Page 11 of Lines Drawn
It takes him a few tries, but eventually, his breathing slows to match mine, and his eyes close as he tries to relax his tense muscles. Even the hand in my hair eases its grip.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I’m okay.”
“You’re not,” I tell him firmly. “But that’s okay. I’m here, Jude’s here, Emilio is here for you. At least, I’m assuming that’s where you ended up last night?”
He quirks a smile and opens his glassy brown eyes. “Yeah. He found me and took me back to his room. He and Il Padrone cleaned me up, and then…cuddled me to sleep.”
I stare at him, letting his words seep into me before making sense of them. “Il Padronecleaned your wounds andcuddledyou?”
Hollis lets out a strained laugh. “He's not so bad. An asshole, sure, but he cares. If he didn't, he would have sent me to one of the docs and judged me for not having my shit together. I'm worried this will make him see me differently. That he won't trust me to take care of Emilio, but I'm grateful for him all the same.”
“If he doesn't see the strength in you then he doesn't deserve any of his Boys. Not after the way he tears them down.” Leaning in, I brush my mouth over his. “You're stronger than anyone I've ever met, Tesoro. After everything you've endured, you're still standing, still willing to be the pillar we need. Your pain doesn't make you weak, Hol. It never has, no matter what those fucks tried to tell you. If I could, I'd kill them both brutally.”
As it is, all I can do is hold him up when he thinks he's going to crumble.
“I love you,” he says quietly. “So fucking much. Thank you for always being what I need.”
“I wish I could do more.”
He gives me a watery smile. “Il Padrone has an impressive playroom, I hear. Maybe he'll let us borrow it. Since I don't feel comfortable whisking you away to one of our kidnapping rooms.”
I grin and kiss him harshly. “Who will be locking who up in there?” I murmur against his lips.
“Guess we'll find out.”
Yes, we will.
We're interrupted by Roman groaning loudly and we break apart, crossing the room quickly to be by his side.
Doc is already there, checking on him as the little shit moans and his eyes flutter open. He's been waking up on and off over the last few hours, but when he opens his eyes this time, there's a clearness and coherency in them that says he's actually awake now.
He cries in pain and Doc fusses over him, checking his injuries before injecting something into his IV. “I've given him a lower dose of the painkillers, but if the pain is too much, I can push a little more. You with us, Roman?”
Roman nods carefully and then winces. “Hurts.”
“Anywhere specific?”
“Everywhere,” he whispers.
“You had a chandelier fall on you, so I'd be surprised if itdidn'thurt. But is there anywhere I need to be concerned about?”
“My throat.”
Doc nods. “I'll get you some water.” Doc walks off and Hollis and I sidle up to the bed.
“You’ve got to stop scaring me, Amore,” Hollis says, setting his hand on Roman’s uninjured cheek.
Roman tries to smile. “How much trouble am I in, Tesorino?”
“A lot. This is punishment worthy.”
“I'm sorry.”
Hollis gives Roman a strained smile. “You will be.”
Doc comes back with a small cup and straw, and I help Roman take a few soothing sips.
“Dad? Jude?” he asks at a more normal volume.
