Page 14 of Complications

“If you’re smart, you’ll hide for a while. He’s pissed.” Frankie’s gaze shifted to me. “He’s asking for you, Doc.”

Frankie had always been polite to me, but I never forgot what he was capable of. Growing up in this world hadn’t hardened me, but it had given me a healthy respect for the men who enforced its rules.

“Elio, do not move off this couch. I’ll finish bandaging you after I speak with your uncle.”

“Should I wait for you on the bed instead?”

I didn’t bother to answer before I walked out to see his uncle. Elio had stepped up his game and his fights. The problem, for both of us, was how close I was to letting him win.

“The good news is he’s in zero danger of dying from getting into a scuffle,” I offered by way of greeting. I sank into one of the leather chairs across from Matteo and let him brood. It had always been one of his favorite pastimes.

“Did he say what happened?” Matteo finally asked after letting me sit in silence for a while.

He used to do that back in college too—sit and think and sit some more before speaking, like he had a quota of words and once he exceeded it, he wasn’t allowed any more.

“He said it was at the mayor’s event. Got into it with security after interfering with someone who was hassling a member of the mayor’s staff.”

Matteo steepled his fingers beneath his chin before continuing. “I’m not saying it’s not true, but didn’t he use that excuse last time too?”

“Yeah. I mentioned that to him.”

The silence in Matteo’s office was almost oppressive. I’d been in here countless times before, but never with something I needed to hide. Elio was, potentially, bad for my health.

“He’s just so fucking reckless.”

“I don’t know what to tell you, Teo. He’s young yet. Give him time to grow into things.”

“Young? He’s twenty-nine. That’s a goddamn adult. Hell, Connor is five years younger. You think he’s a kid?”

“No. Connor was forced to grow up fast. It’s not the same situation.” A diversion was needed, and with Teo, there was only one that was guaranteed to work every time. “Speaking of Connor, where is he?”

“Repotting in the conservatory. Orchids, I think.”

“Last time I was in there, it looked like a botanical garden.”

Matteo glowered at me.

“Relax, Teo. You were with me.”

The tension immediately left his squared shoulders, and he offered me a grin instead.

“Dammit, I forgot about that.”

“Yeah. I don’t have a death wish.”

“You might not, but that idiot nephew of mine does.”

I kept silent because the last thing I needed was to admit that Elio’s flirting was getting under my skin.

“What am I going to do with him?” Matteo muttered. Silence was best. Truly. “I guess I’d better figure it out while I still can.”

“You need anything else from me?” The walls of his office felt like they were closing in, and I needed out while that was still an option. “His hand still needs to be bandaged. Nothing broken except a finger.”

Matteo waved me off, and it suited me just fine. The less scrutiny, the better.

I wasted no time getting out of the office and into the hallway, where I could breathe again. Matteo had been my friend far longer than he’d been my client, and I intended to keep it that way. And our friendship wouldn’t stay intact if I became involved with his screw-up of a nephew.

Those thoughts were still racing through my mind when I walked back into the bedroom where Elio waited.