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“ Y ou really hate sitting in that chair, don’t you?” Carter says softly, looking across to the desk chair that feels less like my father’s with each day that passes.

“I’m getting used to it,” I respond. “I don’t want to talk about that now, though. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” He moves his arm out in front of him, grimacing when the movement pulls at his burns, before slowly putting it back on the arm of the chair. “The pain I can ignore. Doc says I got lucky…and he’s right. I don’t feel lucky, though. I feel robbed.”

There’s a burning hatred in his navy eyes that I’ve never seen before.

It’d be a mistake for anyone to underestimate Carter.

He might be softer than Dad and I, but he grew up as the second son to a mafia Boss, and that should be all anyone ever needs to know about him.

Gentle by nature simply means he’ll do anything to protect his family.

“I kept Georgio alive because it was my right as his son and presumed heir. He was mine to kill, and to have that ripped away…”

“We’re going to find the bastard—police protection or not, no one is safe from us for long. When we drag him out of whatever hole he’s in, you and Ten will have free rein.”

“Good. It’s been awhile since I’ve gotten my hands bloody. I’m itching to get at the person who has your dad, too, but I imagine Cris and Allesandro will want him.”

“Yeah…” I look over at the empty desk chair.

“Hey, what’s going through your mind, Figlio Mio?”

Sighing, I give him a half smile. “You don’t miss anything, do you?”

“Not after spending so long as your guard. I know you, Roman. You can talk to me.”

I shrug. “There’s been so much going on. It’s hard to catch my breath sometimes. Even harder to believe Dad’s still alive.”

“He is. I believe that with my very soul. It’s easy to lose hope, but until I have proof otherwise, I’m not giving up on him.”

Looking back at Carter, I can’t help but smile.

The renewed hope from this morning is taking root once more after hearing the conviction in his voice.

“You’re right. He and Il Padrone are fine.

Probably pissed as hell that it’s taking us so long to find them, but after everything we’ve all been through, getting kidnapped by some pathetic LEO?

No, that’s not going to be what takes them out. We’ll find them, and we’ll end this.”

“We will.” Carter looks over to the empty chair. “Sit behind the desk, Roman. Sit there with purpose, more than just because you feel as if it’s an obligation. Sono orgoglioso di te, Figlio. Your dad will be, too.”

“You are my dad,” I tell him firmly. “And it means a lot to hear that from you. Ti voglio bene, Dad. Thank you for always believing in me.”

“I love you, too. You’re an amazing man, Roman. An excellent Boss. It’s not a hardship to follow your lead. You’ll always have me, I promise. So, don’t be afraid.”

Taking a deep breath, I stand and make my way around the desk. Sitting in my father’s— my —chair brings forth a lot of emotions, but none of them are negative this time. Setting my hands on the desk, I look across it at Carter, and give him a smile that doesn’t feel fake.

“Grazie. You always know what I need.”

“It’s my job, always has been.” He leans forward. “Anything else you need to talk about? Any issues you’re having?”

I shake my head. “No, aside from the shitstorm we’re all dealing with, and me getting in my own way, I don’t have anything interesting to report.”

“Not even about Hollis and Lio? Or Tennant and Benjamin?”

I laugh a little. “No, we’re good. I promise. The four of us have talked, again just this morning. And our relationship is…probably stronger than ever because we’re capable of being honest with one another.”

“Good. I’d hate to have to kill someone because they broke your heart.”

I roll my eyes. “You sound like Ten…” I hesitate, unsure if I should tell him what I did, but…it’s going to come out anyway. “I can’t judge them, or feel jealous, because they’re not the only ones with their own Martelli.”

“Oh?” Carter raises a brow. “You and Lio finally take that step?”

“Nope. We’re just friends. I wouldn’t turn him away, but it’s not what we need from each other right now.

No, uhh… Ignacio and I had a bit of fun last night.

” I blush because talking to your parent about who you’re sleeping with is fucking embarrassing, but not telling him will be so much worse when it all comes out.

Carter sits back, shock written all over his face.

“Really? Well, as long as you know what you’re doing, and are being careful, I can’t stop you.

Your dad isn’t going to be happy, though.

” He raises a hand to stop my protest and continues.

“Not because of who you choose to spend your time with, but you’re still his son, and he worries.

