“Threats,” Milo said. “You’re not coming for me or my family, because if you were, you would have done it by now.”
Milo’s cold demeanor frightened me. Nothing about this encounter sat well with me. The altercation marked the beginning of something catastrophic heading our way. And I had landed myself in the middle of it.
“I promise you,” Milo said, “When I strike, it won’t be a threat. One of us won’t be standing.”
“If you’re finished.” Diego tilted his neck to the side as if he was cracking it. “I have a message for your father.”
“We’re not discussing business on the street.”
“You don’t have to discuss anything,” Diego said. “You just have to hear what I have to say for the sake of your family.”
“Ax,” Milo said. “Take Sable to the car.”
“No, I want…” I said, but my words trailed off. When Milo snapped his head in my direction, his death-glare expression almost knocked me to my knees. Not only had I managed to get myself in between two powerful and deadly men, but I feared I was the target of Milo’s impending wrath.
“Come on." Ax clasped his arm in mine. “Take it slow. I don’t want you to slip.”
“Bye, Sable.” Diego waved as we walked past him. “I’ll see you around.”
“Ignore him.” Ax navigated us across the wet pavement. “He’s trying to get to Milo.”
“You should stay with Milo,” I said. “He needs you.”
“No.” Ax placed his hand on my back and led me to the car. “You’re my responsibility. I should have removed you from the situation immediately.”
“Before I stopped Milo from shooting someone in the middle of the street?” It’s a good thing I was there, or else Milo would be handcuffed and in the back of a police car.
“Milo isn’t that impulsive, but I will admit, I wouldn’t have blamed him if he had shot Medina right then and there.”
“That would have been stupid.” I turned and watched as Milo and Diego argued. “Why would Diego approach him?”
“He’s sending a message that he’s not afraid of the Accettis.”
“Isn’t that troublesome?” Why wouldn’t Diego be intimidated by the Accettis? Why did he think he had the right to come into their territory and traffic people? Helpless women? “Shouldn’t he be afraid of them? Isn’t Nico known for showing no mercy?”
“Why don’t we let Nico, Marchello, and Milo handle this?” Ax helped me step off the curb and made sure to hold me tight so I didn’t slip on my way to the car. “Milo wouldn’t want you to worry or get involved.”
“I am worried.” I couldn’t wrap my head around any of this. “Ever since I ran into Diego that night at the club, I don’t know, I’ve had a weird feeling.”
“What kind of feeling?”
“I can’t explain it.” It was probably nothing, but Diego had no morals. He was a sexual predator who hurt women for money. “He’s an evil person in an expensive suit.”
“Sable.” Ax rested his hand on the door of the SUV. “You don’t have to worry about Medina. I’m here to protect you. Milo would never let anything bad happen to you.”
“I know, but it’s just when he said…”No one will be left unscathed. Milo can’t keep you safe forever. Men like me are inevitable in his world.It was difficult not to heed that warning because it was personal.
“Sable, what’s on your mind?” Ax touched my shoulder. “What are you thinking? If you feel off, even if you can’t substantiate it, I need to know. I can protect you better when I have all the information necessary to do it.”
“It’s okay.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“Diego was just trying to knock Milo off balance. I trust that the both of you can keep me safe.”
“Get in the fucking car!” Milo startled me when he yanked open the door. “It’s ridiculous you’re standing in the street in this weather.” He pushed Ax away from me. “What the hell are you thinking letting her stand out here exposed to the elements and who the fuck knows what else?”
“You’re right,” Ax said. “I know better.”
