98

MILLIE
The call concluded, leaving me anxious for clarity. Seeking illumination, I inquired about the conversation’s contents. Gio’s response hinted at betrayal-a revelation that Sebastian had discovered Harper entwined with another man, a transgression that held dire consequences within the code of our world.
I shifted my gaze toward the car window, a tumult of emotions churning within me. It was a delicate balance I was trying to maintain, conscious of the complexities that lay beneath the surface. I knew that Sebastian, with his unyielding code of honor, would perceive any deviation as not just a transgression but an outright assault on his integrity. The world we navigated held its own set of unwritten rules, and I was acutely aware of the repercussions such actions could entail. With a shaky breath, I turned back to Gio, my fingers gently finding his in a plea for support amidst the storm.
“Gio,” my voice quivered, “please, you have to make sure that Sebastian doesn’t do anything to hurt Harper.”
The car glided into the parking garage, and Gio’s solemn expression mirrored my concern. “But she’s his fiancee,” he replied, his voice laced with a hint of resignation. “I can’t dictate what Sebastian chooses to do with his partner.”
My eyes narrowed, the frustration of this reality etching lines on my forehead. He understood my dissatisfaction, yet his expression conveyed a stark truth-I had little choice but to come to terms with it. These were the tenets that governed our lives within the confines of the underworld.
Stepping out of the car, I felt Gio’s strong arm envelop my waist, lending me a sense of stability amidst the tumult of emotions. His voice carried a reassuring tone, though how could I not be consumed by worry?
Finally reaching our apartment, the tension remained palpable as Sebastian’s voice crackled through the phone. “A text saying ‘I got her,’ is that all you’re telling me?” Gio’s voice held a note of exasperation, and I pressed myself closer to him, straining to catch a whisper of the conversation. However, Gio’s tall frame and Sebastian’s hushed tones conspired to keep me in the dark.
“What’s he saying?” I interjected, the edge of panic coloring my voice.
Gio’s eyes rolled at something Sebastian mentioned, and under his breath, he muttered, “With what?” A moment of silence hung before he muttered again, “No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to bloody know.”
My desperation deepened. “Did he hurt her?” I found myself practically pleading, hoping my words would reach Sebastian’s ears. My throat constricted, and my eyes stung with unshed tears. The threshold of my composure was rapidly eroding, a fact that didn’t escape Gio, his steely gray gaze zeroing in on mine.
Lowering his voice, Gio sought to offer a semblance of reassurance. “Is she still alive?”
I recoiled against him, eyes widening at the thought that had yet to penetrate my consciousness. Such an outcome hadn’t even registered in my realm of fears. Sebastian wouldn’t resort to that, right?
Sebastian, the enforcer, had discovered Harper entangled with another man. The realization struck me with the force of a blow.
A squeeze of my hand from Gio pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. “I’ll take that as a positive sign,” he uttered.
“How is Harper?” My words verged on a desperate plea. “Is she alright? I need to know.”
Gio nodded, his gaze steadfast. “Harper is safe,” he affirmed before turning his attention back to Sebastian. “When do you plan to return?”
“Will he bring Harper to New York?” I queried, my grasp on Gio’s arm reluctant to relent. He gently extricated himself, motioning for me to stay put, then stepped out onto the rooftop terrace. I obeyed, watching his pacing silhouette through the windows. My presence was undoubtedly testing his patience, but his sentiments toward Harper were tinged with a reluctance that couldn’t be ignored. While he tolerated her for my sake, his regard for her was far from favorable.
On the terrace, Gio’s strides carried a heavy weight, his brows knitted in disapproval. A swift motion of his phone signaled the conclusion of the conversation. Catching sight of my watchful gaze, he reentered the apartment.
“Millie, your sister is unharmed,” he assured, his voice a balm to my frayed nerves. “Sebastian is taking her to Chicago to confront your father.”
My lips parted in a silent sigh of relief. “And we’re going with them, right?” I murmured, a sliver of hope taking root.
He exhaled softly, his fingers cradling my face tenderly. “Yes, we are. We’ll fly there. Start packing a bag, just in case we need to stay for a few days.”
I nodded, my inclination to pull away arrested by his nearness. His lips hovered just above mine, a gravity pulling us together. “You need to loosen the grip on protecting your sister,” he whispered. “She’s an adult and must face the consequences of her choices. I can’t afford to worry about you and Sebastian both.”
