Chapter 50
“Thank you everyone for taking the time to meet. We have a lot to catch up on, and some decisions to make…” Carter’s strong presence is soothing, because fuck knows my own brain is chaos right now.
I glance around the table at my fellow Council members and our Voices…
and Javi. That interests me. Since Carter called this meeting, I had expected just us Council members, maybe the Voices too.
But Javi? He’s absently playing with the sucker in his mouth, seemingly not paying attention to us at all.
“Do we have an agenda?” Roman asks, barely concealing his mirth. My heart lurches at the father-son duo, and my own lack of experience with that. Although Carter has extended a fatherly relationship to me, it feels slightly odd.
Carter just sighs and shakes his head, before muttering, “We probably should. Otherwise, it’s like herding cats…”
“I’m sure we’re not that bad,” I exclaim, leaning into Roman, who immediately puts an arm around me, allowing me to snuggle in.
Being this tactile is…different. But Roman is as vital to me as breathing, there’s no boundaries between us. We simply exist together, like an extension of each other. Where he goes, I’ll follow. That will always be the truth.
One of the kittens jumps onto the table from Roman’s lap. Carter’s lips twitch, even as he raises an eyebrow. Roman just gives his best innocent look, and somehow it actually works on his dad, even as Jude and Keegan snort.
“I didn’t know it was ‘bring your kitty to work day’!” Javi exclaims, leaning forward to play with it. “I would have brought Her Majesty Queen Floofy!”
We all stare at him, flabbergasted, but he’s still playing with the little tuxedo kitten. I finally shrug, ignoring his, uh…interesting choice for a name. I shift my attention back to Carter, waiting to find out what he wants to discuss.
With a deep breath, he straightens and meets my eyes. There’s compassion in his…along with scrutiny. Whatever he wants to talk about, I suddenly feel the desire to flee. As if knowing that, Roman tightens his grip on me.
“I want to go over a few things. We have some updates and some decisions to make. First, I want to address that with Marcus being out, we have had to shift some of the work around.
“Nario and Nicolo are taking on more responsibility. As such, I feel a pay rise would be in order, maybe an adjustment of their positions. Right now, they don’t really have titles, and are acting more as auxiliaries to Antonio, which was fine in the past, but they’re much more integrated with the Council now. ”
I nod, noting Jude’s brief yet proud smile before it disappears into his usual serious mask. “I concur with that.”
Roman hesitates, before finally replying, “I definitely agree with it, but do we have any idea when Marcus will return?”
Carter’s eyes don’t hide the pain behind the question, even though Roman tried to ask it gently. Javi clears his throat, taking the sucker out of his mouth to say, “That’s part of why I’m here, to give an update on things, and also I’ll be sticking around for any other questions I can answer.”
“Alright… What are the updates?” I ask hesitantly, worried that I’ll be on the list.
He smiles at me, as if he can read my mind. “First, all the therapists, except for Atticus, are either here or in the process of being here. Brannigan should be arriving in the next day or two. He’ll start working with Marcus then.
“There’s no way to tell how long these things will take, but Marcus is already making strides just from the medication. Trust the process, and trust him to tell you when he’s ready.
“They should be finished with the goat enclosure later today or early tomorrow. There was a brief…skirmish with the gardeners over it, but it’s been resolved.
Monroe will come check things out when it’s ready, and let us know what else needs to be done.
I’ve researched proper care, food, etc, so I think we’re mostly prepared. ”
“And Atticus? When will he be showing up? Or is that another one we need to, uh…acquire?” Roman grimaces at the thought, but it doesn’t bother me. Then again, for as much as our different families have blended together, some things will always be a little difficult to understand about each other.
Javi shrugs a shoulder, seemingly unconcerned. “When he’s ready. He knows we need him. Both Doc and I have reached out. When he’s available, he’ll show up, I’m sure.”
“You may want to warn him to call in advance,” Jude cautions, but I doubt Javi is listening, as he's too engrossed with the kitten. Jude just shakes his head. At least, it’s progress from threatening him…maybe.
“That leaves us with three other things to discuss.” Carter moves us past any awkwardness. “First up, Benjamin. He had a breakdown and so, he's out. Again, I’m not sure for how long, or where treatment will stand.”
