Chapter 47
“Ican’t believe you talked me into this, Princess,” Jayden grumbles as we enter the medical wing after coming back from our trip.
It felt amazing to get out, and while I’m sad it’s over, I’m excited too.
I know Roman is going to love his present.
“At least you’re making good progress on the physical therapy program. ”
Juggling the gift, I smile at Jayden, proud of myself as I walk with limited assistance.
Right now, Jayden’s even letting me lean on him instead of using a stupid cane.
Mainly as we didn’t want to cause a scene where we were going.
Considering his gruff attitude, I’m constantly surprised by his soft side.
“Thank you for doing this for me,” I say softly, leaning into him a little more. It’s a small way to express my appreciation, by letting him know I trust him. That’s not an easy thing for us Martellis.
His gentle smile warms me. The approval of a Dom is so fucking addictive, and it’s been way too long.
It fades quickly, replaced with his usual scowl, and Jayden quirks his brow, warning me, “Don’t think I’m always going to spoil you like this, Princess.
And don’t forget…at some point, you’ll pay for it. ”
A delicious shiver runs down my spine, but before I can lose myself in the heady arousal of Jayden’s dark promises, a cough distracts me.
Glancing over, I see Benjamin sitting outside his room, one of the trips staring down at him in annoyance.
However, Benjamin’s steely gaze is centered on me.
I bite back a sigh, knowing I need to talk to him, to check on him, but I'm apprehensive. Mainly, I don’t want to piss off Tennant now that he seems less likely to kill me for once being involved with Benjamin.
Jayden mutters something low under his breath, but I ignore it. It appears I’m not the only one who caught the unhappy mood of my former love. Considering how protective Jayden has been lately… I need to deal with Benjamin, for his own sake, before Jayden does it instead.
We reach Roman’s room, but my heart falls when I find it empty. Reversing course, I head to Lio’s instead, as they’re often together. It makes my heart soar that Roman has found another piece of himself, especially with it being Lio.
While Lio can be a bit…unstable, I know he’ll do anything for those he loves.
It’s a worthy match for my Little One. It took a few people by surprise, but I’ve known about Roman’s interest in Lio for a while now, and suspected that Lio equally gravitated toward my love.
He’s just never had the space to explore that side of himself until recently.
The ability to love freely… It’s a gift the Amatos have given us. One not bound by loyalty and bloodshed.
Lio’s door is ajar and I step in lightly, my heart tumbling when I notice Lio and Roman entwined in each other’s arms. It’s a breathtaking sight, and I can’t look away. It’s only a soft meow that breaks my reverie.
Jayden’s snort has me moving closer and opening the traveling case holding my charges.
I take the first kitten out and set her on the bed.
She’s adorable, a perfect tuxedo, and reminds me of my Little One—delicate but fierce.
With a glance around and a soft meow, she pads up to Roman, curling into a ball at his side.
Shaking my head, I reach in and gently take out the next one, letting him join his sister.
They refused to be separated, and I know Roman’s heart is big enough for more than one kitten.
I’m not even surprised when he curls around his sister, almost mimicking their new owner.
Or, more likely, their new servant, as I’m sure these two kittens will be spoiled by my Little One.
Gently, I reach in for the third, and final, kitten.
We only went in for one, but the brother and sister wouldn’t be parted, and I couldn’t trust anyone else with them.
The third…well, she plopped onto my feet and refused to leave.
She’s older, in that stage between not quite a kitten, but not yet an adult.
I place her on the bed, but she flicks her tail unhappily. I pet her, trying to soothe her worries. As soon as I remove my hand and go to step away, she jumps at me, and I’m forced to hold onto her. Shaking my head, I stare down at her in frustration.
Jayden leans forward and whispers in my ear. “Face it, Princess, you have a cat.”
Biting back a groan of defeat, I return her to the case. She goes easily, satisfied that she’s won. I jerk my head toward the door and we leave quickly, so as not to wake Roman or Lio. Closing the door so the kittens don’t escape, I turn back around and almost run right into Doc and Javi.
Doc’s arms are crossed, and his normal, unhappy expression has morphed into a glower that almost frightens me. Until I remember Jayden is right next to me. I’m fairly certain the physical therapist could take Doc if needed. As long as Jayden got to him before Doc could reach for his scalpels.
