The quiet hum of the air conditioning in the suite was broken by the sharp buzzing of Enzo’s phone. He glanced at it lazily, expecting it to be something unimportant, but the moment he read the message, his smirk vanished. His dark eyes narrowed, and he sat up straighter in his chair, his expression serious.
“What now?” Thiago asked from across the room, where he was lounging on the couch, flipping through his phone.
Enzo didn’t respond immediately. He stood up, his brows furrowed as he scrolled further through the updates his men had sent him. After a beat, he looked up, his voice edged with irritation. “You’re not going to like this.”
Milan, who had been seated at the table reviewing some documents, finally lifted his gaze, his icy blue eyes sharp and focused. “What’s going on?”
Enzo turned his phone around, holding it up for them to see. “It’s Jade. She’s at the mall.”
Milan’s jaw tightened. “I told her not to leave the hotel.”
“Oh, it gets better,” Enzo added, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “She’s been spending the afternoon with some guy. Lucas. Local. My men have been watching them—eating together, laughing, sightseeing. Basically, having the time of their lives.”
There was a heavy silence before Thiago straightened abruptly, dropping his phone onto the table with a thud. “What?” His voice was sharp, incredulous. “Who the hell is Lucas?”
“Some smooth-talking local she met at the mall,” Enzo replied, crossing his arms and pacing the room. “Apparently, they hit it off. He’s been showing her around Rio—food, art, markets. You know, the whole charming-tour-guide routine.”
Thiago was already on his feet, his expression stormy. “And your men just watched this happen?”
“They’re keeping tabs on her,” Enzo snapped back. “What did you want them to do? Drag her away? Cause a scene in public?”
“Yes!” Thiago shot back, his voice raising. “If some guy is out there putting moves on her, they should’ve stopped it.”
“She’s not a prisoner,” Enzo said with an exasperated laugh, though there was a dangerous edge to it. “Besides, she doesn’t know they’re there. Do you want her to think we’re following her like creepy stalkers?”
“I don’t care what she thinks,” Thiago growled, pacing now. “Some random guy is with her. He’s probably trying to—”
“Enough.” Milan’s voice cut through the room like a blade. His calm, commanding tone silenced both of them instantly. He stood from his chair, setting his papers down methodically. “What I want to know is why she’s out there with another man when she has strict instructions to stay in the hotel.”
“Because she doesn’t listen,” Thiago shot back. “Clearly.”
Enzo snorted, his smirk returning faintly as he leaned against the wall. “Or maybe she’s just sick of being cooped up. Can’t blame her for wanting to get out and enjoy herself.”
Thiago rounded on him. “Enjoy herself? She’s not supposed to be out there flirting with strangers, Enzo!”
“Oh, so now you care?” Enzo taunted, his voice dripping with mockery. “Funny how one little kiss has you acting all possessive.”
Thiago froze, his jaw clenching. “Don’t start.”
Enzo’s smirk widened as he pushed off the wall, stepping closer. “Admit it, Thiago. You don’t care that she’s out of the hotel—you care that it’s not you out there with her.”
“Stop,” Thiago said warningly, his fists clenching at his sides. “Don’t make this about—”
“What, about you being jealous?” Enzo continued, his tone sharp now. “Because that’s exactly what this is. You kissed her, and now you think you have some claim on her.”
“Enough!” Milan’s voice thundered through the room, the rare outburst freezing both men in place. He glared at them, his icy-blue eyes cold and unrelenting. “This isn’t about jealousy. This isn’t about whatever happened in Paris.” He turned to Enzo. “What else did your men say? Who is this Lucas?”
Enzo’s smirk dropped, and he focused. “They said he seems harmless. Friendly, polite. But I don’t trust it. He’s local, so he knows how to work his charm, especially on someone like Jade.”
Milan’s expression darkened as he processed the information. “We can’t afford distractions or vulnerabilities. We brought her here for a reason, and this… this complicates things.”
Thiago’s fists were still clenched as he spoke, his voice low and tight. “She doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s trusting some stranger—he could be anyone.”
Enzo raised an eyebrow, his voice dripping with sarcasm again. “Oh, so now you’re the expert on who she trusts?”
Thiago took a step toward him, his glare dangerous. “Say that again, Enzo, I dare you.”
“Stop it. Both of you,” Milan snapped, stepping between them. “We’re not here to fight with each other like children.” He turned his sharp gaze back to Enzo. “Your men are watching her closely?”
“Of course,” Enzo said with a nod, his expression serious now. “They’ll intervene if anything happens.”
“Good,” Milan replied curtly. “I want constant updates. If this Lucas steps out of line or so much as looks suspicious, I want to know.”
“And then what?” Thiago asked, his voice still tense.
Milan met his gaze, his tone calm but lethal. “Then we’ll deal with him.”
Thiago exhaled sharply, but he didn’t argue. He just turned away, walking to the window and staring out at the city below, his shoulders tight with frustration.
Enzo shook his head, muttering under his breath. “This is ridiculous. All this over one girl.”
Milan turned to him, his gaze hard. “Jade is under our protection. She’s part of this now, and whether you like it or not, she’s our responsibility. No one else’s.”
Enzo didn’t argue, though his smirk lingered faintly as he crossed his arms. “Fine. But you’re both going to lose your minds if you keep this up. She’s not ours to control.”
Milan ignored him, turning his attention back to the papers on the table. “For now, we focus on the deal. We’ll handle this situation when we return.”
Thiago’s voice was quiet, but the weight of his words carried through the room. “If anything happens to her because of this, I won’t forgive myself.”
Milan glanced at him briefly, his expression unreadable. “Nothing will happen to her. I’ll make sure of it.”