Roman mutters something low and potentially deadly. I frown and start to pull away, but while Roman may be small, he’s strong, and easily keeps me captive. I huff, giving in to it.
“Due to his, uh…very loud conversation, there has been some discontent with the therapists over who will treat him. I plan on stopping in later today to discuss any potential medication management—even if it’s short-term while he waits to start therapy.
As for finding a therapist…we’re discussing who is the best option.
” Javi frowns before continuing to pet the kitten. At least, he’s paying attention.
“Should I translate that to mean that nobody wants to deal with him?” Carter groans as he places his head in his hands.
Javi shrugs, but doesn’t say anything. My heart feels torn in two.
I understand Roman’s point of view. He wants to protect his love.
Hell, Ignacio is a brother to me, so even I want to step in to defend him.
But as much as Benjamin has fucked up, I can’t turn my back on him.
Not when I think of all the times he was there for me.
People are always more than the sum of their sins. It’s a Martelli lesson. It's part of the reason Luca lived. Hell, it's part of the reason Marcus lived. How can I condemn my best friend for fucking up? No, we need to fix this.
“Maybe not Anderson,” I volunteer. I’ve had a couple sessions with the guy so far, and while he’s…decent, I can’t imagine Benjamin connecting with him.
Javi frowns, but merely puts the sucker in his mouth, ignoring the rest of us. I exchange looks with Carter, who merely flips his palms up like he has nothing more to add before moving on.
“Alright, either way, he’s out due to mental health issues, and it’ll take significant clearance to allow him back in, at least in my opinion.
We’ll also need to discuss bringing in a physical therapist for him, if he doesn’t make progress with Dominic.
Jayden has made it very clear that he will not work with Benjamin. ”
“Fuck,” I curse, unsure what the hell to do.
Given Roman’s mulish expression, the idea of Benjamin being allowed back in is as likely as him giving up nail polish.
Carter, it seems, is backing his son’s opinion.
I want to argue, but…I really can’t. For now, I set it aside.
Until Benjamin is cleared, it’s not even up for discussion.
“And speaking of being part of this Family… We have to address Cristian and Allesandro.” Carter’s words cast a chill around the room.
“Why?” Roman spits out, dropping his arm that was around my shoulders. He immediately crosses his arms instead, his entire posture screaming defensive.
“Figlio Mio,” Carter says with a sigh. “Cristian is still your father. He does love you.”
Roman tilts his head up, his lips pursing as fury flashes in those stormy green eyes of his. I’d find it hot if I wasn’t suddenly so fucking sad over it all. I lay a hand on his shoulder, forcing him to give me his attention.
“Love, you can’t do this. You can’t keep drinking poison to spite your father. He acted like an asshole, but he also paid a steep price.” I stare at him, memorizing every line on his face created by anger, but underneath lurks such a wealth of pain that it takes my breath away.
I gently brush his hair back with my other hand, needing the connection between us more than ever.
“Please, don’t keep swallowing hate just to keep him at arm’s length.
We know more than most that there’s no guarantee in this life.
The good and the bad. I’m not saying you have to embrace him with open arms, but… isn’t it time to start moving forward?”
“Kid has a point,” Javi mumbles around the sucker, although he doesn’t bother to look at any of us, his attention fixed on the kitten now curled up in his arms.
Roman pouts, but eventually, he grudgingly nods. “Fine. I’d be alright if he came back on a very limited basis to start with. But he needs to show he’s making a change. He’s also to remain under Javi’s care. And I want Ten to oversee him.”
Carter winces, and I almost want to agree that it may be the worst idea ever, but I let it go. There’s no way I want to get involved in that. It’s enough that I got Roman to agree to work on letting his father back in. I need to step aside at this point and just support him.
“If Ten is going to oversee him, then I expect both of them to see a therapist together to work out any lingering issues.” Javi doesn’t elaborate, and considering his feelings on confidentiality, I don’t bother to pry.
“That’s fair,” Carter responds warily. I know we’re all thinking that convincing Tennant of that is not going to be fun, but fuck, that can be a Javi problem.
“We have news that may impact the question of Allesandro,” Keegan interjects smoothly. “We’ve caught Jenna’s murderers.”
