Page 4 of Unsettled
Rolling my shoulders back, I slip into my fighting stance. “Ask the Boss. And then let me know. Fuck knows, maybe we’ll all end up at the Amatos’. I wonder if they have enough room…”
Marcus mirrors my pose, and before he can attack, I’m on him, slipping inside his guard with a punch before taking him down with a simple leg hook.
I can’t contain my smile.Damn,Roman really did bring me back.
Marcus may not appreciate that anymore as he forces himself up. One of these days, he’ll learn to stay down. Until then, well, I’ll have fun bloodying him up. It’s the small things in life after all.
“You really hate sitting in that chair, don’t you?” Carter says softly, looking across to the desk chair that feels less like my father’s with each day that passes.
“I’m getting used to it,” I respond. “I don’t want to talk about that now, though. How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.” He moves his arm out in front of him, grimacing when the movement pulls at his burns, before slowly putting it back on the arm of the chair. “The pain I can ignore. Doc says I got lucky…and he’s right. I don’t feel lucky, though. I feel robbed.”
There’s a burning hatred in his navy eyes that I’ve never seen before. It’d be a mistake for anyone to underestimate Carter. He might be softer than Dad and I, but he grew up as the second son to a mafia Boss, and that should be all anyone ever needsto know about him. Gentle by nature simply means he’ll do anything to protect his family.
“I kept Georgio alive because it was my right as his son and presumed heir. He was mine to kill, and to have that ripped away…”
“We’re going to find the bastard—police protection or not, no one is safe from us for long. When we drag him out of whatever hole he’s in, you and Ten will have free rein.”
“Good. It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten my hands bloody. I’m itching to get at the person who has your dad, too, but I imagine Cris and Allesandro will want him.”
“Yeah…” I look over at the empty desk chair.
“Hey, what’s going through your mind, Figlio Mio?”
Sighing, I give him a half smile. “You don’t miss anything, do you?”
“Not after spending so long as your guard. I know you, Roman. You can talk to me.”
I shrug. “There’s been so much going on. It’s hard to catch my breath sometimes. Even harder to believe Dad’s still alive.”
“He is. I believe that with my very soul. It’s easy to lose hope, but until I have proof otherwise, I’m not giving up on him.”
Looking back at Carter, I can’t help but smile. The renewed hope from this morning is taking root once more after hearing the conviction in his voice. “You’re right. He and Il Padrone are fine. Probably pissed as hell that it’s taking us so long to find them, but after everything we’ve all been through, getting kidnapped by some pathetic LEO? No, that’s not going to be what takes them out. We’ll find them, and we’ll end this.”
“We will.” Carter looks over to the empty chair. “Sit behind the desk, Roman. Sit there with purpose, more than just because you feel as if it’s an obligation. Sono orgoglioso di te, Figlio. Your dad will be, too.”
“Youaremy dad,” I tell him firmly. “And it means a lot to hear that from you. Ti voglio bene, Dad. Thank you for always believing in me.”
“I love you, too. You’re an amazing man, Roman. An excellent Boss. It’s not a hardship to follow your lead. You’ll always have me, I promise. So, don’t be afraid.”
Taking a deep breath, I stand and make my way around the desk. Sitting in my father’s—my—chair brings forth a lot of emotions, but none of them are negative this time. Setting my hands on the desk, I look across it at Carter, and give him a smile that doesn’t feel fake.
“Grazie. You always know what I need.”
“It’s my job, always has been.” He leans forward. “Anything else you need to talk about? Any issues you’re having?”
I shake my head. “No, aside from the shitstorm we’re all dealing with, and me getting in my own way, I don’t have anything interesting to report.”
“Not even about Hollis and Lio? Or Tennant and Benjamin?”
I laugh a little. “No, we’re good. I promise. The four of us have talked, again just this morning. And our relationship is…probably stronger than ever because we’re capable of being honest with one another.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to kill someone because they broke your heart.”
I roll my eyes. “You sound like Ten…” I hesitate, unsure if I should tell him what I did, but…it’s going to come out anyway. “I can’t judge them, or feel jealous, because they’re not the only ones with their own Martelli.”
“Oh?” Carter raises a brow. “You and Lio finally take that step?”
