Page 59 of Mafia Handbook

Shaking her head, “You’ll think me stupid.”

“No, I won't.”

“Believe me, you will. I think I’m being stupid.”

“Why not let me be the judge of that.”

Tipping her head back, Milena blew out a breath before telling Gil about the conversation she overheard between Bash and Jamisson.

“Let me get this straight, you’ve been intentionally avoiding Bash based on a fragment of a conversation you overheard?”

“Told you it was stupid.”

“I’ve heard worse,” Gil squeezed her hand, offering a genuine smile.

“Doesn’t matter, really,” Milena sniffed, wiping a stray tear before it drifted down her cheek.

“Why’s that?”

“Because I'm pretty sure I’ve chased him away.”

“No, you haven’t,” Gil argued.

“Look around, Gil. Do you see him?”

“Try looking at this from a guy's perspective. One, you don’t know what the conversation was on either side of what you heard, you should have asked him instead of assuming. Two, no man is going to fight as hard as Bash has for you, to help a woman he isn't vested in. Three, you can’t fault a man for doing what you asked of him. You wanted time, which from where I’m sitting, is exactly what he’s giving you.”

Reaching over, Gil picked up a sheet of paper beside Milena. “You swore me to silence about this, and I have every intention of keeping my word. Not because I agree with you, but because I believe everyone has a choice. By not talking to him, you’re taking away his.”

Reaching out, Milena laid her palm against Gil’s face, “You’re right. I’ll talk to him after Frank’s funeral.”

Holding up his hand, Gil offered Milena his pinky. “Pinky swear?”

Tossing her head back, “Oh, my god. What are you, three?”

“Hey, don’t knock the pinky promise. It’s solidified most of the contacts in my childhood.”

Bursting into a fit of laughter, Milena wrapped her arms around Gil’s neck. “I love you, Gil.”

“I love you, too, Sis. No matter what.” Placing a kiss to her cheek, “Now go get cleaned up. You have to meet with Father Flanagan in an hour.”

Gil watched as Milena rose from the bed, and then disappeared into the bathroom. He would never admit it, but he did find what she’d done to Bash stupid. Weighing his options, Gil pulled his phone from his back pocket. He scrolled through his contacts as he slipped out the door and into the hall.

“Kelly.”

“Hey, Bash, it’s Gil. You got a minute?”

“Depends, is this your one call from jail?”

“Fuck that. Those few days I spent behind bars were enough for me.”

“Then yes, I’ve got a minute. What’s up?”

“You did me a favor, now I’m going to return it. Milena came to your office today to talk to you.”

“Yeah, I know, Melissa showed me the check.”

“Forget about the check. That isn’t why she was there.”

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