Page 25 of Doc

“I’m twenty-five,” I point out. “There’s plenty of time for me to find someone.”

“Sounds like you have, no?” Dima asks.

I shake my head and run a hand down my face. “Someone who isnotmy boss.”

“Pfft.” Vonny waves me off. “Who cares. If this doctor is the one you want, who are we to disagree? I say, go for it. Unless he doesn’t want you?”

“Did you kiss him against his will, Sory?” Dima asks, concern etching across his face. “I know you like to play those games, but like, consent is a thing.”

Jesus, fuck, they’re going to be the death of me. “No.” I stress the word. “I didn’t kiss him against his will. Trust me, the little shit wanted it.”

It’s not until their facial expressions change that I realize what I’ve done. Heart sinking and accepting this is my fate now, I brace myself for whatever’s to come.

“Sounds like it was more than just a kiss, Sory,” Vonny says with a smirk. “You’ve thought about this.”

“Don’t try to deny it,” Nico cuts in before I can reply.

Shaking my head, I sigh. “No, I wasn’t going to. Do I want to be talking about this? Hell no. But, I also know you fuckers aren’t going to let it go, either. And… I can’t deny there’s something about Doc. Something deeper than what I find with most people. Whether it be my looks or my age, or both, most people don’t take me seriously as a top or a Dominant.”Much less as a Daddy,but I don’t say that. I have to keepsomethings to myself.“I can’t confidently say that Doc isn’t one of those people, but he not only kissed me, he instigated it. And I like that. I want to put him on his knees, but I like that he isn’t afraid to speak his mind.” Even if half the time the shit he says isn’t appropriate.

“So you like him,” Dima says.

I shrug. “I don’t know him, not really, but, yes. I don’t know if this is something that can turn into more, or if he’s just looking for a way to pass the time, but either way, it’s not a good idea.”

“Why?” Vonny asks.

“Seriously? He’smy boss. And a pain in the ass. And…” I hesitate before sayingfuck it. “He’s already in some weird friends with benefits thing with his bodyguard. I don’t know if I want to get mixed up in all that.”

“You think the bodyguard has feelings for him?” Nico asks. “I would assume your doctor doesn’t since he kissed you.”

I shake my head. “No, I talked to James, the bodyguard, after the kiss. He says they’re just friends. And he’s like you, Dominic, he doesn’t feel romantic attraction. He also assured me that while he’s not against relationships, he wouldn’t ever have one with Doc.” I smile at that a little. The horror in James’s voice was amusing, even amongst my internal panic. “I’m not worried about feelings from either side… well, a little, but it was never really about that. I’m not ever okay with being a side piece or homewrecker, so I would have shut shit down real fast if I thought it was going that way.

“I just… I don’t know. So far, I like my job. I like the people I’ve met, and as much as my mother says I don’t have to be a part of this life if I don’t want to, we all know that’s not true. She had an easier time because she didn’t marry my papa, and never allowed them to drag her into the business. She didn’t know anything, or at least, that’s what she allowed them all to believe.”

All three of them nod in understanding. We’re all distinctly aware that while my uncle gave his blessing and agreed that the Bratva isn’t a safe place for me, we also know he sent me to Cristian Amato for more than just my medical expertise. The Amato Family may be lax in some ways that the Petrovs aren’t, but they’re still all cut from the same cloth. The rules are still thesame, and I know too much for any of them to willingly let me go.

Unlike my mother, I was born into this life.Shegot to leave when she needed to get away from my father, but I didn’t, and I never will.

“That being said, I can already tell how different the two Families are, and I like it. Yes, being as close to the main Family as I am means I will be under scrutiny, but I want this job. And I’m terrified of jeopardizing that. Because who do you think they’ll side with should things go south between us?”

Before anyone can say anything, my phone rings. Checking the screen, I see it’s the downstairs concierge. “Looks like the food’s here,” I say before answering and letting them know to send the delivery up.

“Before we stuff our faces with more cheese than we should,” Nico says. “I’ll say one more thing about your doctor: go with your first instinct.” His gray eyes bore into mine, and it’s hard to keep eye contact at the seriousness in them. “Of us all, you’ve always had the best instincts. It’s part of the reason our mother pushed us at you from when we were small, she was hoping you’d rub off on us.” I snort on that, because we all know, more often than not, it was the three of them influencing me and all the stupid shit we got into. “If you think this thing can be something more, even if it’s just for a little while, take the chance.

“Because you’re a good guy, Sory, and we want to see you happy. You say you’re young enough still, and that’s true, but you’re also right in that your age and looks are a deterrent for most people in the type of life you want. So if someone is telling you they see past that, and seeyou, then let them show you.”

There’s a knock on the door, and Dima gets up to answer it while I blow out a breath and turn Nico’s words over in my head.

I hate that he makes sense. That the little shit does is something I’ll take to my grave. I know better than to admit that something any of them said makes sense, or was even close to right, as given an inch, they’d take ten miles.

There are so many things that could go wrong with even thinking of the things I want to do with Doc…but, everything in recent months has been about figuring out the life I want to live, the kind of man I want to be, away from my family’s influence and the expectations of the Bratva.

I have the house, the job, and so maybe it’s time to find out if I can have the man, too.

I’m used to stitching up people who get on the wrong side of Tennant and Cristian, even Roman—when he needs to prove he’s more than just a pretty face. This is the first time I’ve had to do it for Hollis. In truth, I’m surprised the guy is still alive.

Dropping the needle onto the tray, I wipe my gloves quickly before picking up the bandage.

“Well, you’ll live,” I tell the guy—Jude—as I affix the bandage to his injury site. Looking at Hollis, I give him a small smirk and say, “Nice work.”

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