Page 48 of Doc

“We know, that’s why we bought you groceries.” Theduhis implied in both the way the words tip off his fingers and his facial expressions.

I sigh. “Where’s the other two-thirds of your brain?”

“Dima’s ‘working’ and Nico was being annoying, even without my implants, so I left him behind.”

It’s hard not to voice my opinion over Dmitri’s ‘work’, we all know it’s bullshit—the way the Bratva looks down on him as a bodyguard because of his size—but I can’t do anything more than repeat what’s already been said. I gave the three of them the choice; made them consider following me to the Amatos, what happens next is up to them.

“I have a shift, so I’m off. You’ve clearly already made yourself at home.” I gesture to the groceries still spread out on my counter and roll my eyes. “So have fun with all this.”

“You’re going without food? I can make something for you really fast.”

“No need,” I reassure him. “They’ve made it known I’m allowed to have whatever I want from the kitchen. The staff always makes sure there’s something for us to eat, so it’s fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” I nod my fist. “Go back to making out like this is your house.”

He laughs and waves me off. “I’ll do that, have a good day.”

Tipping my fingers off my chin, I thank him. “You didn’t have to do the shopping, but thank you. I appreciate you, even if I can’t figure out how you fuckers keep getting into my house.”

Vonny laughs again. “You know better than to ask questions, Sory. Now, go.”

“I’m gone!” I leave Vonny to unpack his groceries, and double check I have everything I’ll need for my shift.

As I leave, Vonny starts singing, something all three of them do when they’ve been apart for more than a few hours. I’m halfcurious on if that’s part of why he’s not wearing his processors—because he knows it’s bad and doesn’t want to hear himself. That’s not a dig at him because he’s deaf, none of them can sing.

Shaking my head, glad I don’t have to stick around and listen to what sounds like cats howling, I close the front door behind me.

Rose wastesno time in packing her things and leaving once she gives me her notes from the last twelve hours. I’m not surprised to find De Luca asleep. Doc eased up on the amount of sedatives we’ve been pushing through his IV, but it's still enough that he spends most of the day sleeping, which is good for his healing progress.

What I am surprised to find is Cristian Amato at his bedside. Carter comes and goes, but this is the first time—that I’m aware of—that Cristian has sat at his father-in-law’s side. If I wasn’t absolutely sure the Boss wouldn’t take the kill away from his husband, I’d think that’s what he was here for.

Settling behind Doc’s desk after checking on De Luca, I pretend I’m busy inputting my own notes, and not on the fact that the Boss is in here observing every move I make.

“Are you nervous, Soren?”

I look up and meet his dark eyes from across the room. “No, sir,” I lie.

Cristian smiles, a vicious, predatory thing, as if he can sense my discomfort. “Where’s the young man who met me blow for blow just a few weeks ago? I quite liked him, and thought he’d be perfect for my ornery doctor. Was I wrong?”

Lifting my chin, I keep my gaze steadily on him. Not many people would defiantly meet Cristian head on, but I’m not anyone. I may not fit into the Bratva, but my uncle and father both made sure I had the ability to put men in their place; it pays to be the Pakhan’s nephew.

“No, Boss, you’re not wrong. I like my job, and I get along with the people I work with—some more than others.”

A hint of a smile crosses Cristian’s face. “So I’ve heard. Make sure you don’t hurt him. Doc doesn’t need me to fight his battles for him. He’s lethal with his scalpel and lashing tongue, but there are very few people who I would go to war for, he’s one of them.”

“I understand, sir. I truly do. Doc is…special. I saw it right away, and the more I get to know him, the more I understand and like. I want to know more, I want what we’re building to last. I didn’t come here for this, but I’m not going to turn away from the potential future I can see us having.”

Cristian studies me for a long moment, considering. “Good, I’m glad we have an understanding.”

“We do.”

Cristian nods and then stands, barely sparing De Luca a glance as he buttons his suit jacket and straightens his tie. “I have other business to attend to, but I trust you’ll keep me updated on his progress?”

“Yes, sir. Doc wants to slowly start bringing him around within the next week, so he can get Jayden in here to do an assessment of how much physical therapy he’ll need to recover. It won’t be for another few weeks at least, but eventually, the goal is to have him finish his recovery in his own home.”

“I’ll trust yours and Doc’s medical expertise with that. His home should be habitable by then, though, so it’ll all work out. I’m sure we’ll speak again, Soren.”

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