This was about Stefan.
About the connection that sparked between them at the auction. About Matteo's need to possess things he wanted. About an obsession that was already consuming him.
"His father will retaliate," I said quietly. "Giuseppe Romano doesn't take kindly to people taking his possessions. And that's what Stefan is to him. Property."
"Good. Let him try." Matteo's expression was cold. "I've been looking for an excuse to go to war with the Romanos. Stefan just gave me one."
Elio and Luca exchanged concerned looks.
I sighed. "We'll discuss this. The four of us. Privately."
Matteo nodded curtly and followed me to the conference room.
Emilio stayed in my office. I saw him look through the one-way glass at Stefan. Saw the concern on his face.
I closed the conference room door and faced my three partners.
"This is a mistake," Elio said immediately. "We can't afford complications right now. The trial starts in six months. We need to be focused on that, not dealing with Giuseppe Romano's fury because we're holding his son hostage."
"I'm not asking for permission," Matteo said. "I'm keeping Stefan. End of discussion."
"You're letting your dick make decisions," Luca observed. "That never ends well."
"This isn't about sex."
"Then what is it about?" I asked.
Matteo was quiet for a long moment. Then: "Did you see his face at the auction? When that investment banker bought him? He looked terrified for just a second before he hid it. Then hesaw me watching and something changed. Like he was hoping I'd do something. Save him."
"You didn't."
"I know. And I've regretted it every day since." Matteo's hands clenched into fists. "He came here on his own. Walked right into our territory. That took courage. Stupidity. Maybe both. But he's here now and I'm not letting him go back to that life. To being sold and paraded and treated like property."
"So you're going to treat him like property instead?" Elio challenged. "Keep him locked in a room? That's not saving him, Matteo. That's just a different cage."
"I'll let him go when I know he's safe. When I know his father can't sell him to the highest bidder again." Matteo looked at each of us. "I'm keeping him. If that's a problem, tell me now."
Luca shrugged. "Not my problem unless it becomes my problem."
Elio sighed. "This is going to blow up. But I can't stop you."
They both looked at me.
I thought about the night Emilio walked into my life. How I'd made the choice to pursue him despite the complications. Despite knowing it could destroy my carefully constructed world.
That choice gave me everything that mattered.
Maybe Matteo deserved the same chance.
"Keep him," I said. "But this is your responsibility. If Giuseppe comes after us, you handle it. If Stefan becomes a liability, you deal with it. And if this ends badly, that's on you."
Matteo nodded. "Understood."
We filed out of the conference room.
I went back to my office where Emilio was still standing by the one-way glass. He looked troubled.
"What did you decide?" he asked.
