Page 38 of Lines Drawn
Walking away from my husband for what might be the last time, I keep my back straight and my strides confident, even as pieces of my heart shatter with each click of my heel on the floor, and my tears steadily fall.
What. The. Fuck. My brain can’t even comprehend what just happened. Lio stood up to Il Padrone? He’s willing to walk away? What. The. Fuck.
Swallowing, I blink repeatedly. When nothing changes, I croak, “So, uh, plans?”
“Those would help,” Marcus grumbles, his wide eyes meeting mine before they dart around the table. I appreciate him trying to restore order, but I’m not sure it’s going to work.
I don’t bother eating anything else. It’s pointless when the food will sit too heavily on my stomach. Fuck, I need…something. Still, I push forward. “Alright, let’s figure out the teams. Uh, I’ll take the twins, they can at least do a watch. Marcus, of course. I’d like Jude, if he’s available. And, uh…Lio? And did I hear that right that Carter wants to come?”
“I’m coming,” Lio states firmly. “Will that be too many people though?”
“No. It’s only a four or five person team for entering. I’ll need that for any guards. The twins will take backup. If Jude and Carter both can’t make it, I’ll take Benjamin as well. Hollis, can you provide some backup too?”
“Of course.” Hollis’s voice is quiet, almost too quiet, but I push it away. We’ve all noticed the bandages, and given the way he’s watching Lio, I have a feeling they’re going to be having a discussion.
Thank fuck I’m not going to be a part of that mess. I’m not sure what the hell will happen when Lio leaves. I’m assuming Benjamin will follow, but where does that leave the rest of us—especially with Keegan and Marcus taking Carter’s side?
“Then, let’s meet back at…hmm, let’s say two a.m. I’ll have the twins take position earlier, and that should give us time to scope it out. I want to enter between three and four. It'll be late enough for any guards to be tired, but before others start waking up.
“Actually…Hollis, can you find out when the Fire Chief is on shift? I may need to adjust that.”
Hollis nods, but doesn’t verbally respond. It irks me, but I know that’s because of Il Padrone’s lessons. I stand up and head out, but before I can exit, Marcus is beside me. We make it partially to the medical wing, where I’m hoping to find Jude, before I stop.
“What the fuck?” I whisper furiously.
Grunting, Marcus shakes his head. “I have nothing on this. Lio…fuck. Keegan and I knew Carter was struggling, but we didn’t expect that. Shit is getting real. I’m not sure what’ll happen if people start taking sides.”
“It’s going to get fucking messy. Speaking of sides…what’s up with you, Keegan, and Carter?”
“We’re just friends. Nothing sexual. He’s good with Cole. And Keegan remembers how confusing things could be with this family. We’re both trying to help support him. He does a lot for us with Cole.”
I frown, unsure if I truly believe him. We’re Martellis after all. Then again, Keegan still struggles with that thought process. Shrugging, I continue toward the medical wing. “I need to find Jude. See if he’ll go with me—I mean, us.”
Snorting, Marcus shoves my shoulder. “Don’t lie. You want more than that from him. You don’t need to hide that right now. If you need the help…take it. It’s obvious Il Padrone isn’t going to be in the right frame of mind.”
“Are you going to talk to him? Since you’re his War?”
Marcus scratches the back of his head, wincing at my words. “I…don’t know. What he’s been saying, and what he did—or, I guess, didn’t do—with regards to Ignacio, doesn’t exactly make me think he’s going to be receptive.”
“Yeah, I’d probably pass on it myself. If he’s alright with Ignacio being hurt…” I cringe, coming to a stop outside the room where Roman is resting. My hope is that Jude is here.
“Yeah, I know.” Marcus exhales gustily. “We’re fucked. Loyalty has always worked both ways with him. But this? It's no wonder Lio is pissed. I am as well. I just don’t have the death wish that Lio seems to have though.”
I clasp him on the shoulder. “We’ll figure it out. For now, let’s focus on finding out what secrets the Fire Chief is hiding, and then go from there.”
Marcus steps out of my hold with a nod of acknowledgement. “Good luck with Jude. I hope he can help.”
I open the door to the medical room, playing Marcus’s words over, and sensing their double meaning. Fuck knows if I care right now though. It may piss Il Padrone off even more at this point, but dammit, I need Jude. It may be selfish, but…well, ifanyone has proven to be that, it’s Il Padrone. I refuse to feel regret about it. I’ll deal with the fallout if needed.
I step into the room where Roman is, and sigh with relief when I see Jude. I come up next to him and stay standing, waiting for acknowledgement. Roman is sleeping, but I don’t want to bother Jude if he’s too busy.
At least, the silence between us is comfortable, and I find myself relaxing in his presence. He makes it easier for me to breathe. I jolt when I feel his long fingers touch my hand. Zoning out isn’t like me, but after that dinner, it’s not surprising, I guess. When I turn to meet Jude’s eyes, I smile weakly. Fuck. I’m going to have to fill him in on what just happened.
“Bello, are you alright?”
That one question.Fuck. It breaks me. And I’m not even sure why. I drop to my knees and lower my head. Jude’s fingers run through my hair, and I shudder at the simple intimacy. I take a deep breath and finally raise my eyes to his.
Softly, I give him the only answer I have, and hope it’s enough. “No.”
