Page 19 of Doc

“I should hope so. Remember where you are, Rose. And the respect that is expected of you when working in this house. Another infraction like that, and not only will the Boss be informed, but your father as well.”

Rose winces, and my curiosity is piqued. Outside the house, we stand on the front steps and Doc places a hand on her shoulder.

“I enjoy having you on my team. Let’s keep it that way.”

She nods once, gives a shaky smile, and heads down the steps to the side of the driveway, where the staff are permitted to park.

“Come,” Doc says to me. “We’re cutting it close to our appointment time.”

I follow him to his car, where James is already waiting, his copper hair shining in the midday sun.

I’ve spent the past week watching how Doc interacts with his bodyguard. I want to say I trust that Doc was telling the truth when he said his involvement with the other man was for sex and friendship only, but I don’t know either of them, so it’s hard to take words at face value.

Their actions don’t line up to what Doc told me, and yet they do… Yes, James is affectionate with Doc, but it is never the other way around. The bodyguard is always the one to make the first move. James might dote over Doc, making sure he’s fed and watered every few hours, but it all seems…perfunctory. Neither seem to get pleasure from the caring acts.

And while James may roll his eyes and chide Doc when he’s being especially caustic, it’s nothing more than a quiet reprimand, no warning or heat or promise of…anything behind it. Not like there would be ifIwere the one calling him on his bullshit.

The time and care I would put into the older man if I were able…

Sliding into the car while trying to hide my rapidly filling cock isn’t an easy feat. Sitting across from Doc, in the small confines of the backseat, has me taking a few deep breaths, hoping my inconvenient erection isn’t noticeable.

In no world should I be having those types of thoughts about my new boss. It doesn’t matter how pretty I think his cognac eyes will look when filled with tears, glittering up at me as I fuck his mouth or his ass. Or that I want to see him soft and vulnerable, as I bring out the barely-restrained need I can almostseevibrating just under the surface.

And yet, I want it all the same.

“Can I ask a question?”

Doc studies me for a moment before replying. “You want to know who Rose’s father is?”

“Yes, if it’s not overstepping.”

He shakes his head. “You would’ve figured it out eventually. Every single member of my medical staff comes from this lifestyle.” He lets that sink in for a moment before continuing. “The position this job affords us means the Family has to make sure we’re trustworthy. What better way to do that than hiring people who were already born into the mafia? Your uncle giving you to Cristian was more than just a show of good faith between allies. You were pre-approved by the status of your birth.

“Rose’s father is one of our best dealers. He oversees two sections of territory. I don’t think I have to tell you what an honor that is. His position gives him power amongst hiscolleagues. Not only that, it means he has Cristian and Tennant’s attention, something he doesn’t want to lose because his daughter decided she was above showing the main Family the proper respect they’re due.”

“So, what? The Boss makes people choose who in their family will go into medicine?”

Doc shakes his head. “No, Cristian would never make that a requirement. But everyone in the Family knows there is a chance to be handpicked to work, not only in the clinic, but with the main Family as well. I chose my assistants very specifically. Not only did they have to have the right medical knowledge, but I needed them to have the right personalities as well.

“I may have more liberties than any other member of staff, but there is still a certain respect that needs to be afforded. This was explained to you when you were hired. Rose was out of line today. We may not agree with how the main Family lives their lives, but that is no reason for such blatant judgment.”

I nod in agreement. “Yeah, I can respect that. Kink is… It’s very personal to the people involved, and who are we to tell them what gets them off, makes them happy, is wrong? We don’t have to understand it in order to respect a person’s choice. So long as everything is above board and everyone consents, it doesn’t matter what happens.”

Doc laughs. “Can’t say anything those fuckers do is safeorsound, but I know for damn sure it’s consensual. If there’s one thing neither Tennant nor Cristian fuck around with, it’s lack of consent.”

His use of safety terms in BDSM catches my attention, but I can’t tell if it was purposeful or not. It wouldn’t be outlandish for him to say that what our bosses do in their bedroom isn’tsafe—I’d seen Hollis’s throat after all. That he usedsoundin the way he did though…that means something to someone like me.

Pushing those thoughts away, I change the subject before I do or say something stupid, and ask, “Where are we going?”

“My house.”

I blink at him. “What?”

“We are going to my house. One of Roman’s bodyguards was injured in the same crash he was. Enzo lost his leg and is currently recuperating in my downstairs sitting room. My medical assistant, Kail, is his personal nurse for the time being; along with a few others I hand selected to watch over him during the day.

“He has an appointment with not only his physical therapist, but a prosthetist this afternoon. The three of us are going to work up a plan of action for the next stage of his recovery.” He studies me for a moment before saying, “It’s actually a good thing you’re coming with me instead of Rose, you get to meet Kail this way.”

“Is he going to be mad you hired someone to replace him?”

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