“I thought you were watching a movie.” He shoved his phone in his pants pocket. “What happened?”
“I didn’t feel like it.”
“How come?”
“I’m tired,” I said. “You seem busy, so I’m going to take a bath and have an early night.”
“Are you okay?” He took my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I’m sorry for how dinner ended.”
“It couldn’t be helped, right?” I didn’t want to add to his stress, but being dismissed in the kitchen affected me more than I initially thought.
“It really couldn’t,” he said. “You’re upset.”
“I’m fighting the urge to be upset, but I’m losing.”
“There is nothing for you to be worried about.” He stroked my cheek. “I’ll make sure nothing in my business ever touches you.”
“You can’t promise that.” I closed my eyes, willing myself to get over the frustration that set in. “I don’t expect you to make those sort of promises.”
“All I’m saying is, what’s happening in my business isn’t something you have to deal with. I’ll handle it.”
“What was in the package that was addressed to me?”So much for listening to Lissia.
“It wasn’t meant for you.” He let go of my hand. “You don’t need to worry about it.”
“What was it?”
“A message.”
His short answers irritated me. My whole attitude shifted and I didn’t like how I was being toward him. I was the one who begged him not to make me leave, and now I wanted him to share every detail. He couldn’t do that. Not because he didn’t want to. That left him conflicted.
I had to get my hormones in check. Whatever was going on with me, Milo didn’t need right now. The pounding in my head was front and center. I needed to decompress.
“I’m going to leave you to deal with your situation.” I took a breath to center myself, and then gently kissed his cheek. “I’ll be in the tub.”
“Sable.” He grabbed my hand before I could get away. “Tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ll work it out.” I let go of his hand. “I’ll see you in bed.”
I made my way into the bedroom, trying not to let my emotions get the better of me. I didn’t want to put this distance between us, but it wasn’t fair to take this out on him. We both needed some space to work out our issues.
I prepared myself for bed, taking out my pajamas and pulling down the comforter. I stripped off my clothes and tossed them in the hamper in the closet before going into the bathroom. As the bath water flowed from the faucet, I lit some candles and sprinkled scented soap into the tub, filling the room with a steamy vanilla aroma. Even as I brushed my teeth and washed my face, I couldn’t get Milo off my mind. How could I help him when I didn’t understand what was going on?
He was so open and honest with me, but when it came to his business there were boundaries I couldn’t cross. I hated not being able to help him through these moments. During those times, I often made things worse. Taking my brother’s side, interfering in his confrontation with Diego, or coming to the club when I wasn’t supposed to.
How could I learn to be the perfect mafia companion without losing myself in the process? The secrets and the danger that surrounded us would eventually take a toll. Wouldn’t they?
As I submerged myself into the tub, I let the hot water seep into my pores and relax my stiff muscles. The calming scent and the dim light from the candles surrounding me gave me a sense of peace.
I could do this. I could be the woman Milo needed without causing him unnecessary stress. We just had to get throughthese tumultuous times. I had to trust that his family had been through this before and they could navigate this taxing storm.
“Can I come in?” Milo, shirtless and barefooted, stood in the doorway of the bathroom. “I don’t want to interrupt your peace, but I don’t like where we are.”
“I don’t either.” I sat up and pulled my knees into my chest. “Come in.”
He entered the room and kneeled down on the side of the claw-foot tub. His piercing blue eyes were fixated on me as he rested his forearms on the edge of the tub.
“You’re upset with me,” he said. “Do you want to talk about it?”