Javi, at least, seems excited, although I'm somewhat alarmed by the box of items at his feet. At least I am until I notice what they are, and I smile in relief. Glancing back at Lio’s room, I put a finger to my lips to let them know to be quiet, and then I walk further down the hall before turning to face the lecture I’m sure is coming. And it does not take long.
“Are you insane?! This is a medical wing. You can’t bring animals in here!” Doc snarls at me. I wince, knowing he has a point, but I still don't regret it.
“Relax, Doc. It’s not like they’re in your surgical suite,” Javi interrupts, rolling his eyes as he takes a sucker out of his pocket. “Anyway, Roman is cleared to leave the medical wing now. So, he can easily move the kittens to his room.”
“If you can get him to leave Lio,” Doc replies harshly, his hands curled into fists, but at least his ire is turning toward Javi.
The psychiatrist merely shrugs and unwraps his sucker. “Don’t worry, I have everything the kittens need here. I’ll set it up, so it’ll be easy to move.” He turns back to me. “From the looks of it, you need your own equipment. Don’t worry, I have extras. I’ll have it brought to your room.”
With that, he pops the sucker in his mouth and quietly grabs the supplies, entering Lio’s room so silently it reminds me just how dangerous the loud mouth is when he’s not playing with people’s minds. Which, really, that may be scarier. Fuck.
Turning my attention back to Doc, I give him my best innocent stare.
With a noise of disgust, he throws his hands up and stomps away.
Jayden chuckles softly and puts his arm around me to lead me back to my room, as I’m ready for a nap after all the exertion.
And I’m sure the super Dom can tell. However, I only get halfway through the medical suite before I’m stopped by Benjamin.
I turn toward him, returning his greeting with a nod. I’m not in the mood, and if he remembers me at all, he’ll figure that out and not push it. Unfortunately, my luck for the day isn’t holding.
“Can…can I speak with you?” he asks hesitantly, his eyes darting between Jayden and me.
I don’t miss the emphasis he places on wanting to speak only with me, and when I look closer, I notice the bruising on his cheek.
It’s instinctive for me to walk forward and gently touch it, fury rising inside me at the sight of him marked so violently, so carelessly.
Nodding, resigned, I turn toward Jayden, whose lips are pressed into a flat line.
His wary expression almost makes me pause, but I need to do this.
I want it over. I want this part of my life to be closed.
Benjamin has no space in my life anymore.
Even the friendship I tried to extend to him has withered and died without any care put into it.
Jayden sighs but easily takes my new cat from me, leaving me unencumbered to finish what was once a beautiful start to life, ending only in tragedy. Whether that’s on me, Benjamin, or fucking Jax, it doesn’t even matter anymore. All that matters is that the final nail is there, no turning back now.
Standing up straight, I march forward slowly—as my injuries are making themselves known—but determined. I follow Benjamin into his room, but don’t close the door. If he wants full privacy, he can be the one to choose that. I have nothing to hide.
He glances at the door, but doesn’t close it. Instead, he raises his brow in a way that would have once made me submit. I don’t anymore. Instead, I deliberately take a seat, waiting to see what he does. With a huff, he sits on the bed, staring at me.
The silence snakes between us, a combination of too many words left unsaid in this life, and too many harsh words thrown around when they shouldn’t have been.
Fuck. Still, I straighten the best I can and wait, putting it on him to start.
I no longer dance to his tune, since he no longer claims my heart and soul.
“So, you and Jayden now? In addition to Roman?” he asks, thinly veiled contempt dripping from his words like poison.
“That’s none of your concern. But so far, it remains just Roman. When Roman is ready to make that decision, we’ll see what happens. Right now, my love needs to focus on getting better, and I’m here to support that in every way I can.”
He flinches at my emphasis, but I refuse to cater to him.
I’m exhausted. Not just from the outing, but from the chaos of the last vestiges of this dead relationship.
He chose to put Jayden as my physical therapist. He spurred every attempt I’ve made to maintain a friendship, and so, from now on, I’m choosing me.
Just as Roman has asked me to, because, to my love, I’m worthy just by being myself.
“It’s that easy for you,” Benjamin responds tonelessly. “You can just skip off with not only Roman, but with Jayden too. Another physical therapist.”