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R oman is staring off into space in the middle of the closet by the time I get out of the shower. The two hours of very interrupted rest I managed to get him to take are over now, and it’s back to work on the things we can control while we wait for news on the stuff we can’t.

Quickly, I run some product through my hair, knowing the curls are going to be unmanageable once they dry, but now isn't the time to worry about trivial things such as hair care when Tennant got himself arrested. Still, part of being Roman’s Second means putting my best face forward, which means at least attempting to not look like a troll person.

That done, I grab a random suit, not even paying attention to if it’s mine or Hollis’s; we’re the same height, so the only difference is the shirt and jacket would be snug if I end up with one of his. We need a bigger fucking closet, I think as I carefully pull the suit out from between all the others . Even with the bulk of Roman’s “fun” clothes still in his childhood bedroom, our closet was not meant for four grown men’s wardrobes.

Quickly, I dress and grab a suit off the rack for Roman. “Here,” I voice, handing him the blood-red skirt suit, hoping it’ll help bolster his spirits a little. “Come on, we have work to do. You know he wouldn’t want you to be upset over him.”

Roman swallows and seems to come back to himself, the lost expression is replaced with a hardness I never expected to see on his face—one he didn't even have when he thought about killing me.

He buttons the shirt and then asks, “Has Benjamin contacted you yet?”

I shake my head. “I’ll get in touch if I don’t hear from him soon. I’m sure they have just as much shit to deal with.”

Roman laughs, and while I can’t hear it without my hearing aids, the look on his face tells me it’s not a pleasant sound. “As if whatever they have is on the same level as the shit we were just handed.”

His signs are sharp, his expression hard, and I am so out of my depth. Fucking hell of a time for Hollis to have a breakdown on top of Roman’s.

I always knew Hollis would take it the hardest if anything ever happened to Ten, but I didn’t expect him to shut us out, literally. Working or not, there’s a wall between the three of us that wasn’t ever there before.

I understand it's hard. But as much as Tennant being arrested pisses me off, and makes me want to take my cane to some asshole’s skull, I know how to shove those urges down—for now. I guess one thing I can thank my upbringing for is the compartmentalization of my feelings—or lack of them.

The fact that I am the functioning one right now is actually pretty fucking terrifying, considering I have zero clue as to what I'm doing. Tennant is our emotional rock, while Hollis holds our leashes together. With neither of them being available…it doesn't leave much room for error, or Roman’s fracturing sanity.

Roman waving his hand in my peripheral brings me out of my head and I look at him. He motions towards the bedroom. “Phone, think it’s yours.”

Right. Work. Roman—the entire Family—is counting on me.

Before following Roman out of the closet, I grab him as he turns, bringing him in close and pressing a hard kiss to his lips. “We’ll bring him home,” I say aloud.

He nods and lets out a long breath, but when I release him, any lingering doubts or anxiety are gone, and he's wearing the mask of Boss that I’ve gotten used to since this whole shitshow started.

We finally leave the closet, and Roman exits the bathroom entirely, while I grab my hearing aids from the counter before going in search of my phone.

Before even bothering to check the notifications, I send a message to my group chat with Soren and the trips.

JUDE

I need an interpreter.

SOREN

We figured. Doc and I are already here, I’ll assist.

JUDE

Good. Meet me in Ten’s office.

That done, I grab my cane and exit the room, only to find my main bodyguard, Killian, waiting for me. “What are you doing?” I ask, heading down the hall.

“I’m to ‘stick to your side like fucking glue’. Boss’s orders, sir.”

I huff but don’t say anything, knowing it’d be pointless. Roman’s nerves are shot to hell, so I’m not surprised he’s implemented bodyguards, even though we’re safe as can be in the main house.

“We’re working out of Tennant’s office for now,” I tell him. “Soren is meeting me there so he can interpret.”

“I’m sorry I’m no help there,” he says.

I roll my eyes. “You’re doing fine. You’re learning, catching up. Besides, I'm pretty sure Ten would rather you guard me properly over trying to interpret. We’re making do for now.”

