Page 81 of Doc

“Fuck off,” I mutter, motioning for Soren to slide into the car first.

“Be nice,” he whispers into my ear before climbing into the backseat.

Taking a much-needed breath, I try to slow my racing heart. When I feel somewhat stable again, I follow Soren into the car.

I’m not surprised to see Cristian, but I am shocked that Tennant is also joining us for the ride.

“Where’s your shadow?” I ask Tennant, since it’s rare to see him without Joel.

“With Roman and Carter,” he replies. “Father and heir can’t travel together, and this way ensures they’re as protected as can be.”

It makes sense, but it doesn’t mean any of us have to like the outcome of it. I can see by the way Tennant holds himself tense in his seat that he hates being separated from his lover.

“Are we ready?” James asks, turning in the passenger seat after he gets settled.

“Yes, we don’t want to be late; Carter will never let me live it down,” Cristian replies.

That’s enough to get Gabriele moving, and I settle against Soren for the drive.

“Are you Roman’s date?” I ask Ten. “Or did he actually manage to convince Hollis to leave his office for a few hours?”

Tennant huffs. “Not evenIcould get Hol to join us, and I asked really nicely, too.” The way he smirks says we have different definitions of ‘really nicely’. “No, he actually managed to get Jude to agree.”

“I didn’t peg this as being his type of thing,” I muse.

Tennant gives what he thinks is a nonchalant shrug, but I know him far too well to believe it. “Roman needs someone who he can be with in public. I’m not ashamed to claim either of them, and if the opportunity presents itself, I will make our relationship status known; but I am Hollis’s, and my Tesoro has very different ideas of what should be shared with people who don’t matter.”

“Makes sense, I suppose,” I reply. “In a weird, only for you type of way.”

Tennant doesn’t respond, but I figured he wouldn’t.

I do understand what he’s saying though. Tennant has never cared about how other people perceive him, so I don’t expectanything less when it comes to his relationships. Hollis, on the other hand, is a different story.

What I know about his history tells me why he’s possessive over his lovers, and prefers to keep them as close to him as he can. And while Tennant isn’t a follower in any sense of the word, he’s molded himself into being whatever is needed of him. When I met him, that was Cristian’s right-hand man and best friend, but in the past five years, he’s become Hollis’s everything.

That doesn’t diminish the relationship and feelings he has for Roman and Jude, anyone who thinks that deserves to be on the other end of one of Tennant’s experiments. No, it’sbecauseof the relationship he has with Hollis that allows him to be with the other two as well.

“It seems you two are moving along well,” Cristian says, taking the attention off Tennant’s complicated relationship.

Soren sets his hand on my thigh as he answers. “We’re figuring it out. It’s not at all what I expected when I took the job, and my uncle won’t be thrilled when I finally tell him, but…I’d like to think we’re making each other happy, so that’s all that matters in my book.”

Cristian hums and he exchanges a look with Tennant. “Good,” he finally replies. “I know you’re already aware of the consequences for betrayal, so I won’t waste my breath or insult both of us by repeating things already said. I’m glad to see Doc finally has someone in his life who can stand him, aside from James, that is.

“As for Petrov, do you feel safe telling him about your relationship? Knowing you’re gay and hearing about it are two very different things. I can respect your need to not keep Doc a secret, but if it’s going to endanger his life, I’d prefer you didn’t take that risk.”

I’d bristle if I didn’t know Cristian so well. He’s aware I can take care of myself—he and Tennant trained me themselves—but it’s in his nature to care. I don’t let it bother me because I know he doesn’t give two shits about whether I want him to defend me or not—he’s going to do it anyway.

“Yes. He was the first person I came out to, and…other circumstances over the last few years have shown he’s not just tolerant, he's accepting. I can’t say more without outing other people, but trust me; Doc will be safe with Uncle Ivan.”

“That’s all I need to know,” Cristian says after a heavy pause.

Thankfully, we arrive at the event before any other conversation can be started up, and our car pulls in alongside the other in our party.

James gets out of the car first, and my heart leaps into my throat as it always does whenever he does a threat assessment. Knowing it’s his literal job to keep me safe doesn’t help. My feelings have grown and made things overly complicated during the last decade. That’s not to say I’ve allowed them to compromise me or James, but it doesn’t make things any easier.

When he finally opens the back door, Tennant is the first one out, and whenhegives the all clear, I follow his lead, reaching in to help Soren.

As soon as Soren’s feet touch the ground, Joel opens the door to Roman, Carter, and Jude’s car.

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