Chapter 26: Chapter 26

◇ KEL ◇

A long, tense silence filled the room as I stood before Mr. Falco. My legs felt a bit numb, weak, but that didn't really bother me. What held my attention was his apparent allegations regarding me being here at the same time his nephew's wife and new business associate almost got murdered.

Subtlety wasn't one of this family's strong suits, I reckon.  Why did he even think I was affiliated to Niccolo?  So what if they found my name on one of Niccolo's "lists"?  Maybe Niccolo just decided to dig up some info on me, because he was plainly jealous that I'd been living with Miles after they broke up?

"Niccolo managed to get his hands on some privileged information," Mr. Falco said with an unwavering gaze.  "Bank records, ledgers, criminal records, the Tomassinis' books, among other things."

What other things? What was he talking about now? I tried not to show any reaction, though, and just kept my mouth shut as we stood alone in the room.

"You know what those people are willing to do?" Mr. Falco frowned. "Just to keep their businesses and other lucrative activities above the law? I suppose you have an idea."

Why was he telling me all this?  Wait.  Was that...a threat?   I stared back at the big boss. At the moment,   he actually was everyone's boss out here.  And he said "those people"...

Meaning, the Falcos were now certain of enough motives to pin this morning's ambush on someone? Or a group of people, to be more appropriate.

"Did he tell you anything about it?"

"No, Signore."  I timidly crossed my arms below my chest.

"I'm not a violent person, Mykaela." Mr. Falco pulled a face. "At times, however, like them, I'm forced to use other measures to make sure my family's safe and my business is unharmed."

Like them?  Was he referring to Enzo's family?

"It would be better for you to tell me now why your name happened to be on Niccolo's list." Mr. Falco took a few steps closer to me.

"I only met him one time, Signore." I stood my ground and held back a scowl. Was he seriously accusing me of lying to him?  Why the heck would I?  "Last time I heard of him was when Miles told me, he was reported missing."

"I don't suppose you have any idea where he is at the moment?"

"W-What do you mean?"  How the heck should I know where Miles' ex-boyfriend was?

"Just curious myself." Mr. Falco shrugged faintly.

"So, it's true? He was kidnapped?"  Was Niccolo still alive?

"I'll tell you if we receive any news."  Mr. Falco smiled a bit and escorted me out of the room. "Time for you to get your things. The jet will be here soon."

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I pretty much sprinted out of the basement after Miles' father let me leave, although I could tell Mr. Falco wasn't fully convinced I had no idea where Niccolo was at the moment.

Frantically dialing Miles' number, I glanced around the grand living room adorned with dark red drapes, thick rugs, and elegant sculptures of angels and Jesus and the Holy Family. Some parts of the mansion looked like they belonged in an old but well-kept church.

Alone, I walked out of the living room, antsy for a lot of reasons.

When I heard faint footsteps from behind me, I stopped pacing by the stairs and saw Miles. "Hey."

His head hung low as he walked past me and the wide staircase. His personal bodyguard, Alessio, wasn't tailing him all weekend for a change.

Right. Familiar territory. Also because Ricchar and Miles' parents had dozens of security staff all over the estate.

"Where you going?" I traced Miles' rushed steps when he ignored my question. He didn't even glance at me. "Miles," I called out before he could walk further away.  Did something happen?

"Not now." Miles resumed his hasty pace towards the other side of the hall.

Ouch. Okay. He was incredibly busy with something and couldn't be bothered. Not even for a minute.  His voice sounded weird, too. Like he was coming down with something.

Curious, I followed him. Suspicious thoughts on my mind just kept doubling by the hour. His behavior since last night was part of the reason.

With furtive steps, I followed him past the hall to the huge and pristine dining area. Miles just kept walking briskly with his head down and his steps slightly echoing within the lofty marble walls, as if he had somewhere important to be.

Where was he going?  Did he want to talk to his mother?  Or Ricchar?

Did he want to be alone for a moment?  I tried to keep up with his pace without making any loud noises. It helped that I was still wearing sneakers and that the mansion had expensive-looking long rugs on every floor.

Seeming unaware of my stealthy attempt to check on him, Miles went inside a partly hidden area of the mansion. It looked like a prayer room. The tall wooden partitions almost hid the altar from my view.

In front of the candle-lit altar hung two beautiful lifesize paintings of Jesus and Mother Mary.  I could only stare at the intricate artworks.  It must be worth a lot.

Quiet seconds stretched into a moment of contemplation while I watched Miles just sitting in front of the altar. But he wasn't facing the paintings...he just sat on the floor, legs sprawled on the brown rug, his arms just lifelessly resting on his lap.

The huge palm plants by the entrance hid me well, so I kept watching the pitiful way he just stared at the floor.

His nose, cheeks, and eyes seemed pinkish. He was sniveling but was trying to cry as quietly as he could.

My heart ached.  I knew it—something was bothering him a lot. It was the first time I'd seen him cry⁠. And it hurt like someone just stuck a small knife into my throat and chest.

"Come 'ere."

I froze. He just caught me hiding behind the plants. Drats. "Sorry," I muttered as I tentatively made noiseless steps towards him. I sat next to him on the floor.

"You good?" Miles mumbled after a quiet minute or so. Tears dampened his smooth cheeks. He faked a half-smile after swiftly wiping his face with his shirt collar.

I stared at his slightly swollen eyelids and nose. Why wouldn't he look at me? Was he ashamed I caught him crying?  "Yeah. Just hangin' in there. What's up?" I asked while trying not to frown. Better sound casual than overly anxious.

Obviously he didn't want to make a big deal out of it. "Not much." He cleared his throat loudly when his voice faltered.  "Just...fuckin' hate all of this."

Crap. Something about us being here with his family definitely upset him. Why exactly was he crying? Did he talk to his parents again? I'd noticed his mood often shifted whenever his mother or father was around.  "Cloe's doing okay. She'll be fine."

"Yeah. I know." Miles turned his face away from me after I leaned in to stroke his hair and the back of his head. "I'm sorry."

Okay. What? Now he was apologizing to me? What's happening?  "Why?" I knelt in front of him. My thighs settled in between his outstretched legs on the floor as I held his face, waiting for him to say something. My curiosity just heightened my concern. When he kept silent, I pulled him into a hug. Thankfully he didn't resist. "What's wrong?"

"Just...sorry." Miles kept sniveling. He gently pushed me away to get out of my embrace.

"Why?" I pulled back and understood. He didn't want to seem vulnerable. Maybe I should give him some space, even though all I wanted to do right this moment was comfort him, stay by his side all night, and kiss his sorrows away.

"Shouldn't have come with me." He shook his head faintly and clenched his fist, only to hit his own forehead. "Fuck."

"Stop it." I sighed and held onto his hand to stop him from hurting himself. Clearly he blamed himself entirely for us being stuck here. "You asked. Of course I wouldn't say no."  I stared up at the lit candles and the red and white roses on the altar.

How was Dad doing now? Was he scared of the surgery? Probably. I should say a prayer for him again.

"You wanna pray with me?"

"Sure." Miles smiled weakly but still wouldn't look at me. "Pray for my damned soul."

What? Did he really just say that?

Despite being raised in a religious family, he wasn't a churchgoer as far as I remembered, but I didn't think he had this much ill feelings towards his faith. Or maybe the fact that some criminals tried to murder his cousin-in-law just disturbed his peace of mind that much?

"Stay here."

"Where you going?" I frowned when he hastily stood back up and just left me by the altar.

"Need to talk to Alessio and the guards."

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