Page 40 of Milo

I frown. Why did he— Realization dawns on me. Oh... He didn't really think that one through, did he?

"What's wrong, Mr. Di Vaio?" I ask innocently. "Did I do something wrong?"

He slams the laptop screen shut. "You are finished."

I blink. "Don't you want to hear the end? I think that Manuel was just about to?—"

He grabs my chin between his fingers, his eyes opaque with fury. "Do not finish that sentence, Kiara."

"Whatever you say, sir.” I smack his hand away and stand up. "I'm going to go take a shower. If you'll excuse me."

"We are leaving tomorrow," Milo calls out as I push past him. "Be ready on time, yes?"

I crane my neck over my shoulder and lock my scheming gaze on Milo. "Yes!" I exclaim in a wanton tone, pouting, contorting my face for the ultimate effect. "Yes! Oh my God, yes! Yes, Milo! Fuck! Yes!"

Milo jolts up from his seat, clenching his fists. "Kiara..."

I bat my eyelashes. "Mr. Di Vaio."

He sucks in a sharp breath. If looks could kill. "You are?—"

"Perhaps you need a shower as well.”

"Is that an offer?"

"No. Just an observation. Have a good evening, sir."

And I walk away.

There is not enough soap in the world to clean off the filth I've had to endure today.

And a part of me, a small part, doesn't want to.

Chapter 13

Thicker Than Water

"Kiara, wake up.” Milo's smoky voice fills my ears, his hand rattling my shoulder. "Kiara."

My eyelids flutter open, my neck slightly sore. "What?" I croak, my vision adjusting to the late autumn sun beaming through the window. "We're here already?"

"I truly marvel at your ability to fall asleep so easily," Milo notes, getting out of the SUV.

"Well, I wouldn't be so tired if you didn't force me to wake up at 7 a.m. and then make me wait four hours before we even left the tarmac.”

I look around, the picturesque beauty of Monaco instantly zapping me awake. The scent of the ocean fills my lungs as I take in the lush palm trees, the meticulously trimmed hedges, the narrow coastal skylines, and the sharp colossal mountains that surround us.

"You seem agitated, Kiara.” His top lip curls up into a smirk as he offers me his hand. "Perhaps next time I will wake you with a kiss."

I narrow my eyes at him as I slip out of the car, ignoring his assistance. "I'm fairly certain that if Aurora was a modern-day princess, she'd sue the shit out of Prince Phillip for sexual harassment.”

Milo chuckles. "It is a risk I am willing to take."

"A gambler, I see.”

"Naturally.” Milo gestures down the sandy stone path that leads to an idyllic villa several stories high. "This way."

"Where are Marchello and the others?" I ask, craning my neck over my shoulder. Gio and Mateo trail behind us, luggage in hand. We walk up the steps toward the estate, the Belle Époque influenced architecture simply breathtaking.

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