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I scowl at the door when there’s yet another fucking knock. Seriously? Nicolo needs his rest, and so does Nario. He’s barely slept, as each time his twin so much as twitches, he automatically wakes up.

I haven’t even tried to sleep. The doctor stepped in once and tried to intimidate me into leaving with a glare. But I’m a fucking Martelli, so a glare isn’t going to do shit, and the only doctor I may be a little afraid of is Dr. Ranlen. For a fucking good reason.

And speak of the devil herself. When Dr. Ranlen enters, she automatically heads to the computer in the corner, pulling up notes.

I’m surprised to see Lio with her, but maybe I shouldn’t be.

He isn’t going to let this go, and for some bizarre reason, we’re now linked.

Our beginning may have been bumpy as hell, but the past is the past. Us twinks have to stick together.

“Where are your guards?” I ask my friend quietly, a gentle rebuke as he should know better now that he’s the Boss.

Lio rolls his eyes, his attitude always comes out to play with me. “Well, Dad , they’re in the hallway. I figure, unless someone is able to magically appear in this closed room, I’m safe. And if there’s a power like that, we’d already have it on our side.”

I give him a half smile at that, because he’s right. Il Padrone always knows how to lure people over—kidnapping or blackmail is often his answer. Why change what works?

“Not that I’m not thrilled to see you, but…what do you need? Nicolo needs rest, and so does Nario.” I’m honestly surprised they haven’t woken up, despite how quiet Lio is being.

Dr. Ranlen finally joins us and gives a nod to Lio.

I cock my head in question, but he doesn’t keep me waiting.

“I don’t feel comfortable having Nicolo here—or any of you.

Not with how many people are looking for us.

The paperwork you found? It contained names and info on both our Family and the Amatos.

Information that no one person could have provided, which means they could have a network of moles, and if they do…

Well, I really don’t want to think about it at the moment. ”

“We can’t just leave here! Fuck! Nicolo was shot!” My whisper-yells must not have stayed quiet enough because both Nicolo and Nario jerk awake. Nicolo gives a small moan of pain, and I scowl at Lio.

Huffing, he shakes his head. “Do you think I’d ever put any of the men in a dangerous situation when I didn’t need to? Our lives are risky enough, I’m not fucking around with things I can actually control.”

I stand, startling Nario, who was using me as a sleeping post. “It’s not safe for Nicolo! I don’t give a fuck if Dr. Ranlen can be there twenty-four seven—apologies, Sarah—but our facilities are not set up for anything major.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake. How many bullets have been taken out of our bodies at the house?

And we’ve all recovered there.” Lio stares at me in disgust before waving his hand in the air, batting away my next argument.

“And it doesn’t matter. The Amatos have a full medical suite that Dr. Ranlen has reviewed.

You’ll have even better access to care there than here. ”

“Oh, really? You’re suddenly fine with the Amatos. Enough to put our care in their hands,” I drawl, crossing my arms in suspicion.

Lio looks ready to strangle me when Dr. Ranlen sets a hand on his shoulder. He begrudgingly backs down, and I’m once again amazed by our doctor. With careful, precise words, she breaks it down for me.

“This hospital has multiple wings, with hundreds of employees, who do not all know each other. It would be incredibly easy to infiltrate. And that’s without considering what would happen if a law enforcement agent decided to ignore the situation and come pick up Nicolo for something imaginary—or fuck, just saying they need to take him downtown to get his ‘statement’.

“The best place for him to recover is at the Amatos’.

I have personally reviewed their medical suite, spoken to their doctor, and assessed the certification of all the staff there.

I guarantee you that not only will you be safer there, you will have better care—and I say that as a very proud hospital administrator.

I love this hospital, and believe in the people I’ve hired, yet I’m telling you the Amatos have a better setup to care for Nicolo. ”

With one statement, she ruins all of my arguments. Still, I exchange looks with my lovers. If they don’t feel comfortable with this, I will fight it. I don’t give a fuck.

“Love, you know she’s right,” Nicolo manages to say. His voice is so scratchy, it breaks my heart. Nario is right there with ice chips before I can even move.

“If you’re sure. What about you, Nario?” While I know Nicolo usually speaks for the two of them, I want to make completely sure that we are all on the same page.

Nario doesn’t answer verbally, and simply nods his agreement. Cursing under my breath, I force the tension out of my shoulders as I turn my attention to our Boss and Dr. Ranlen.

“Fine. I’ll trust you.”

“Thank you. I’ll get it set up as we’ll be going AMA.” As soon as she's spoken, Dr. Ranlen disappears from the room, and I try to ignore how leaving Against Medical Advice makes me feel, even if she ends up being right about the move. Those three little words terrorize me when I look at my love.

Lio comes closer, sneaking behind me and hugging me. I stand still, shock coursing through me. Fuck . He does not do touching like this. He must really be worried.

“Alright, that’s enough,” I say gruffly. “You got your way, Boss. Thanks for not making it an order.”

He doesn’t respond to my statement. He simply touches Nario's shoulder, and then very carefully lays his hand on Nicolo. “We took our revenge already, but I promise you, there will be plenty to go around.”

He leaves before Nicolo can acknowledge his statement.

I run my hand through my hair, not looking forward to explaining to Nicolo what happened to the cop.

I want to justify not waiting, but really, I didn’t want to delay, or put more stress on him.

There will be more time to talk about it later.

And I know we will, based on Nicolo’s raised eyebrow.

Things move fast after that. Far quicker than I expected, considering the amount of paperwork there is to fill out. Soon enough, we’re on our way to the Amatos’, and I can only pray it’s the best place for us.

The one thing Lio left out when he was talking us into this? The chances of their house being hit as well…