Page 37 of Destruction

“Sinclair called with an update while I was on the way back here,” Roman says. “He got Ricci off, but the dealers took the fall for the Family. Rose and Doc will be happy that her father isn’t going to prison, but that doesn’t fix our issue. Our distribution structure has been thrown out, and we’re scrambling to make sure our people get what they need. Our sales of the weapons are also in disarray. The Russians understand and will hold off this shipment, but the gang isn’t so willing to give us grace. I’ll need you to go smooth over some feathers with them during the handover, Ten.”

“I can do that. Don’t worry, Little Prince, it’ll be okay.”

Roman doesn’t look convinced, but nods anyway. “Thank you.”

“I’ll go check up on Leandro, see how far he’s gotten without me.”

“I need to check in with the house guards and Carter,” Tennant says. “Then make sure our guest is settling in okay. Ihave no more use for you today, Agnellino, but be prepared for tomorrow.”

Jude gives him a bland smile. “Of course.”

With that, the meeting is adjourned, and we leave Roman in the office to work on setting the next meeting between the two Families.

Tennant goes off to find the Head of the House Guards, but when Jude tries to leave, I stop him, grabbing at his sleeve. “Come with me.”

He follows me to my office, where Leandro is diligently working. “Out,” I order.

Leandro turns his head to look at us, narrowing his eyes. “I’m doing the work of three people because the Martellis are too paranoid to call in H, and you want me to fuck off so you cangetoff? Fuck you.”

“I won’t ask again, Leandro. This will only take a few minutes. Go, take Boston out, get some food, anything that will get you out of here for ten minutes.”

He purses his lips and shakes his head, turning back to his computer for a few minutes before pushing away from the desk.

Grabbing Jude’s sleeve again, I lead him further into the office, around Leandro’s desk so the boy can wheel himself out.

“No sex,” he says as he snaps his fingers and commands Boston to follow. “I’m the one who has to deal with the smell, so keep your hands to yourselves.”

“Funny,” I drawl. “I didn’t realize you were in charge.”

He makes a noise of disgust before leaving the room, dog in tow.

“What’s this about?” Jude asks, leaning against my desk.

Getting into his personal space, I answer, “You tell me. Are you really okay with me and Emilio? Or Emilio and Roman? Benjamin and Tennant?”

He scowls. “I gave my answer, did I not? I didn’t protest. I don’t understand the whole training by sex thing that the Martellis have going on, but I do understand your need to control everything and everyone around you.”

There’s a bite to his tone, and it makes me grin. “Are you feeling possessive, Bello? Do you dislike the idea of anyone putting their hands on me?”

He glares, but I can see past the unaffected look he’s trying for. He’s not nearly as good as Tennant at hiding his emotions, though he tries to be. With a frustrated growl, he pushes me away, just enough for signing space. “Like it? No, but I understand you wouldn’t touch him if you didn’t need or want to. This is about more than just putting him in his place. It’s about you needing to control someone, and you can’t play your usual games with Tennant right now, so a substitute has been found in the Martelli boy.”

He’s right. The world is so topsy-turvy that my usual avenues of destressing are closed off at the moment. Neither Ten nor I can leave Roman for long, so the way we usually play is out of the question. That Jude picked up on it so easily says how much he truly does care, in his own way—even when he pretends not to.

“You’re right,” I reply. My signs are careful as I try to figure out how to word what I need to say. “I need it as much as he does, but I don’t want him, Agnellino. He’s a puppy; cute with sharp teeth, but aside from that, he does nothing for me. You, Jude, with your barely-controlled sociopathy and your resistance to submit—even though we both know you want it—are what I want. Along with Tennant and Roman. The three of you are my life, Agnellino.” In a whisper, I say, “Sei il mio tutto.”

Switching back to ASL, I make sure my signs are clear, and that I show the truth of my words in my expression. “Never doubt my devotion to you, to what we’ve been building since you first showed up on our doorstep. Your curiosity and need tobe loved drove you into our arms, and like hell are we going to give that up. Emilio and all the Martellis are fun, but they are not where my loyalties lie, outside of our common goal and the friendships we are building with them. Understood?”

Jude finally nods and replies, “Yes. I understand. You don’t need to get all sappy, Tesoro Mio.” The homesigns for Jude’s endearments mean more than the LIS translations of them, because they come from him and his need to express his devotion for us in bothhislanguage andours.

Threading my fingers through his curls, I pull his mouth to mine, kissing him thoroughly, making him moan as his hips thrust against mine. It’d be so easy to put him on his knees right now, to show him where he belongs in this hierarchy of ours, but that’s not what either of us needs. No, this connection, the intimacy of the kiss, the way he surrenders to me, even though we both know that’s not his natural desire… It’s more important for us to stand on even ground, even as he lets me fuck his mouth with my tongue. I sink my teeth into his lips, lapping at the blood drawn, sharing the taste of him.

It’s different, sweeter than the blood I licked off Emilio. It means more—meanseverything.

Only when Leandro returns and lets out a derisive groan, saying, “No fucking in the office!”, do I pull away from my lover.

Jude looks at me with darkened pale green eyes, and a soft, self-satisfied smile that has me wanting to kiss him all over again.

“Okay?” I sign.

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