Page 33 of Scarred Heir
“Have you been with the family long?” I asked.
“About fifteen years,” she said. “Julia and I were friends. We met when I was the head chef at a restaurant in the city. The economy tanked, the restaurant went out of business, and I was out of a job. She asked me to come and be her family’s personal chef.”
“Julia is Milo’s mother? Is she with Mr. Accetti on business?” Milo hadn’t mentioned his mother, but we didn’t have that much time to get to know one another.
“No, Julia passed away about twelve years ago.” She stirred the pancake batter. “I stayed on to take care of her men. Between you and me, they can’t manage without me.”
I was curious about Milo’s mother’s death, but I didn’t think it was polite to ask her friend how she died.
“Are you sure I can’t help?” I asked.
“I’m fine,” she said. “Would you like coffee or tea?”
“Tea, please.” I gazed out the window that overlooked the expansive backyard. “Is the pool close to here?”
“Not far.” She pointed to a path lined with tall oak trees. “Beyond those trees, but it’s a little cold for a swim.”
“I thought I’d take a walk and check out the property.”
“Breakfast will be ready in about fifteen minutes,” she said. “But you don’t have a coat.”
“I’ll be okay.” I opened the back door. “Don’t go to too much trouble with breakfast. I can eat whatever you make.”
“It’s no trouble.” She continued mixing the pancakebatter as I stepped out onto the chilly back patio. My hoodie wasn’t going to keep me very warm, but I needed to see if Chance was okay.
I strolled down the path, enjoying the quiet of the property. The house was in a secluded area surrounded by trees. I saw a lake illuminated by lights with a fountain in the middle when we drove in last night, but I was too nervous to take in much of the grounds. It was dark by the time we arrived.
The crisp, morning air wasn’t as biting as when I first stepped outside. A light wind ghosted my skin as it rustled the bare tree branches and fallen, sparse leaves along the path. Even in the barren season of winter, the property was as immaculate as I would have expected it to be. If it appeared this beautiful in the winter, it would be gorgeous in the spring and summer with all the greenery and the pinks and reds of the rose bushes.
Not that I would be here then. My debt would be paid off by the time the spring blooms graced the property. As I rounded the corner of the path, I could see the pool house in the distance. It wasn’t at all what I had pictured. It was a full-blown house with a porch, patio, and fireplace.
I spied a cottage nestled in an oasis of tranquility. I could see myself living there. Hopefully, the atmosphere gave Chance the opportunity to reflect about his life choices. Although, I was in no position to lecture him about the company he kept.
I let one of New York City’s biggest crime bosses strip me naked and make me orgasm against his underwear. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop thinking about that encounter.
I strolled down the path, trying to purge my impure thoughts, but the more I thought about Milo’s body rubbingagainst mine, the more I wanted him, even after his rude behavior this morning.
His behavior!That was what forced me to check on Chance. Milo only had himself to blame for my defiance.
I was a few feet from the patio when a muscular man with thick, black hair and an impressive jawline appeared from the side of the pool house.
“Oh!” I stepped back, admiring his imposing demeanor.
“It’s nice to meet you, Sable.” He smiled. “I thought you might visit this morning.”
“I, um…” I ran my hand through my hair and glanced over his shoulder at the line of windows aligning the side of the pool house. “I came to check on Chance.”
“He’s fine.” The man extended his hand. “I’m Ricardo.”
“I’m Sable.” I shook his hand. “But you knew that already.”
“It’s a little brisk for you to be outside.” He motioned at my hoodie. “I’ll walk you back to the main house.”
“But I wanted to see my brother.”
“Not today.” He hooked his solid arm in mine and redirected me back toward the house. I should have been intimidated, but there was something warm in his mannerisms. “You don’t want to catch a cold, do you?”
“You can’t catch a cold from being outside without a coat.”
