“I don’t know how much more I can tolerate,” Milo said. “No one disrespects me that way.”
“Milo.” I set the files on the desk.
“Don’t.” He turned and pointed at me. “I can’t handle excuses right now. I have too much on my plate.”
“I’m not going to defend him,” I said. “But I understand where he’s coming from. He’s trying to protect me too.”
“That sounds like you’re defending him, and he doesn’t need to protect you from me.”
“Let me finish.” I straightened his tie, gettingclose enough to breathe in his woodsy scent. “I explained to him that I don’t need him to protect me from you. I’m where I want to be and he has to accept that.”
“I like where this is going.” He draped his arms over my shoulders. “Continue.”
“You’ve been nothing but good to us.” I stretched up on my toes and kissed his jaw. “I appreciate everything you’ve done for us. I told him he has to let me make my own choices.”
“I’ll let you handle him as long as he doesn’t get out of line.” He stroked my hair. “I have too much going on, and things are about to get busier.”
“You’re tense.” I traced my fingers along his neck. “I’ve never seen the stress in your face before.”
“I carry my burdens well, but my brother could be in trouble.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I need to go to Marchello and see for myself that he’s okay.”
“I thought he was away for a reason.”
“He is, but I can still get to him, and so can our enemies.”
“Where is Marchello?” I didn’t like the idea of Milo leaving, but I couldn’t stop him.
“He was in Greece, but I had him moved. Going to him might be risky because I could expose him to Diego.” He released me and went to his desk. “If I don’t check on him, I won’t be able to focus.”
“If going to Marchello is what you need to do, you should do it.” I gazed down at the floor. “If your brother needs you…”
“Come with me.” He extended his hand as he sat down. “We can get away for a few days.”
“Really?” I joined him on the other side of the desk. “Will Marchello and his wife mind?”
“Not at all,” he said. “I’m sure they’re ready for some company. If I know them, and I do, they’re ready to kill one another.”
A getaway with Milo sounded like a dream. The opportunity to meet his brother and Lissia would give me a chance to get to know him better.
“I would love to go.” How could I? I had never traveled before. “But I don’t think I can.”
“Of course you can.” He tugged me into his lap. “I know your boss.”
“I don’t have a passport.” I ran my hand along his stubble. “I’m sure you can’t fix that problem.”
“Sweetheart, I’m the family fixer.” He took my hand and kissed the inside of my wrist. “I can fix anything, but in this particular case, you don’t need one.”
“Why not?”
“Because Marchello is in Puerto Rico.” He swiped my hair to the side and kissed my neck. “Will you come with me?”
“I’ve never been on a plane before.” When I shifted in his lap, his erection pushed into my stomach. “The thought makes me nervous.”
“What doesn’t make you nervous?” He hiked my skirt up, revealing my black panties. “I can think of some things we can do to pass the time on the flight.”