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T he silence is thick in the limo as we head toward the Martelli mansion. I’m ready to get back to my house, with my own family. Still, I hate seeing Lio like this. He’s not his usual self, too constrained, too quiet. It’s rare, and it worries me. He’s not the type to sit passively like this.

“I know this is likely a stupid question, but how are you?” He tears his gaze from the window and looks at me. I suppress a shiver at his expression. His eyes seem dead, like he’s a man staring into the abyss with nothing to live for.

He opens his mouth before closing it as he shakes his head, stopping whatever his initial response would have been—likely a cutting remark.

It ratchets up my concern, seeing him this serious and defeated.

Sighing, he runs his fingers through his hair before leaning forward, resting his forearms on his knees.

“Fuck. I don’t even know anymore. Everything is wrong.

I’ve been dropped into hell and I can’t get out.

I’m terrified that we won’t find Master—or if we do, it’ll be too late.

I’m fucking tired of trying to hold everything together.

How the hell am I supposed to be strong when I feel like one strong wind and I’ll crumble?

“None of this makes sense. I’m sick to my stomach. I miss him so fucking much.

“And then there’s Benjamin. Damn . He’s still my best friend, yet he’s so far away that I can’t reach out and touch him.

We’ve never had this problem. And fuck, he kidnapped me as a friend, so why is he turning away now?

Especially when I need him the most? What the fuck do I do, Marcus? What. The. Fuck. Do. I. Do?”

Tears slip down his face and I swallow hard, because fuck , it’s worse than I thought.

I mentally curse Benjamin to the depths of hell right now.

You don’t turn your back on your best friend.

I don’t give a shit if he’s found his true love.

With everything going on with his best friend…

Fuck. If I could smack him, I would. Granted, I’m fairly certain Lio would kill me for it.

I reach for him and touch his shoulder, surprised when I suddenly have an armful of a crying Boss.

He needed to break, we both knew it, and I’m partially honored he did it in front of me, because I know he wouldn’t have done it with just anyone.

But fuck, my heart bleeds right along with him on this.

I am loyal to Il Padrone—even love him to some degree, but nothing like the way Lio does.

What they have… Fuck. It would be like losing Keegan.

Hell, it would be even worse than that, I think, because Lio has nothing else.

I have the Boys, I have Cole. Lio was brought into this world an innocent, and while Il Padrone helped him transition to the warrior he is now, he doesn’t have the same ties that us Boys have to each other.

He’s isolated, especially with Benjamin skipping out on him.

“All you can do is move forward. I have faith we’ll find Il Padrone, even if we have to tear the world apart.

I believe we’ll figure out who the fuck is screwing with us, and then we’ll send them to hell, just where they belong.

” Pausing, I try to carefully approach his other concern.

“Benjamin…look. Things are difficult in relationships, including friendships. I know you’re worried, but you have a strong friendship.

One that can survive shit like this. You just have to be patient with each other.

Understand that you may not agree on certain things, but accept the differences.

Fuck knows I don’t agree with Antonio on everything. ”

Laughing, he pushes off me, swiping at his tears, “Yes, well, I have heard many times about Antonio’s addiction to the Twilight movies. You’re a good friend to indulge him.”

Snorting, I shrug. “Friends do weird things for each other. It’s fine. I mean, fuck, he forgave me for shooting him. I’m sure you and Benjamin will smooth everything over.”

With a watery laugh, Lio nods. “That is quite the perspective. Hopefully, we’ll talk about it soon. We’ll certainly have the opportunity.”

Cocking my head, I narrow my eyes at him. That sounds…potentially problematic. For everyone. “While that sounds positive, I have a feeling you’re going to give me some bad news.”

We’re not far from the Martelli mansion now, and I have a feeling he’s been waiting until it was in sight to tell me about whatever is on his mind.

“Well, I was talking to Roman, and we’d both feel more comfortable if everyone is together.

Being spread out…it’s too dangerous. If we’re united, there’s less potential to be overwhelmed.

I especially worry about you, Keegan, and Cole.

The last thing I ever want to see is Cole hurt or traumatized.

Since Antonio must be at the Amatos’, we’ll be joining them. All of us.”

“Uh—” I bite my tongue at the glare he gives me, mentally running through the list of swear words I know—and possibly a few I make up. “I’ll, uh, make sure to let Keegan know.”

With a firm nod, he readies to exit the limo when we roll to a stop. I pop out first, escorting him to the door. “I’ll get in touch with Ignacio and I’ll plan on meeting everyone at the Amatos’. It’ll take a while to pack everything up. I’d also like to actually sleep…”

He frowns, shaking his head. “You can sleep when you get there. I want you safe, sooner rather than later.”

I hide a grimace, because I know exactly how well this is going to go down with Keegan.

Not that I can blame him, but he was ecstatic to get out of the Martelli mansion for a reason.

Letting him know we’ll be moving in with both the Martellis and the Amatos?

Yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m going to need to offer him a major bribe.

“Very well. I’ll see you later then. Make sure to let Ignacio know. There’s no sense in trying to meet up with him beforehand.”

I wait for him to enter the mansion before stepping away and heading for home, mentally trying to prepare for explaining why we’re fucked. I mean, it’s not my fault, so Keegan can’t be mad, right? Muttering under my breath, I can’t even find it in myself to believe that.