Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Milo
When Sable begged me not to send her away from the only home she’d ever known, how couldn’t I have given in? But my internal struggle had never been this tortuous. One wrong calculation and our lives could be changed forever.
The biggest struggle between us now was that I thought with my heart and not my gut. She wanted my heart to be my guide. If I went with her thinking, the consequences would follow me for the rest of my life.
That was why I had to take out an insurance policy. Maybe now, things would turn around. For the first time in weeks, I could see a way forward.
“Milo.” My father followed me and Sable down the hallway to my office. “What is it?”
“You’ll see.” I smiled at Sable who eyed me suspiciously as we passed my office.
“What’s got you in such a good mood?” she asked.
“You.” I tapped her nose as we approached Marchello’s door. “And this.”
I pushed open the door and stepped out of the way so my father could enter the room and begin the reunion he had been waiting for.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” He entered the room with a smile on his face that I hadn’t seen in a long time. “What are you doing here?”
“Did you miss me, Dad?” Marchello hugged our father, holding onto him as if he hadn’t seen him in years.
“You’re home.” He released Marchello and looked him over. “It’s about time.”
“I thought it was time for me to come back and get you two out of this mess,” Marchello said.
“Let me hug him.” Lissia wrapped her arms around my father, falling into his protective arms. “I missed you, Daddy.”
My father shook his head as he embraced her. There were many things my father could control, but when it came to Lissia’s pet name for him, he chose to allow it. He had a knack for choosing his battles wisely.
“Did you know they were coming home?" Sable asked.
“I arranged it late last night,” I said. “Marchello knew he was needed here and decided it was the right time. I agreed.”
I had hoped for this reunion for weeks. Now that it was here, I couldn’t take anything for granted. Security had to be tighter than ever if I wanted to keep this family out of harm’s way. With Marchello home, I could get back to focusing on a plan to make sure our enemies didn’t get close to us.
“Hey, Sable.” Lissia hurried across the room and hugged her as if they had been friends for years. “Has Milo been treating you like the princess that you are?”
“She’s a queen.” I winked at my girl. “Besides, there can only be one princess, and we all know who that is in this family."
“I guess that’s true.” Lissia let go of Sable. “But I’m so happy you’re at the main house. We could do so much damage there, especially when Ricardo is left alone with us. That man knows how to shop.”
“He won't be left alone with you often.” Marchello sat at his desk as my father quickly left the room. “You know he’s not going to be your guard again.”
“I wouldn’t trade Dom.” Lissia sat on the edge of the desk. “He’s fantastic.”
Dom had been Lissia’s guard for a few months and had a way of getting her to listen to him. We were all impressed that she didn’t try to give him the slip. After what had happened to her in Miami with Collins seemed to give her a different perspective of what it meant to be an Accetti.
That didn’t mean that any of us were going to take our eyes off of her. Lissia had the best intentions, but somehow they always got her into trouble. She kept Marchello on his toes, and now that she was back in New York, we had to be more diligent than ever when it came to protecting her.
“But Ricardo is my friend,” Lissia said. “And you promised not to scare him.”
“Chello can be a little obsessed when it comes to Lissia’s security,” I said. “That’s probably where I get it from.”
“Probably?” Lissia shook her head. “Sable, I hope you’re getting used to being a prisoner.”
“Hey brat,” Marchello said. “Don’t scare her off.”
“Aren’t they sweet?” I put my arm around Sable’s waist. “Don’t worry, Chello, Sable’s not going anywhere. She likes being with me for some odd reason.”
“I’ve always been a little odd.” Sable inched closer to me. “But I’m glad to hear Milo isn't the only one who goes insane over security.”
“Live in my head for a few hours and you’ll understand why I’m so crazy.” If Sable knew the things I’d seen and done, she would be begging for me to send her away. “We all have to be diligent.”
“Now that Marchello is home, doesn't that mean you’ll have more resources when it comes to Medina?” Sable asked.
“In theory.” Marchello nodded. “But we can’t underestimate him.”
My father returned with a bottle of champagne and a tray with five crystal flutes. “Let’s put a pause on business for a few minutes,” he said. ”We should celebrate the return of my son and his beautiful wife.”
“I agree,” Chello said. “We’re thrilled to be home.”
“I’m glad we’re all back together.” I took the bottle of champagne from my dad and popped it open. “We’re stronger this way.”
“Agreed,” my dad said as he set the tray on the desk so I could pour everyone a glass.
“Now you can take down that scum Medina,” Lissia said as I handed her a glass. “He’ll get what’s coming to him.”
“Lissia.” My father took a glass from me. “You are to stay away from Medina. Do you understand?”
“Marchello has made it very clear,” Lissia said. “I get it.”
“Let me make it clear to you that I don’t have the soft spot for you that my son does.” He took a flute from me. “I’m going to trust that you will listen to me.”
“Yes, Daddy.” Lissia smiled.
“They have a unique relationship,” I said to Sable as I handed her a glass of champagne. “And my father does have a soft spot for her.”
Sable took the glass from me as she took in the dynamics in the room. She did a good job of not fidgeting, but she had to be anxious with all of us in one room. At least at the house she would have our suite to retreat to if she needed a break.
