Page 7 of Destruction

All of the Boys shuffle in, with various different expressions on their faces. Marcus still appears shocked as he sits next to Benjamin. The way Keegan stands behind his lover is bothprotective and challenging. Only I’m not sure if it’s challenging to me or the way Master has been taken. I’ll keep an eye on that situation.

Ignacio goes right to Benjamin, placing his hand on his lover’s shoulder. His teeth are clenched together, and the fierce look would intimidate most. Finally, Antonio takes up a spot at the wall, blending in, just like the Ghost he’s meant to be. He radiates pain, and I refuse to let him separate himself from the family. Not now. Not when we need everyone.

“Antonio, come closer. We all need to be on the same page here.” Stiffening his

shoulders, he takes careful, measured steps toward the desk, stopping next to Ignacio. Nodding, I continue speaking, “Alright. We know that our Master was taken this morning, while stopping for wedding invitations. This is not a normal stop for him at all. That means we should look at anyone having inside knowledge.”

“—Fuck. Not another damn mole,” Ignacio hisses, side eyeing Marcus.

Clearing my throat, I redirect them. “I think this one is far easier to figure out. The only person who would have asked him to make such a stop would have been one of the wedding organizers. It was a dumb fucking move. Ignacio, I want you to get her and bring her to the special room we have for such guests. Marcus, where are we on videos?”

“I believe I’ve managed to get them all, but I haven’t had a chance to go through them. That was my next step.”

“Don’t bother. Send them over to Hollis at the Amato Family. He made it clear that he believes he’s better than us, so let’s give him the data to deal with.”

“Wait. Why the fuck are we bringing in a rival organization? Sure, we have a damn truce with them, but we trust themenough to admit we’re without Il Padrone?” Ignacio slams his hand down on Benjamin's shoulder, making him wince.

“Ignacio, back the fuck up. Now. You will respect me, and you will sure the fuck respect my Second. I don’t care what you do in your private life, when you’re here, he outranks you.”

Ignacio stiffens, gritting his teeth before bowing his head, “Sorry, Boss.”

I wave it away, not interested in starting a pissing contest with my own family. “To answer your question, Cristian was also kidnapped. It appears there’s been a coordinated attack on us both. Roman and I have agreed to meet tonight to discuss working together. He’s limited it to me and four others. Benjamin will attend. As for the other three, I’d like Marcus, Ignacio, and…there’s a chance Luca will be here.”

Their shock over Cristian quickly changes to grumbles of complaint. Luca doesn’t have many friends here anymore. Fuck, I don’t even want him near this shit show, but unfortunately, he does have insight as Master’s former Second that could be valuable.

Keegan cocks his head and asks, “I thought he was with Allesandro’s cousin? Isn’t he supposed to be trying to take over his own territory?”

Frowning, I tap my fingers on Master’s desk before cringing, hating the feel of being on this side. “He’s supposed to be. That’s the other thing I want checked. Antonio—I need you to be my Ghost. Can you confirm that he was actually where he was supposed to be when this happened? And that he flew in on this flight? You can use the excuse of picking him up, but I need to know he’s being honest.”

“Something seem off, Boss?” Marcus asks, biting his bottom lip.

“Not necessarily. But aside from the people in this room, nothing gets taken for granted. Nothing goes outside us when itcomes to any secrets. Not unless it comes from me or Benjamin. He’s authorized to speak for me. Let’s get this done. Those I mentioned, we need to be ready to go at seven pm.”

Benjamin pales, but I ignore it. This is trial by fire, and unfortunately, I don’t have time for him to catch up. Hell,Idon’t have time to catch up. In almost perfect stereo, they respond in the affirmative. I dismiss them, knowing that those without a specific task will work their contacts, they’re well trained and don’t need hand holding—thank fuck. We need to find Il Padrone.Now.

First though? It’s time I had a little chat with a certain wedding planner. It appears that for all of the lists she had, she forgot a shit list, because she just ended up on ours. And fuck if she’ll survive it.

Hollis glares at my phone like it personally offended him, before pushing away from the workspace. “I’ll be in my office until they get here. Emilio wants to throw down a challenge, I’m happy to oblige.”

“It’s a stressful situation for us all, Hol. Don’t piss them off before we figure out a plan.”

He gives me a bland smile. “No promises. I’ll see what I can do to find the information they’re asking for. If nothing else, Leandro will at least have something from the CCTV he’s been combing through. Hopefully, Ten also finds something useful at the scene. I’ll let you know if we find anything before then.” Gripping my chin, he lifts my face to his. “It’ll be okay, Amore,” he whispers, before pressing his lips to mine.

I wish I could believe that. Everything in me is screaming, and all I want is to curl up with my lovers and have them take thepain away, but I can’t. So, I cling to Hollis for a moment longer before letting him go, knowing he’s one of the best chances we have to figuring out what the fuck is going on.

Hollis leaves and I move to lean against Dad’s desk, unwilling to sit in his seat. Curling my fingers around the edge of the desk, I hang on and try to get my rioting emotions under control. What my Family needs right now is a Boss, not the scared child I am.

“What do you need, Roman?” Carter asks.

My dad back.I can’t say that aloud, though. The sentiment is true for all of us, and saying it will show a weakness I can’t afford—not now, even in front of my family.

“Jude.” I meet my lover’s eyes, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “This isn’t how I wanted to do this. I wanted more time to come up with a way to say it, but… I need you to be my Second.”

He immediately shakes his head. “I’m not qualified for that.”

My grip on the edge of the desk tightens, my fingers aching, but the pain grounds me. “You’re the only one who is. Hollis would refuse if I asked him. His job is better served behind the screen, and Leandro is a secret we still need to keep, until he decides what to do about his birthright. Which means not parading him in front of people who don’t know he exists.”

“Tennant—”

---