They walked to the parking lot. It was not common for Salvatore to treat his business partners like that.

Even though everyone thought that man was crazy, Salvatore realized he was new, and he needed a lot of support, especially from Niccolo’s business partners.

Roderick saw that Salvatore was really rude to Hartley. Usually, that man would show humble hospitality, and most of them would spend long hours talking. Not five minutes like now.

But Roderick said nothing.

He opened the door for Salvatore. Even though he looked calm, internally he was calculating the fallout.

He had seen how Niccolo handled his business partners. Even if he hadn’t seen it up close, he knew the relationship between Niccolo and Hartley.

He was afraid Salvatore might break something important that would lead to destruction.

Felix climbed into the back seat next to Salvatore, his movements jerky and irritated. He waited until the doors were closed and the car began to move before he spoke.

"Seriously, Sal? You’re going to threaten them like that?" Felix’s voice was high with disbelief. "They pay us a massive amount of money."

Salvatore stared out the window at the passing city houses. "I don’t like people thinking they can do whatever they want just because they pay. I try not to depend on them. The more they think they are important, the more they demand things from you."

Roderick glanced at the rearview mirror, catching the look on Felix’s face. He could see the jealousy radiating off the man. It was common knowledge in their inner circle that Felix was deeply attached to Salvatore, perhaps more than was professional.

He was sure Felix was irritated not only because Salvatore threatened Hartley, but because of how the man defended Milo so strongly.

"Now they think you are rude," Felix continued, his face still stiff. "It’s better not to make a new enemy."

"I don’t have enemies or friends," Salvatore replied coldly. "You take what you can take, and leave when you have enough. If Hartley doesn’t benefit me in any way, I won’t keep them. They don’t have any power to touch me. And why do you care so much about them?"

Felix pouted. He was still upset about last night, how the man had refused him so harshly. The rejection was still a raw wound, and seeing Salvatore act as a shield for Milo made the sting even worse.

To Felix, Milo was nothing, a broken, useless man who couldn’t even stand properly. Yet Salvatore was treating him like he was made of diamonds.

"Anyway, why won’t you just give Milo back?" Felix asked, his voice dropping into a petulant whine. "He is useless to you. He can’t do anything. Why do you care about him?"

Salvatore let out a long, weary sigh. He leaned his head back against the leather headrest. "It has nothing to do with you. You just need to make sure they agree with us. If not, you know what you should do."

Felix made a sour face. "Destroy them, you mean?"

"Do whatever is necessary," Salvatore said. "I hope they are smart enough not to challenge me."

Felix looked at his phone, his screen lit up with notifications. He was busy with a lot of responsibilities, but his thoughts were stuck on Salvatore and Milo right now.

"What if they really push for Milo? What if they insist on it?" Felix asked.

Salvatore turned his head slowly to look at Felix. His gaze was flat and irritated. "You already know my answer. Seriously, Fel, is your brain working today? Do I really need to dictate everything? He stays. Okay?"

Felix’s jaw tightened, annoyed. "I really don’t like Milo being there! Give him to me. I will make him work in my house. I need a maid!"

Salvatore’s expression shifted. The air in the car suddenly felt much colder. He looked at Felix seriously. "You know what, I don’t like putting personal feelings into my work. If you can’t separate it, just fucking leave. I will ask Roderick to handle it."

Felix looked out the window, his chest tight with resentment. "Why? Why can’t I have him? Why do you protect him so much?"

"For the same reason I wouldn’t give Roderick to you if you asked," Salvatore said.

"What? Roderick is a professional. You need him! He’s capable of a lot of things!" Felix argued. "What does Milo do? He’s just a burden."

Salvatore looked at Felix with a small, mocking smile. "Tell me, Felix. What were you doing when you were twenty? You didn’t even know how to smoke."

Felix pouted, dissatisfied. He took a deep breath, unable to find an answer. He hated the way Salvatore defended Milo. It made him feel like he was being replaced by something inferior.

