“Yes,” I say. “That too.”
“I miss you too,” he says quietly. “But a transition like that would cause challenges. You know this city is full of people justwaiting for the opportunity to take down our name so they can take over whatever part of our operation they want.”
“I know,” I admit. “But I also know neither Vito nor Angelo would allow that to happen. And if things get rocky, I’ll simply make a visit, give out a few threats, and kill who I need to kill to get the pecking order back where it belongs.”
“Simple as that?”
“As simple as that,” I agree. “You’re not living, big brother. Come to Palm Springs. I’ll even have a house built for you so you don’t have to live in the main house.”
“Curse you, Maverick,” he sighs. “You’re playing at my heart.”
“There are some very sexy men here,” I tease.
“Not that it matters,” he says with a laugh. “You told Skip I wasn’t into men. He made sure to thank me for my interest in all things apart from his cute little man.”
I toss my head back and laugh.
“His man made a comment about how attractive I was,” I explain, “and Skip said he was fine with it because I was into women. I corrected him, and he became horrified. He hasn’t let me in a room alone with Eli since. When we came to New York, he was mortified that he had to fight two of us for Eli’s attention, so I told him you had no interest in his parts.”
“Well, I can’t wait to see his face when he realizes the truth,” Stefano says, laughing. “Eli is pretty cute. I might turn my flirt up when I arrive. I’ll get to see him blush and Skip lose what little sanity he has left.”
“Does that mean you’ve agreed?” I ask, holding my breath.
“I get my own house on the estate,” Stefano says.
“Agreed,” I say, my heart beating faster.
“I’m bringing my staff with me.”
“Done.”
“And I don’t want bodyguards.”
Silence stretches between us.
“Maverick,” Stefano warns. “No guards.”
“I can’t do that,” I admit, my chest aching at the thought of a loss that hasn’t even happened. “Regardless of where you are, Stefano, we have the same face. People will use you to get to me. And I promise you,fratello, if someone holds your life over my head, Iwillgive in.”
He says nothing.
Neither do I.
Because we both know I mean it.
There are very few things in this world that could make me bow.
My brother is one of them.
“Fine,” he sighs. “But I’m bringing my own. I don’t want the twins as my shadows.”
I release a breath and relax back in my chair.
“I’m okay with that,” I say. “As long as they’re employed by us, since I know their backgrounds will clear.”
Stefano takes a deep breath and releases it slowly.
“Okay,” he says. “Let’s do it.”
