Page 21

I pace as much as possible with this fucking manacle attached to me.

I’m pissed, and fucking worried. Cristian isn’t waking up.

I know he’s still alive, and when we get out of here, I may kill him myself for this shit.

I’m all about mocking our captor, but dammit, I don’t want to be alone in this.

I also really don’t want to face his husband if something happens to him.

Carter…is not going to be happy over this shit.

Cursing under my breath, I don’t understand why it’s taking our Families so fucking long to get here. I guarantee, I’ll be kicking their asses over this. They had better have a damn good excuse—and killing each other would not be acceptable.

“Would you fucking stop pacing?” Cristian coughs, and I whirl around to face him.

“Maybe I’d stop if you weren’t a fucking idiot!

Yes, we’re both bored as hell, but we have an alliance.

And if I’m the only one alive when they get here, it will not go down well.

” I glare at my counterpart, trying to keep the relief off my face.

Fucker has grown on me—even with his atrocious taste in music.

Cristian struggles into a sitting position and massages his temples, before touching the bandage covering his throat. “I see they at least gave me care after he fucked up?”

“Yes.” I wave my hand dismissively. “You were lucky. Someone must have been watching, because as soon as he stabbed you, two other guards rushed into the room and pulled him back. I have no idea who they were, because they were wearing those fucking ski masks. But interestingly enough…the person who came in next wasn’t. ”

“Oh? Now this is some good intel.”

Settling down, I lean against the wall. “It really is. He didn’t say anything, just patched you up, but I swear he’s familiar from somewhere.

I want to say he's about five foot eight…so on the shorter side. Maybe one hundred and eighty pounds. Short black hair, and he had a scar on his chin. Looks like he was trying to cover it up with a beard, but it didn’t work. ”

“Hmm. It’s not ringing a bell for me, but I do better after seeing someone, rather than just a description.” Cristian tilts his head back as he tries to adjust his position. “Hopefully, when our men get here, they will catch him. I’m surprised the asshole isn’t chattering away right now.”

“Yeah, the speakers have been quiet. I’m hoping that means they’re on edge, and we’re getting close to being rescued. I’m kicking my Boys’ asses for taking so long.”

Snorting, Cristian nods his head. “I’ll join you with my men. They’d better have a good fucking excuse over this.”

I slide down to sit across from Cristian, keeping an eye on how he’s doing. I’m not happy with the sweat gathering at his temples. “Well, if I had to be kidnapped with someone, at least they chose someone I actually like.”

“I’m not sure if that’s really a compliment…”

I shrug, but it’s true. There are worse people to be kidnapped with. We’re forced to be with each other around the clock, and that could get annoying, depending on the company. “Do you think our Families are surviving each other?”

“They’d fucking better be.” Cristian scowls. He must be as thrilled as I am with the possibility of them working together for this long. It’s risky.

“You know…I have to ask. Why isn’t Carter the one taking over for you? I know you said it would be your son. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but where is Carter in the hierarchy?” I study my friend, hoping he’ll satisfy my curiosity.

“Carter didn’t want that—he gave me his birthright, after he stole it from Georgio, for a reason. He’s capable, and can be merciless when he wants to be, but his brother fucked him up in their youth; so much so, he prefers to stand in the background.

“I’ll never begrudge his position or wishes. He’s everything to me. If he wants to be what holds me up, he’s more than earned that right. And Roman has been training for this his whole life—he’s my heir after all.” Cristian cocks his head as he looks at me, and I give him a partial shrug.

“It was nothing other than curiosity. Do you enjoy being a father?”

“What the fuck is up with these questions?” Cristian stares at me in astonishment.

Huffing, I stretch my legs and put my palms up. “I’m fucking bored. Lio loves kids, and since I need an heir, I’ve been thinking about children. I had horrible parents though… Admittedly, I’m not enthused at the idea of failing a kid the way my parents failed me.”

Cristian purses his lips as he examines me closely. “You’re not the only one with a shitty upbringing. My uncle killed my parents because he wanted power. If it wasn’t for Tennant, my childhood would have been very different to what it was.

“As for liking being a parent… Roman is the single best thing I’ve ever done.

Lui è la luce della mia vita. Fidati di te stesso, Amico Mio.

It’s the fact you’re self-aware that would stop it.

A good parent thinks of these things. Worry is good, so long as you’re not a slave to it.

Your Lio won’t let you make the same mistakes. If nothing else, trust in that.”

Nodding, I let us lapse into silence, both of our minds going elsewhere. I’m glad he’s awake now, especially so my own life isn’t at risk. At least being kidnapped is giving me time to think, without so much on my to-do list.

Kids . I need to think about that more. I wonder what would be some good names…