He concedes, and we make it to Tennant’s office to find Soren already leaning against the wall outside it. It's not surprising he got there so quickly, if he was in Doc’s office, as that’s only a few halls away. Tennant’s office is just beyond Cristian’s, in what Roman once explained was a room used as Cristian and Tennant’s classroom when they were kids.

While the room isn’t as large as Cristian’s office, it’s a decent enough size for a desk, two visitors chairs, and a bookshelf full of romance books—I learned those are Doc’s when I asked after seeing them for the first time.

“Thanks for agreeing to do this,” I tell Soren as he and I enter the office, while Killian stays in the hall.

“No problem, happy to help. It gives me something to do besides imagining new ways to punish Doc.”

I laugh as I sit behind the desk. “Don’t lie, you like doing that.”

He smiles and shrugs before signing, “Living with a brat, you have to get…inventive. But that’s not what he needs right now.”

“What does he need?”

A look that has a hint of Daddy in it crosses his face. “The only two people he really considers family are gone, and his best friend’s brother is as well. Like hell was he going to stay home and wait for news.”

I nod in understanding. “So James is here too, then?”

“Yes, partly because of Joel, but also because of the orders for all personal bodyguards to be on their principles. Jayden is here, too.”

I hold back my sigh. Of course, I don’t blame Joel’s brothers for being worried about him, but dammit, that’s more people to account for should something happen here. Just because they haven’t managed to procure a warrant to search the house yet doesn’t mean they won’t. We’re living on borrowed time, and everyone knows it.

With that reminder, I pull my phone out and look at Soren. “I can get away with FaceTiming one of the many, many calls I’m sure I’m going to need to make, as he knows ASL; though I haven’t actually tested his fluency. The rest, I’m going to need your help with.”

Soren shrugs. “It’s what I’m here for.”

“Still, I hate taking you away from Doc and James when they need you.”

Soren’s bright blue eyes seem to glow as he says, “The Family comes first, always. I know how it works. I’m just sorry we haven’t been able to find you an actual interpreter yet.”

I shrug. “It’s kind of a big ask. Not only do they need to know how to interpret, they have to be okay with the Family as well.”

“I know. Donovan got by without one in the Bratva for the same reasons, but then his job description is way different than yours.”

“You, Dmitri, and Dominic have been a big help. There’s plenty of time to worry about finding the perfect person later.” If we live that long.

Finally checking my phone, I quickly send off replies to the various texts before getting to Benjamin’s message. Though I was expecting him to get in touch, the dark, twisted part of me that still lives under my family’s thumb tells me it’s a mistake. He shouldn’t be contacting me Second to Second, because I shouldn’t have the job.

It’s bullshit, of course. I’m here to support Roman in whatever he needs, and while I might not care, or have an unending well of emotions like he does, I still have my own baggage.

I don’t doubt my abilities, but I do doubt my usefulness to Roman if other people have an issue with me. I spent too long trying to disappear into the background, I won't return there now that I’ve found people who see me. I just hope it doesn’t fall back on Roman too much. His confidence as a Boss is already low on the best of days.

Going back to Benjamin’s message, I finally send him a reply, confident that even though it’s the middle of the night, he’s as awake and on edge as the rest of us.

BENJAMIN

When you get a moment, I’d like to discuss how we can help the Amatos.

JUDE

I’ll call in a minute.

Looking up at Soren, I ask, “If I angle the camera correctly, would you come sit over here? Just so we’re both able to pay attention to what he says. While he’s on our side—on Tennant’s side—you can never be too careful.”

Soren nods quickly and moves his chair, while I set the computer up for a video call with Benjamin. A strange feeling of…anticipation rushes over me as I hit Call . This is my first-ever act as Roman’s Second—not counting Tennant’s test right before our first torture lesson.

The call connects to show a haggard-looking Benjamin, very different from the tired but fucked-out boy from just hours ago. Though, I suppose, we all look more worn down than we did earlier tonight.

“Thank you for meeting with me,” he says. “I know it’s a…difficult time for you.”

I laugh bitterly. “Difficult is one way to put it. What are you hoping to get out of this call, exactly?” I cut straight to the chase, too tired and full of emotions I’d rather not examine to beat around the bush.

