Leo

L eo wasn't sure if Ross's plan would work, but he was out of ideas. The doctor showed up at Ross's place to stitch him up and then he slept for what felt like days. He had to admit, he liked sleeping in the same bed as Ross again. He missed his guy and telling him that wasn't enough. needed to give him the words he deserved. He was ready to say those three little words, but for some reason, they just wouldn't spill out of 's mouth. He knew that sooner or later, he'd be able to say that he loved Ross, but for now, just being close to him was enough.

Ross walked into the bathroom while was shaving and pulled him in for a quick kiss. "How's the shoulder today?" he asked. It hurt like a son of a bitch, but knew that telling him so would only have Ross demanding that he sit out their mission to take Tony down. needed to be there. He needed to confront his father to show him that he was alive, well, and ready to fight for the family business. Once the rest of the guys saw that he had both his Uncle Bobby's backing as well as Ross's family backing him, there was no way that he'd lose to his father.

"Good," he lied. Ross smirked as though he could see right through him. He both loved and hated the fact that his guy could read him so well.

"Okay, I'll let that one slide," Ross teased.

"Have you contacted my father to meet with you and Bobby?" asked. Ross's plan entailed calling Tony to tell him that they needed to meet about the future of their families working together. He knew that his father would never give up the chance to meet about such an important matter. In fact, he wouldn't ever let anyone else go in his place since that would be a sign of weakness in his father's eyes. was going to be Ross's ace in the hole. He was supposed to show up about ten minutes into the meeting with the documents that his mother had signed, saying that his father was incompetent to lead the family and that she and were voting his father out and putting in his place. It was a move that he never thought that he'd actually make, but his father had left him no choice. He wasn't going to stop coming for and he had made it very clear that he'd never allow his son to be the head of the family. He seemed disgusted by his gay son and wasn't sure how to feel about that. He was sad for his father that he was so narrow-minded that he would give up everything because of his stubbornness.

"I'm leaving now to pick up the paperwork from my lawyer. He texted about thirty minutes ago to let me know that my mother signed the forms that I'll need to oust my father and take his place," said.

"I know that this is hard for you, babe. I wish I could figure out another way, but this is the best that Bobby and I could come up with," Ross promised. While was recovering, Ross had met a few times with Bobby and Zane, trying to come up with a way to keep safe. Sooner or later, his father would figure out that he was still alive, and there was no telling who his dad would send to finish the job this time. appreciated everything that Bobby, Zane, and Ross were doing for him, but a part of him worried that he was putting the three of them in danger, and if anything happened to any of them, he'd never forgive himself.

"I know that the three of you did your best to come up with the best plan, Ross," assured. "I wish that there was another way too, but my father won't stop coming for me or you, once he finds out that I'm still alive. I'm just sorry that I've dragged you into this mess. If I could fix it myself, I would."

Ross carefully grabbed 's good hand and pulled him into his body. "I've told you this before, babe," Ross breathed. "I'm in love with you and whether you want to hear this or not, we're a team now. Your trouble is my trouble."

nodded, trying to think through what he wanted to say next. If he didn't give Ross the words now, and things went sideways with his father, he'd never forgive himself. "I love you too, Ross," almost whispered. He could feel Ross's body still and he knew that his guy was trying to figure out if he had heard what had just said to him.

"In case you are trying to figure it out, I actually did just tell you that I love you," said. "I just wanted you to know how I feel about you before we go toe to toe with my old man."

"Nothing's going to happen, babe, but I'm so glad that you finally admitted how you feel about me," Ross praised.

"I am too," agreed, "and, I'd like to discuss what happens next, but it will have to wait until this mess with my father is over. We're both late now." Ross brushed his lips against 's, and he almost wanted to call off the whole plan and stay home with his guy. Ross had been so gentle with him since his father's goons had worked him over. He still had a split lip and some major bruising on his face. The doctor assured him that it would heal, with time, but he wanted all his scars to disappear, much like he hoped his father would.

"Right, we'll figure out our future later. I just need you to promise me that you'll be careful," Ross insisted. "Because I'm pretty damn excited about spending the rest of my life with you, ." He wanted to protest and tell Ross that he might not be ready for that kind of commitment, but Ross covered 's mouth with his hand before he could get one word out.

"I know that this kind of stuff freaks you out, babe," Ross said, "but, just think about it. I can't imagine having anyone but you by my side for the rest of my life, . I'm not trying to scare you, but I'd like for you to at least keep an open mind." nodded his agreement, and Ross dropped his hand from 's lips. "Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," said. "I'm not going to be easy to live with. You know how grumpy I can be. Are you sure that I'm what you want?" he asked.

