Page 8 of Doc

“I am a shorter than average, too pretty for my own good, gay man, Doc.” I can’t help but snap. “The Amatos may not have a problem with queers, considering who your Boss is, but that doesn’t mean the Russians have the same ideals. My uncle is trying to shield me from the fact that my own father will cut out my heart—literally—if he ever knew I liked to stick my dick in a man’s ass rather than a woman’s vagina. That clear enough for you?”

I cringe as soon as I figure out how to close my mouth.Can it even count as being fired if I was only barely hired?

Instead of being upset or insulted, Doc laughs. “Oh, I like you. You’ll fit in well.” Before I can wrap my head around his words, he bulldozes his way forward.

“I’m Doc, though I said that already. Please don’t ever call me anything but Doc. You are mine now, and that means you’ll want for nothing—monetarily and emotionally. We take care of our own here. Say the word and we’ll make it happen. Yes, this is a job, but the main Family couldn’t do theirs without us, and we wouldn’t be here without them. It’s a mutually beneficial endeavor here.

“You’re free to speak your mind, but know any decision I or Cristian makes is final. You’ll show respect, and in return, you’ll get respect. I’m not a demanding boss, but I do expect you to take this seriously and know we’re playing with life and death here. Understood?”

“Yes. And I’m sorry, I let my temper get away from me. Sometimes I’m too much like my father. It’s why I use my mother’s name when I can. I changed my surname when I turned eighteen, so legally, I am Soren Knightly, though I was born Soren Petrov. I came here to get away from that part of my identity, because I couldn’t be myself. You don’t want to be called by your birth name? Same here.”

Doc nods. “Valid. Now, let’s go.”

“Where?”

“I have appointments at the clinic we run. You’ll be shadowing me.”

“I wasn’t aware of that.”

Doc smiles. “Always expect the unexpected in this Family. Now, come, you don’t want to be late on your first day. Some of the people we have appointments with will be in charge of keeping you alive while working here.”

Great. Just…great. Well, I wanted something that was different from the oppression of my birthright… Looks like I sure as fuck found it.

Waiting for us outside is Joel. I glare at the redhead as he opens the car door. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

“My brother deserves a day off,” he replies.

“I don’t disagree, but I thought Gabriele was going to take a shift?”

Joel shrugs. “He had prior commitments, and Tennant is on Roman duty today, so I’m available to fill in.”

“Great.”

Joel smiles. “You love me.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night.” Turning to Soren, I gesture to Joel. “Apparently I’m important, which means I have a bodyguard twenty-four seven. Of course he gets days off, so sometimes someone else will take over. This is Joel Rossi. He’s normally Tennant Mason’s guard, but sometimes he likes to come and make my life difficult.”

“You’re dramatic.” Joel rolls his eyes. “It’s nice to meet you, Soren. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or any of my men.”

“Uh, right, nice to meet you. Thanks.”

“We should get going before you’re late.”

“Such a stickler for the rules, Joel,” I tease. “I don’t know how Tennant puts up with you.”

“He knows I won’t hesitate to shoot him, that’s how,” he deadpans.

Cackling, I slide into the backseat. Soren takes a seat across from me, concern etched on his face. Joel closes the door, and as he makes his way around to the driver’s side, Soren asks, “He was kidding about shooting his boss, right?”

I laugh again and shake my head. “Neither Tennant nor Joel joke about something like that. You’ll learn how things work soon enough.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

I stare at him. “Was it supposed to be?”

He cocks his head to the side, light blond hair spilling across his forehead and into his eyes. “I’m not sure if I should take you seriously or not.”

“Oh, he’s completely serious,” Joel says. “Whether or not youshouldtake it seriously is completely up to you and how sane you are. My advice is to take everything he says with a grain of salt, but remember he’s one of the most dangerous men in the Family.”

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