His endearment sent ripples of warmth through me. Though sparing with nicknames, whenever he bestowed upon me the terms “love” or “my princess,” they held a significance beyond words.
“I won’t be a burden,” I vowed. “As long as you’re by my side, I can manage.”
“Always, Millie.” His affirmation resonated with unwavering devotion.
His kiss, deliberate and tender, left a lasting imprint before he permitted me to ascend the stairs.
~*~
The airport buzzed with anticipation as Gio’s hand enveloped mine in a reassuring grip. We stood there, side by side, our eyes fixed on the airplane that was taxiing to a halt. Sebastian and Harper were finally coming home. The moment their plane’s doors swung open, a surge of excitement ran through me, and I tugged at Gio’s hand, prompting him to release his hold. Without wasting a second, I dashed towards the aircraft’s exit, my heart racing.
Harper emerged first, though she was accompanied by Sebastian, who seemed to be intentionally keeping her close. She walked beside him, a subtle restraint evident in their stride. However, as we neared, it was as if the world couldn’t hold them apart any longer. Harper broke free from Sebastian’s grip and hastened towards me, her steps quickening with every stride until we collided in a mix of joy and pain. I held her tightly, feeling her warmth, relieved that she was back, safe and sound.
Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the image of my sister who had just returned from a harrowing journey. “Oh Harper, you have no idea how scared I was. I’m so incredibly relieved to see you here,” I managed to utter, my voice a mix of emotions.
Stepping back slightly, I examined her, making sure she was truly unharmed. It took a moment for me to recognize her though, her hair now a dyed brown. It was a change I hadn’t anticipated, and a part of me wished it hadn’t happened. Suppressing my unease, I asked, “Are you alright? Did they do anything to you?”
Harper’s hand reached out to stroke my hair, a rare display of tenderness from her that instantly ignited a new wave of worry within me. “Harper, is everything alright? Did Sebastian-”
“Sebastian had nothing to do with it,” Sebastian’s voice sliced through, his tone firm and unwavering. Startled, my gaze shifted to him. Our eyes locked briefly, an unspoken tension lingering in the air. I tried to hold his gaze, but a surge of fear compelled me to look away. Despite believing we had settled our differences, the intensity between us remained palpable. Sebastian’s brow furrowed as he regarded me, and I averted my eyes, not wanting Gio to perceive the unresolved tension.
My voice barely a whisper, I retorted, “I didn’t ask you.” Relief washed over me as Gio reached my side, his hand clapping onto Sebastian’s shoulder, diffusing the charged atmosphere. “It’s good to see you again,” Gio’s words held sincerity, revealing the depth of their bond. Sebastian had been his confiMathias, second only to me.
Harper reassured me that she was fine, her gaze soft as it met mine once more. Our moment was interrupted by John, an imposing figure from the Outfit, who barked an impatient order, emphasizing his disrespect for Harper. Anger surged within me at his derogatory remark, but before I could react, Sebastian acted. A knife flashed through the air, narrowly missing John’s ear. Pain etched across John’s face as he clutched his ear, his hand instinctively moving to the gun holstered at his side.
Sebastian’s voice dripped with a cold promise as he threatened, “The next time, my blade won’t miss your skull.” The threat hung heavy in the air, his stance unwavering. Gio’s guns were drawn, his and Dario’s unwaveringly aimed at the two Outfit soldiers, the tension escalating dangerously.
“We wouldn’t want things to turn ugly, would we?” Gio’s voice was a dangerous whisper, a veiled reminder of their boss’s expectations. Reluctantly, the soldiers acknowledged the implicit warning, their defiance subdued.
Gio reholstered his guns, defusing the situation but not dispelling the underlying tension. With a wordless command, we started moving, the soldiers reluctantly falling in line. Harper was to ride with us, and as she slipped into the backseat, Gio’s grip on my arm halted me. His voice was low and resolute, “No, I want Sebastian to keep an eye on your sister.”
Harper rolled her eyes at the protective directive, and I squeezed her hand before releasing it. As I settled into the passenger seat beside Gio, I couldn’t help but hope that the return of my sister signaled a return to normalcy. Yet, deep down, I knew that the path ahead was anything but smooth; the complex dynamics among us would continue to shape our journey.