Roderick let out a low chuckle from the driver’s seat. "You guys should just kiss each other and get it over with. You’re arguing like a married couple."

"Fuck you, Rod," Salvatore said. He put down the window to smoke.

Felix remained silent, his brow furrowed as he stared at the back of the front seat.

Roderick smirked and looked at Salvatore through the mirror. "Are we heading to meet Robert now?"

"Yes," Salvatore replied. "I need to see him tonight. He will go abroad tomorrow. We’ll annoy him before he leaves. He will love it for sure."

He chuckled.

***Portello’s mansion. Night.***

Back at the mansion, the atmosphere was far less tense, but for Milo, it was full of dread. He was standing in the corridor near the living room, dressed in his workout clothes.

200 push-ups.

The number was a heavy weight in his mind. He had never imagined he could even do that many. His chest was still sore from the morning session, and his arms felt like they were made of lead.

Teo was standing across from him, watching Milo with a look of genuine guilt. "Are you really going to try to do all two hundred?"

Milo looked at Teo, his eyes narrowing slightly. He still felt a lingering sense of betrayal. "Yes. I have to. You didn’t tell me he was testing me today. You let me give you the key."

"I’m really sorry about that, Milo," Teo said, his voice soft. "But it’s a lesson everyone here has to learn. You can’t trust anyone, even the people who seem nice. If I hadn’t done it, Fredo would have, or someone else. It’s better you learned it from me."

Milo let out a long sigh, rubbing his sore shoulders. "I don’t think I trust you right now."

Teo looked guilty. "I’m really sorry."

"I have to do the push-ups. I just hope I don’t die tonight."

He looked at his reflection in the dark window. His skin looked pale, but there was no grayness to it, no sign of the "death mark" he saw on others.

He wondered if he was even capable of seeing his own fate.

Teo reached out and patted Milo’s back. "You won’t die. You’re tougher than you think."

They moved into the hallway, standing near the large window that overlooked the driveway. They waited in silence until several beams of headlights cut through the darkness. The black cars rolled up to the entrance.

"Salvatore is home," Teo whispered.

Milo gulped. He felt a wave of nerves. He stood up straight, trying to pull his shoulders back despite the pain.

The front doors opened, and Salvatore walked inside. His presence was immediate: a heavy, commanding authority that seemed to fill the foyer. Despite the long day, he didn’t look tired. He looked energized.

Salvatore’s eyes found Milo immediately. He didn’t slow down his pace as he walked toward the young man. "Why are you here?"

Milo and Teo fell into step behind him, following him and Roderick toward the staircase.

"I am ready to do the punishment now, Sir," Milo said, his voice a bit shaky but determined.

Salvatore stopped at the base of the stairs. He turned and looked at Milo. He saw the exhaustion in the young man’s eyes.

"I’m tired," Salvatore said flatly. "Go to sleep."

Milo blinked, his mouth falling open slightly. "Sorry?"

Salvatore didn’t repeat himself. He turned and walked up the stairs, his footsteps heavy and steady. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Milo and Teo stood at the bottom, watching him go. Roderick paused for a second, a small, knowing smile on his face.

"Good night!" he said, before walking to the kitchen.

"Good night," Milo and Teo said in unison, bowing their heads.

Milo turned to Teo, his expression completely confused. "What just happened? What did he say?"

"I think he said you can do it tomorrow," Teo said, his face brightening. "I think he’s giving you a break."

Milo remained silent for a moment, the tension finally leaving his body. "So... I don’t have to do them tonight?"

"I think so," Teo said, sounding happy for him. "You can actually get some sleep."

Upstairs, Salvatore entered his room. He wasn’t actually that tired. He never slept before midnight.

As he sat on the sofa, he thought about the way Milo had looked on the training field that morning: pale, vomiting, yet trying to stand back up.

He knew that if he forced another 200 push-ups right now, Milo’s muscles would likely tear, or he would collapse again. He didn’t want to break that young man too early.

He didn’t intend to cancel the punishment. The debt of 200 push-ups still existed. He just delayed it.