Page 5 of Destruction

Jude tries to wrap an arm around me but I move away. My emotions are too volatile right now for touch, no matter how badly I want to fall apart.

Carter moves to stand in front of me, and I look up at my second father, seeing the pain, anger, and regret of what he’s about to ask of me shining in his gaze. “You’re his heir, Roman.”

I shake my head. “I’m not ready.”

“You don’t get a choice this time, Figlio Mio. I’m so sorry, but the Family needs you.Cristianneeds you.”

The walls of the office are starting to close in as the pieces of my life fall apart around me.It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

Looking away from Carter, I meet Jude’s pale green gaze, and with just one look, he seems to understand, because he moves in close, pulling me tight against him. I don’t fight him this time, needing him to hold me up as my denial starts to turn to anger.

“What the fuck happened?” I ask.

Carter shakes his head. “I don’t know. As I said, Tennant is at the scene now, getting a lay of the land. Hopefully he returns with answers. I?—”

My phone ringing interrupts whatever he was about to say. Pulling the device from the pocket of my pants, I check the display. A whoosh of air escapes my lungs as tension has me straightening my spine, but I don't leave the comfort of Jude’s embrace.

Looking up from the display to my lover and father, I say, “It’s Emilio.”

They both stiffen.

“Answer it,” Carter orders.

I’m not sure I want to, but I accept the call anyway…

“Hey, Lio.” I try to inject as much cheer into my voice as possible. Especially since talking to him is normally fun, and leaves me smiling for days. The last thing we need right now is for anyone, even our allies, to know we’re at our weakest. “Now’s not the best time…”

“This will be quick. I need to ask you something, and it’s important.”

There’s an edge to my friend’s voice that’s not usually there, not even when he’s grumbling about how inane wedding planning is. There’s a pit in my stomach because the seriousness in Lio’s voice raises my hackles.

Quickly, I activate the recording program that Hollis installed on my phone. I never thought I’d need it, because Lio and I try to keep our conversations away from business, but given the way this day is going, something tells me this is important to document. “Sure, what’s up?”

“Have you, or more specifically, has Hollis, heard anything about attacks on a Family or other organization?”

My heart leaps into my throat, and frantically, I put the call on speaker, almost dropping the phone as my hands beginto shake. I’m barely able to steady my fingers enough to one handedly sign, “Get Hollis in here.”

Jude pulls out his phone to do as ordered, while I turn my focus back to the conversation at hand.

“Hol would be the best one to ask, since he’s kept a bead on all that. I know there’s been a smattering of chatter here and there, but nothing concrete enough to act on. Our name has been thrown around a lot, but that’s to be expected with what we’ve started pushing.

“The Martelli name has also been mentioned, but as I said, Hollis is the most informed on all this. I can give you his number, or go get him, if you want. Is everything okay?”

There’s a long moment of silence and I look between Carter and Jude, anxious for my other lover to get here and assure me that what Lio’s implying isn’t true…

Because if it is… If what I think happened happened… It won’t be good for any of us.

The pause in conversation doesn’t scare me—I’m sure they’re trying to parse out the truth in my words, wondering how much they should trust me. I would be doing the same in their position.

“Why don’t you go get him. I think we need to have a more in-depth talk.”Lio’s statement ends on a frustrated sigh that has the hairs on my arms standing up.

“That doesn’t sound good, but sure, give me a moment, I have to cancel an appointment,” I lie. I mute the phone and look at Carter. “What do you think?” I ask.

“It seems,” he says slowly, “That we’re not the only ones being targeted.”

“Could be a ruse,” Jude points out.

“True,” Carter muses.

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