Page 78 of Unfettered

Those words are more special than his unsaid I love you could ever be, because, yeah…no matter how rocky our journey can get sometimes, we’re both right where we belong.

Iwarily knock on the door leading to the tech lair, or hacker domain—whatever they want to call it. Either way, I’d prefer not to have a gun in my face. So when Leandro sent me the text, I got my ass up here as soon as possible.

At this point, I don’t know what to think. He’s Roman’s best friend. Lio made a fucking edict that the asshole isn’t to be touched. However, he’s also schemed, manipulated, and betrayed people I care about. Oh, yeah, and the fucking gun.

When my entrance is finally deemed acceptable—and considering there’s cameras everywhere, I know the fucker is screwing with me—I open the door, strolling in as I try to pretend I don’t hate every second of being in here alone with him. He doesn’t call me on my shit, so at least there’s that.

“Your text said you needed to see me regarding a job?” I ask, remaining as neutral as possible. I’m excited to finally get back to work, but fuck if I wouldn’t have preferred the job to have come from someone else—anyone else. Even Cristian would have been preferable.

Leandro’s flat eyes flick over me, studying me as if I’m a bug. It’s disconcerting, but I force myself not to react. If Il Padrone couldn’t break me, this whelp doesn’t stand a chance. Even if he’d like to pretend he's better at manipulation.

“Are you back to normal?” His blunt tone annoys me, but it’s a fair question, unfortunately.

Nodding, I reply, “Dr. Ranlen and Doc both cleared me. As did Javi. Jayden…signed off. To be honest, I’m not quite at my pre-injury strength, but I'm solid enough for jobs.”

I hate that I’m still having to work on my strength, but it’ll come. If anything, spite fuels me, because fuck am I unwilling to stay down. Leandro must see that because there’s almost a quick look of approval before it’s gone, disappearing behind his blank mask. I’d be honored that he’s not trying to play games with me, if I knew it wasn’t merely because he has no interest. He has me under his thumb, merely by being Roman’s best friend.

“Very well. We have an issue. The now-former Head of the Hospital Board, Gerald, tried to cause problems for Sarah. Sandro stepped in and resolved it, but he uncovered that the Senator likely has ties to Gerald, too. Tennant asked me to watch him. I did, and what I discovered… Well, let’s say even I have limits. Since Tennant is currently busy with Benjamin, Roman gave me instructions to call you in on this.”

I almost snort at the sneer that crosses Leandro’s face at Benjamin’s name. That pretty much sums up most of the feelings toward him right now. Although, once again, I’m stuck out of loyalty toward Roman and Tennant. I sure as hell don’t owe Benjamin anything anymore. I fucking tried and got burned for it.

“Alright, I take it you have instructions, and hopefully, a location?”

The arctic glare has me responding by holding my hands up. His upper lip curls back as he turns toward his desk, gathering a file to give to me. “This is everything you need to know about Gerald. How to get into his house, the times and locations where he’ll be, etc.”

“Question…can we use him as bait at all?”

“No. The Senator has pretty much wiped his hands of the guy, based on the call I overheard. Gerald has tried calling since, and the Senator won’t even pick up.”

Sighing, I shake my head. Well, it was worth a try. “Alright, I’ll go study this and then take care of him. Are we still supposed to be working in pairs, or am I being given discretion to go solo?”

“Pairs still. Depending when you go, you can either grab Marcus or Antonio.”

I nod, as both those choices work for me. It’s easier than trying to pull one of the Voices, and hell to the fucking no on a Boss. Giving up a small salute, I say, “Thanks. I’ll get it done.”

“Oh, and before you go… Do I need to remind you of our discussion? Given that you’re now healed…”

“Your wants do not mean shit to me.” I stare down at him, knowing I’m taking my life in my own hands. “But Roman is still working to get better. I have a plan, but it’s because I love him more than anything. However, I need to discuss shit with several people—you’re not on that list, obviously.”

He scowls and opens his mouth, but I blow out of his office before he can speak, pissed as hell. If he thinks I’m going to run a plan by him, he’s more narcissistic than I thought. Fucking Lio, making us all agree to protect that little dipshit.

Taking a deep breath, I give him a middle finger with the hand not carrying the file. I’m sure one of his cameras will catch it, even though I’m in the hallway, marching toward my room. Sure, I may pay for it later, but fuck if I’m going to live my entire life with him completely calling the shots. My love for Roman is strong enough that I’ll deal with his best friend, but fuck if I’m going to lay down completely…

The Chaos inside me, the monster, is pacing to get out. It’s a damn good thing I was cleared to work, because any more sitting still and my recklessness level would have been through the roof. I miss serving under Il Padrone for a reason. He knew me, knew how to leash—and when to unleash—what’s inside me.

Jayden gives me more than I thought I’d ever have again, but he can’t sate the bloodlust completely, or the need to destroy everything. That entire situation is…more fucked up than I thought it would be.

Frowning, I try to shift my thoughts, but they’re stuck on an annoying Super Dom. My world revolves around Roman, yet with his permission, it’s grown to include my Sir, Jayden. Roman is my sun, Jayden is my moon, as tragically cliche as that is. I’m left powerless, thanks to the push and pull between these two men…

I can’t deny that I love being a soft place for Roman to land, being allowed to spoil him, to give him everything he deserves. And yet, somehow, he knows me well enough to give me permission to be with Jayden—something I desperately needed, but didn’t want to need. Even though I happily accept Roman’s other loves. Hell, I’m grateful for them. I… Fuck, I think I may be broken myself.

Yet, my sweet Little One knew it somehow, and actively encouraged me to give up my power to Jayden. There’s no need to be strong with my Sir. I can be his Princess, and kneel for him, or choke on his cock when I’ve earned the right.

And thank fuck I’ve earned it. That, and the spankings. I shiver from the memory of the pleasure. The only thing I’ve refused is penetration. Not without Roman being there for the first time. My limits may not make sense to others, but they do to me.

Jayden humors it, though. As long as I understand my place—under him. I’m his to do whatever he wishes with, and fuck, I need to stop thinking about it or I’m going to get into trouble, because my orgasms are not my own anymore.

Thankfully, I make it to my bedroom just in time to shift my thoughts. I’m ready to take Gerald on, to bathe in his blood and score some of the vengeance I need—and fucking deserve. The only problem?