TROUBLE

FORTY FIVE

The Gala was coming to an end, the recipients and their families have left. It was now to the serious part of the evening.

I mean the whole night is important.

Just this part, is most important.

An opportunity is there for investors and business men get to talk to the family about business opportunities or deals they want our family to be involved with. This is the first year this is happening and I'm kind of nervous how it's going to work. When I mentioned it to the guys I had one rule.

Don't fucking murder anyone.

But knowing my fucking family, it is very unlikely they will listen to this particular rule.

Miles has even taken up to talking to many of the investors because why not, they are already here. Plus, he is family.

I was bored of just walking around, watching everyone interact, drinking the bottomless champagne that was being offered to me. I spot Morgan sat at one of the many tables along the left side of the ballroom. I join her, she smiles to me when I sit down.

We speak about the evening, and have some small talk.

I haven't spoken much to Morgan since I met her, or since she has been with my brother. For many reasons of course, but she seems like an amazing person, very intelligible. I know she is a good, trust- worthy person if Adriano gave her the time of day. But I protect my brothers, just as much as they protect me.

"Do you love my brother?" I question blankly, she looked slightly taken aback by my blunt question, but if they expect it, they can lie.

"Of course I do. I've been with him for almost a year. If I didn't love him I wouldn't be here." She replies, her voice was firm, but it was definitely shaky.

Either she was nervous to talk to me, or scared of what I could say.

"I mean, my family has money. You know that, you could just be with him for that reason. Maybe you are with him because it's safe." I shrug nonchalantly. This is why I love the interrogation side of my job and lifestyle. The look of shock on her face, or the apprehension present in her eyes. "Don't look so scared I am not going to kill you."

She slightly relaxes, but she is still on guard. "I love your brother, I love him with all my heart. Doesn't mean he loves me too."

"I want to know, how you have been together for so long and have never said you loved one another."

I am not someone to say anything. The first time Miles and I said we loved one another, we had known each other for over two years. So I am not the right person to question it at all.

"We have taken it slow, I wasn't completely ready for a relationship, I learnt quickly of who you are-- what you do. I was terrified to say the least, but not of Adriano, but what could happen to me. That sounds incredibly selfish, I had seen what this world did to Adriano when you left. It broke him. It took a while for him to come to terms with the fact you weren't dead. I wasn't going to pressure him."

I smile at her, at least she was honest. "Adri loves you, so much. If he was willing to introduce you to the most important ladies in his life, you are it for him. Not one of the boys take a relationship seriously until you have met my nonna and me."

"How many of your brothers have introduced a girl to you guys?"

"Just Adri. Why do you question if Adri loves you?"

She sighs, she stays silent for a few minutes. "He told me of his past relationship, how it messed him up. I don't want to think he loves me just from his words or actions, or just think if I love him, he loves me."