“It won’t be forever.” He placed his phone in his pocket. “Just long enough to figure himself out. It will also help Milo.”
“Thank you, Nico.” A tear slipped down my cheek. “This is an opportunity of a lifetime for my brother. I’ve always wanted good things for him. I tried but…”
“Don’t cry.” He wiped the tear from my face. “I need Milo’s focus to be on this family. This is a win for all of us.”
“Milo’s family is his priority.”
“I hope you know you’re part of this family.”
When he patted my cheek, the longing I had shoved deep into the darkest depths of my soul over finally having a father in my life broke free. Who would have thought that wish would have been granted by a cold-blooded assassin?
You never can tell.
“It’s an honor that you consider me part of your family.” I hugged him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He pressed his hand against my back, giving me the sense of belonging I had hoped for since I was a child. “But only you can decide if that’s a blessing or a curse.”
ELEVEN
Milo
Shit was tooquiet these past few days. As expected, the other cities formed an alliance with Medina, and they all agreed to allow him free rein in their territories. That should have been enough for Medina, but it wasn’t.
He was coming with a vengeance. He no longer requested to meet with us, which led us to believe a takeover attempt was in the works. We needed to blow those plans out of the water and fast.
Ever since my father left to investigate the disappearance of a cartel member last fall, there had been one complication after another. Gian Gallanti, Danny Collins, Romeo Bello, and Diego Medina to name a few.
We were fighting with several syndicates on the east coast. These were territories that were notoriously agreeable when it came to our business. Gian had set all of this in motion before we took him out. If we didn’t dismantle Medina’s operation, we were going to lose control in our own city.
When my dad left again to shut down the trafficking operations, Medina was able to use that to his advantage. He let the other cities know that New York was ripe for the taking and Nico Accetti’s heirs couldn’t run his territory.
We appeared weak. At least the cartels hadn’t turned on us. As long as we kept our agreements with them and made them money, they would stand with us. We needed to eliminate Medina. Sooner rather than later.
“Milo!” Camila barged into my office. “Angela said I could come in.”
“When did you two become so chummy?” I shut my laptop, annoyed by the intrusion.
“She’s been to the boutique a few times.” Camila made herself comfortable, taking off her coat and standing by the gas fireplace to warm her hands. “Although, ever since she got married your father hasn’t given her his credit card.”
“Go figure.” I sat in the chair in front of my desk. “That’s her husband’s responsibility now.”
“That’s if your father isn’t still, you know…”
“My father wouldn’t sleep with a married woman.” As far as I knew, my father and Angela were not sleeping together, and I was pretty certain things would stay that way. “You didn’t come to talk about my father’s sex life, so what brings you here?”
“Can’t I just stop by and say hello?”
“You could, but I know that isn’t why you’re here.” That would be too easy. “What can I do for you?”
“You’ve been scarce these last two weeks. It takes you hours to answer texts, Forget about emails.” She placed her hand on her hip. “And you’re sending my calls to voicemail.”
“I’ve been busy.”
That wasn’t a lie, but I had been avoiding my aggressive business partner. Whatever brief encounters we had shared inthe past were over. I wanted her to run the boutique without her trying to climb into bed with me.
“Too busy for me?”
“I’ll swing by the boutique when I have time, but you’re doing a fantastic job of making money.” I stretched out my legs. “I thought you would be pleased that I wouldn't be breathing down your neck. You like that I am a silent partner.”
