AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You both need to stop assuming that I don’t have just as much vengeance in my blood as either of you,” Leo snaps.
I cut a glance at my youngest brother sprawled in the leather armchair in the corner of the room. I don’t say anything as I look him over, not for the tenth time since we got back from Las Vegas and everything went to shit at the warehouse. I’m not sure what I’m expecting to find—it’s not like Leo will suddenly have a neon sign flashing help, I’m fucked-up.
But he’s gotta be, right?
I arch a brow and try to look at him through an objective, critical lens. He seems fine—happy, even—except for right now. But that’s not exactly noteworthy. None of us are exactly thrilled to be back inside these walls.
Leo narrows his eyes on me, picking up on my scrutiny. “Stop staring at me like that. I’m fine. And if I’m ever not fine, I’ll tell someone. I’m not a fucking robot like some people in this family.” He huffs. “Dante’s the one that you should be glaring at. He was in that warehouse for hours with Dad.”
Dante doesn’t so much as flinch at the casual mention of our father torturing him. He lifts a shoulder. “It really wasn’t that bad. I’ve been in this life for far longer than you, kid.”
“And who’s fault is that, huh?”
I nod, accepting Leo’s ire. There’s isn’t much fire in it though.
I can’t go back in time, and I don’t even know if I would, given the chance. I don’t promise that I won’t keep side-eyeing him, looking for some indication that he’s not okay. We can’t afford to be masking our shit and then going off half-cocked at the littlest provocation because we didn’t process it properly. It’s not just about us anymore—we have Cherry to think of.
And the baby.
My chest gets tight at even the whisper of a thought of something touching either one of them because of us. Our secrets and omissions—this life.
I suppose I should take my own advice and work through this mess with my brother. Leo and Cherry already forgave Rafe—Dante too. But I’m still struggling.
Intellectually, I understand why he didn’t tell me. But the rest of me can’t stop the harsh sting of betrayal.
Every day that I spend with her, she softens my edges a little. Not enough for me to lose the hardness this life demands, but enough for me to realize that I crave that balance with her.
I fucking need her and for a haunting second in time, I thought she was going to be ripped away from me.
Memories assault my senses, and I grind my molars at the ache her absence causes.
“She should be in here, with us. It doesn’t feel right to separate like this.” I shove my hands in my pockets just to give myself an outlet for the frenetic energy thrumming in my veins.
Rafe and Cherry are somewhere in this monstrosity of a house, but with fifteen thousand square feet of space to explore, they could be anywhere.
I’m twitchy as fuck. I’m not so oblivious that I don’t recognize the out of character behavior, but I’m going to do fuck-all about it. I know I won’t be able to settle my nerves until she’s within sight again.
Dante nods. “Women aren’t allowed in the family meetings, Matteo. We have to trust him at some point. Her too.”
I cut him a glare, so quick my neck spasms. “You know I trust her. And part of me still trusts him. And I’m going to change that stupid fucking rule as soon as I can.”
Dante’s patience seem endless, even today. He nods again, this time slower. “I do. And you know you can’t walk into the meeting today like this, so you need to get your shit together. We’ve been working toward this for years, so time to rely on that famous Rossi charm.”
Leo leans forward, the front two legs of the cherry oak and leather chair slamming to the floor with a resounding thud. “I’m surprised you’re so goddamn cordial, considering you’re the one who suffered most from Rafe’s bullshit plan.”
“Stop bringing up old shit, kid. We’ve already forgiven Rafe, and now we’re moving on, so don’t rile your brother up before we have to sit down with the remaining five families.”
“If you say so.” He shoots me a knowing look.
I’m equally annoyed as I am proud. Dante’s right about one thing, I haven’t been giving Leo enough credit. He’s capable of way more than he’s given. But a little reminder never hurt, right? “Don’t let her out of your sight. I mean it, Leo. If she pees, you’re in the bathroom with her, got it?”
Leo’s with Cherry while Dante’s with me in the meeting, like usual. Rafe is taking point in the security room. There are enough cameras on this house to cover almost every inch of it. I don’t trust another fucking ambush, so he’s our first line of defense.
“I got it, man. We’ll see you when you’re done.” He pushes out of the leather chair, crosses the room, and leaves with a chin lift to Dante.
I glance at my watch and follow the same path as my brother. “They should be waiting for us. Let’s get this over with.”
“That’s the spirit.” It’s as close as Dante gets to smiling before a meeting.
