Chapter 5
FIVE
Milo
No fucking distractions.
I gripped Sable’s chin and gazed into her unique eyes, losing myself in her stunning face. This arrangement could have its benefits. But how far did I want to take it?
“You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into,” I said as Romeo Bello barreled toward the table. “If you did, you wouldn’t be here.”
“You’ll help us?” she asked in utter disbelief.
“As long as you understand I’m far worse than the man you’re running from.”
Bello approached the table and placed his hand possessively on Chance’s shoulder, letting me know that he wanted to handle his business. Normally, I wouldn’t interfere in something like this. But no woman had ever been bold enough to approach me for my help the way Sable had.
“Mr. Bello.” I took Sable’s hand. “How can I help you this evening? ”
“I have no issue with you.” When Bello gripped Chance’s shoulder, Sable shifted in her seat. “I do have an issue with him.”
“What issue would that be?” I brought Sable’s hand to my mouth and brushed her knuckles along my lips. Her breath caught in her throat when I kissed the back of her hand.
“It doesn’t concern you,” he said. “But I would like a word with Chance.”
“I only wonder if I could help in some way.”
“Not unless you’re going to clear his debt.
” Bello laughed. “This fool is late on payment, and now he owes me ten grand that he can’t pay.
” He shook his head. “I might have given him a few more days, but this is not the first time he’s done this.
The last time I had to beat it out of him, and that was only for two hundred bucks. ”
Ten thousand? That was the amount that caused Sable to sell herself to me? Then again, it might as well have been a million to her. She couldn’t afford it either way.
How many times had she done this to protect her brother? Did I want to know? The thought of her running around cleaning up Chance’s messes infuriated me.
“Before you try to haul him out of here to settle his debt, there is something you should know,” I said.
“What’s that?” Bello glanced at Sable before returning his attention to me.
“This woman belongs to me.”
Sable tensed when I spoke about her as a possession, but she put herself in this situation. If she wanted my help, she would have to follow my rules.
“She’s with you?” Bello asked suspiciously. “When did that happen?”
“I don’t answer to you. ”
“Of course you don’t.” He released Chance. “I meant no disrespect.”
“None taken.” I stared at him for a moment. “At least, not yet.”
The Bello family had stepped out of line a couple of times in the last few months, but when my father eliminated Gian Gallanti for setting up a botched hit on mine and Marchello’s life, they straightened themselves out. No one wanted to be on my father’s hit list.
“It’s just that Chance owes me money, and I can’t let that go,” Bello said. “It isn’t right. I have to make a living too.”
“I don’t expect you to let that go.” I glanced at Chance. “I wouldn’t. I respect how you make a living, and no one should take advantage of that.”
Sable let go of my hand because she probably thought I was about to give her brother up. But I’d be a fool to reject her open offer to give me anything I wanted.
I shut her down with one stern glare before taking her hand again and resting it on my lap. She adjusted her posture but didn’t object. That’s better.
“As I was saying,” I continued. “I will take care of whatever Chance owes you. My relationship with his sister shouldn’t put you out.”
“I appreciate that.”
“But once this debt is paid, I’m trusting you will not lend to him again.” I leaned back in my chair. “Because if you do, I might not be so forgiving.”
“I understand,” Bello said. “I’ll make sure my men know he doesn’t have any credit with us.”
“I’ll have my attorney contact you.” I reached across the table and extended my hand for him. “You’ll have your money in a few hours. ”
Bello shook my hand as he looked between me and Sable. “Enjoy your evening.”
“I intend to.” I nodded as he walked away.
Sable released a long, unsteady breath.
“So that’s it?” Chance asked.
“I believe you should be thanking me for saving your useless life instead of asking me stupid questions.” I finished my wine. “And no, that’s not it.”
Sable removed her hand from my lap and tucked her hair behind her ear. Despite her clothes and windblown hair, she was still the most beautiful woman in the room. There were plenty of plastic surgery, fillers, and hair extensions to go around.
“Thank you,” she said.
“He should be thanking me.” I held Chance’s stare. “You don’t borrow from men that you can’t pay back.”
“I thought I could pay him back, but my plan didn’t work out.”
“You have no idea the danger you placed your sister in by dealing with people like Bello.”
