For a few minutes, Milo sat quietly on the sofa. Every time Joe shot him a sharp glance, Milo immediately looked down at his lap. He didn't move a muscle. He stayed perfectly still, trying to make himself as small as possible. He had learned over many years that being noticed usually led to pain.
Joe was extremely cautious. He didn't hide his annoyance. He kept looking at Salvatore. He didn't like that the man had left Milo in the room while they were discussing important business. To Joe, anyone could be a potential threat.
Salvatore noticed Joe's frustration. He was a cautious man as well, and as the night grew late, he decided to end the meeting.
"What are you doing about Macron's people?" Joe asked. He stood up straight, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Kill them all," Salvatore replied. He stared at Joe as if the man were asking a ridiculous question. Salvatore did not believe in mercy for enemies; Joe knew that well.
"Well, since Macron is still on the run, we really need to be careful. His people are everywhere," Joe continued. He sounded worried.
Salvatore took a deep breath. He looked dissatisfied. Something still bothered him even though he had gained full control over the Portello family. Macron was Niccolo's son. Salvatore knew he couldn't let the man live. If he did, the cycle of revenge would never end.
The problem was that Macron had a solid underworld business network. He was involved in human trafficking and was backed by several powerful men. Salvatore knew he just needed to find the man and kill him. After that, there would be nothing to worry about. No one would be brave or crazy enough to confront him.
"I don't care. You have to find him, alive or dead," said Salvatore.
Joe sighed. "We'll get him. My men caught some of his men today. They'll bring them tomorrow morning. Do you want to meet them, or shall I handle the interrogation?"
Salvatore nodded. "I'll meet them myself. Let's see if they're willing to talk."
Salvatore motioned for the men to leave. Alben had been watching Milo the whole time. He chuckled softly as the young man's head bobbed forward. Milo was struggling to stay awake, but eventually, his exhaustion won out. He fell completely asleep, his head slumped to the side on the sofa.
"Poor thing," Alben whispered.
Joe left without saying a word.
Felix looked at Salvatore, curious about what the man would do with Milo, but he was too tired to wait. He followed Joe out.
Alben stood up too, but just as he was about to approach the sofa, Salvatore raised a hand and motioned for him to leave.
Alben clicked his tongue. He knew the young man had caught Salvatore's attention. That meant he had to back down.
"So fucking bad. He is so cute," he muttered. He walked out and closed the heavy doors behind him.
When Salvatore was finally alone, he sat and stared at Milo. The young man looked peaceful while he slept.
Salvatore found it funny that Joe suspected him of being a spy. Milo couldn't even keep his eyes open, let alone stay alert enough to gather information.
Salvatore stood up and walked over to the sofa. He was tired and wanted to go to bed.
"Shh!" Salvatore said, trying to wake him without making a loud noise.
Milo didn't move. His breathing was deep and steady. Salvatore had to reach out and touch his shoulder. The moment his fingers made contact with Milo's body, the young man's eyes snapped open. They were wide with terror, as if he were seeing a demon.
Milo gasped and scrambled back against the cushions.
"I'm sorry! I was asleep! I'm really sorry!" Milo started bowing his head repeatedly. His entire body began to tremble.
"Oh damn!" Milo cursed himself in his head. He was terrified. He expected a blow to the face or a kick to the stomach. His body felt as if it were bracing for a hit.
Salvatore stared at him. He found the behavior strange. He saw Milo clenching his fists so hard that his knuckles were white. The tremors in the boy's arms were visible.
"What are you doing?" Salvatore asked. His voice was flat.
Milo held his breath. His stomach was in knots. "I'm sorry…"
"Go to your room. Lock the door. I have something for you to do tomorrow," Salvatore said.
Milo looked at Salvatore fearfully. He realized the man hadn't hit him yet. But as he saw Salvatore walking toward the door, Milo remembered his mission.
He had to see Salvatore's chest. He had to know if the man was going to die. If he went back to Nero with no information, he would be punished.
He hurried after the tall man. "Sorry, Mr. Portello..."
Salvatore stopped just before reaching the door and turned around. He didn't say a word, but his expression was impatient.
Milo stopped a few steps away. He swallowed hard and gathered his courage. "C-can I sleep with you?"
Salvatore furrowed his brow. He looked at Milo as if he had lost his mind. "What?"
Milo felt his face flush hot. He was very nervous. "Can I… sleep with you? In your room?" he repeated.
"No," Salvatore said. His voice was cold and flat. "I don't like strangers in my bed."
Salvatore didn't wait for a response. He opened the door and walked out into the hallway.
Milo felt his cheeks flush hot, but he couldn't stop. He walked after Salvatore, his limp making his footsteps uneven on the floor.
"Please, sir…" Milo called out.
Salvatore kept walking, his long strides making it hard for Milo to keep up. He didn't look back.
Milo kept following, his hands trembling. He knew he was being annoying, and he knew he was risking a beating, but the fear of Nero was much worse than the fear of Salvatore's coldness.
"I can be quiet! I can stay on the floor!" Milo pleaded.
Salvatore stopped suddenly and turned around. Milo almost ran into his chest. Salvatore looked down at him with a hard, unreadable expression.
"Why are you so desperate to get into my bed, Milo?" Salvatore asked. "Did Hartley tell you to do something while I was asleep?"
Milo shook his head frantically. "No! No, I swear! I just... I have to serve you. Please."
Salvatore looked at him for a long time. He saw the tears in Milo's eyes and the way his lip was quivering. He didn't understand why, but he could see that Milo was terrified.
"Go to your room," Salvatore said again, his voice lower this time. "Don't ask me again."
"I'm afraid to sleep alone," Milo said, his voice shaking. He tried to come up with a reasonable excuse. "And... I want to... to serve you."
Salvatore looked down at Milo. "I don't need your body."
Milo felt desperate. "Please. I can sleep anywhere in your room. I just... I don't want to be alone."
Milo was lying, but only partially. He was afraid of Salvatore, but he was more afraid of failing Nero. He needed to see the man's body. He needed to find the number.
Salvatore looked into the boy's eyes. He saw a deep, frantic desperation. He didn't understand why a boy had been sent as a sex slave.
"As I told you, you will not sleep in my room."
Milo bowed his head. He thought hard about what he should do.
Salvatore saw the young man's body shaking. He also remembered how afraid Milo had been in front of Nero. He remembered how the young man had asked him for help, and also the wounds on the young man's body.
There was only one answer, and it was clear: Milo had been tortured by Nero. The question was, did he need to care?
Milo swallowed hard, aware of Salvatore's piercing gaze fixed on him. "Sir, please help me. If I don't sleep with you, Nero will kill me."
Finally, Milo spoke honestly, even though he knew Salvatore had no reason to care about him.
Salvatore chuckled softly. "Tell him you spent a beautiful night with me."
Milo gulped. He stared at Salvatore's chest before looking down again. "At least, can I help you take a shower?"