Ross chuckled and gave another quick kiss before turning to grab his keys and head for the front door. "Oh, babe," Ross drawled, "grumpy is an understatement, but, I'm sure. I want you, ," he called back over his shoulder as he left the house. stood there smiling like a loon for much longer than he should have, but he just couldn't help himself. Something about Ross's promises for a future together had him feeling hopeful for the first time in a damn long time.

had done his part, stopping by his lawyer's office to collect the paperwork to give to his father. It was all spelled out in black and white for his dad. He was no longer in charge of the family's holdings or the company. It all belonged to now, since he had a two-to-one vote with his mother's support. He just hoped that he wouldn't let them down. They were putting a lot of faith in him, and wasn't sure if he was ready for that kind of responsibility yet. Ross promised him that he was worrying about nothing and that he was more than ready, but still had his doubts. He was always doubting himself, and even though had made himself a promise that he'd stop doing that, he just couldn't seem to break the cycle. He hated feeling so unsure of himself, and was sure that after tonight was over, he'd be able to find a way to move forward with not only running his family but deciding what his future would look like with Ross.

By the time they got to his father's office, it was dark. The memories of being their last time, while his father belittled him for being gay, flooded back to his mind and a part of wanted to tuck his tail and run. Ross wasn't going to allow that though.

"Hey," Ross said, taking 's hand into his own. He gently kissed 's palm, and he could instantly feel his pulse slow. There was something about Ross that always felt like he'd keep safe, and tonight was no exception. "Everything is going to be all right," Ross promised.

"Thank you for that," said. "I just hope that you're right."

"Babe," Ross chided, "I'm never wrong." They both laughed and had to admit that he felt a little bit better.

"You always have a way of saying the right things to me, Ross," whispered. "You always make things better."

Ross leaned in to brush his lips over 's. "I will never stop trying to make everything better for you, babe. I love you and you're worth all the trouble you like to give me." Ross flashed his wolfish grin at , making them both laugh again.

"Ready?" Ross asked.

"No, but we have to do this," said.

"Just stick by me, and we'll be fine. My guys are ready on the other side of the building. When I give the signal, they'll move in. It will be over before you know it," Ross promised. just hoped that he was right because the more time he had to spend with his father, the more nervous he became.

They got out of the car and made their way into the building, not bothering to try to sneak past security. That was part of their plan—announcing that they were there. Ross believed that the more people who knew that was in the building, the better. His father would be less likely to try to pull anything. wasn't so sure about that since his father had sent him out with his security guards to be killed. was pretty sure that his dad wasn't going to be up for the "Dad of the year award" this year.

"I'm here to see my father," said to one of the guards. "Can you please tell him that I'm here?" He recognized the guard who had shot him in the shoulder and poor Joe looked pissed.

He leaned into and whispered, "What are you doing here? You're going to end up getting us both killed." He felt guilty for dragging Joe into the mess with his father, but he had no other choice. And honestly, had no idea why he was back at his family's building, just begging for trouble again. All he could do was shrug and ask to see his father again. Joe nodded and tried to play along.

"One moment, Mr. Capo," he said. Joe pulled his walkie-talkie from his hip belt buckle and called up to 's father's office to let him know that he had two visitors. His father didn't sound too thrilled to find out that not only was alive, but he was there to see him.

Finally, after a long period of silence on his father's end, he told Joe to send them up with a few guards. Joe complied and showed Ross and to the elevator as if had never been in his own family's building before. "Thanks, Joe," he said, as he and Ross stepped into the elevator accompanied by four guards. Joe nodded at him as the doors closed and a part of was worried about what would happen to his old friend. Sure, he had shot , but the guy was just following orders, and he did miss to save 's life. He just hoped that a few other guards felt the way Joe did about his father because wasn't sure if he liked his and Ross's odds.

They walked into his father's office and felt sick. The last time he was in that room with his dad, he called him homophobic names and then lied about letting him go. knew that his father never really planned to let him go and for a few days, he was able to stay ahead of his old man. He always knew that sooner or later; his father's men would be able to catch up with him and there would be nothing he could do to stop them. He just never expected his mother would be the traitor who lured him into his father's web of lies and deceit. The day that she did that was the day that he lost both parents. They were dead to him now, and nothing would change that fact—not even his mother signing the paperwork to help put in charge of the company.

Tony stood from behind his desk and the shock on his face was almost worth confronting him. "I'm guessing that you didn't expect to see me again, Dad," spat. "Surprise." His father always hated surprises and took some sliver of joy in giving him the surprise of his life.

"How are you still alive?" Tony asked.

"It's a long story and one I'd rather save for later. Maybe you'll have time to hear it when you retire," said. Ross crossed the room and handed Tony the paperwork that 's lawyer drew up to oust him from power.

"You can read those over," Ross said, "but, the abridged version is that is now the head of the company and you're out."

"That's impossible," Tony insisted, "you can't just make that kind of decision without a vote."

"Oh, we had a vote, Dad," said, "and, Mom and I voted you out. We hold enough interest in the company that we can do so."

"You two have no leg to stand on," Tony shouted.

"We do," said, "it's all there in black and white. My lawyer made sure that it is all on the up and up. It's ironclad." His father sunk into the leather chair that sat behind his desk and wasn't sure if he felt good about all of this or sad for his father. He was losing everything and from the look on his dad's face, he knew it.

"Your mother would never agree to this," he insisted.

"But I would, and I did," Caroline insisted. hadn't heard his mother come into the office behind him, and when he noticed the gun in her hand, he worried that she was going to do something foolish that would end up getting them all killed.

"What are you doing here, Mother?" asked.