“I want to pay you back,” Chance said.
“Seriously.” I laughed. “How are you going to do that? Sell drugs on the side?”
“I could come and work for you until the debt is paid.”
“That’s not what I agreed to.” I traced my finger along Sable’s cheek, eliciting a shiver to roll through her. “This debt is hers.”
“Leave my sister out of this.”
“You put your sister in the middle of this when you left her no choice but to come to me when you fucked up.” I pointed at him. “It’s a good thing she has more balls than you’ll ever have or else you’d be at the bottom of the Hudson right now. ”
“Chance,” Sable said. “I can handle myself.”
“I’m not going to let him do this to you.” Chance slammed his hand on the table, garnering looks from the other diners.
“Lower your fucking voice,” I said. “Sable already did this to herself when she came to me. She sealed the deal with that kiss in case you missed it. She belongs to me now.”
“She’s not a piece of property,” Chance said. “I won’t let you do that to her.” He looked at Sable. “You don’t have to do this. We can figure it out on our own.”
“Once I make that transaction with Bello, there’s no turning back.” I ran my fingers over my jaw. “I could tell Bello that I changed my mind and you’re all his.”
“You can’t do that,” Sable said.
“Sweetheart, I can do whatever I want.”
I should walk away from this situation. I didn’t need these complications. I had a shipment to oversee in an hour. All I wanted was a nice meal and an exceptional glass of wine. Although, that wasn’t entirely true. I wanted her too. I intended to collect on her promise.
“Chance.” Sable pressed her palm against the table. “I knew what I was getting into when I came to Milo. I’m not going back on my word. Milo said he would help you. Now we owe him.”
“Actually, good sis , it’s you who owes me,” I said. “I could eliminate him.” I thumbed at the idiot sitting across from me. “And take you anyway. It’s your brother’s choice.”
“He’s not going anywhere.” She glared at her brother. “I fixed this for you. Now you have to suck it up and trust me.”
I could work with that fiery side. Provoking her and then putting her in her place might relieve some of my stress .
“I don’t trust him.” Chance shook his head. “You made a mistake. We never should have come here.”
“What were we going to do?” Sable raised her voice. “Sleep on the street? Run with no money or food? How did you expect us to survive?”
“Together, like we always do.”
“Here’s how it’s going to go, you ungrateful piece of shit.
” I didn’t have the patience for his smart mouth.
I would have to show him his place, and I had a feeling I would take great pleasure in those lessons.
“I’ll arrange to have a car pick you up and take you back to your apartment.
You can gather your things, and then you’ll be brought to my estate in New Jersey. ”
“Wait,” Sable said. “Why are we going to your house? I thought Bello wasn’t a threat.”
“He won’t bother you, but you’re moving in with me.” I held my hand up. “That’s non-negotiable.”
“I didn’t agree to that.” She frantically crossed her legs and then uncrossed them much like she had the night I first saw her. “That wasn’t part of this.”
“You didn’t set any terms,” I said. “That means I hold all the power.”
“You jerk,” Chance said. “I told you we can’t fucking trust him.”
“Watch your mouth.” I leaned across the table. “Or I’ll beat the fucking shit out of you in the middle of this restaurant, and I can guarantee you no one will stop me.”
“Stop it,” Sable whispered. “Chance, you’re not helping.”
“I agree.” I motioned toward the bar. “Go wait over there, so the adults can work out the details of this arrangement.”
He didn’t move .
“Do I need to have my security team take you out back and remind you how they treated you last week?”
“Chance,” Sable said. “Give us a few minutes.”
“Fine.” He got up and pushed the chair hard enough for it to hit the table with a thud before storming to the bar.
“He’s going to be a problem.” I turned her chair to face me. “I don’t like problems.”
“I’ll talk to him.”
“I’ll give you a shot at getting him in line, but someone has to teach him how to be a man.”
She nodded as she fidgeted with her hands.
“Your anxiety bothers me.” I placed my hand over hers. “You came to me.”
“I know.”
“I let you walk away last week, so why did you come back to me?”
“I didn’t have a choice.” The despair in her words bothered me more than her anxiety. Were things really that bad that I was her only choice?
“How did you even know where to find me?” I asked.
“You’re a popular guy.” She slid her hand out from underneath mine. “People like to post your whereabouts.”
