4. Tommy
4
Tommy
For years, she haunted me. Hell, the truth is, I didn’t move into her room because I felt like it would help. I did it to torture myself, like I didn’t already have enough reminders of everything she’s done by leaving the estate.
Now that she’s here, within my reach, the constant wear and tear on my mental health has paused long enough now that I have a new goal in mind.
I want this woman to suffer as much as I have. I don’t care if she’s only here for a day, or a week, or however long it takes for her brother to save the day. Every moment she’s breathing, I want to see her squirm.
Even now, watching her ignore the curious glances that come her way as we walk the hallways, I can see she’s uncomfortable. This family has grown in size since the last time she was here. Hell, I can bet more than half of the people here don’t have a clue who she is.
Even more, I’m sure they’re wondering why I’m hovering. They see me more down below the estate than they do in the light. The only time I ever leave is when I need a lungful of air that isn’t full of chemicals and the scent of blood. The best spot to find that is the gardens. Normally, people leave me the fuck alone.
If it hadn’t been Valeria coming across my path, I would’ve scared anyone else away. Typically, when they scurry, I don’t give chase.
“The chandelier is new,” she murmurs as we reach the front entrance of the home. During my dragging of her earlier, she must not have had time to look around.
“Your brother throws parties on the weekends,” I explain, “he likes to show off his wealth.”
She rolls her eyes, going as far as shaking her head. “I guess one thing hasn’t changed about him. I hope he’s not as attention-seeking as he was during our younger years.”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t a part of the family while Santino and his brothers were in their youthful years. During that time, I was too busy fighting for my survival.
My frown grows at the passing memory. The gratitude I had felt back then for Leon Bertelli for taking me in had made me willing to do anything for him. If I hadn’t died on the street, I planned on giving my life to this family. For whatever reason, the Don chose to stick me with his daughter instead of the front line. Instead of a pawn, I became a knight.
To this day, I still don’t understand. But hey, like father, like son, maybe I can see why he’s trusted me enough to keep me glued to her side a second time.
“It looks far roomier in here. Renovations, I take it?” She looks at me like I have all the answers to her curiosities. I suppose in this case, I do. However, these last few years, I don’t have much of a clue what happens on the two floors.
Grunting, she takes my response with a nod. Her steps continue, and I match her slow pace.
She thinks I don’t notice the way her eyes drift toward the exits—doorways, windows, any crack in this gilded prison she could slip through.
Catching myself staring at her even when I don’t need to, my jaw aches as I grit my teeth harder. I look away, but it’s too late. My body’s already noticed what my brain’s screaming to ignore.
She’s not the scrawny brat who used to flip me off behind her father’s back. Time filled her out in ways that make my teeth ache. Hips that sway even when she’s pissed, a waist I could span with my hands, and that mouth —always twisted in defiance, like she’s got a thousand insults weighing against her tongue.
And those eyes, the same ones the rest of her siblings share, they make her glances feel as sharp as the blades on my knives. Unknowingly, she pains me every time she throws curiosity in my direction. I’d rather she stare daggers every time.
I won’t have her spotting a weakness, even if it’s a small one. I’ll crush it down to nothing before it becomes a problem.
Unaware of the turmoil happening in my head, Valeria continues looking around before something catches her attention.
Hearing her suck in a breath and launch forward, I’m immediately ready to move. However, when I see who she’s darting toward, I relax.
Urzo and his wife have come back on their bike ride. Eliza’s got a helmet tucked under her arm, and neither looks surprised to see her. Maybe Santino already told them? Anyone could’ve seen from the scene we made outside. I wouldn’t be surprised if everyone on the estate knew of her arrival.
A completely different reaction to him over the eldest sibling, Valeria doesn’t give him enough time to debate if he holds her disappearance against her or not. She’s throwing herself at his chest and he’s catching her.
While Santino was busy stepping into Leon’s shoes, Urzo and Lazaro were the two brothers she spent more time with. While Lazaro was a grease monkey from the core of his being, Urzo had to spend the most time with her when she wasn’t trying to hang out in the garage and get a little dirty herself.
I can recall all the times both brothers had given me dirty looks every time I let her get mixed with trouble. Well, I’m confident to say Urzo won’t have to worry about anything happening now.
Searching for my patience, I shove my hands in my pockets and approach.
He hugs her back, noticing all the changes in her appearance, and she does likewise.
Her brows come together as she reaches up and lightly touches his scar carved into his lips and cheek. “What happened?”
Urzo’s mouth curves, giving her a small smile. “A bastard tried to slit my throat. Thanks to his terrible aim, he made me prettier.”
Eliza elbows him hard enough to make him grunt. His wife scoffs and shakes her head. “I think it makes him look badass.”
Even to this day, it still bewilders me every time I see his stone-cold eyes melt because of the woman. One little compliment, and he’s putty in her hands.
She shifts the helmet to her hip and offers her hand. “Eliza. Don’t worry, I’m keeping him out of trouble.”
