“Milo is struggling right now. He has a lot of anger that he doesn’t know what to do with.” He came around his desk and stood next to me. “I expect that from Marchello, but Milo has always managed to contain his rage.”
“I think I know what you mean,” I said. Milo was more agitated than when we first met. I noticed a shift in him the night Bello attacked me, and I wasn’t sure how to help him. “He’s angrier than usual.”
“I depend on him to keep his rage in check and rein his brother in, but I understand where he’s coming from.” He pointed toward me. “His fear of losing you is taking over. That’s a horrible place for a man in our line of work to be in.”
“I don’t want to be the reason Milo loses focus and makes a mistake."
“Then we must control the elements we can that will keep him on task.” Nico leaned against the edge of his desk. “Chance is one of those elements.”
“What do you mean?” If Chance had done something again to interfere with Milo’s business… “I didn’t expect this conversation to be about him.”
“Your brother is one bad move away from my son killing him.”
“I thought Milo was over that? Has Chance done something?”Oh no!“Milo and I won’t survive another mishap from my brother.”
“I know that.”
“Please, you can’t let Milo kill Chance.”
“I’ve gotten to know Chance over the past few days, and he really does want to look out for you,” Nico said.
“We look out for one another.”
“I respect that, but he has never had the guidance and opportunities to become a man.”
“He didn’t have a solid role model.”
“Which is why he makes the choices he does. Your brother is destined to make the same mistakes over and over again if someone doesn’t intervene.”
“You want to be the someone?” I asked.
“Your brother needs an opportunity, and I’m in a position to give it to him. As I said, the next time one of our enemies dangles something shiny in front of Chance, or if they use you as a threat, Chance won’t be able to resist.”
“You learned all of this from just a few conversations with him?”
“I’m excellent at reading people, especially those who are close to my family,” he said. “I’m going to help your brother because it will help you and my son move forward as a couple. Milo needs to know that you are safe so he can do his job without worrying that you'll protect or defend Chance’s poor decisions.”
Taking Nico up on his offer didn’t seem like a bad idea. Chance needed someone to believe in him and Nico had experience raising men.
“I have a vineyard in Italy.” He took out his phone and pulled up some pictures. “Scroll through.” He handed me his phone. “It’s a beautiful property.”
I perused the pictures of the vineyards and the gorgeous Italian landscape. “It’s lovely.” I handed him his phone. “You want my brother to go to Italy?”
“I do.”
“He doesn't have a passport.” That was all I could come up with? “I mean, he’s never left New York.”
“You let me handle the details.” He touched my shoulder. “He can go to the vineyard and learn the business.”
“The wine business?”
“The wine business.” He let out a hearty laugh, relaxing me even further than he had earlier. “Believe me, that’s all I’ll trust him with.”
“Have you told Chance yet?” I asked.
“That’s on today’s agenda, but I’m certain he won’t refuse me.”
“No, I don’t think he will.” I bit the corner of my bottom lip. “We’ve never been away from one another.”