“You’re stalking me?” Who knew? “I didn’t see that coming.”
“No, I just…” She rubbed her palms on her thighs. “What are your terms?”
“I haven’t fully decided, but I’ll work it out.”
“That’s not a good way to do business.”
“It is when I hold all the cards.” And I always hold all the cards.
“I’m just supposed to move in with you and do whatever you say? ”
“Pretty much.” I caressed her cheek. “That’s how I do business.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“You came to me. You needed something and I gave it to you, no questions asked. Now I get something in return. That’s how a contract works.”
Not that we could ever enforce this contract in a court of law.
“I guess.”
“Don’t look so worried. I promise, it’s going to be a better life than the one you’re living.”
“How do you know what kind of life I have?”
“I’ve seen you two times, and from where I’m sitting, it doesn’t look good.” Why am I doing this? “I already told you I can’t be your savior.”
“I don’t need saving.”
“Again, from where I’m sitting, it looks like you do.”
I had already paid her rent, looked into her non-existent finances, and uncovered that she and her brother left their home in Brooklyn a few years ago. She moved from job to job, never really finding her place.
This city could be brutal, especially if you were broke. It didn’t surprise me that Chance fell in with the wrong crowd. He wasn’t the first kid to be enticed by my way of life. He needed guidance, and she wasn’t up for the job.
“I have some things to take care of. I want you and brother to have dinner, because it looks like you both haven’t had a proper meal in quite some time.”
“You don’t have to feed us.”
“Food comes with the arrangement.” When I bit the corner of my bottom lip, her gaze dropped to my mouth. “Clothes, money, whatever you need, I’ll provide for you.”
“You’re already paying what Chance owes.” She tapped her fingers against the table in another display of misplaced anxiety. “We don’t need anything else.”
I’ve seen your finances.
“What exactly were you proposing when you burst in here, interrupted my dinner, and then kissed me when you saw Bello looking for your brother?”
“I thought we could work something out in exchange for your protection.”
“We are going to work something out, but I’ll give you until the end of this dinner to back out.” I twisted my fingers in her hair and brought her face close to mine. “If you and Chance decide you don’t want my help, I’ll tell Bello to settle Chance’s debt with him.”
“Bello will kill him.”
“That’s a pretty safe bet.” I brushed my lips along her mouth, knowing that she would share my bed very soon.
“I’m a reasonable man. I won’t force you into this arrangement.
You can have dinner and my driver will take you home.
If he comes back to my house without you and Chance, I’ll know you didn’t want my help after all.
” I kissed the corner of her mouth. “Does that seem fair?”
“Yes.” Her lips trembled against mine. “But I don’t need more time to decide. I came here for a reason, and you helped when I asked.”
“As long as you’re loyal to me, I’ll always help when you ask.” I pressed my lips to hers and kissed her softly before releasing her. “That’s the second time we sealed the deal with a kiss. You’re mine now.”
She shivered. “It’s cold in here.”
“Where is your coat?” I stood. “It’s January in New York City.”
“I didn’t have time to grab it when we fled from Bello’s men.”
I removed my jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She shrugged into it, turning her head and inhaling the collar before gazing up at me.
Why did I find that so sexy?
“Thank you,” she said.
“Taking care of you will be a big part of this arrangement.” I cupped the side of her face in my hand. “Something tells me you need that.”
When she nodded, her eyes filled with tears, but she quickly blinked them back. She needed me to be more than I could for her. I gave her the chance to get out of this and she didn’t take it.
I shouldn’t be held accountable for that.
That wasn’t my problem. I would be fair. I would get my ten grand worth out of her, and then I would leave her alone. I didn’t see any reason why we couldn’t make this work for a few weeks.
With my brother and father away, I had gotten lonely. Having her around might ease some of my stress over having to run things while they were handling other situations.
“I’ll see you later.” I traced my thumb along her lips. “Make sure you order the cannoli cheesecake. It’s amazing.”
“Milo.” She caught my hand before I could walk away. “Thank you for helping me.”
“Keep in mind what I said.” I let go of her hand, because if I didn’t stop touching her, I would never leave. “I’m not the hero in this scenario.”
“I’m not going to back out of our arrangement.”
As if I would let you.