Valeria shakes her hand, hardly failing to keep the surprise off of her face. She’s terrible at keeping her thoughts off her face.
“They weren’t yanking my chain about you all being married.” She shakes her head and catches me off guard when a smile forms on her lips. “I never thought you’d find women who’d be able to put up with you guys.”
As Urzo slides an arm around Eliza and is happy to tell her all about their meeting, I stare at Valeria. Her mouth in particular.
She doesn’t deserve to smile. I can’t tell if I want to give her a reason to make it disappear, or figure out what it’ll take to make it stick. Just because it’s not fair doesn’t mean it looks bad.
I hate that it looks good. She’s always had the kind of smile that would help lighten the room.
Before, I didn’t feel anything but one emotion. Now, I’ve got strange and unfamiliar sensations rolling around in my chest, old sensations rolling in one at a time.
Seeing as she’s completely forgotten about my presence as she talks like the last seven years never happened, I have plenty of time to dissect what is happening and crush it down before it affects my line of thinking.
Valeria’s already slipped past me once by getting under my skin. I’m not going to let it happen again.
“I haven’t seen Lazaro yet,” Valeria murmurs, “passed by his room hoping to see him.”
If she’d asked me, I might’ve told her why the youngest brother wasn’t around. All I’m good for is updating her on the building, I suppose.
“He’s not here,” Urzo reveals instead, shaking his head. “Hasn’t been in years. Got married, and has a kid on the way.”
“He… got out?” She shakes her head. “Like, out out?”
He snorts and shakes his head. “You know Santino. No one is ever out . But he isn’t throwing himself in the line of fire anymore, if that’s what you’re asking. No, he fixes our vehicles when they need maintenance.”
Something passes over her face, something I can’t place. Like my eyes are playing tricks on me, her smile is back on her lips. “You guys have kids too?”
Eliza snorts as she shakes her head. “I think one devil child is plenty. Alle’s a sweet girl, but she has energy to burn for days.”
Valeria’s smile grows soft. Without saying it, I’m going to guess she’s pictured having kids herself. I guess in the time she’s been away, she’s never settled down and had a few.
Deep down, the concept is hard to believe. Seeing how she looks now… I don’t think it makes much sense.
Catching myself before I wonder why, I squash that down immediately. Telling myself that it’s her personality that’s scared away every man in her life, I catch Urzo glancing my way.
“I’m assuming Santino wanted you to keep an eye on her. Out of all the people he could’ve picked.” Despite not smiling often, he picks the perfect time to look amused by the situation. “I can’t tell if this is meant to be a punishment or not, and for whom.”
Squinting, I cross my arms across my chest. Before I can speak, Valeria swats her hand, and her fingers brush my chest.
“This is our brother getting back at me, that’s all. Maybe you can convince him to babysit me instead.”
There’s hope in her voice. She believes she deserves to sway the outcome of where she ends up? Just the thought of her leaving my watch makes my teeth grind.
Urzo catches my eye before he wraps an arm around his wife. “Sorry, Val. This one is already a handful for me. If you find our mother, then maybe–”
“No.” Valeria steps back and bumps into me. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
She’s stiff. Is she afraid of the backlash that’ll come from Bia?
Not a lot surprises me, but this has piqued my interest. Reaching her shoulder, I give it a squeeze to keep her from stepping on my foot from this curious attempt to put some distance between the other two.
“Well, we’re off to unwind.” Eliza reaches for his hand and gives him a tug. If I have to guess, she doesn’t know about Valeria and the shift that happened because of her disappearance. It’s better to stay out of the drama of it all.
The only person Valeria needs to deal with is me.
“Come on.” Using my hold on her, I direct her to move.
It’s what she needs to get over this hiccup. Once more, she’s glaring at me before stomping forward.
She remembers where the kitchen is. Not having a clue when the last time she’d eaten a meal with her situation, her steps move faster when the smells hit us.
I don’t care if she starves, but I’m curious.
“How long have you been on the run for?” Following her as she tips her head at the kitchen staff, she takes in what food options there are. This late into lunch, there isn’t much left. Most of the men here have had a second helping before getting shooed out.
Glancing my way, her brows come together. “Not long.”
Hardly a giving answer, but more than enough to build assumptions on.
“So, you ran into a problem, and the first thing you decided to do was come back home?” Watching her collect a fork, I wonder if she’d try to stab me with it if I got close enough. The glare she sends in my direction makes me believe that’s exactly what she wants to do.
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re an asshole?” She huffs and puffs as she grabs a plate. “I didn’t come straight here because I wanted to. It felt like my only option.”
Expecting her to spill her entire story, boring me with every little detail in hopes of getting some pity out of me, I’m surprised when she glares at the food with every scoop.
I won’t ask her for the details. If she prefers to keep them inside, then that’s one last thing to add to the frustration that’s been building up and fueling my headache.
Once she has a plate full, her brows narrow when she notices my stare. “For all I know, this can be my last meal. Leave me be.”
Jerking her chin, she stalks out of the kitchen.
Snatching a few buttered rolls, I stalk after her.