Page 20 of Complications

“What did you need to speak to me about?”

“Yeah, speaking of Elio, I wanted to ask you about him.”

“Me?” I schooled my features into blank neutrality. “I’m not sure I can help.”

“You sure about that?” I remained silent. “After that bullshit last week, he went straight to you. Why was that?”

“How do you know that?”

“We tailed him, obviously,” Matteo answered, raising a brow. “Do you know why?”

“You’d have to ask him,” I hedged. “He did have a cut on his brow though.”

“That shit was barely a scratch. Did he say anything to you?”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

The walls closed in, and I had a quick decision to make. Give Teo the truth or keep Elio’s confidence. It should be a harder decision than it was, but there was no contest.

“He didn’t mention anything specific about how the injury happened.” My voice was calm and steady, but internally, I was at war with myself. My answer was technically true, so no lie was spoken, even if it wasn’t the spirit of the question.

“I’m worried about him.”

“Yeah? Why?” I tried to keep my tone mildly interested and hide how completely invested I was. “Did he say something?”

“So you don’t know how he got the cut?”

“No, but I assumed another stupid fight.”

“Yeah, exactly that, but it was with one of my guys.” Teo sounded thoroughly disgusted. “He’s a goddamn loose cannon, and that has me worried.”

“Elio is loyal to you and your family. You know that.” The speculative look Matteo gave me felt like he could see straight into my goddamn soul. “What I mean is, he’s part of your family.”

“One who isn’t part of the family business and went after one of my guys.” Matteo paused before adding, “It’s a long shot, but if you’re patching him up and he says anything, I’d appreciate a heads-up.”

“Of course.”

Michel

My house. 7 p.m.

Elio

Miss me that much? All you had to do was say so.

Don’t get cute.

I’m always cute.

Never mind. I shouldn’t have messaged you.

I was only fucking with you. I’ll be there.

“Coming.”

A smart man wouldn’t have been waiting when the bell rang at seven. Elio was exactly on time, not even a minute early or late. The best thing I could do was send him away with a bullshit excuse, but I knew what was going to happen when I opened the door. He’d walk over the threshold, and I’d let him. I knew it was a bad idea, dangerous even, and it’d put me at odds with Matteo, but I couldn’t bring myself to even contemplate sending Elio away.

“You rang?”