Page 53 of Lines Drawn
Hollis stands behind Lio’s chair, not touching my friend, but I can tell from the look on his face that he wants to desperately. Carter is between Marcus and Keegan, the two men look likethey're the only things keeping my dad upright. Seeing his worn, drawn face, my heart aches, and tears fill my eyes once more.
Dr. Ranlen is in the room as well, looking both as pissed and resigned as everyone else in the room.
Once Doc and Soren get me situated, they migrate over to where Dr. Ranlen is, and Doc doesn't hesitate to wrap an arm around her.
Boston licks my arm, before leaving my side to go back to her handler. Leandro makes a face as she licks him before settling at his side, and for a moment, the familiar act forces a small smile to cross my lips, until I look around the room once again, and why we're here comes crashing in.
When I meet Lio’s eyes, there's a wealth of pain in them, and I can't stop my tears from falling. Lio takes a breath and stands, looking at everyone before saying, “We all know why we're here. You either heard or witnessed what's been going on the last few days. Or are probably a victim of the Bosses yourself.” He glances at Carter and then me. “I…I can't do this anymore. Iwon't.”
He fiddles with his ring, a nervous gesture I never thought I would see on my friend. “I called myself the Head of the O’Connel Family and I meant that. Despite what they want you to believe, I am not just ‘throwing a fit’. I'm taking back what is mine.” Lio lifts his chin, and I see the Boss he was forced to become way back when the only issue we had was our Bosses being kidnapped. That was easy compared to whatever the fuck is happening now.
“I'll be moving into the O’Connel house and starting my rule from there. I am not telling you what to do, I willnotbecome one of them. But if you would like to join me, the offer is there.”
Even though I knew it was coming, my heart still stops in my chest, and I let out a stuttered breath.
“I'd like to request sanctuary,” Carter says.
I look at him, and when he meets my eyes, I see all the love he's ever had for me in them. Swallowing, I have to look away. Not because I don't want to see it, but because I can't handle the weight of anyone else's emotions right now.
“As Head of the De Luca Family, I am asking for help from the O’Connel Boss.”
“Granted, of course. You and I… We don't deserve this.”
“No, we don't. So…we'll do what we need to. I don't have much, but I have people who will follow me. How trustworthy they'll be…that's negligible, but it's protection.”
“Idohave people that can be trusted,” I say. All eyes look at me, and I try my best to gather myself, but being stuck in a chair with multiple injuries, and having my heart ripped out of my chest by the one person I should have always been able to trust makes it impossible.
“I'm the heir to the Amato Family. I already proved I am a decent Boss once, I'm prepared to take a stand and do it again.”
“Roman…” Carter says.
I shake my head and clutch my pillow a little tighter, ignoring the flash of pain in my chest.
“I know what he told you. He was wrong and out of line. No one, and I mean no one, gets to disrespect you. You're my dad, the one who loves me and has supported me from the very beginning. The one who taught me that it doesn't matter if I like to paint my nails, that I can be confident and wear my skirts. That doesn't judge me for loving more than one person. I willalwaysstand by you.”
I look around the room, meeting the eyes of each of my lovers, devastated that one is missing still.
“It's time to prove, not only to the men who don't deserve the title of Boss, but to ourselves, that the old ways are gone and over with. We want so badly to be better than them,thisis how we do it.”
Carter comes over and presses a kiss to my hair, before cupping my face in both hands and lifting it to his. “Ti voglio bene, Figlio Mio.”
“I love you, too,” I whisper. “You're my dad, no matter what other people try to say.”
He presses a kiss to my forehead and backs away.
I look at my lovers. “I'll follow you, Amore,” Hollis says. He glances at Lio. “Both of you.”
Tennant struggles for a moment, and my heart breaks all over again, because I know as hard as this is for me and Carter, it's a million times worse for Ten. He doesn't trust easily, but when he does, it's because someone proves their worth. And that all started with my father.
“I can't leave him to his own devices, not for long, but he doesn't get to hurt my people and get me at the same time. I…need to speak with him, eventually. But that can wait. You need me more, Little Prince. Emilio needs me.”
“Thank you,” I whisper.
Tennant shakes his head. “Don't thank me for doing the right thing.”
“I…” Jude looks from me to the man at his feet. “I’ll stay if you need me to, Bello.”
Antonio looks up at him. “You're Roman’s Second. He needs you. Family first, always. It's part of loyalty.” He sounds so confused, and I want to hug him.
