Salvatore sighed. "This damn kid."

Milo heard nothing, but before he could kneel fully, he felt a sudden, powerful force. A hand gripped his arm with incredible strength. Milo gasped as he was pulled upward and sideways. He felt like he was flying for a split second before he landed heavily on a warm, solid surface.

Milo blinked. He was sitting on Salvatore’s left thigh, tucked into the crook of the man’s arm. Salvatore’s hand was wrapped firmly around Milo’s waist, pulling him close against his chest.

Milo was too shocked to speak. He could feel the steady beat of Salvatore’s heart through his suit. He felt the man’s large, warm hand as if it were offering him protection.

Alben and Roderick both stared. Even Roderick looked stunned, he had never seen Salvatore touch anyone with such blatant possessiveness.

"What is it?" Salvatore asked, his voice incredibly low and gentle. It vibrated through Milo’s back, sending shivers down his spine. "Do you really want to go back to him?"

Milo shivered at the sound of Salvatore’s voice. It wasn’t the voice of a master giving an order, it was something else. For some reason, it calmed him.

"No," Salvatore said, answering for him. "You stay here."

Salvatore looked at Nero, his expression hardening. "See? He is mine. You can’t take him back."

Nero was shaking with fury. "What? He will choose me! Milo, get over here! Right now!"

Salvatore looked at Milo. "Really? How is it, Milo? Are you going to choose him?"

Milo trembled as he looked up at Salvatore. He felt the warmth of the man’s large hand on his waist. It felt like a shield. Salvatore wasn’t hitting him or shouting. He was offering a choice.

"Tell him," Salvatore whispered. "Be a big boy, for once. Tell him what you want. I won’t force you."

Milo looked at Nero’s red, angry face. Then he looked at Salvatore again. For the first time in his life, the fear of the future was smaller than the fear of Nero.

"I... I want to stay with you," Milo said. His voice was small, but it was clear. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Salvatore smirked and looked at Nero. "See?"

Nero looked at Milo as if he had been stabbed. "Milo? What did you just say?"

Usually, Milo would have dropped to his knees and begged for forgiveness at the first sign of Nero’s anger. But he couldn’t move. Salvatore’s grip was too firm, and for some reason, Milo didn’t want to leave the warmth of the man’s lap.

"Very bad, Nero," Salvatore said. "He chooses me."

"Milo!" Nero’s voice was a roar of pure rage.

Salvatore didn’t flinch. He smiled mischievously and reached up with his free hand. He gently wiped Milo’s cheek with his thumb, the gesture appearing intimate, like that of a lover.

Milo flinched, a bit shocked by the gesture.

Alben let out a delighted laugh. This was better than he had hoped for. Salvatore was officially playing a dangerous game, and Alben loved every second of it.

Roderick, on the other hand, looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. He looked like he wanted to vomit. He had never seen his boss act so "cringey" in public.

Salvatore looked at Milo gently, then turned his sharp gaze back to Nero. "How can he abandon me, a man who actually cares for him, for someone who only tortures him like a dog? Right?"

Milo gulped. Even though he knew Salvatore was likely acting to irritate Nero, maybe, his cheeks flushed a deep pink.

"This is the last time I ask," Nero hissed, his voice trembling. "Give him back."

Salvatore pulled Milo even closer, his grip tightening. "My bad. I can’t release him. He is... precious to me."

Nero’s hands were shaking so hard he had to tuck them into his pockets. He looked like he was about to have a stroke.

Alben laughed again, drawing Nero’s eyes.

"Hey," Alben said, leaning toward Nero. "Why are you so obsessed with him? Why not mess with me instead? You’re quite handsome when you’re angry. I could arrange a very interesting date for us."

Nero narrowed his eyes, his confusion momentarily overriding his rage. "What?"

"Forget Milo," Alben said, flashing a wicked grin. "Mess with me. I promise I’m a lot more fun than that cute boy."

Nero stared at Alben as if he were insane. "Are you fucking serious?"

Alben just smirked. He liked the look of Nero’s arrogance. It was a challenge.

Nero stood up, straightening his suit jacket with jerky, violent movements. He realized he had lost this round. He looked at Salvatore, his eyes cold and full of promises of violence.

"Salvatore, I’ll give you three days," Nero said, his voice deathly quiet. "I expect him to be back at my house in three days. I’d hate for our professional relationship to be affected by this."

Salvatore didn’t even look at him. He was busy smoothing Milo’s hair. He enjoyed making that man upset.

"Up to you, Nero. But he stays here. Maybe forever."

Nero turned on his heel and stormed out of the mansion, the heavy front doors slamming behind him.

The room fell silent. Milo was still sitting on Salvatore’s lap, his heart racing. He looked up at the Don, gulping nervously.

"Can I... really stay?" Milo whispered.

Salvatore looked at him. The mask of the "gentle lover" hadn’t fully slipped, but his eyes were serious. "I told you. You will not go back to Nero."

Alben leaned back and let out a long whistle. "Well, Sal. You just started a war. I hope this kid is worth it."

Salvatore didn’t answer. He grabbed Milo and pushed him to his feet as he stood up himself.

"I know he won’t make me regret it. But first, we really need to fix your annoying fear," said Salvatore.

Milo stood there, confused. What was that man going to do to him? He was sure he’d faint if that man asked him to shoot people again.

"I-I can’t shoot people," Milo said, following Salvatore inside.

"We’ll fix that another day. Now, I want you to feed Mr. Bogli."