Why wasthat package addressed to me? How could I be expected to support Milo if he didn’t share all the details? I couldn’t live my life in the dark. Not knowing everything would make it more difficult if I had to protect myself.
“Sable.” Lissia looked up from her tablet. “There’s an adorable dress you need to have. Come and look at it.”
I wasn’t in the mood for shopping, but it seemed to keep Lissia occupied and out of Marchello’s business.
“How can you be so calm after being dismissed?” I plunked down next to her on the large, black, leather sectional that wasbig enough to hold ten people. “Doesn’t that drive you crazy?”
“She’s used to it,” Ricardo said. “Marchello can be quite dismissive.”
Lissia rolled her eyes as she sipped her herbal tea. “He can be, but I can also be… challenging?”
“Sometimes.” Ricardo glanced over her shoulder. “I do like that dress for Sable.”
“Right?” Lissia shoved the tablet in my direction. “Check it out.”
“I’m not in the mood to shop.” I propped my feet on the coffee table.
“That’s terrible.” Lissia set her mug down on the side table next to her. “Sable, you have to know when to pick your battles when it comes to Milo. When I first met Marchello, I couldn’t do that. I interfered in everything, and most of the time it got me into boiling water.”
“Most of the time?” Ricardo shook his head. “You triggered Marchello every chance you got.”
“And that didn’t work,” she said. “Once I figured out that I had to let him handle his business, things got less stressful for us. Don’t get me wrong.” She checked her nails. “There are times when I still can’t help myself, but I learned how to figure out when I shouldn’t push.”
“Like when Chello told us to come upstairs and watch a movie?” I asked.
“Exactly.” She scrolled on the tablet. “Whatever they needed to discuss was urgent, and fighting about it wasn’t going to help any of us. That doesn’t mean I won’t press him later. He’ll want to talk about it, and I’ll be there to listen.”
“Wow.” Ricardo pointed the remote at the huge screen on the far wall. “You’re evolving.”
“I’m trying.” She laughed. “Let’s watch something sappy to lighten the dark vibe in this house.”
“I think I’m going to skip the movie.” I wasn’t in the mood for sappy any more than I was for shopping. If I wanted my own happily ever after, I had to concentrate on how to understand the man I wanted to spend forever with as well as Lissia had figured out Marchello.
“Are you sure?” Lissia asked. “We can make popcorn.”
“Thanks, but I think I’m going to take a bath and try to relax.” I got off the couch. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Put yourself first tonight.” She tugged the throw off the back of the couch and draped it over her lap. “You have to take care of yourself so that you can take care of Milo when he needs you.”
“Thanks for the advice.” I headed into the hallway. “See you tomorrow.”
“Take it easy,” Lissia yelled as I left the room.
On my way to the main staircase, I glanced in the direction of the kitchen.Are the guys still in there discussing what their next move should be? Should I be concerned?
None of this sat well with me. The climate in the house made me anxious and uncertain. I kept professing my trust in Milo and how he could keep me safe. But should I have listened to his warnings when he wanted to send me away?
Did I make a lethal mistake when I played on his emotions and begged him to let me stay? If he asked me to leave tonight for my own good, would I go?
When I reached our suite I found Milo inside. He faced the window as he talked on the phone.
“Yes, Lucas,” he said. “We’re sure that’s the way we need to play this. Get it done. Don’t make my father wait.”
The agitation in his voice was an accurate indicator that this might be one of those situations Lissia had just warned me about. Know when to push. Know when to back off. Her advice might save me from getting myself into trouble.
“Thank you.” Milo ended the call but spoke a few words in Italian that I didn’t understand. I didn’t need a translator to know they expressed his frustration over whatever was going on.
“Hey.” I came into the room. “I didn’t expect you to be in here.”
