Page 14 of Unfettered

Holding my arm out for Antonio, I hold both my Boys close. I hate that there’s a missing piece of us, but I have to believe Nario will be okay. He and Cristian both. Our family is fractured enough. I don’t believe Nicolo, Antonio, Roman, or Tennant will ever be the same should we lose the two of them.

Fucking Senator. He’s going to pay for this. Every single ounce of pain and fear my loves are feeling right now? I’m going to deliver it tenfold back to him. He’ll learn you don’t fuck with us.

My phone going off several times in a row interrupts our moment, and I curse, letting my Boys go so I can pull it out of my pocket. The texts on screen have me considering pitching the device against the wall, because what could possibly be happening now?

“We need to go. Carter called an emergency meeting. You two are coming with me.” I meet both their gazes. “From now until I feel I can trust you again, you will be within my line of sight, or with one of the guards I assign you. Do you understand me? Do not fucking test me on this, or you will regret all your life choices.”

“Yes, Sir,” they both intone.

Grabbing their hands, I tow them behind me so we can dive into the next part of this fucking shitshow. Fuck, I deserve a vacation after this. A long one. One where I can sequester all my lovers away.

Istand behind Carter, looking out at the faces who trickle in. Trying to limit it to just the Council didn’t work. Then again, my love doesn’t seem surprised. Truthfully, we all want whatever news we can get, and merely waiting for Doc isn’t going to work.

Still, the room becomes stifling by the time everyone has found a spot. Jude has a strong grip on Antonio and Nicolo’s arms, which must be why he’s not joining us at the front.

Roman is flanked by both Carter and Lio, the latter putting his arm around the young Boss. Ignacio is close to the front, right where Roman can see him, and given the looks the two men exchange, I’m surprised there aren’t little hearts floating around.

To my surprise, Tennant is between Benjamin and Allesandro. Well, if there’s anyone who can keep those two in line, it’s Tennant. Still, I want to check in on the situation if possible…at some point. As one of the Voices, I’ve barely had time to keep track of anyone, and I must be behind based on what I’m seeing.

Javi is leaning against the wall at the back, furthest away from everyone. His face is drawn, and I can’t imagine what he’s going through. At least, when I lost touch with Sarah, it was due to my own actions, not the cruelty of a narcissistic asshole intent on torturing others. And while he calls Ely his cousin, it’s clear she meant more to him than even that. Sister. Mother. Friend. Ely was his damn center, and now we’re just waiting for the explosion…

“Alright, we’re still waiting on two more people. But first, I want to say good job to everyone for meeting their objectives. Obviously, we all wish it was without any injuries, but I have faith in Doc. He’s never let us down before, and I don’t see that happening now.” Carter’s voice wavers, and I wish I could do something to help him.

Fucking Cristian had to go and get shot. Saving me. This better not mean I have to be nice to the asshole…

There’s a rustle of fabric as people shift around, but nobody says anything. My heart hurts for my Love. This is, unfortunately, a situation where we have to take the wins where we can, and yet… It’s hard to see any win when two of our own are fighting for their lives.

Before he’s forced to say anything else, the door opens and in strolls Marcus. My body trembles at the sight, as I desperately look for my sister. Considering Marcus’s fatigue and red-rimmed eyes, panic floods me when Sarah doesn’t follow. Instead, it’s Hollis. Fuck, I hope Sarah just went to see if Doc needed something. Or maybe she’s staying with Nario…

Taking a deep breath, Carter waves Marcus forward. He comes to the front, but doesn’t meet my eyes. Instead, he keeps his focus on Carter, showing every bit of respect to the Bosses.

“We have a situation,” Marcus states gravely, and it’s only then that his eyes dart to me.

Carter tenses and says, “The floor is yours. You said you had an update.”

The way Tease cringes… I don’t think he expected Carter to gather everyone here. Maybe this will show him that what Carter, Roman, and Lio have created is more than just a Council. It’s a true family. And that means there’s no fucking way anyone was going to be pushed out of any updates.

“While we were waiting for the doctor to finish the surgery, we were interrupted by a hospital board member and a cop.” The low muttering of exclamations roll through the room, but I barely hear them through the pounding in my head. Marcus looks away from me as he whispers, “The board suspended Sarah for misappropriation of funds and not reporting Lio’s GSW to law enforcement. The cop had a warrant for her arrest…”

I press a hand against my heart, and the explosion of sound around me doesn’t come close to the panic that's setting in. Fuck. Not Sarah… Words are flying from everyone, overlapping to the point I can’t make anything out.

“Enough!” Lio’s firm demand has everyone shutting up. With a deep breath, he glances at Hollis. “Do you have any information?”

We all hear the invisible Sir in his question, and it relaxes Hollis slightly. I cock my eyebrow, unsure what that’s about. Still, I’m on edge, not liking the idea of my sister in lockup.

“I do.” Hollis hesitates slightly, but pushes on. “From what I can see, this was pushed through extremely quickly, and sloppily. I suggest sending Sinclair to deal with it. None of us are safe to leave right now. I’m honestly surprised Marcus wasn’t picked up, but it seems Sarah badging in was what set everything in motion.”

“Someone needs to go,” I refute immediately.

Allesandro cuts in, his voice deadly, “What member of the board was it?”

Marcus turns toward him. “It was some guy named Robert.”

I’d almost feel sorry for that bastard based on the evil expression spreading across Allesandro’s face, but fuck that. Nobody messes with my sister, and if the old Il Padrone wants to make an appearance for this… I’m not going to complain.

“I’ll take care of that,” Allesandro says as he takes out his phone. “But I agree, someone should go. I trust you to be right about Sinclair. Still, it doesn’t sit right to leave it all up to a lawyer. Perhaps I should go? I’m not as integral to things here, so if there’s a risk, it’s better I take it.”

I soften at his words. I know he’s trying to keep us safe. Not to mention he will do anything for my sister. That’s more than I can say with my past considering I let her believe I was dead...