He just wants you to be taken care of, you know that, right? ”

Blowing out a breath, I collapse back into my seat. “Yeah, I know. But I’m making the right decisions for me.”

“Okay, as long as you’re sure.” He smiles and huffs a laugh. “You always did have to do things your own way. I hope you know what you’re doing, Roman.”

Not at all, but that’s part of the fun. “I do,” I tell him.

Carter stands and comes around the desk, bending to plant a kiss on my head.

I’d protest, but I can’t deny him anything, not after everything.

Plus, I like it. The affection Carter’s constantly bestowed on me, ever since he and Dad started sleeping together, has always made me feel important to him.

And I need that familiar connection now, more than anything.

“I need to go check in with Enzo. Things have been quiet since they tried to blow me up, and it makes me suspicious. I know Tennant and Joel are out doing some groundwork, trying to see if something shakes loose, but I’d feel better if I had a handle on things as well.”

“I know they’ll appreciate any help you can give them.

Keeping the blinds up, trying to do business as usual so we don’t lose too much money, and working on finding Dad and Il Padrone has stretched us thin as it is, so I’m glad to have your insight.

How’s Enzo doing? I’m worried he’s pushing himself too hard. He only just got cleared for work.”

Carter smiles and shakes his head. “He’s Enzo. He misses you, being your guard was his life, but he’s doing well. He knows the Family inside and out, and not forcing him to retire was the best thing you could have done for him.”

I blow out a breath. “Good, I’m glad.”

Enzo was my bodyguard for over twenty years, like hell I was just going to let him go.

Missing leg or not, he’s mine, and if I’m going to be Boss, I need my inner circle to be loyal to me first, not Dad.

Jude and Enzo were the first decisions I made for that, and there are still many more to go, but…

I’m feeling like I’m finally finding my place, as terrifying as it is.

“I need to go, but come find me later and I’ll paint your nails; it’s been a while since I’ve seen them so bare outside of training.”

Looking down at my fingers, I mourn the loss of color, but I couldn’t stand the way the chipped polish looked, so I finally took the acetone to them after my shower this morning. “Sounds good. See you later.”

Carter leaves, and before the door even closes fully, Jude strides in. I perk up at seeing him. “Hey, what’d Doc say?”

Jude huffs and takes a seat in the chair Carter was just in. “I haven’t fucked myself completely, but both Jayden and Benjamin will be taking over my care now, and if Jayden decides to test Dominic some more, he will be too.”

“Okay, as long as you’re not sidelined then it’s fine.”

“I’m not. I won’t let you down, Tesoro Mio.”

I shake my head. “No,” I voice and sign.

“That’s not what I mean. I don’t want you sidelined because Tennant and Hollis will kick your ass for not taking care of yourself, and we don’t have time for those types of games.

I don’t care if you’re here with me or out in the field with Ten.

Here, you’re my cornerstone. The whole reason I chose you as my Second was because you keep me grounded, Amante.

I just need you to take care of yourself. ”

“I am. I promise you, I am.”

I let out a breath, my tension easing as I assess the truth in his words. I have to believe he means what he says, because trust is the very foundation of what we have.

He studies me for a moment before saying, “Speaking of being your Second, I met Antonio Martelli and his lovers while I was with Doc.”

“Oh?” I go for nonchalant.

He shakes his head as his gaze bores into mine. “Did you bring them here because it’s safer, or because you’re trying your hand at playing matchmaker?”

I grin at him. “Both?” I laugh, then say, “In all seriousness, I told Lio to bring them here because it is safer for everyone. Doc and his assistants can be here around the clock, should Nicolo need anything. And with the Martellis being in and out of the house already, it made sense.”

“They have their own house…” Jude says slowly.

“That has already been raided once, and yes, I know they’re probably going to come after us as well, but it’s a risk we’re willing to take.

Nicolo gets the care he needs, and that means everyone is not so spread out.

It’s risky, but everything at this point is a risk.

As for bringing Antonio here specifically…

No, as much as I want to joke about it, I didn’t think about you or him, or the fact that you’re only submissive to Hollis.

But…if you did see something in him when you met, I wouldn’t be mad about it. ”

A small smile crosses his lips as he stands and carefully makes his way over to me.

I watch him, noting that while he still favors his right leg, he’s not limping as much.

Whatever Doc did to him must have helped.

Jude leans against the desk in front of me, using his good leg to kick mine open as he steps between them.