“Now that everyone has a flute,” my father said. “I want to welcome Marchello and Lissia back home. May none of us ever be separated again.”
“Salute.” I raised my glass. “To better days ahead.”
“Salute,” everyone said in unison.
Sable lifted her glass and toasted, but she didn’t drink her champagne. Her eyes seemed heavier than usual and her skin had lost its natural glow.
“Are you okay?” I rubbed her back with my free hand.
“Yes, I’m just a little overheated.” She set her glass on the tray. “I’m going to excuse myself for a few minutes. Stay here and enjoy this reunion.”
“I can go outside with you so you can get some air.” I kissed her cheek. “I don’t mind.”
“Don’t be silly.” She squeezed my hand. ” “I’m going to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried out of the office a little too fast for my liking. I fought the urge to follow her because I didn’t want her to think she couldn’t pee without me hovering.
Something was definitely off. I had been too protective these last few days and she probably needed space. I wanted to make her feel comfortable, but with so much turmoil going on with Medina, I wasn’t doing a great job of hiding my aggravation.
Some days, it was better if I shut down and concentrated on business. I didn’t mean to put a wall between us, but maybe that was how she felt. I’d have to find a way to rectify that.
As my father and brother played catch-up, Lissia joined me by the window.
“Is everything okay between you and Sable?” she asked. “She seemed a little overwhelmed.”
“Wouldn’t you be if you were her and thrown into a room with all of us?” I finished my champagne. “Our way of life takes some getting used to. She didn’t grow up surrounded with guards, guns, and enemies at every turn.”
“She seems up for the challenge. She’s with you, isn’t she?” Lissia patted my arm. “She really likes you.”
“I really like her.”
Sable had my whole heart. There wasn’t anything I wouldn't do for her. That included sending her away even if she couldn’t understand why I had to do it. I’d rather have her hate me forever. At least she would still be alive.
“She’s changed me in ways that I never thought I wanted to be changed,” I said. “I’m not ashamed to admit I’ve fallen hard.”
"I can tell, wild man.” Lissia laughed. “She’s tamed you. I love that for you.”
“Marchello hasn’t tamed you.” I pulled her into my side and kissed the top of her head. “I love that for you.”
“I’ve missed you,” she said. “I’m so happy to be home.”
“I’m glad to have you here.” I let go of her. “I think you’ll be good for Sable too. She could use a friend.”
“Do you want me to go check on her? Maybe she could use that friend right now?”
“If you don’t mind,” I said. “It’s probably nothing, but I worry about her. I’m trying not to smother her.”
“You’re sweet.” She kissed my cheek. “Go talk to your dad and brother. I’ll find Sable.”
“Thank you.”
“You owe me something pretty and expensive from that boutique.” She waved at Marchello. “I’ll be right back.”
She hustled out of the room with the boundless energy she would have if Louis Vuitton dropped a new bag to their VIP customers. No one could stop Lissia when she was on a mission.
“Is she going to spend money already?” Marchello asked. “Why is she in such a hurry?”
“She’s always ready to spend money.” My dad ran his hand along his jaw. “Don’t let that one go. We need her.”
“I don’t plan to.” Chello stood from his desk. “I’m not leaving the two of you anytime soon either. We have to take control of this Medina situation.”
“We’re not letting you go anywhere.” I went to the liquor cabinet. “Now that we have a few minutes to ourselves.” I grabbed the black bottle of exclusive vodka. “We should ditch the champagne.”
“I could use a shot of that.” Chello pointed at the bottle. “We have some business to discuss. Milo has briefed me on Medina and the alliance he’s building with the other cities.”
I brought the bottle to the desk and poured the first round of shots. “Now that you’re home, we can get a fresh perspective on things and come up with a solid plan to eliminate all threats.”
“It isn’t very wise of the other cities to align themselves against us.” My dad traded his flute for a shot glass. “I have some ideas on how to get them to see they’re on the wrong side of this fight.”
“Lorenzo has offered the backing of his cartel,” Chello said. “He’s ready to move when we are. We just have to say the word.”
“Juan has pledged the same,” I said. “We don’t lack manpower.”
Working with the cartels proved to be helpful, especially when we had to go to war within our own organization. There was a reason they came to the Accetti family when they needed something. In turn, they were there when we needed their support.
“That’s why this empire is in charge.” My dad downed his shot. “We just have to remind Boston, Philly, and Chicago of that. I’ll forgive their temporary lapse in judgment once I get them back on track.”
“We have to make it clear that going against us has major consequences.” I gave my brother a shot full of the smooth vodka. “I also want the opportunity to make Bello pay for putting his hands on Sable.”
“I’ll make sure you get that chance.” Chello tapped his glass to mine. “No one fucks with our women. That message has to be enforced.”
“History will not repeat itself.” My father poured himself another drink. “The best way to honor your mother is to make sure no one suffers the fate she did.”
“The Accetti Empire is whole,” my father said, “the trinity is complete.”
When Chello glanced at me, I knew we had a common goal. Keeping Lissia and Sable out of danger had to be the priority of whatever plan we came up with.
Nothing was worth their lives.