Page 129 of Milo

I close my eyes, taking in a deep breath. "He's not a threat," I whisper. Milo's soft touch, smooth voice, and comforting smell fills my mind. "He is not a threat."

"No, he is not, he loves you, cara," Julia hums, caressing my hand. "You must understand that he too has been stuck in the survival state for so long, practically his whole life."

My eyelids flutter open. "He has?"

"Of course," Julia says. "The men in this family, they do not trust because they are in a constant state of survival. It is their number one priority, always. It is difficult to rewire your brain, but Milo, he is trying. You were also once a threat to him. Remember that."

"I hadn't thought about it like that before," I say, flicking my nails. "But it makes sense."

I'm not the only one who's taking a chance. It's not just me. Relationships are not one-sided. There are two of us. Two people. Two hearts. Both equally vulnerable. Both equally scared.

The fear of loss is crippling. The fear of heartbreak is debilitating. But the fear of being unable to love someone? That's unacceptable.

Milo is not a threat. He's not. I know this. I do. He's not a fucking threat. Do you hear that, brain? He's a blessing. A fucking gift. He was brought into my life not to destroy me but to heal me.

I don't want to just survive. I want to live. I want to thrive. I want control.

I want love.

The car comes to a halt, snapping me out of my head.

"I know you're tired, cara," Julia says, getting out of the car as Luisa and I follow suit. "But let's try to enjoy ourselves, yes?"

"Two hours," I say, suppressing a yawn. "Then we're leaving, okay?"

"Two, four, something like that," Julia mutters as we stop outside the door to Mimibella. "Maybe you can find a gift for Milo inside."

My eyes widen. "Oh my God, I didn't get him anything. Is he going to expect a Christmas present? Julia!"

"Dio, relax! You are so wound up all the time!" Julia huffs. "We will find something; we have all day."

"You guys go in," I mumble, fishing my phone from my purse. "I need to make a call."

"Fine! Don't be too long, I need opinions," Julia says.

"Julia," Luisa whispers, nodding at our silent guards. "Can you?"

"We do not need you," Julia says, addressing Gio and Mateo. "Go for a walk."

"We are not supposed to leave you," Gio says.

Julia's expression hardens. "I said go." Gio and Mateo exchange a conflicted look before striding away. "Okay, Kiara, you have one minute then I am dragging you inside, yes?"

"Okay, okay."

Unlocking my phone, I dial Milo's number, staring into the store as I pace back and forth in front of the semi frosted windows of the lingerie store. Claudia, the sales associate, rounds the checkout counter, throwing her arms around Luisa. She tucks back a piece of Luisa's hair as she gives her a lingering kiss. My mouth drops as the line continues to ring in my ear. Oh…

"Tesoro, do you miss me already?" Milo asks in a cheeky tone. "I have only been gone a few hours."

"Uh—" I stammer, clearing my throat as I notice a rosy hue spread on Luisa's face. Claudia giggles, biting her lip as they talk.

"Kiara? Are you there?"

"Yeah, sorry," I mutter, expelling a nervous laugh as I turn around, giving the two women some privacy. "Um, how are you?"

"Is something the matter? You sound strange."

"No, no, everything is fine, I'm just shopping with your sister and Luisa.” I narrow my eyes at Gio and Mateo who are smoking half a block down. Is that why Julia sent them away? They don't know?

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