Salvatore looked at Milo, who was so quiet now.

"I don’t care about his rings. I need him tonight, and I won’t wait," Salvatore said.

Nero fell silent. He felt the pressure of Salvatore’s gaze. It made him uneasy. He cleared his throat and tried to find a middle ground.

"Well, do you want to use him for an hour? I’ll send him to you in three days, as I told you, when he’s ready. But for now, I can prepare him for a quick release in our room."

Salvatore didn’t say anything. He just stared at Nero. The silence lasted a long time. It was intimidating.

Nero shifted uncomfortably. "Milo, serve him."

Milo felt a knot in his stomach. He swallowed hard. His body felt stiff and heavy. He was used to this, but this was Salvatore.

A few days ago, this man had seen him dressed and working like a person. Now, he was presenting himself like an animal: naked, pierced, and broken. He felt more like a dog than a human being.

But he knew he could not make Nero angry.

Milo began to crawl across the carpet. Every movement made the rings in his chest throb. He felt the heat of his fever rising. He reached Salvatore’s feet and looked up. His face was pale, but his cheeks were red with shame and sickness.

"L-let me serve you, Sir," Milo whispered.

He waited for Salvatore to move his legs or give an order, but the man sat perfectly still. He did not move a muscle. The tension in the room grew.

Milo just waited, his hands trembling on the floor. He looked down when Salvatore looked at him deeply.

Nero grew impatient. "Milo..."

Milo flinched at the sound of Nero’s voice. He looked at Salvatore’s belt. Salvatore was sitting with one leg crossed over the other, making it hard for Milo to get close. He tried to reach out anyway, his breath coming in short, hot gasps.

"Let me..." Milo started, reaching for Salvatore’s thigh.

Suddenly, Salvatore reached out and caught Milo’s hand before he could touch him. He held it firmly. He could feel the heat of the fever through Milo’s skin. It was like touching a hot stove.

Milo was shocked. He looked up and met Salvatore’s cold, dark gray eyes. He swallowed hard, waiting for a blow or a harsh word.

"I’m not a dog to do it here, in front of everyone," Salvatore said. He said it to Nero, but his gaze never left Milo.

"I want him in my room. In my mansion."

Milo gulped, feeling Salvatore’s strong grip on his hand.

Nero let out a breath. He looked like he was thinking. He knew he couldn’t easily say no to Salvatore, especially when the man had come in person with his guards.

"He’s still not ready," Nero said, trying to hold on to his toy.

"I’ll take care of it," Salvatore said. "You don’t need to worry about that."

Nero remained silent for a moment.

Salvatore let go of Milo’s hand and grabbed the boy’s chin instead. He forced Milo to look at him. He could feel the heat radiating from the boy’s face.

His eyes were sharp and very serious.

Milo held his breath, the man’s face so close to his. He could smell Salvatore’s perfume.

"Do you want to come with me?" Salvatore asked softly. It was almost a whisper.

Milo stared at him. He felt the warmth of Salvatore’s breath. For the first time, he felt like someone was offering him a way out, even if it was only for a night.

Salvatore touched Milo’s chapped lips gently. "This time, make the right choice. Because I won’t offer you a third chance."

Milo stared intently at Salvatore. He wanted to cry. And as his eyes filled with tears, he was truly crying now.

"P-please..." Milo whispered. His voice was barely audible.

Salvatore released his chin and looked at Nero. "How?"

Nero gave up. He saw that he couldn’t win this argument without a fight. "Well, fine. But please don’t ruin him. I’ll pick him up tomorrow morning."

Salvatore stood up immediately.

Milo stayed on the floor, looking down. He expected Salvatore to tell him to follow or to crawl to the car. But suddenly, he felt himself being lifted. He gasped as Salvatore’s strong arms went under his back and his knees.

Salvatore picked him up with ease. Instinctively, Milo wrapped his arms around Salvatore’s neck. He felt the cool fabric of Salvatore’s suit against his hot skin. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Salvatore..." Nero looked annoyed. "I’ll prepare him, please put him down."

But Salvatore didn’t listen.

"Let’s go, Rod." Salvatore walked out of the study without saying another word.

Roderick followed him immediately.

Salvatore carried Milo through the hallway, past the guards, and out into the night air. He didn’t look back.

Salvatore felt Milo’s heart beating fast against his chest. The young man was shaking; his fever had left him weak. Salvatore’s grip tightened around him. He walked straight to the car, his face set in a hard line.

He said nothing.

Roderick opened the car door.

Salvatore told Milo to sit in the back and gave him his jacket. He himself sat in the front with Roderick.

The car drove slowly out of the Hartley mansion. Milo didn’t move, nor did he turn his head. Everything that had just happened felt like a dream.

Salvatore had lifted him up, carrying him out of there. That man’s presence was really heavy and tense. He was afraid of him, but for the first time, he saw Nero looking so angry and annoyed.

And he just realized he loved seeing it.

"Call Andrew to come," Salvatore said as they were on the highway.

Roderick nodded. He looked at Milo through the rearview mirror. The young man was in terrible shape. He seemed to have seen it all, yet there was still something that shocked him.

"I didn’t know Hartley had such an extraordinary hobby," Roderick said.

"He’s just sick," Salvatore replied.

"Are you going to keep him tonight?"

Salvatore turned around. "Milo, say it clearly. Do you want to live with me in my mansion or not? Don’t be stupid."

Milo swallowed hard. He looked at Salvatore fearfully. "Y-yes. I want to stay with you."

"So you won’t go back to Nero. Understand?"

Milo looked confused. Was it not just for one night?