Page 58 of Doc

Gotta go, see you later, Daddy.

Iput my phone away and grin to myself, knowing I probably just added on another day of being locked in this fucking cage, but it’s been a week and a half already, so does it even matter? My aching balls say yes, as it’s been a long ten days without an orgasm, but if thinking of ways to put me in my place helps Soren get through the dinner with his uncle and father tonight, I’ll take it.

“We ready to go?” I ask.

“Yep,” Kail says. “The van is ready and he’s secure.” He tugs firmly on one of the straps across De Luca’s chest, and the older man glares at him.

“You can be a little gentler,” he bitches.

Kail ignores him and says, “We’re ready when you are, Doc.”

“Let’s go then.”

Kail and James grab the transport bed on either side and wheel it through the house, Rose is already sitting in the driver’s seat of the van and Tennant waits by the opened door.

Once we get him loaded into the van, Kail steps back. “You sure you don’t want me to go to the house, too? I can help with unloading and getting everything situated.”

I shake my head. “No, you’re off the rest of the day, enjoy it. Rose and I have it, and there’ll be enough strong, strapping men at the house to help us get him upstairs.”

Kail looks between me and Tennant before finally nodding. “Okay, call me if you need anything, otherwise I’ll see you later.”

Kail leaves and I hop into the van, Tennant and James shutting the doors behind me. James gets into the van’s passenger seat, while Tennant makes his way to his own car, where Joel is waiting for him.

De Luca’shouse isn’t completely done going through repairs from when the Amatos’ unknown enemy tried to take him out, but it’s liveable, and for Carter and Cristian, that’s enough. Neither of them want De Luca in their house any longer than he needs to be, so after consulting with me and Jayden, the choice was made for him to finish rehabilitating at home.

With a selection of trusted guards in place, my medical staff and I got his house as ready as it could be for him.

Unlike the Amato main house, De Luca’s monstrosity of a place doesn’t have an elevator, so it’s a long, slow walk up with the transport bed as we get him upstairs. He bitches and moans a few times, but none of us pay him any mind.

Once we get him transferred to the new hospital bed in the master suite, James, Joel, and Tennant head back downstairs to wait for me.

“I don’t need some nurse babying me,” De Luca complains as I help settle Rose in for her first shift.

“Good thing your opinion doesn’t matter,” I snap back, all patience gone when it comes to dealing with him.

“At least you’re leaving the pretty one behind,” he mutters.

Spinning on my heel, I march over to him and hit him across the face, enjoying the way color blooms on his cheek. “Do not dare to disrespect her, or anyone who works for me, you worthless piece of shit. I don’t care who you are or what your son has ordered. You do not get to abuse the people under me for any fucking reason, got it?”

He glares, eyes narrowing. “You won’t do shit. My good for nothing bastard has you all wrapped around his finger.”

Grabbing his hair, I press my scalpel against his throat faster than he can blink. “Try me. I will slit your throat and face the consequences with a fucking smile on my face.”

To get my point across, I draw a little blood, making him hiss. “Do we understand each other?”

He swallows, eyes flashing with anger, but he knows he’s at the disadvantage here. We might be in the heart of ‘his’ territory, but he has no power, and hasn’t for a long time. We are all distinctly aware that he’s only alive on Carter’s order, and while I would never want to go up against the mafia spouse, I would if it meant keeping my people safe.

“I hear you,” he says eventually.

“Good.” I pull back, making sure to nick him once more, enjoying the way the blood runs down his neck. It’s been far too long since I’ve been able to have my own kind of fun.

Wiping the scalpel clean on his shirt, I carefully hide it back in my sleeve, then turn to Rose. “You call me if there are any issues. The guards here are as much for your protection as they are to make sure no one tries to off the asshole prematurely.” De Luca protests at my choice of words, but we both ignore him.

“I’ll be fine, sir.”

“I have someone who will be here in a few hours for the overnight shift, and I’ll be back to relieve both of you in the morning.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll see you then.”