25. Tennant #2
Carter says, “It’s not your fault, Jude.
As our Voice, you did what you should have—followed our orders.
We’re the ones who said they needed to earn back our trust, that they needed to prove they deserved the chance we were giving them.
We’re the ones who failed to change the order once the trial period had ended. ”
“Il Padrone taught us that once the punishment was over, all was forgiven and the slate was wiped clean,” Lio says with a grimace. “We failed him and Cristian because we forgot that.” He hangs his head and Roman wraps an arm around his love in comfort.
“If anything, the one I’m upset with is Leandro,” I tell them mildly. “He’s the one who could have, and should have, brought it to your attention, but he’s a chaos loving asshole.”
“Hey!” Leandro protests, but we all ignore him.
“I brought him in here today so he can hear in person how fucked the situation is. I understand you’ve had a lot on your plates—we’ve all been in the trenches together, and I am not holding anyone at fault, but I will hold you accountable.
This Council was built on the idea of being better than what came before.
In order to do that, you must prove you are more than pretty words.
Trust the old Bosses or don’t, the choice is yours, but it must reflect what they’re given.
“Why spare them if you were going to force them to live in limbo? Hell would have been a much better place than this half-life they’re living. As a Council, you have a choice to make: prove you’re everything you say you are, or do what needs to be done.”
“That’s not fair,” Roman tells me. “You know what we’ve been going through, what we’ve done. Did we fuck up? Yes. But you have no authority here. You’re allowed to bring your concerns to us, and hold us to our words and actions, but do not act as if you’re in a position to speak to us that way.”
Pushing off the wall, I move to stand directly across from him. “Be very careful with how you speak to me, Little Prince,” I tell him. “I am not afraid to hand you your ass, you know that.”
“Don’t like being on the other side, do you?” He tilts his head and a half-smile plays on his face. “We respect your opinion, and will agree that things need to change. We’re sorry it’s gone down this way, but you don’t get to disrespect us. Unless you want to challenge us?”
I laugh darkly. “You’re playing with fire, Giocattolo…”
“So let me get burned, Ten…”
He stands and leans over the table, putting him in such close proximity, it’d be nothing to drag him over the table, bend him over, and fuck him in front of everybody. And the little whore knows it if the way his breath hitches is any indication.
Leaning down and over until we’re only a hairsbreadth apart, I whisper, “I’m going to hurt you, Little Prince. Make you bleed and cry. Council member or not, I will make you beg for mercy that will not come.”
“Enough!” Carter says firmly. “Flirt in your own time. Though Roman is right. We respect your opinion, and understand you have very valid, serious concerns, but that doesn’t mean you can speak to any of us with anything less than respect.
What you do in your downtime is your business.
But you called this meeting, Tennant, and you will conduct yourself properly. ”
Straightening up, I give Emilio a reassuring smile as he looks between Roman and I with wide eyes.
Focusing on Carter, I give him a small dip of my head.
“My apologies. No disrespect meant. I am simply concerned for My Boy and my friend, that is all. Fix it before I take matters into my own hands. You cannot have it both ways. Either you forgive and still trust them, or you don’t. ”
“We need to have a meeting,” Carter says. “This one is adjourned while I speak to my co-leaders. Thank you for joining us today.”
I smirk at how diplomatic he sounds, so prim and proper, even though I’m sure he’s pissed at my approach. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
I leave the room, followed quickly by Leandro. Jude and Keegan come out a few moments later, presumably after checking on their lovers.
“Carter is going to kill you one day if you keep skirting the line with Roman,” Jude tells me after firmly shutting the conference room door behind him.
I shrug. “The little shit needs to be put in his place, and if no one else does it, I will.”
Keegan shakes his head. “He’s right that you’re borderline disrespectful. Any other Boss and it’d get you killed.”
“There might be a reason they didn’t ask me to be a Voice.
” The reminder that I don’t have the power I once did, even if I got to keep my Head of Security job, grates along the human parts of me.
“I expect you’ll let me know when the verdict is in?
” I look between the Voices, effectively changing the subject.
“It’ll most likely be a family meeting,” Keegan replies. “We’ll let you know once the Council reaches their decision.”
I nod and take that as my dismissal. Grabbing Jude, I ignore his protest and kiss him soundly, enjoying the bite to the kiss as he lets out some of his disapproval. I grin when I pull back and he glares, looking unimpressed with my manhandling.
“You’re too easy, Little Lamb.”
“Go bother someone else, I have work to do.”
I laugh and kiss him again, softer this time, before finally pulling away and taking out my phone. I need to check on Sandro, make sure he’s okay, and I need to see Benjamin as well.
A Council meeting, a put-out Little Prince, an annoyed Lamb, Sweet Boy cuddles, and reassuring my petulant Boy…a full agenda, and it’s still relatively early in my day. No rest for this Daddy. Not that I’d have it any other way.