Page 95 of Unfettered

Lio wraps his arm around me, supporting me in the way he has been for months now. I don’t hesitate to lean against him, soaking up his strength.

“I need to have more sessions with my therapist before I think I’ll be allowed off suicide watch, but I’m working on it. I promise.”

Lio presses a kiss to the side of my head. “I’m so proud of you, Love,” he whispers in my ear.

“Take your time, Amore,” Hollis tells me. “We’re here to support you. You don’t have to fight against an arbitrary goal or deadline. However long it takes, we’ll be here.”

I give him a watery smile.

Hollis clears his throat, and Allesandro reaches for his hand as he says, “I am also working with Javi and a therapist. I…I’m sorry I let things get so bad before reaching out for help, but I’m working on it. I’ve realized my mistakes, and I am working on not letting them control me anymore.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Tesoro,” Tennant reassures him. “What’s important is what you’re doing now.”

Hollis nods, but he seems to cling to Allesandro, seeking his comfort. Which…isn’t something I ever thought I’d see, but when I sneak a glance at Lio, I see nothing except relief and happiness at the sight. So I decide to just…go with it. Sometimes it’s easier than trying to make something a thing. I trust Hollis. If there’s something I need to be aware of, he’ll tell me.

“I think that leads us into our first serious topic,” Carter says gravely. “The treatment of Allesandro and Cristian by our guards and house staff… It’s gotten out of hand.”

“It’s straight up bullying,” Lio says vehemently.

I nod in agreement. “It is. And it stops now. The Voices have already passed this down to those under them, but we want to make it clear here, as a family. We failed them. Not just us as a Council, though that’s a big part of it, but all of us. We agreed to take them in, to give them a chance. Yes, we were all upset, some more than others.” I eye Antonio, who buries his face into Jude’s leg for a moment. “But they cannot live this half-life. Allesandro has been in therapy. He’s atoned for his sins, and I trust him. I trust him with my life, and with the life of the man I love.” I wrap my arm around Lio for emphasis. “You all need to build your own relationships with him and Cristian, in whatever capacity sees fit. But if you see anyone treating either of them in a way that's less than how you would want to be treated in your house, you need to bring them straight to one of the Voices.”

Jude extracts himself from his Boys and walks over to stand in front of Allesandro. I can’t see his expression, and his body blocks Allesandro’s from me, but his voice is clear and firm. “As a Voice, I need to apologize. I am so deeply, truly sorry, Allesandro. I know what it’s like to be bullied, especially by those you should be able to trust.” He shifts his weight from one leg to the other to make his point. “My mother tried to kill me; she hated me that much. She permanently damaged my body, and to think I ignored all the signs… There is no excuse. I can claim I was busy with work, and I can say I stopped those who would have gone too far and took care of them, but the reality is, I never should have let any sort of mistreatment happen. I won’t ask for your forgiveness, but know I will keep this guilt for a very long time.”

No one says anything for a long moment, but Allesandro finally says, “Thank you.” His voice is choked, and so he clears his throat. “Thank you. It’s not your fault, but I appreciate your apology.”

Jude nods and turns to face the Council. “Once again, I’m sorry.”

Lio stiffens against me, but he nods once. “Your punishment stands. You’re to spend time with both Allesandro and Cristian. Get to know them, find common ground.”

Jude nods. “I’ll apologize to Cristian in person as well.” He heads back to his seat.

Lio releases me, readjusts a squirmy Echo in his arms, and says, “We have come to the conclusion that the work is simply too much for two Voices, so we put it to a vote, and with our original two Voices in agreement, we have selected Tennant to be our third. I’m sure you all know this already, but it’s best to lay everything out on the table.”

“I’m honored to serve the Council,” Tennant says smoothly.

“That’s not the only change,” Carter announces. “With the help of Javi, we will be bringing in five PAs. Two for Hollis and Leandro, and three for the Voices. I know bringing in outsiders, after everything, is a risk, but with Javi’s help to pick the right type of…aptitude, and Hollis and Leandro vetting them, we’re confident we can find the perfect matches…eventually.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Tennant says.

“Every Voice is getting a PA,” I tell him firmly. “No excuses.”

“Oh, I’m not arguing that, Little Prince,” Tennant replies. “But Sandro has agreed to be my interim PA until he and my other two Boys can find the elusive perfect match. After all, I doubt any of them will be comfortable with just anyone at my side.”

Lio lets out what sounds like a relieved breath. “I didn’t think of that. But seems sensible. I highly doubt we’ll find the perfect PA right away, and well…it’d probably be like that fucking first idiot therapist all over again. But I trust Master with you, Daddy.”

“You don’t think that’s a conflict of interest?” Benjamin speaks up. “I mean, you’re already working with Lio, Roman, and Jude on the Council… You don’t need someone unfairly saying your opinions are weighted because four of your loved ones are working either with you, or for you.”

You could hear a pin drop, the room goes so quiet as everyone stills. From the looks on Marcus, Keegan, Ignacio, and Antonio’s faces, they didn’t know about Tennant and Allesandro being more than friends and metamours.

Tennant shakes his head. “Are you questioning me, Topolino? I trained both you and Jude, did I not? I believe my affection and attention for my Sweet Boy will only be a boon, not a hindrance. As Emilio said, I’ll be less likely to kill him, and I know I don’t have to worry about his loyalty, or if he can get the job done. He ran a Family, so helping me run the background things when it comes to being a Voice? It’s almost too easy of a job, but I want him with me. At least, until you three can figure out a better solution. After all, I know how protective you are of your Daddy.”

Lio sucks in a breath, and I glance at my friend in concern, wondering if that—Tennant practically admitting to being Sandro’s Daddy, not just his lover—is too much for him.

“No,” Benjamin says, just loud enough for me to hear from where I’m standing on Ten’s other side. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I just worry about you.”

“You don’t need to be, but your concern is noted, Topolino.”

Carter clears his throat. “I think that’s everything we needed to address. I’m sure you all heard that the hospital board was corrupted by the Senator.” Sarah lets out a noise of disgust at his words. “Ignacio tried to interrogate the former Head of the Board, but the bastard was one step ahead of us. We will need to try to flush him out again, but that is for another meeting, not this one. We’ll get with the people we need to over the next few days, to go over next steps, and hopefully take him down. Otherwise, this meeting is adjourned, unless anyone else has something to say?”