Episode Fourteen
B eing back in New York is… not what I expected. I thought I’d get those warm, fuzzy, coming home feelings, you know. Then again, I don’t do warm and fuzzy. If I ever do, just do me a solid and shoot me.
I’m here for one reason and one reason only: my brother. When I heard Enzo shacked up with some chick, I was curious as to who managed to capture his cold heart. Then I heard she was a Fed, and that curiosity quickly morphed into rage.
Being halfway across the world didn’t help. I’m not supposed to show my face in New York. Not yet anyway. But then again, when have I ever done anything I’m supposed to do? Life is too short to live every second by some lame-ass rules set out by old fucks who live in the past. But now isn’t the time to be thinking about the events that had me leaving this city. Leaving my family…
Nope, it’s the time to find out everything I can about my brother’s new girlfriend. Lunch is always a blast at my grandparents. With Enzo bringing Kayleigh, though, I’m sure it’s going to be even more entertaining.
I attack my brother as soon as he steps out of the car. “Enzo!” I yell out at the top of my lungs before lunging at him, throwing my whole body into his. My arms wrap around his neck.
“Thought you were a little busy. Why are you here? Are you sure you should be home right now?” Enzo asks when he lets go of me.
“What kind of sister would I be if I missed this?” I do my best to appear sweet and innocent. Although, judging by the look on his face, I’m really not pulling it off too well.
“Aurora, behave. Please,” Enzo pleads in a hushed tone.
“I always do.” My lips tilt up as I turn my attention to the stunning woman standing next to my brother. I’ve seen pictures of Kayleigh. I knew she was beautiful. But photos don’t do this chick justice. “Hi, I’m Aurora, the baby sister and the person who’s going to rip your heart right out of your chest and shove it up your ass if you ever hurt my brother.” I deliver my threat with a smile on my face and cheer in my tone.
The girl probably thinks I’m joking. I’m not. I’d have no problem tearing her heart out with a pair of eyelash curlers if I had to.
My brother growls a warning that I totally ignore.
“I’m Kayleigh. I’m the one who’d rip my own heart out before hurting his. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” she says before her arms wrap around me.
She catches me by surprise and, honestly, I have no idea what to do. And then I realize maybe she’s not that bad—you know, if you take out the whole being a cop thing.
“Fucking finally. It’s about time one of you brought someone interesting into the family,” I tell Enzo as soon as Kayleigh releases her grip on me. “I like her, Enzo. We’re keeping her.” With that, I turn around and walk into the house.
I really couldn’t care less if we keep her. But you know that saying about keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? That’s my plan with this girl.
Is she still our enemy? Right now, I have no fucking idea. What I won’t do is sit by and wait for her to attack my family. Everyone claims she’s quit her job, but can someone really make the change from cop to criminal that easily?
I walk through my grandparents’ house and head straight for the kitchen, because that’s where my nonna will likely be and she’s one of my favorite people. I’m assaulted by the smell of food. My mouth waters. I haven’t had decent Italian food in months.
“Nonna, it smells so good in here,” I tell her.
She spins around and gasps as she wipes her hands on her apron. “Aurora, oh my gosh! Get over here,” she says while holding out her arms. “No one told me you were coming home.”
“I’m just here for the weekend,” I tell her and immediately regret it when her face drops.
“Well, let me get a good look at you. Have you lost weight?” she asks, running her eyes up and down my body as she holds me at arm’s length.
“No.” I laugh. “I’m good. Promise. How are you?”
“I’m good, honey. Come on. Do your parents know you’re here?” she asks me.
“Ah… I figured it’d be better if I just surprised everyone,” I admit.
“Right, well, let’s get this done now, so we can eat.” Nonna leads me to the back patio, where (judging from the noise) the rest of the family is hanging out. “Look who came for lunch,” my grandmother announces, causing all eyes to turn my way.
My mom is the first to jump from her seat, tears in her eyes as she practically runs over to me. “Baby, oh god.” She sighs into my hair as she holds me tight against her chest.
“Mama, I missed you.” I return her embrace.
“Please tell me you’re back for good,” she whispers.
I stay silent, because I can’t tell her that. I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t give her what she wants either. “I’m sorry,” I whisper back.
“Come here.” My dad pulls me into his arms. “God, I fucking missed your crazy ass, princess,” he says.
“Well, obviously. I am the most interesting child you have.” I laugh.
After everyone takes turns hugging me—and I take extra-long introducing myself to my cousin Orlando’s baby because Sebastian is just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen—I sit between my parents at the table.
“Okay, everyone, sit your asses down. We’re eating.” Nonno’s voice booms over all the chatter. Everyone, and I mean everyone, stops talking at once. My nonno might not be the boss anymore, but he is still very much the head of the family. And when he talks, you listen. “Weapons out,” he adds before gesturing to the huge basket in the middle of the table.
