Nero dressed formally. With Niccolo, he had grown used to the man, and they occasionally had dinner together. But Salvatore was different; Nero hadn't even realized he was part of the Portello family.
Too many rumors had spread after Niccolo's death. The most believable one was that Salvatore had previously been assigned as the family executor to help Niccolo.
Nero was sure someone had helped that man kill Niccolo.
The shocking part was that Salvatore was actually the son of Marcus, Niccolo's brother and the previous mafia leader, who had died with his wife in an accident a long time ago.
Everyone believed Salvatore had killed his uncle to take back his father's throne.
Nero pulled his tie and looked at himself in the mirror. The handsome face, sharp jaw, golden eyes, and silver hair looking back at him now just smiled. He was never satisfied with his perfect body. He thought Milo was such a lucky boy to ever touch him freely.
About Milo...
He turned toward his bed. A servant was dabbing foundation on the scars on Milo's body. Fortunately, the wet wounds were dry enough to be covered. Even so, Milo grimaced several times, though he did so silently.
Nero had prepared a white shirt and black pants for him. Milo shuddered every time Nero moved, afraid the man would raise his hand to slap or hit him. It seemed the man still hadn't forgiven him for running away. Nero was very vindictive.
But it seemed the man was currently focused on his own appearance. He only gave orders related to Milo's clothing. Milo knew he had to be prepared to be humiliated again. All the clothes were designed to be easily removed. Nero had even forbidden him from wearing underwear.
Nero then looked at Milo, who was ready. The young man looked stunning, even though his face still looked a little bruised. He had a great body. Nero still couldn't quite accept having to hand Milo over to Salvatore for the night.
"We only have one chance. Don't ruin it," Nero said.
Salvatore was acting like a king now, so he was difficult to meet. Since three days ago, the man had only just agreed to meet tonight. Nero didn't want to waste it. If it weren't for the family business, Nero would have told the man to "fuck off."
Milo swallowed hard. He just nodded, staring at the floor. He walked with a limp, his hand still stiff. Even though the bandage had been removed, he still couldn't move it properly. Nero clicked his tongue when he saw Milo limping.
"Can't you walk normally?" Nero exclaimed.
Milo flinched. He held his breath, straightened his body, and walked slowly, trying not to limp. Even so, he looked like he was dragging his feet, though not as badly as before. Nero just sighed.
Their journey was tense. Milo felt that this was the first time Nero had ever looked so anxious. He heard the name Portello several times. He had met Niccolo before, and he hadn't liked the old man.
When he had entered the Portello mansion before, he never wanted to return. They had treated him so badly. They didn't touch him; they just mocked him. It felt worse. Milo clenched his hands. He was used to it, but still, situations like this made him nauseous.
They entered the Portello estate. He remembered this place. When he passed through the gate, his body felt stiff. It felt like he had just entered the gates of hell—a hell even more torturous than Nero's house.
Nero sat next to him. The car stopped as the guards checked the vehicle as if they were looking for bombs or dangerous objects.
"Sean, you sure he likes men?" Nero asked as the car drove past a row of pine trees toward the main mansion.
Sean nodded. "That's what I heard. It's hard to find out because he's not registered at any club. But I heard he's quite selective, and he's gay."
"Well, it's good to hear." Nero looked at Milo. "You heard that? He is selective. But I'm sure you can seduce him."
His words sounded like a threat to Milo. If he failed, it seemed he would get new wounds.
Milo nodded. "I-I will try my best."
Nero suddenly grabbed Milo's jaw, startling the young man and making him hold his breath. "You will not try. You HAVE TO do your best! Understand?"
Milo swallowed hard, his hands beginning to tremble. He tried to nod, but Nero's grip was too strong. His eyes filled with tears.
"Don't cry, or you will ruin the makeup. You want everyone to see that I hit you? Trust me, nobody will care."
Milo held his breath, feeling the pain in his jaw. Nero grinned, looking at how resigned Milo was. It was cute. He released his grip, then grabbed Milo's shirt, making the young man flinch. Nero only unbuttoned a few buttons to reveal Milo's chest.
"Get out," he ordered.
Nero and Milo went inside the mansion. A man approached them.
"Salvatore still has something to do. Please wait in the room," the man said.
"Roderick, you're still alive," Nero greeted, grinning at the forty-year-old man. The man used to be Niccolo's subordinate in the field. Now he seemed to have been transferred to the mansion. Nero knew him because Niccolo sometimes sent things through him.
Roderick just smiled. "I have nothing that would make me die."
Nero chuckled, walking behind the man. "Well, where is he?"
"Salvatore? He is in the back garden. He will come soon."
Milo walked slowly, dragging his feet behind Nero.
"No, it's better if I go see him there. I am more used to this place than you," Nero said, forcing Roderick to take him to the back garden. Roderick looked at Nero, smirking slightly before finally giving in. "It's up to you."
Nero walked to the back garden. Milo kept his head down the whole way. The corridors around him made him feel suffocated. He wanted all of this to be over quickly.
Milo almost bumped into Nero when the man stopped suddenly. He looked up just as a loud gunshot rang out. Milo looked past Nero's body at the doorway. Outside, in the backyard, he saw several men. Before he had time to process what was happening, two more shots rang out. They were deafening.
Milo felt his heart stop. He narrowed his eyes to see more clearly. He even stepped closer without realizing it to see three men lying on the ground with blood pooling around their bodies.
His eyes widened. His body tensed instantly. He had never seen a murder right in front of his eyes. Even Nero looked shocked; he wasn't moving or making a sound.
Milo swallowed hard, staring at the figure of the man holding the gun. That man was different from Niccolo. He was still looked young, under thirty maybe.
Was he Salvatore? The man Nero referred to as a madman?