11. Keegan
Istand behind Carter, looking out at the faces who trickle in. Trying to limit it to just the Council didn’t work. Then again, my love doesn’t seem surprised. Truthfully, we all want whatever news we can get, and merely waiting for Doc isn’t going to work.
Still, the room becomes stifling by the time everyone has found a spot. Jude has a strong grip on Antonio and Nicolo’s arms, which must be why he’s not joining us at the front.
Roman is flanked by both Carter and Lio, the latter putting his arm around the young Boss. Ignacio is close to the front, right where Roman can see him, and given the looks the two men exchange, I’m surprised there aren’t little hearts floating around.
To my surprise, Tennant is between Benjamin and Allesandro.
Well, if there’s anyone who can keep those two in line, it’s Tennant.
Still, I want to check in on the situation if possible…
at some point. As one of the Voices, I’ve barely had time to keep track of anyone, and I must be behind based on what I’m seeing.
Javi is leaning against the wall at the back, furthest away from everyone.
His face is drawn, and I can’t imagine what he’s going through.
At least, when I lost touch with Sarah, it was due to my own actions, not the cruelty of a narcissistic asshole intent on torturing others.
And while he calls Ely his cousin, it’s clear she meant more to him than even that.
Sister. Mother. Friend. Ely was his damn center, and now we’re just waiting for the explosion…
“Alright, we’re still waiting on two more people.
But first, I want to say good job to everyone for meeting their objectives.
Obviously, we all wish it was without any injuries, but I have faith in Doc.
He’s never let us down before, and I don’t see that happening now.
” Carter’s voice wavers, and I wish I could do something to help him.
Fucking Cristian had to go and get shot. Saving me. This better not mean I have to be nice to the asshole…
There’s a rustle of fabric as people shift around, but nobody says anything. My heart hurts for my Love. This is, unfortunately, a situation where we have to take the wins where we can, and yet… It’s hard to see any win when two of our own are fighting for their lives.
Before he’s forced to say anything else, the door opens and in strolls Marcus.
My body trembles at the sight, as I desperately look for my sister.
Considering Marcus’s fatigue and red-rimmed eyes, panic floods me when Sarah doesn’t follow.
Instead, it’s Hollis. Fuck, I hope Sarah just went to see if Doc needed something. Or maybe she’s staying with Nario…
Taking a deep breath, Carter waves Marcus forward. He comes to the front, but doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he keeps his focus on Carter, showing every bit of respect to the Bosses.
“We have a situation,” Marcus states gravely, and it’s only then that his eyes dart to me.
Carter tenses and says, “The floor is yours. You said you had an update.”
The way Tease cringes… I don’t think he expected Carter to gather everyone here. Maybe this will show him that what Carter, Roman, and Lio have created is more than just a Council. It’s a true family. And that means there’s no fucking way anyone was going to be pushed out of any updates.
“While we were waiting for the doctor to finish the surgery, we were interrupted by a hospital board member and a cop.” The low muttering of exclamations roll through the room, but I barely hear them through the pounding in my head.
Marcus looks away from me as he whispers, “The board suspended Sarah for misappropriation of funds and not reporting Lio’s GSW to law enforcement. The cop had a warrant for her arrest…”
I press a hand against my heart, and the explosion of sound around me doesn’t come close to the panic that's setting in. Fuck. Not Sarah… Words are flying from everyone, overlapping to the point I can’t make anything out.
“Enough!” Lio’s firm demand has everyone shutting up. With a deep breath, he glances at Hollis. “Do you have any information?”
We all hear the invisible Sir in his question, and it relaxes Hollis slightly. I cock my eyebrow, unsure what that’s about. Still, I’m on edge, not liking the idea of my sister in lockup.
“I do.” Hollis hesitates slightly, but pushes on.
“From what I can see, this was pushed through extremely quickly, and sloppily. I suggest sending Sinclair to deal with it. None of us are safe to leave right now. I’m honestly surprised Marcus wasn’t picked up, but it seems Sarah badging in was what set everything in motion. ”
“Someone needs to go,” I refute immediately.
Allesandro cuts in, his voice deadly, “What member of the board was it?”
Marcus turns toward him. “It was some guy named Robert.”
I’d almost feel sorry for that bastard based on the evil expression spreading across Allesandro’s face, but fuck that. Nobody messes with my sister, and if the old Il Padrone wants to make an appearance for this… I’m not going to complain.