I look across to Kayleigh, waiting to see her reaction as we all disarm. To her credit, she doesn’t flinch when Enzo is the first to stand up and place two pistols, one knife, and a pair of knuckle-busters inside the basket.
“If you steal my shit again, I’m going to tell Zio Theo about our early-morning phone call the other day,” my brother says while directing his glare at Dante.
Dante shakes his head but doesn’t utter a word. I do, however, notice how Josie’s back straightens. Whatever happened on that phone call, she does not want it getting out.
Everyone takes turns standing up and relinquishing their weapons.
“Okay, Aurora, let’s have it.” Zio Theo waves a hand in my direction.
I know what they’re expecting. I’m usually carrying all kinds of shit wherever I can stick it. I’m not today, though. Today, I only have one weapon on me. I push up from my seat, reach behind my back, and remove the gold-plated, diamond-encrusted forty-five I stashed in my waistband and place it in the basket.
“Anyone touches it, I’ll cut your fingers off,” I warn.
“Who the fuck gave you a gun?” my dad growls.
“It was a gift. And I like it,” I tell him.
“I’m going to fucking kill him…” My father’s knuckles turn white as he grips the butter knife in his hand.
“No, you’re not. Besides, I haven’t even killed anyone with it yet.” I shrug. “It sure does look pretty though.”
“It does,” my cousin Tilly agrees. “I want one too.”
“Not happening,” her fiancée grunts at the same time my Zio Romeo says, “Hell no.”
“Don’t worry, Matilda. I’ll get you one for Christmas,” I tell her. “Just because we’re girls doesn’t mean we can’t use a gun.” I aim my smirk at my father and uncles, who are all giving me their own version of a death glare.
Zio Theo nods to one of the soldiers standing by the door, silently signaling the guy to come and collect the basket.
“Wait!” Kayleigh calls out before standing. “I, ah…” She looks at Enzo for encouragement? Reassurance? I’m not sure which.
“Oh, come on, just hand over whatever you got. No one expected you to come here without carrying something on you,” I tell her. “You’d be a fucking idiot if you did.”
“Aurora,” Enzo grunts at me.
“Well, she would be. Come on, has anyone even checked her for wires?” I ask the table.
“I did.” Dante holds up a hand.
“You what?” Enzo hisses.
Dante lifts one shoulder into a half shrug. “Can never be too careful. But don’t worry. She’s clean.”
“When? I mean, how?” Kayleigh stutters.
“If I told you that, I’d have to kill you,” Dante deadpans.
“Oh my god, can we all just try to act like a normal fucking family for one fucking meal?” Enzo yells.
“We could, but that would be boring. Come on, sister. Let’s see what you got.” I point to the basket.
Kayleigh removes a knife from her ankle and then another one from her upper thigh, concealed beneath her skirt. “That’s it,” she says.
I grin. “That’s it? We need to hang out. I have so many things I need to teach you.”
“No, you don’t,” Enzo groans.
Kayleigh quietly reclaims her seat, and after the basket is escorted from the room, food is finally delivered to the table.
“Anyone know when Lorenzo is coming home?” I ask.
“Next month. He and Kyla are coming to visit for a couple of weeks,” Dad tells me.
“She pregnant yet?” I hum.
“Not that I know of,” Mom says. “Let’s hope it stays that way. I don’t need to be a grandparent anytime soon.” She glares pointedly at me and then looks across to Enzo.
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on ever birthing demon spawn.” I laugh.
“You will one day, and you’ll make a great mother.” Mom leans over and kisses my forehead. “But let’s wait until you’re at least thirty.”
“You know, being a young grandma isn’t all that bad,” Zia Katy says while holding up Sebastian.
“ For you. I need at least ten years to recover after raising Matteo’s devil children before we add another generation to the mix.” Mom laughs.
“We’re right here, Ma,” Enzo reminds her.
“I know, and I love you all, but your father made a bunch of crazy little monsters,” she tells him.
“Ah, Mama, I’m not crazy. The boys maybe, but not me,” I reply. And everyone at the table laughs. And I mean everyone . I even hear some of the soldiers try to cover their chuckles with a cough. I scan the room. Everyone… except Kayleigh. “See? This is why I like you the best. Did any of you think that maybe I’m the sane one here and you are all just… I don’t know… insane ?”
“She’s fucking serious.” Zio Luca shakes his head.
“I think she actually believes that,” Zio Romeo adds.
“In what universe are you sane, Aurora?” Zio Theo asks me.
“My universe, of course.” I shrug and smile at my uncles. I don’t care if they think I’m crazy. I know I’m not that bad. I mean, I could always be worse. If they knew some of the things I’ve actually done lately, they’d probably be putting me in a strait jacket and closing me up inside a padded cell.
“Okay, back the fuck off my daughter. She’s perfectly normal and sane,” my dad grunts.
“Thanks, Papa,” I say, and he winks at me.
“Anytime, princess.”