Page 89 of Doc

“Okay. I told Joel to be on standby anyway, so we can get help if we need it.”

“Thank you, James.”

“You’re one of us now, Soren. No thanks needed.”

It’s hard to swallow past the lump in my throat, my emotions all over the place. Gratitude for the amazing people I’ve met overthe last few months, fear for my closest friends…it’s all tumbling inside and making me queasy.

James barely getsthe car parked before I’m throwing open the door and rushing out. I can hear him curse behind me, but don’t pay him any mind. I want to sprint up to the apartment, but force myself to speed walk instead. The last thing I need is for someone to try to stop me because I ran in there like a crazy person.

James catches up to me at the elevator. I can feel his disapproving stare, but I don’t bother explaining myself or even looking at him. The wait for the elevator is long and my entire body vibrates, but I don’t think the stairs would be any better, especially when I can’t afford to hurt myself by running up them.

By the time we get up to my apartment, I’ve finally gotten my breathing under control, even though my hands are still shaking due to the adrenaline rushing through me.

One of David’s guards is standing watch outside my condo, and he doesn’t hesitate to open the door when he sees me. Giving him a nod, I leave James to introduce himself to the guard and enter the apartment I haven’t been back to in weeks.

The only person in the living room is David’s other guard, so I make my way to the bedroom. The sight of Dominic beat to shit on my bed, supported by pillows and David, makes my heart skip a few beats.

Vonny and Dima are sitting on either side of Nico, and the sight of the three of them makes my heart ache, especially sincethey’re touching one another in some way, as if they can’t stand to not be connected.

Dominic…looks like shit, there’s no way to sugarcoat it. His face is already black and blue, with a little bit of red from the blood running down his split lip and cut cheek. He’s shirtless, so I can see how red his torso is. Even that is already turning ugly shades of purple.

“What happened?” I ask in a rough voice.

All sets of eyes turn to me, and Nico tries to smile, though it only causes his lip to split more.

“Had a nice little…conversationwith my papa today,” he says. “Apparently, he found out about my history with David and didn’t approve.”

David looks stricken. He hides his face in Nico’s neck for a moment, making the other man wince as he reaches up and gently runs his fingers through David’s hair.

“I’m sorry,” my cousin says.

“No, it’s okay, baby,” Nico says. “It’s not your fault. We knew the risks.”

I look between them. “Are you back together and I missed it? Or…”

“Or,” Dima answers for his brother. “They’re not together per se, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t been hooking up. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Whatdoesmatter is I’m going to fucking kill our father.”

“No,” four voices ring out.

“No,” I repeat. “I know you’re angry; we all are. But no one is going to do anything that will get us into trouble. I want to know how he found out Nico is gay, because I know you’ve been careful, but that’s not important right now.” Approaching the bed, I turn to Vonny. “Have you looked him over?”

Donovan nods. “I didn’t feel anything broken, but I’m sure we’d all feel better if you examined him as well.”

“Of course.”

“And,” Dmitri looks between his brothers and me. “We’d like to discuss making an appointment with Cristian Amato.”

David makes a noise of distress, but nods and says, “Getting out will be best for all of you. I’ll be speaking with my father about what happened to you, but…” he trails off, and we all know the words he wants to say but can’t.

Uncle Ivan won’t be happy to lose the trips, and he’ll talk to Mak Novikov about the way he treated his son, but there’s only so much he can do. Much like the abuse I suffered at my father’s hands growing up, the trips had a similar upbringing, though I know theirs came with more physical punishments than mine did.

Not only that, there’s a reason that even David, the future Pakhan, can’t come out; the Bratva is still too stagnant and built on ideals of the past.

“We’ll figure it out,” I say. “AfterI check you over.”

Nico groans, but he allows David to help him sit further up so I can check over his ribs.

“Thank you, Soren,” he says as I gently palpate him.

---