"I've come to end this mess," his mother hissed. "I know that you don't believe that I was trying to save you from ending up dead, but I was. Your good-for-nothing father assured me that if I helped lure you out of hiding, he'd spare your life."

could tell that his mother was telling him the truth, but a part of him was still angry with her for ever trusting his father.

"You know, better than anyone, that Dad can't be trusted. You said so yourself when you came to the club to tell me that he was missing. You've known all these years that he's been cheating on you. Why would you take him at his word now?" questioned.

"I was foolish," his mother whispered, "I didn't want to believe that he could actually harm his own son, but you're right, I should have known better." His mother broke down sobbing and his father seemed to take that as his sign to interject.

"I didn't want to have to do it, ," his father insisted. "I had no choice."

"Because I'm gay, right, Dad?" asked. Ross took a step toward Tony and grabbed his hand, stopping him. "There is nothing wrong with me, Dad. Ross and I are together now, and there's nothing that you can do to stop that from happening. We're happy and you can't stand that, can you?" His father lived under the assumption that if he wasn't happy, no one around him should be happy.

"I can't have you running the family if you're gay, ," his father insisted. "How will you produce an heir to be the next to take over if you are having sex with a man? Your mother did explain the birds and the bees to you, right?" his father asked.

"I understand how reproduction works," spat. He and Ross hadn't really talked about raising a family together, but even thinking about it now had him wanting that with him. never thought about what their family would eventually look like, but he wanted one with Ross—a house with a picket fence, a minivan, and lots of kids if Ross was on board.

"Gay men have families all the time," Ross insisted. "We can have a surrogate or even adopt. The kid will be ours no matter what you think, Tony. As for taking over the family business, we're merging our businesses, and , and I will decide if our children should be forced into taking over as we were. I think that we'll both agree that our kids should be able to decide for themselves."

was still holding Ross's hand, and he squeezed it, letting his guy know that he appreciated the support. "You want kids?" whispered.

"I do," Ross admitted. "Do you want them?"

nodded, "I think I'd like to have kids with you, babe."

"Fucking hell," Tony spat, "you can't see how unnatural this is?"

"It doesn't feel unnatural to me," Ross insisted.

"Or to me," agreed.

"I think it's nice that our son can finally be himself. If you had paid any attention to him over the years, you would have figured out that he was gay long before now, Tony," Caroline said. His mother was right—the signs were always there, even if he tried to hide them from the rest of the world. If he was being honest, he had always had feelings for Ross, and acting on them now felt as natural as breathing.

"This is ridiculous," Tony insisted. He pulled his gun from his hip holster and pointed it at . "You can't be gay if you are dead," he shouted.

Everything seemed to speed up around him as he watched Ross push him behind his body, trying to protect him. 's mother stepped in front of Ross, getting off a shot before Tony could, shooting him right in the chest. His mother had always been the best shot in the family, something that his father liked to brag about, but now, it was going to be his undoing.

"What have you done?" Tony breathed, staring down his wife. He clutched the red spot that was quickly expanding on his white dress shirt and sunk to the floor. His gun fell from his hand as he landed, and Ross quickly kicked it clear of Tony's body.

"I did what I needed to do, Tony," Caroline insisted. "I won't let you harm our son or Ross. They are family, or have you forgotten that?" Tony's security team stormed the office and Joe took the gun from Caroline, asking her to have a seat.

"What happened here?" Joe asked .

"My father tried to kill Ross and me. He had a gun, but my mother shot him first."

"The gun is over there," Ross said, nodding to the corner of the room where he kicked it. "He tried to shoot , and I got in the way. When he pointed his gun at me, Caroline shot him." looked over at his mother who was still shaking with the gun in her hands and he worried that she was too emotional to answer any questions right now.

crossed the room to stand in front of his mother. "Ma, let me have the gun," he insisted, holding his hand out to her. "It's okay now," he promised.

"He's right Mrs. Capo," Joe agreed, "your husband is dead." He was kneeling by Tony's body and could see the worry in the guy's eyes. "We're going to have to call the police to come in and ask you some questions. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Joe," Caroline insisted. "I'll tell them what happened. I killed my husband to save my son and Ross. I'd do it again too."

"How about you don't say that last part, Ma," insisted. "I'm not a lawyer, but I'd leave that part out of your statement."

"I would though, ," she insisted, staring him down. "I know that's hard for you to believe right now, but it's the truth." nodded and pulled his mother in for a quick hug. He might still be angry with her, but she did save Ross's life when he foolishly stepped in front of to take the bullet that was meant for him. Their only saving grace was that his father wasn't able to get the shot off before his mother intervened.

"Thanks, Ma," whispered. "You saved the man that I love, and for me, that makes everything good between us."

"I appreciate you saying that," Caroline breathed. looked across the room to Ross and saw the concern in his eyes. felt it too. His mother might have to go to prison to save them, and that thought scared the hell out of him.

Ross crossed the room and pulled into his arms, and all he wanted to do was sob into his guy's shoulder, but he didn't. He needed to keep it together until they got home, and then, he knew that Ross would hold him until he was all cried out. "I've got you, babe," Ross whispered, and for the first time, in a long time, believed him.