LOREN
The morning had left me on a high, knowing my mother would finally have to answer for her crimes. So, when Atticus told me he had another surprise for me, I blinked, not knowing what he could mean.
“Cover your eyes, Bellezza.”
Doing as he said, I let him lead me to where he wanted. We were on the side of the building that was used for his office and some of the guards' rooms. I didn’t know what he could have for me here. I hoped he didn’t think someone tied up was the perfect present for me. Outside of Brian, Darren, or Dayton, I didn’t really wish vengeance on anyone else enough to see them tied up to something.
“I’m not going to puke, am I?” I asked, my anxiety beginning to climb my throat at the thought of a beaten prisoner.
“No, Bellezza.” Atticus chuckled, helping to ease some of my worries. I heard a door open, and then he led me into a space. It smelled nice, at least. Surely, if I was about to be presented with a hostage, it wouldn’t smell peaceful and soothing. Though, wouldn’t that be a mindfuck to get prisoners to lower their guards? Maybe there was something to that.
“Okay, open your eyes.” I blinked them open, adjusting to the light, and found myself standing in an office. It was painted a soft gray and had light blue and navy accents. There was a comfortable couch, two chairs, a bookcase, desk, and a lamp. A bright mosaic rug sat in the middle, tying in all the room's colors.
“It’s lovely.” I glanced over, trying to gauge what response he wanted from me before I caught myself. “I don’t understand, though, and I was about to pretend, but I don’t have to do that anymore. So, sorry, but you lost me. What does it mean?” I muttered, fidgeting with my hands.
Atticus laughed, his whole face lighting up at the sound. I heard Sax and Nicco chuckling behind me, and I turned to look at them. Sax leaned against the door, and when he saw me looking, he moved, showcasing a sign on it.
Loren Carter, MA, LMHC
Gasping, I covered my mouth with my hand as it sunk in. They’d made me an office. Twirling back around, I hugged Atticus, jumping a little as I did.
“It’s really for me?” I asked, stepping back.
“Yes, it’s all yours. I wanted to put Mascro, but Cami told me that you had to change it with the licensing board or something first, and you might want to keep it as Carter to keep a lower profile in this field since Mascro isn’t exactly inconspicuous. There’s a separate entrance on this side that the guards use, so when you have sessions, it will be closed off to anyone else to give you privacy. I know how important confidentiality is for you and your clients.”
I could hear the teasing in his voice, an earlier battle between us coming to mind. “We didn’t want you to lose this part of you, but now it’s in a controlled space where we can make sure no one can ever hurt you.”
“Wow, I don’t know what to say.”
Sax walked over, pulling me to his chest, kissing me deeply. “Say that you love it and that my fantasy of fucking you over your desk can come true now.”
“I, um, what?” I blushed, my face heating. “I’m not sure that’s the best idea. I’d be thinking of that every time I was in session, and it wouldn’t make me a very good therapist.”
“I beg to differ, but fine. We’ll just have to use Atticus’.”
Atticus laughed, a smug look crossing his face. “Already did,” he boasted, making me giggle.
“Mine too,” Nicco beamed, winking.
“So, I have a thing for desks.” I shrugged, causing Sax to laugh.
“Fine, I’ll find something that’s mine. In fact…” He trailed off, his eyes lighting up. My body shivered at the ideas running through his head. Whatever it was, I knew I’d love it.
“Besides showing you this office, you also have an appointment today,” Nicco said, bringing me back to reality.
“Um, what? How?”
“Seems Doris had a soft spot for me. When I told her what we’d done, she insisted on helping out by calling the one client you were still going to try and see while you figured things out. She’s agreed to help get you set up on her off hours if you’d want it.”
“Oh wow, you guys. This is…” Tears developed in the corner of my eye, and I knew I would cry. “This means the world to me. I didn’t know how much I needed this until you gave it to me. Thank you.”
“You’re our wife, Loren. We want nothing but the world for you. If you need something, you can ask, and in those times you don’t know, trust us that we will. We’re in this together, remember?” Atticus pulled my hand to his mouth, kissing my ring.
I nodded, smiling wide, the tears managing to stay back at his reassuring words. “So, what time is she arriving?” I asked, straightening my clothes and looking around the room with a new perspective. It absolutely was perfect for counseling and for me. It was calming and warm.
“In about five minutes,” Nicco said, looking at his watch.
“Shoo then. I need to get myself oriented and not feel so out of place.” I pushed them out of the office as they laughed at me, but I wasn’t joking. I needed to feel at peace here too, so I could then focus on what I was doing. I already felt a little anxious. It had been almost a month since I’d been shot and last done a therapy session. So much had happened since then.