Page 5 of Unsettled
“Nope. We’re just friends. I wouldn’t turn him away, but it’s not what we need from each other right now. No, uhh… Ignacio and I had a bit of fun last night.” I blush because talking to yourparent about who you’re sleeping with is fucking embarrassing, butnottelling him will be so much worse when it all comes out.
Carter sits back, shock written all over his face. “Really? Well, as long as you know what you’re doing, and are being careful, I can’t stop you. Your dad isn’t going to be happy, though.” He raises a hand to stop my protest and continues. “Not because of who you choose to spend your time with, but you’re still his son, and he worries. He just wants you to be taken care of, you know that, right?”
Blowing out a breath, I collapse back into my seat. “Yeah, I know. But I’m making the right decisions for me.”
“Okay, as long as you’re sure.” He smiles and huffs a laugh. “You always did have to do things your own way. I hope you know what you’re doing, Roman.”
Not at all, but that’s part of the fun.“I do,” I tell him.
Carter stands and comes around the desk, bending to plant a kiss on my head. I’d protest, but I can’t deny him anything, not after everything. Plus, I like it. The affection Carter’s constantly bestowed on me, ever since he and Dad started sleeping together, has always made me feel important to him. And I need that familiar connection now, more than anything.
“I need to go check in with Enzo. Things have been quiet since they tried to blow me up, and it makes me suspicious. I know Tennant and Joel are out doing some groundwork, trying to see if something shakes loose, but I’d feel better if I had a handle on things as well.”
“I know they’ll appreciate any help you can give them. Keeping the blinds up, trying to do business as usual so we don’t lose too much money, and working on finding Dad and Il Padrone has stretched us thin as it is, so I’m glad to have your insight. How’s Enzo doing? I’m worried he’s pushing himself too hard. He only just got cleared for work.”
Carter smiles and shakes his head. “He’s Enzo. He misses you, being your guard was his life, but he’s doing well. He knows the Family inside and out, and not forcing him to retire was the best thing you could have done for him.”
I blow out a breath. “Good, I’m glad.”
Enzo was my bodyguard for over twenty years, like hell I was just going to let him go. Missing leg or not, he’s mine, and if I’m going to be Boss, I need my inner circle to be loyal to me first, not Dad. Jude and Enzo were the first decisions I made for that, and there are still many more to go, but…I’m feeling like I’m finally finding my place, as terrifying as it is.
“I need to go, but come find me later and I’ll paint your nails; it’s been a while since I’ve seen them so bare outside of training.”
Looking down at my fingers, I mourn the loss of color, but I couldn’t stand the way the chipped polish looked, so I finally took the acetone to them after my shower this morning. “Sounds good. See you later.”
Carter leaves, and before the door even closes fully, Jude strides in. I perk up at seeing him. “Hey, what’d Doc say?”
Jude huffs and takes a seat in the chair Carter was just in. “I haven’t fucked myself completely, but both Jayden and Benjamin will be taking over my care now, and if Jayden decides to test Dominic some more, he will be too.”
“Okay, as long as you’re not sidelined then it’s fine.”
“I’m not. I won’t let you down, Tesoro Mio.”
I shake my head. “No,” I voice and sign. “That’s not what I mean. I don’t want you sidelined because Tennant and Hollis will kick your ass for not taking care of yourself, and we don’t have time for those types of games. I don’t care if you’re here with me or out in the field with Ten. Here, you’re my cornerstone. The whole reason I chose you as my Second was because you keep me grounded, Amante. I just need you to take care of yourself.”
“I am. I promise you, I am.”
I let out a breath, my tension easing as I assess the truth in his words. I have to believe he means what he says, because trust is the very foundation of what we have.
He studies me for a moment before saying, “Speaking of being your Second, I met Antonio Martelli and his lovers while I was with Doc.”
“Oh?” I go for nonchalant.
He shakes his head as his gaze bores into mine. “Did you bring them here because it’s safer, or because you’re trying your hand at playing matchmaker?”
I grin at him. “Both?” I laugh, then say, “In all seriousness, I told Lio to bring them here because itissafer for everyone. Doc and his assistants can be here around the clock, should Nicolo need anything. And with the Martellis being in and out of the house already, it made sense.”
“They have their own house…” Jude says slowly.
“That has already been raided once, and yes, I know they’re probably going to come after us as well, but it’s a risk we’re willing to take. Nicolo gets the care he needs, and that means everyone is not so spread out. It’s risky, but everything at this point is a risk. As for bringing Antonio here specifically… No, as much as I want to joke about it, I didn’t think about you or him, or the fact that you’re only submissive to Hollis. But…if you did see something in him when you met, I wouldn’t be mad about it.”
A small smile crosses his lips as he stands and carefully makes his way over to me. I watch him, noting that while he still favors his right leg, he’s not limping as much. Whatever Doc did to him must have helped. Jude leans against the desk in front of me, using his good leg to kick mine open as he steps between them.
“You’re something else, Giocattolo. Playing with things you shouldn’t.”
My breath catches in my throat and desire swirls through my veins. “What are you going to do about it?”
He grins. “Remind you of where you belong, no matter who else might get your ass…or your mouth. On your knees.”
