Page 57 of Scarred Heir

“Ax,” Milo said. “This is Sable.”

“Hello,” the large, muscular man with a tattoo that trailed up his neck and skimmed the edge of his jaw said. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too.” I gripped Milo’s hand harder and stood behind his shoulder. The other guards were intimidating, but Ax towered over Milo, probably putting him at about six-five.

“We’ll be staying here for the night.” Milo pushed open the door. “You did a sweep?”

“As soon as I heard you were coming,” Ax said. “It’s all clear.”

“Just the other two in the trinity can disturb me tonight.” Milo nudged me inside. “Or Lucas.”

“Understood,” Ax said.

“The trinity?” I asked as Milo shut the door, shielding us from the outside world.

“The guards refer to my father, Marchello, and I as the trinity. They check in with one another and communicate who has eyes on us at all times. It started because my dad wanted to know my brother and I were safe.”

“Do you expect them to show up tonight?” I didn’t think I was ready to meet the unholy trinity.

“No.” He stared out at the skyline from the large windows. “I’m not sure when either of them will be home.”

I hoped whatever business Nico and Marchello had resolved itself fast, because Milo needed them. Propelling my wobbly legs forward, I stood behind him and rested my head on the back of his shoulder, breathing in his comforting, woodsy scent.

Less than thirty minutes ago, I witnessed him attack someone, and now I craved to be close to him.Is it possible for him to be anything more than a monster?I saw some of his good traits. He could have killed Chance the night we first met, but he didn’t. Instead, he made sure we got home safely, and the next day he paid my rent.

Did the embers of kindness absolve him of the flames of evil? I didn’t have the answer.

“What’s going through your mind?” he asked.

“Will you get in trouble for what you did tonight?”

“Trouble?” He laughed as he pulled his jacket off. “Do you think anyone in that restaurant will swear to what they saw me do in a court of law?”

“I guess not.” The bloodstains on his skin and on the edge of one of his sleeves rattled me. “You have blood on your hands.”

“I’ll always have blood on my hands.” He walked over to the sink behind the bar and washed the evidence away. “Is that going to be an issue for you?”

“I’m just trying to process what you did.”

“Bello disrespected me.” He dried off with a paper towel and then tossed it in the trashcan under the bar. “I had to make him pay for that.”

“You were so calm. It was second nature to you.” It was his demeanor that frightened me the most. He didn’t evenhave to think about what he would do. He executed the attack with one quick and effective action.

“If it isn’t natural for me to defend myself, I shouldn’t be in this business.” He took off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. “I’m in a brutal line of work.”

“I’ve noticed.”

“Would you like a drink?” He swiped a bottle of vodka from the bar and poured himself a hearty glass. “Before that unfortunate incident at Franchi’s, you were on your way to getting drunk.”

“I’m sober now.” I slipped off my heels to give my throbbing feet a break. “I’ll stay that way tonight.”

“What did he say to you?” Milo took a sip of his drink, scrutinizing me from the rim of the glass. “What did Bello want?”

“He asked if I was really with you or if I traded myself for Chance’s life.”

“Bello isn’t stupid.”

A horrible thought crossed my mind. “Milo! After what happened tonight, will Romeo retaliate and go after Chance?”