“I’ll take care of that,” Allesandro says as he takes out his phone.
“But I agree, someone should go. I trust you to be right about Sinclair. Still, it doesn’t sit right to leave it all up to a lawyer.
Perhaps I should go? I’m not as integral to things here, so if there’s a risk, it’s better I take it. ”
I soften at his words. I know he’s trying to keep us safe. Not to mention he will do anything for my sister. That’s more than I can say with my past considering I let her believe I was dead...
“No. We’re not sacrificing you,” Hollis cuts in firmly. “Remember… Partners.”
Allesandro fucking blushes, but inclines his head. “You’re right. I’ll still handle the Robert situation, though. That can be done over the phone, or, if necessary, he can be brought to the warehouse. I certainly wouldn’t mind that.”
What. The. Fuck?! My jaw isn’t the only one that drops at Hollis’s use of partner and Allesandro blushing. But before we can get too far off base, Javi speaks up from his position. He’s still dressed all in black, which seems weird after what we’re used to seeing him in.
“If someone needs to go, it should be me. My reputation will allow me to access information that you can’t. Or, if not me, you could send Atticus.”
I still have so many questions about Javi, and now Atticus. Still, Carter is shaking his head. “If they are targeting our allies, you would be on the list.”
“No, because I’m rarely visible with all of you, and I was not associated with my cousin’s gang at all. Again, everything I did was peripheral, even more so than what I do here. I have the reputation I do for a reason, and I may as well leverage that in this instance.”
Carter looks back at me, silently asking my opinion, since it’s my sister. With a growl of frustration, I give a sharp nod. I’d rather go myself, but Javi’s right. He’s best positioned to do this, and like hell would I send Atticus.
“Very well. Go. But keep us updated. Hollis, I assume Sinclair is already on his way?”
“Of course.”
I snort quietly because, of course, when he made the suggestion, it meant it was already being done. Still, without Jenna, we need someone to rely on, and hopefully this lawyer is as good as Jenna was, though that's hard to imagine.
“Was Sarah at least able to give an update on Nario beforehand?” Antonio’s desperate voice interrupts, stopping the flurry of movement, but I watch Javi slip out.
I’m not sure if he’s uninterested in what’s happening, or is using this as an excuse for a break.
Despite all his talk about us being “test subjects”, I saw his expression when Jude claimed him.
It was not the look of a man who has maintained emotional distance, and fuck knows, from watching the other psychopaths fall for people, their reaction to feelings is… unpredictable.
Marcus shudders as he turns toward his best friend. Shakily, he says, “I’m sorry. I don’t have a full update.”
“But you have something,” Jude retorts flatly. It’s not a question. He’s good at picking apart what isn’t being said, and I worry for my Tease at Jude’s brutal glare.
Marcus coughs, backing up slightly from the danger Jude is emitting. “We were interrupted as she was giving an update. All she was able to tell me was that it didn’t look good.”
This time, there’s no sound. It’s as if all the air has been vacuumed out of the room. Because fuck, what the hell does that mean?
Carter clears his throat, drawing our attention back to him.
“Then, for now, there’s nothing we can do.
Doc picked the person that's working on Nario. We need to trust him. I’m sure we’ll have an update soon.
Until then, we wait. And, of course, Javi and Allesandro are going to handle the Sarah situation. ”
With that, he gestures for everyone to break.
It doesn’t escape my attention that Jude heads toward Hollis, his grip on Nicolo and Antonio remaining tight.
If anyone is able to get into the hospital’s system, I’d put money on Hollis or Leandro.
Either way, I’m glad Carter broke things up, because I desperately need him and Tease in my arms… now.
And just as I wished for it, that’s exactly what I have.
My two loves surrounding me, supporting me, and in the process, healing me.
Fuck knows how it happened, but somewhere along the way, these two have become as essential to me as breathing.
And I make a promise to myself that I’m going to do everything I can to make sure we’re never parted—even if that means thinking of something I never considered in the past.
We may not be able to legally wed, but a commitment ceremony?
Yeah, that’s what we need. Because the rest of our lives isn’t enough for me.
No, I want forever. Our three scarred souls bound together as one, transcending all else.
Because I know whatever comes next, these are the two men I want beside me.