It’s 3 a.m when my mother and I say our final goodbyes and I’m walking into the house. The lights are on and the driveway is full of cars, letting me know there’s a group of people inside.

The temptation to go back to my new property is strong but I want to show Noé first. It’s fucking ridiculous that Natasha built that property for me, but she did.

She was absent and it’s a short form of penance, but I’ll still take it because it’s stunning. Besides, she’s leaving to who knows where there’s no point in just letting the place sit or selling it just to buy something with my money.

Opening the door, I’m met with smoke, the smell of food, the sound of TV, and fucking tension. It doesn’t take a genius to realize having Harley, Noé, and Emily in the same space isn’t a good idea. Milo and Emily are sitting at the end of one couch, she has her arms crossed, glaring at the TV.

Harley is unbothered, with her arm thrown around the couch with Noé looking caught in the middle. Ryland and Rusty are passed out on the floor, while Reggie sits on the loveseat.

Prince and Milo are the first to make eye-contact with me. His usual carefree attitude is replaced by the seriousness I’ve only seen once and that was during the shootout at the banquet. He wants to talk and now that I’ve sobered up a bit and have a more levelhead, I realize I was upset over something I had no right to be mad about. Prince jumps off of Milo’s lap, trotting over to me and I quickly bend down giving him love and attention until he’s satisfied.

Next is Noé as she looks up at me with a grateful smile, shooting up from the couch as Emily rolls her eyes. She’s in our damn place with an attitude. If she has that much of an issue her ass can leave. Noé’s arms wrap around my back as I’m tackled to the floor. Noé lays on top of me, hugging me close as she straddles my lap, scattering drunk kisses all over my face.

“She was worried but wouldn’t tell anyone why.” Harley says, standing and stretching from the couch.

“When you said you were with her I got so worried.” Noé whispers quietly in my ear. Her drunken state is making her more open and vulnerable than usual, she’s so adorable. I hug her back and rub her hair.

“It’s alright, she’s my mom, she won’t hurt me.” Noé stands and helps me up before looking me over, just in case.

“I’m fine, in fact, there’s something I need to show you. Tomorrow.” I want Noé to have the first tour of the place and hopefully she’ll decide to move with me despite it being from Natasha.

“Well, that’s our cue boss, we still have work to do, and your father expects you in Paris tomorrow.”

“It can wait. I have unfinished business here.” Milo’s voice is stern and his eyes are like fire as he stares at me. He clearly has no intention of leaving until we talk.

“Unfortunately, sir, it cannot wait, you’ve put it off long enough. Your father wanted me to ensure that you understood.” Harley’s voice is just as strict as Milo stands from the couch. Her words seemingly ignites the flames in his eyes as he adjusts his button down shirt, still open and teasing. He sets his hard glare on her, the small hint of softness dissipating instantly.

“It can wait.” Even though he says the same thing, his tone puts everyone on edge, the tension rises and has Reggie peeling his eyes from his phone.

“Milo, I’ll walk you out.” I grab his arm and tug him to the door and he follows without argument. Noé and Harley say their goodbyes before Harley is nodding her head as she passes me, starting the car. Crossing my arms, I give him an expectant look for him to say his peace. Prince follows me outside, going into the yard to do his business and scope out the house like he does every night.

“I’m sorry” scoffing, I tilt my head as I look him over.

“I had no right to be upset, my contract to you is over, meaning we have no more ties to each other.” Milo frowns, stepping forward and looking me over. I notice his hand twitch like he wants to touch me but he doesn’t dare.

“Is that really how you feel?”

“I feel that you are free to date and explore with whoever you want and it was wrong of me to get frustrated with you not speaking with me. You have no obligation towards me.” Milo runs a hand through his hair in frustration as he mumbles to himself before stepping forward.

“It wasn’t like that. My father called for a meeting at a restaurant and 5 minutes later his best friend’s daughter was sitting in front of me. I couldn’t just be a dick and leave, her father supplies our weed, and Scarlett is his princess.

“Milo I told you, you don’t have to explain-”

“But I want to explain. I need you to know that I wasn’t staying away by choice. My feelings haven’t changed, Winter. My father and other members are worried that if we’re together, I’ll become biased and fail to do my duty.” I raise my brow, insulted as I give him a bitter laugh, directed straight at his asshole father.

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“How the hell would I make you biased?” Milo looks around before leaning down to my ear.

“I’ve found Reuben.” My brows raise on their own accord as Milo straightens. That was fast. If anyone was going to find him, I’d expect it to be Milo.

“And your mafia is worried that I’m going to cry and beg you to spare his execution.”

“Essentially, yes.”

“I have no loyalties to Reuben. I never signed Omerta to him or the mafia which is now disbanded. I’m sure you heard.” Milo nods as he takes out a joint, handing me one as well.

“Yes, I heard.” Prince comes back around, jumping on Milo, briefly getting his head rubbed before coming over sitting next to me.

“The only loyalties I have are the ones I choose. And so far Noé is the only person that has gained my loyalty.”

“How do I gain your trust, your loyalty?”

“Milo…” I shake my head, glancing down at Prince as Milo steps forward, effortlessly lacing our fingers together. He moves so swiftly and smoothly I can’t resist the action. I don’t want to stay mad at him especially when I had no right to be upset to begin with.