He sucks in a breath and runs a hand through his dark hair, looking away from the camera for a moment as he gathers himself. Under any other circumstance, the “normal” part of me would say to have some compassion for him. After all, it’s not everyday you go from your…lover’s bed to a literal nightmare. But the civilized gentleman my mother raised disappeared hours ago.

“I want to offer my support…in any way I can. I…can’t be there right now, but I still want to help.” His sea green eyes try to plead with me through the screen. “Please, I…care about Tennant. Much more than I ever expected.”

As he signs, I tilt my head, carefully watching his hands, not for his words, but…for the missing piece of jewelry. So he gave back the ring…interesting.

And not at all what I expected. In truth, I thought he’d go home and realize Tennant isn’t someone he wants to be involved with.

“Are those feelings going to be a problem?” I ask bluntly.

“No,” he replies firmly, snapping his fingers closed even as he mouths the word. “I can push my feelings to the side.” And then he shakes his head. “Wait, no, no I can’t. But…it’s because of my feelings for him that I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help.”

I let out a breath, some of my tension eases at the knowledge he’s unwilling to lie just to remain in the loop. “Right now, we’re shoring up our defenses and going quiet. We have no idea where they might hit next. Especially since we were betrayed by what we thought were loyal customers.”

His expression darkens. “I wouldn’t mind using some of my new skills on those assholes.”

I grin, a bit of lightness seeping through the dark fills me. “We can’t make a move yet, at least not an overt one. You and I both know they’ll be watching their informants closely. But that’s the plan, eventually. We’ll probably have to keep one alive for Ten, but nothing says we can’t have some fun as well.”

Benjamin’s grin isn’t as dark or unhinged as any others’ in this life, but…there’s an edge to it that wasn’t there just a few short days ago. “Good.”

“If you haven’t already, I’d suggest putting extra protections in on your diversions and blinds.”

He loses his smile. “Already on it. They tried to grab Marcus, and it was only because of said blinds that they didn’t.”

“I’m not surprised, it was a coordinated attack. They’ve proven they’ll do anything to take apart what we have—we need to stay ahead of them and prove them wrong.”

Benjamin squirms in his seat, as if weighing up his words, before saying, “I’ve suggested we bring in a…different kind of distraction. Keep them busy with something—someone—else while we pull the rug out from under them.”

I nod slowly. “Could work.”

“It’s still in the works. I have to run it by both Marcus and…Ignacio.” I don’t miss the way he grimaces as he signs his fiancé…ex-fiancé’s name.

Soren gets my attention, and I look away from the screen to watch him say, “If he’s implying what I think he is, I believe I can help…”

I raise an eyebrow and roll my wrist in a “go on” motion.

He hesitates for only a moment before saying, “My uncle has always had a good relationship with the Amatos. Since Cristian… acquired me, the ties between them have only strengthened. If Benjamin’s idea is to distract the police with a new target…”

Keeping my hands low and out of sight of the camera, I ask, “You really think your uncle will go for it?”

Soren shrugs. “It doesn’t hurt to ask. He and Cristian are allies, and I’m still his nephew. The entire point of me changing Families was to keep me safe; I’d say being arrested is as far from safe as you can get. Especially looking like me.” He gestures to his young, angelic face. “I would be fucking catnip in prison.”

I snort, because that’s the truth. Doc’s Daddy he may be, but everything from his light blond hair and freckles, to his short and slim frame, screams “use me like the twink I am”.

“Good point. Thank you.” I turn back to Benjamin. “I have an idea, I’ll need to run it by Roman first, but we might be able to help with the distraction.”

“Okay. I’m assuming I won’t be getting details?”

I smile. “As I said, I need to speak with Roman. It’s his call, as it’ll cost us.”

“So will my idea.”

“But if it’s valid, does it matter?” I stare straight at him through the screen, our eyes locking as a new sense of determination fills me. “Getting Tennant out, finding our Bosses, and putting those bastards back in their places is the priority. I will do anything for that end goal.”

“Me too.”

I hope that’s true, because something tells me the promises we make now will come back to haunt us in the not so distant future…