” he snarks. “Can’t you do anything the normal way, Javi?”
Javi grins around the sucker in his mouth. Popping the candy out, he says, “Nope. Nice to see you. I have a job for you.”
“No,” Connor replies flatly. “In fact, fuck no. I know the kind of shit you get into. No, thanks.” He looks at me. “This was fun and all, but I’m ready to go home now.”
I smile. “You’re amusing.”
Forcing Connor into the chair across from Carter, I back up a few steps, but stay within reach, just in case.
“I’m sorry we’re meeting like this,” Carter tells him. “But your schedule is booked out, and well, we were informed you wouldn’t see us, even if you had the time.”
“Hmm, I wonder why,” Connor mutters.
“You like it, and you know it,” Javi retorts. “Stop playing hard to get.”
Carter sighs. “Please, ignore him. Let’s start fresh. I’m Carter Amato, and I am one third of the Council.” There’s a pause as we all gauge to see if Connor knows what that means.
The way he laughs suggests he does. “Oh, this is great. What the hell have you gotten yourself into now, Javi? I’m not saving your ass, if that’s what you’re hoping for?”
“We need your expertise,” Doc says, before anyone else can speak up.
“Javi and I have been treating multiple patients who are either actively, or could become actively, suicidal. We have a few other therapists onboarding already, but to avoid burnout, oversaturation, and because of the different types of specialties we need, we’re branching out. ”
“And I’m just the next lucky victim?” Connor asks.
“Precisely,” Javi says gleefully. “Though you’re the first we’re kidnapping, so consider yourself lucky.”
Connor sighs. “Even if I was inclined to help, I have my own client list. I can’t just abandon them because you asked me to.”
“Of course not,” Carter agrees. He slides a file folder across the table. “Tennant?”
Leaning over Connor, I flip the folder open, and glance down to see Roman’s name on the paperwork, before quickly looking away.
I agree the Little Prince needs help…but I’d rather not think about the other information I was given on Connor.
“This is one of the subjects,” Javi says.
“I’ll let you come to your own conclusions when you meet him, but he is…
deeply traumatized by the events that have happened to him, and a previous attempt at therapy.
You’d have to work hard at establishing trust, but I believe, out of everyone on my list, you’d be the best fit. ”
“Amato…” Connor mutters, raising his head from the file to look at Carter.
“My son, and fellow Council member,” he replies carefully.
“I’m sure you understand that I’ll do anything for him.
He…has good reasons to be mistrustful, but Javi and Doc assure me you’re the best, and we—he—needs that.
I’m sorry for the kidnapping, but…as a father, I’m willing to do what needs to be done in order to make sure my son is safe. ”
Connor doesn’t say anything for a long moment, but he stares down at the file again, while I so helpfully turn the page for him—since his hands are zip tied still.
“I don’t like this, and I don’t appreciate my hand being forced.” He looks up at Javi. “I don’t like you, but…I’m willing to hear you out and meet with him. I won’t abandon my clients, at least not those that still need more time, but I’m willing to shuffle my schedule around and—”
Doc shakes his head. “This is a full-time, on-site position. You can do sessions online, and we’ll help you with anything you need to prepare for a sabbatical, or closing down your practice, but this isn’t something you can just…
do your usual with. I understand from Javi, and the research completed by my team, and the Council’s research experts—” I snort at that description of the twins.
“—that you have a unique way of doing things. One that I believe can truly benefit this patient. Javi and I will go into more detail, if you accept the job, but I will say this: this patient is loved by everyone, but he doesn’t love himself, and if anyone could benefit from your brand of care, it’s him. ”
There’s a tense moment of silence before Connor sighs. “I make no promises, but I’m willing to listen. For him.” He inclines his head at the file. “Not for you, or anything else. And I want a ten—no—fifteen percent increase of my usual fee.”
Jude winces, his mind probably spinning over the budget, but he doesn’t shoot it down, knowing as well as I do that Roman needs this.
“Done,” Javi says before Carter can. “Welcome to the fun.”
Connor makes a discerning noise, but doesn’t argue, which is something. Leaning back over him, I cut the zip ties from his wrists, and pull his chair back, so I can get at his ankles.
When I’m finished, I look up at him, grinning at the blank look he gives me. I wish Connor luck with my Little Prince, but maybe he’ll survive. Though this time I’ll make sure to pat down both Roman and Emilio before he meets with them. Better safe than sorry.