43

MILO “You’re not the type to just pleasure women without something in return,” I point out, knowing his usual detachment all too well; in fact, since Lydia, I’ve rarely seen him with women. Sure, they sprawl all over him at the casino, yet he never takes them home. The few times he has given in, he’s been drunk or fooled around with whatever girl I was with, but he’s never had one in his bed. Leone sighs heavily, a frown creasing his brow. “You’re making a big deal about this.” “Because it is.” I sweep her hair back from her face, my thumb moving lower and grazing her bottom lip, and I barely catch Leone’s muttered response, though I can’t quite make out the words. “She is beautiful,” I whisper as I take in her sleeping form. “Maybe that’s why I let her live,” Leone murmurs, his voice barely audible as he stares at her. I can tell he didn’t mean to speak those words out loud, as if he were suddenly questioning his reasoning. “Because she’s beautiful?” I ask. He shakes his head, a shado