“I’ll do anything you ask, Winter. Please, let me fix this.” What is this to even fix? I guess it’s the same thing that had me upset to begin with. This desire to keep a firm grasp on this companionship, this understanding. It’s a want to mean something to each other that others aren’t, a position that nobody else could be in. Like Noé, me and Milo’s friendship is different but it’s all our own.

That’s what was growing between us before his absence. I don’t want whatever we had to change. There was no pressure or expectations.

“I want you to go home, take care of your business, go on your dates, and talk to me after. Just like we used to. I don’t want what we have to be defined by anyone, not your family, or your mafia, even you. I don’t want it to change.” Milo’s smirk slowly makes its way back to his face as we both blow out our smoke, staring at each other. He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles like a proper prince.

“So you’re no longer upset with me. Am I back in the friend zone?” I snicker, shaking my head, releasing his hand to comb my fingers through his hair.

“I wouldn’t say you’re in the friend zone. I’m not attracted to Ryland or Rusty like I am to you so that takes you out of the friend zone.” Milo’s smirk widens as he smokes and licks his lips. His eyes burn into my soul flickering down to my lips before he nods to himself and steps back. He wants to kiss me but I know he won’t dare make a move without my permission.

“I should go then.” I nod, walking him over to the car.

“Have a safe trip.”

“My mother has invited you and Noé to dinner. She says if you’re feeling better she won’t take no for an answer.” I smile, nodding in agreement, remembering his mom Lucia.

“When?”

“Is next weekend okay?”

“I’ll let Noé know.”

“Perfect.” Milo begs down, kissing my cheek before standing with a rock star wink. “I’ll see you in Paris.” I step back from the car as Milo gets in next to Harley who throws me a nod as usual.

“Come on Prince.” I whistle for Prince who comes to trot alongside me as Harley quickly pulls out of the driveway. As I lock the door the first thing I hear is commotion. Sighing I look down at Prince who yawns and disappears to my room where he sleeps, unbothered by the noise. Emily and Noé are arguing, Reggie is in the kitchen on the phone talking to some girl, and Rusty is barely awake, munching on chips and watching them fight.

“You have no right to be upset, Emily.” Noé is fucked up, if she’s having this argument right now she’s going to say some ruthless shit. I don’t stop her because Emily needs to hear it. So I sit on the couch smoking the blunt from Milo. His drugs always hit me harder than anything I’ve smoked before. I should’ve got the name of his supplier while he was feeling generous.

“Who do you got?” Rusty mumbles and slurs on the floor next to me, having the same idea as me.

“Emily for sure, Noé’s not going to hold back when she’s drunk.” I mumble as my phone goes off with a message from Milo.

“You can’t tell me how I’m supposed to feel, Noé!” Emily crosses her arms in defiance as Noé slowly rolls her eyes.

“You’re right but I can tell you not to bring that shit around me. I don’t want to hear or deal with your attitude, Emily.” Just as I suspect Noé’s words have Emily’s lips quivering and tears springing to her eyes.

“Damn” Rusty mumbles and I lie down.

“I told you.” I smirk at Milo’s message, the final act of his apology, the contact information for his supplier. This guy really does know how to win a girl over.

“I’m not your convenient store.” Rusty glances at me like “what the fuck” as he hears Noé’s drunken words.

“You can just come and go into my life as you please. We’ve talked about this, I’m moving on.”

“But with her are you serious Noé? She’s a fucking Malone.”

“And so what? She’s been the second most caring person I’ve ever met right after that girl over there.” Noé points to me, sending Emily’s water glare my way but I keep my eyes on my phone like I’m not listening. Bitch don’t get mad at me, I didn’t do anything.

“Not once has Harley asked for anything other than me. But I don’t owe you an explanation Emily, I can be with whoever I damn well please. Because we’re not together, you told me that it would never happen, remember?”

“Things are different now, Noé.”

“No, they aren’t, they’re just more convenient for you. Too bad it’s too late for me.”

“That’s really how you feel?” Emily’s tears fall down her face and I see Noé crack a little before looking away. She stiffens her shoulders looking at Emily with a nod.

“Yeah, that’s how I feel.” They have a stare off for a minute before Emily grabs her stuff and storms out without another word. Noé lets out a deep sigh, chugging the rest of the red wine out of the bottle before coming over and lying on top of me. I rub her hair, passing my blunt with her as she groans, kissing my collar bone.

“I need a vacation” her words are muffled by my chest but I hear her anyway.

“Well, how about Paris next weekend? Lucia invited us so we technically can’t say no.”

“Fuck yes.”

“Awe, that’s not fair. I want to go to Paris. Why do you two always get to do the fun shit?” Rusty whines below us and I snicker.

“Talk to Milo.”

“Shit I will.” No he won’t.

“Finally we can get the fuck out of here. Do you think this is her plot to try and set you two up?”

“Possibly, but I wouldn’t mind that entirely.” I look at the contact information again and smirk.

“It could be beneficial for both of us.”

“You suck at retirement.”

“What do you get out of becoming a Malone anyway?” Reggie asks, coming to take a seat next to me.

“A new perspective. And new opportunities.”