Page 14 of A Taste Of Darkness

“Do you think he noticed?” I asked, only to gasp in horror when I remembered that I went shopping earlier. “Oh, my God… Flora. I went shopping with his card.”

I could already smell my death.

I wasn’t oblivious to the ways Milo looked at me, how he dropped important tasks when I asked for help. From Flora, I knew Milo would rather kill before he ever did anyone a favor. Especially a favor for a stranger.

Even two years ago I noticed how differently he talked to me than he did to my sister. At first, I thought it was because they were way closer, but after a while, I realized that he’d been nicer to me than to her. It was odd, really.

And he called me my heart. While I didn’t understand why he did that, it must’ve been some sort of sign that he didn’t just think of me as his best friend’s annoying sister. Unless it was just a joke.

The healthy narcissistic part of me wanted to believe Milo liked me. The more rational thinking part of my brain told me that I was being delusional and he just had to pretend to be nice to me so my sister didn’t get upset with him.

After yesterday, I wasn’t sure if I was still just delusional or if my assumptions were correct. But it didn’t matter either way.

“It’s fine.” Flora shrugged. “Trust me, he didn’t notice.”

“It’s not fine. I stole his money!” The last thing I ever wanted to be was a thief. “And once he finds out, he’ll never talk to me again! Then the next time you’re in a different country, not even Milo would help me?—”

“So you were with Milo? All… night?”

I cocked my head. “No, I broke into Tartarus and took the card, that's all.” She arched her brow at me. “Yes, I stayed with him. I was scared, okay? I didn’t know where else to go and?—”

“And?” Her eyebrows shot up, a smirk pulling on her lips. “What made you think Milo, of all people, would want to help you out?”

A deep breath drew from my lungs. “I didn’t think he would. I was going to ask Arlo, but he wasn’t there. I lied to get inside the club, though, and… actually, it really doesn’t matter. I’m twenty-three years old, I can do whatever I want.” I grabbed my purse from the island counter. “And now, excuse me while I go humiliate myself by giving that card back.”

Flora hummed, still smiling. “Need a ride over there?”

Slowly, my head bobbed with a nod.

8

SAME OLD LIES

Milo Marucci

“Ciao Luca,

I know it has been a while, brother. I haven’t been reaching out to you as frequently as I had once promised, but you must understand. The more letters I write, the greater the chances of Mamma and Papà finding you.

Arlo was here yesterday, at least I think he was. I overheard Papà use strong words in his office, and he only ever really does it when Arlo comes bearing bad news. I couldn’t stay long enough to hear the entire conversation as Alessandro was watching me.

He’s already been suspicious of me that I even bothered to stop walking, or that I’ve been in that wing of the house in the first place. I couldn’t risk staying longer to find out what Arlo told Papà and Dante.

I don’t think you’ve forgotten yet, but I don’t have much to say around here. I’m not even allowed to be in a room with our brothers and Papà when they talk business.

You’re quite the celebrity over here, truly. Mamma refuses to believe that you’ve died, but I think that’s only because she’s Mamma. Moms don’t stop hoping, so I’ve heard. Papà believes you’re sneaking around Italy somewhere, but Dante tried reasoning with him. Said that if you were walking around Italy, other groups would’ve already gotten ahold of you and tried to do bad things to you, then proposed a great deal to our family to spare your life.

To my luck, I’m not asked for any conspiracies about you, so for once, it’s quite fortunate that I don’t have a say in anything. No one suspects that I know where you are.

Oh, Dante promised me to some man and Papà signed off on it. Giovanni is his name, I think. I haven’t met the guy yet and don’t think I want to. From what I’ve heard, this guy is nothing like the person I imagined spending the rest of my life with.

So anyway, I guess I’m engaged now. I wish you could come to the wedding, or save me from it, rather. The wedding is in August, and though I wish you’d come, I know you can’t and that’s alright.

Either way, I hope you’re doing better than I am.

Oh, and, Luca, tell me more about this woman you like. Did you finally confess your feelings? Is she your girlfriend now?

You know, I didn’t think it’d take you this long to get her to like you back. And if you’re still worried about our family situation and that’s why you didn’t make a move on her, cut that shit, Veneto. You’ve been long gone.

---