Page 11 of Where the Wicked Reign

“Milo,” I growled.

“Fine, yes, I came here because Rocco just got word that Julian is back in the city. He’s been spotted atNocturne.”

“He was supposed to come to me the moment he set foot back in Tolhurst.”

“Yeah, I know he fucking was.”

I noted his bitter tone. Not to mention the way he’d looked so uncomfortable reporting to me that Julian was at the club. Not just instead of coming to me for business reasons, but instead of coming tohimfor reasons that were a whole lot more personal.

I grunted and started for the side street where I’d parked my Ferrari, Milo moving with my movements in that automatic way of his, a habit he’d picked up from operating as my guard.

He was a lot more than that, though.

I considered him my second.

And on a more personal level, he was my brother-in-arms.

He had been since we’d bonded when his father had been Underboss and through our time attending private schoolandcollege together.

The latter also included Julian Carver. The third to our close-knit group.

Fucking wildcard.

That was the last thing we needed right now.

I knew Julian could tamper that down when he wanted and I was going to make damn sure he did so where this was concerned.

He should have come to me as soon as he’d set foot back in the city.

Given what was at stake, he absolutely knew I would be pissed at him for failing to do that.

With anyone else, I’d consider it them challenging me.

But that wasn’t the case with Julian.

No. This stemmed from his issues.

“Rocco said Julian’s not in his office.”

“He’s using the facilities. Yes, I figured.”

“Barging in on whatever he’s immersed in won’t go over well.”

I eyed him beside me, noting his lips twisting with distaste. He knew this was necessary, yet he was resisting what needed to be done. Highly unlike him. It didn’t take much, knowing his relationship with Julian, to read between the lines. “Hang back if you like. I’ll handle it.”

“No,” he said. “I’m at your side, no matter what.”

“That’s never in question. But leave this one to me.”

We didn’t need any unnecessary complications—or drama, as Julian was known for bringing to the table when he was highly stressed.

Things were reaching a tipping point.

A lot was coming wherein every detail needed to be managed, manipulated and calculated precisely. If any little thing was out of place, it could be catastrophic.

And we could all very well fall.

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