Page 59 of Doc

With a nod and another glare in De Luca’s direction, I head downstairs. Tennant is waiting for me in the foyer, though James is nowhere to be seen.

“Right, Rose is going to stay here and make sure that bastard doesn’t die. I’ll come back and check on him in the morning. I also contacted Jayden, and he knows a few other specialistswho will come and do their own checks in a few days; since we, you know, gotta keep him alive for Carter.” I smirk and Tennant doesn’t exactly roll his eyes but I can feel the exasperation rolling off him.

“The commentary isn’t necessary, Doc.”

“Probably not,” I agree. “But I have to entertain myself somehow.”

Ten shakes his head but, sadly, doesn’t say anything else. It’s disappointing, as De Luca got my adrenaline up and I am itching for some type of outlet.I wonder if James will play with me.

“If you’re finished, we can get going. I’m sure your Daddy would appreciate me getting you home at a reasonable hour.”

I roll my eyes at his commentary.Fucking Roman. When he came for a checkup the other day, he walked in without knocking, like the brat he is, so managed to overhear me calling Soren that.

Within hours, everyone in the house knew about our relationship status. We weren’t hiding it, but there are some things, like our kinks, that I would have preferred to keep under wraps.

It doesn’t bother me, and Soren hasn’t given any indication that he cares about everyone knowing, but that doesn’t mean I can’t grumble over it—I have a reputation to uphold, after all.

“Don’t forget, I know how to kill a man and make it look natural.”

Tennant laughs. “So feisty. Do you get punished for your mouth?”

With a grin, I say, “I’ll have you know, Sorenlovesthe things I do with my mouth.” Disgust crosses Tennant’s face and I shake my head. “Don’t ask if you don’t want to know, Ten.”

That blank mask of indifference he wears so well falls over his face and he spins on his heel. “Let’s go.”

Before he can even make it a step, the front door opens and James comes into the house. “Sir,” he says, shutting the door firmly behind him. “There is a Mario Manassero outside, he wants to see De Luca.”

If Tennant is surprised by this unexpected visitor, he doesn’t show it. “Send him in.”

“Yes, sir. Should we strip him first?”

Surprisingly, Tennant shakes his head. “No, we need to build the De Lucas’ trust in us again, especially after we stifled their reach. Pat him down, but unless he’s heavily carrying, allow him to keep whatever weapons you find.”

“Yes, sir.” James goes back outside and Tennant turns to me.

“I want you to remain here while he is. Don’t let him stay for long, but don’t rush him out either.”

“I thought we were supposed to be ‘building their trust’?”

“You’re De Luca’s doctor, you’re just doing your job. He doesn’t have to know you’re already finished here.”

I’m sure Tennant can see the glee barely held back by my words as I ask, “Am I allowed to kill him if he gets out of line?”

“You or James, whoever gets there first.”

“And it’s not even my birthday,” I say as the front door opens and James comes back in with an older man in tow.

The man is shorter than both Tennant and I, with graying close-cropped hair, and eyes that are almost as black as Cristian’s. He’s not a very impressive man overall, but the longer I study him, the more I see features of Jude—Tennant, Hollis, and Roman’s new paramour—in him.

He carries himself with authority, but his eyes widen when he realizes who Tennant is. It’s always amusing when people come face to face with the Amato Second. He, impressively, keeps his composure, but his steps do hesitate for a second.

“Mr. Mason,” he says, stopping just feet from where we’re standing. “I didn’t realize you were here.”

Tennant ignores the pleasantries. “Why are you here, Mr. Manassero?” he asks in that annoying conversational tone of his.

“I’ve come to see Georgio,” he says. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, sir, but I am one of his most trusted men. I oversee?—”

“I know what your job is,” Tennant interrupts in a bored voice. “What I want to know is why you thought you had the authority to come here uninvited. This house may be where Georgio lives, but it is under Amato control. I do not care who you are. You no longer have the authority to come and go as you please. Especially since whomever tried to kill dear Georgio is still out there.”

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