Page 48 of Destruction

Jude tugs on my hand and I look at him, realizing that, even with his hearing aids, they’re speaking too low for him tounderstand. Extracting my hand from his, I quickly translate what they’re saying.

I feel no guilt for intruding on their private moment. If they didn’t want us to know, they would have gone to the other room.

“We can’t take him away from the Martellis forever,” Hollis says loud enough for us all to hear, as he releases Tennant’s hair. “Emilio is his best friend, and I’d rather not step on any toes, plus, there’s Ignacio.” Tennant makes a noise of disdain, but Hollis ignores him. “We also have to ask Benjamin how he feels, what he wants. I know what I saw on the video…but we can’t just kidnap him.”

“I have a feeling he’d like Ten’s brand of kidnapping. Plus, he kidnapped Lio, so…” I helpfully point out.

I also get ignored as Hollis continues. “This will be a very delicate balance for us all, especially since he’ll only beTennant’sto play with, unless they decide to share. But…if he wants the same things you do, Love, then we’ll figure it out.”

Tennant reaches for Hollis and pulls him down for a kiss. “Thank you, Hol.”

Hollis smirks. “Don’t thank me for giving you what you need, Love. Especially not when that thing is a Martelli.”

Worry, fear, and excitement all run through me at the idea of Benjamin and Tennant being more than a convenient fuck for one another.

This is not how any of it was supposed to go when we joined forces with the Martellis to rescue the Bosses, but…I can’t say I hate it. I just hope it doesn’t blow up in our faces.

“You pulled a couple of stitches,” Dr. Ranlen says, as she examines my back while I sit on the examination table, her hands lightly touching around the areas where Hollis enjoyed himself a little too much. “That Amato doctor is definitely talented. Even if you did pull a couple, it’s extremely well done. I’m assuming he needs to be if they play this rough.”

I want to shrug, but considering she’s working on my back, I decide that’s a really bad idea. “At least I got what I needed.”

“Hmm. True. But I’ll feel better when Il Padrone is back and you can get it in a more…safer way.” Dr. Ranlen laughs lightly at that. I bet she never thought she’d consider what Master and I do as safe. But Hollis definitely put something into perspective, even if he did help silence the chaos in my head. “Do you plan onengaging in this in the future? If so, I may want to talk to their doctor.”

Rolling my eyes, even though she can’t see me, I respond, “It’s not like we made any plans, but who knows. It may depend on how much I piss him off.”

I hear the snick of latex gloves being pulled off, and Dr. Ranlen moves in front of me. “Don’t take unnecessary risks. Not with everything that we have going on. If you need help with anything, let me know. I’m willing to step out of my normal role to get Allesandro back. I owe him. Always.”

“You know he doesn’t think of it that way. At least, not anymore. Your ex needed to die. I would have joined in, had I already been here.” My disgruntled tone makes her smile and shake her head.

“I have no doubts about that. But—” I hold up my hand, cutting her off when my phone pings with a message from Hollis.

“Sorry.” I cringe at cutting her off, but Hollis sending me a message has me instantly suspicious. “Hmm. He sent me an attachment.”

I immediately open it and push play.

“Holy shit,” Dr. Ranlen whispers as she moves to get a better view. “Are they fighting or fucking? And why is Benjamin so bad?”

“He’s not. He’s playing with Tennant.” I don’t answer her first question, because I’m just as curious. I wanted Tennant to bring out violence in Benjamin—to make him understand it’s a good thing to be bloodthirsty. However, I did not expect it to be like this. “Oh, damn. That’s… Wow. That’s going to change things.”

“The way they’re fucking? Yeah, I’d say it’ll change things.” Dr. Ranlen’s voice is frosty, and I finally remember that she’s always worked closely with Benjamin. This can’t be easy to see, especially when her loyalty is to our family.

“Uh.” I try to think of something positive to say as I squirm in my seat, praying my erection isn’t visible. But, damn. That’s fucking hot. Who knew Benjamin could be such a firecracker? Or maybe it’s just Tennant that drags it out of him. “Oh, fuck!”

“He. Knocked. Benjamin. Out. After they did…what they did. And this is the type of training you think Benjamin should be undergoing?”

“Well, Tennant had a point,” I weakly defend him. “Theyarestill training. Benjamin knows not to drop his guard. I’ve taught him that.”

Dr. Ranlen glares at me, and I forget that out of everyone, she makes me the most nervous. Her and her fucking scalpels. Plus, she’s seen me at my worst. I try to think of anything to diffuse the situation, but nothing is coming to me. She throws her hands up in disgust.

“At least I know their doctor is talented. But if you both are going to be interacting with the Amatos like this, I need to sit down with their doctor. Obviously, we need a game plan.”

“I think that’s fair,” I say carefully, watching her for any signs she’s going for a scalpel. When she rolls her eyes and shoos me off the table, I exhale deeply.

I go to leave but she grips my arm, stalling me. I turn my head to meet her eyes, and there’s a grimness there that almost takes me aback. “Are you going to show Ignacio?”

Fuck. I hadn’t even thought about that. Chuckling evilly, I respond, “Yes. Yes, I am.”

Dr. Ranlen drops my arm as if it’s electrified, and I don’t need to meet her eyes any longer to know she disapproves. But, fuck that. I’m not being a shit stirrer on this one. I need my best friend here. I need him as a Second, and as the voice of reason. The problem is…will he want to come back after what I just saw? That means I need to know what the fuck is going on withIgnacio and him. Sometimes love doesn’t work out, and it sucks, but sometimes, a kick in the ass is what’s needed.

---