I lean forward, excited at the possibilities. I can’t wait to kill them. My fingers itch for a knife I’m not allowed to carry, but fuck, retribution needs to happen.
“That is excellent news,” I respond happily, my mind already going over all the possibilities of how to make the fuckers pay.
Keegan gives me a hard stare that has me sitting back in confusion. With a frown, he states, “I think Allesandro deserves to get justice on this, since they were close.”
Wrinkling my nose, I can’t disagree. If anyone has a claim, it would be him, but fuck, I want to kill someone. It’s been way too long.
“You really want to let him back into the family?” Roman demands, frustration rolling off him.
Allesandro has gained respect from Roman, but…it’s limited. He’s an avenging angel, and I love the fact he wants to protect me—even if it’s from the wrong things.
Keegan pinches the bridge of his nose before dropping his hand and studying Roman carefully. “Look, I know Allesandro…or Sandro…relatively well. I’m the closest to that side that can at least speak with some amount of impartiality, no offense meant.”
His eyes seek mine and I give him a sad smile. “I understand. Continue, please.”
“Sandro needs this. And if we’re talking trust?
I trust Allesandro. As long as he’s continuing his mental health care.
I know he has a long way to go. And it may not make sense that I would trust him, considering what happened, but…
he’s never tried to justify his actions.
He’s accepted everything that's been thrown at him. As a Council, you want to be different? Prove it by moving forward. Prove it by giving them the grace they didn’t give you. ”
It’s like the air is sucked out of the room, and we’re all left on the precipice of greatness or failure.
Giving those two more freedom could be suicidal, or it could strengthen us.
There’s really no way to tell until we try.
But as I search myself, as I look deep in my mind and heart, I know there's only one possible answer.
“If he wants to come back, we can start slow. Have him prove himself. He may not even want to, as he seems very content to bake instead.”
Javi interrupts us. “This is the other reason I’m here, to give you my honest opinion on Sandro, since I’ve spent more time with him lately than most of you.
I’ve also observed him since my arrival.
I believe this could be healing for him.
He needs to confront his past—including his past as Il Padrone. But he won’t do it without support.”
“That brings me to my next point. Tennant has asked that all decisions about Sandro include him,” Carter adds. “It appears they have developed a…well, fuck if I know what it is.”
Javi laughs and retorts, “He’s basically being Sandro’s Daddy.”
My heart melts as I smile, warmth touching me again. This subject has been so painful, but I never should have doubted that my Daddy was already taking care of things. Smugly, I nod. “Feels whisperer. That’s so Daddy.”
Roman makes a strangled noise in the back of his throat and Carter’s jaw drops, but I merely arch an eyebrow. I know I’m right. If anyone understands feelings and can help parse them out, it’s Daddy.
“Uh…that’s an interesting take,” Carter finally wheezes through a cough that I think may be trying to cover his incredulity. I sniff, unwilling to retract my statement since I know the truth.
“I think that’s a wise idea,” Javi says slowly. “I think Sandro would prefer his Daddy be there. And I want to talk to him beforehand. I want to make sure he is capable of making this decision, and discuss how it may impact him. We need to be careful with this.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.” Carter waves a hand, as if clearing his plate before smirking, which is so odd to see on him. “And of course, you have Cristian and Benjamin to report on as well.”
Javi scowls, puts the sucker back in his mouth and stands up. He gently sets the kitten down, glaring at us one last time before stomping out of the room. The door closes with a finality that’s almost as dramatic as he is, if that’s possible.
I can’t help it. I lose it, collapsing in a fit of giggles. Fucking hell, I needed that. We deal with heavy stuff all the time. It’s good to know that, no matter what, we have each other. Even though that now includes a dramatic serial killer who moonlights as a psychiatrist.
From Jude’s unimpressed stare, he’s less than pleased with the dramatics, but personally, I think it’s a fitting end to the meeting. After all, if we can laugh, things are far more manageable than when we can’t. And for too long, we haven’t had anything to laugh over.
I sneak in a short kiss on Roman’s lips, watching as his eyes widen. This…this is what it’s all about. Love. Laughter. Family. Us, as a Council, redefining what it all means.