Sandro and Emilio.
I recognized Sandro's measured tones, Emilio's quieter response. They emerged at the top of the stairs together, Sandro's hand possessive on Emilio's back.
Sandro took in the three of us standing by the window and raised an eyebrow. "Show me."
I made room for him at the one-way glass. Stefan was pacing like a caged animal, equal parts restless energy and nerves. I wanted my hand around his throat again.
"What did he say when you questioned him?"
"Nothing useful. Claims he was just looking around. Denies his father sent him. Says he came on his own." My jaw clenched. "He's lying. Giuseppe Romano doesn't let his sons make their own decisions. Especially not Stefan."
"What do you want to do with him?"
"I already told you. I'm keeping him."
Elio grumbled loudly at me. "That's kidnapping. We've got federal prosecutors building a RICO case and you want to add kidnapping charges?"
"I don't care."
"Matteo—"
"I said I don't care. He came into my club. Tried to steal information. Got caught. That makes him mine until I decide otherwise."
"His father will retaliate," Sandro warned. "Giuseppe Romano doesn't take kindly to people taking his possessions. And that's what Stefan is to him. Property."
"Good. Let him try." I felt absolutely, icily calm. "I've been looking for an excuse to go to war with the Romanos. Stefan just gave me one."
Elio and Luca exchanged a look.
Sandro sighed. "We'll discuss this. The four of us. Privately."
I followed the others into the conference room.
"This is a mistake," Elio said immediately. "We can't afford complications right now. The trial starts in six months. We need to be focused on that, not dealing with Giuseppe Romano's fury because we're holding his son hostage."
"I'm not asking for permission," I told him. "I'm keeping Stefan. End of discussion."
"You're letting your dick make decisions," retorted Luca. "That never ends well."
"This isn't about sex."
"Then what is it about?" Sandro asked.
I tried to think of a way to make him understand. Understand that Stefan was mine. "Did you see his face at the auction? When that investment banker bought him? He looked terrified for just a second before he hid it. Then he saw me watching and something changed. Like he was hoping I'd do something. Save him."
"You didn't," Sandro pointed out.
"I know. And I've regretted it every day since." I took a deep breath. "He came here on his own. Walked right into our territory. That took courage. Stupidity. Maybe both. But he's here now and I'm not letting him go back to that life. To being sold and paraded and treated like property."
"So you're going to treat him like property instead?" Elio said. "Keep him locked in a room? That's not saving him, Matteo. That's just a different cage."
"I'll let him go when I know he's safe. When I know his father can't sell him to the highest bidder again." My gaze swept over my partners. "I'm keeping him. If that's a problem, tell me now."
Luca shook his head. "Not my problem unless it becomes my problem."
Elio sighed. "This is going to blow up. But I can't stop you."
Sandro was quiet for a moment before he spoke. "Keep him," he said. "But this is your responsibility. If Giuseppe comes after us, you handle it. If Stefan becomes a liability, you deal with it. And if this ends badly, that's on you."
