47. Alessia
Chapter forty-seven
Alessia
T he family reunion is emotional as fuck .
Gemma and Mamma erupted into tears as soon as they embraced me. Between hugs and kisses and sobs, they peppered me with questions and accusations.
“Why did you have to get yourself into trouble?”
“We were supposed to be laying low.”
“Did you get involved with another family?”
“Were you trying to get yourself killed?”
“I knew something would happen with you living out in the middle of the desert by yourself.”
“I could have lost you,” Mamma cries and cradles my face in her hands.
“Mamma, I’m okay.”
“You’re not okay. You have a cast on your arm and broken ribs,” Gemma points out.
I glance at my brothers who’re all waiting in line to give me their two cents. “That was from the transportation here,” I mutter a bit sheepishly.
“Oh, Madonna !” Mamma exclaims, making me smirk.
“What happened?” Gemma asks and everyone is waiting for me to explain.
Glancing over at Tullio who knows what happened, he’s not at all willing to throw me a bone here. “It was just a small accident. No need to fuss over it.”
“No, no. It’s a really good story. Tell them what happened, Alessia,” Tullio baits and crosses his arms with a smug look.
“Oh, yes. It’s a very good story,” Paolo says, glowering at me. Then I look at the rest of them, and they all have the same knowing look.
Okay, so my brothers are definitely pissed about the accident. I’ll allow this tiny moment to be angry with me.
“Let’s have a seat, Mamma.” I bring her over to the couch in the room we’re all congregated in, and Gemma sits on my other side. Perfect. I’m surrounded . When my brothers all come to stand in a straight line in front of me, I swallow hard. This is going to be a long day. No wonder why Massimo made himself scarce.
With each revelation about why I came home and how I sustained my injuries, my mom and my sister became increasingly shocked. I shouldn’t be surprised Tullio wouldn’t show me any mercy, not at all softening the blow for me ahead of time. It’s his way of punishing me.
I give my first apology, for anything , to my mother. It’ll be the only I give because her and my sister are the only ones I regret worrying.
Paolo and Armando drop the tough guy act and give me some leniency knowing that I have been punished enough by making Mamma cry. They each give me a bear hug making me suck back the tears threatening to spill as they express how much they genuinely missed me.
Last is Santino. He’s been mute the whole time, but I know he has a lot to say. He gestures with his head for me to follow him outside of the room. The rest of the family fills the room with chatter and we’re able to sneak away.
“Let me have it, Saint.”
We stop somewhere down the hall and face each other. “You don’t owe me an apology.”
“No?”
“I warned Tullio and Massimo that sending you away would be severely consequential. I knew your resentment would evolve into something toxic.”
“So…you’re not angry with me?”
He takes a deep breath in then lets it out slowly through his nose. “I’m not proud of your actions, but I can’t be angry at who you are, piccolina .” He playfully pinches my chin. “ Babbo ’s little warrior.”
My nostrils flare in restraint. “I thought that nickname he gave me was reserved for private.”
He snorts. “When we would call you little psycho, he would correct us in saying you’re his little warrior.”
I swallow around the rock lodged in my throat. “I miss him, Saint.” My heart aches with the fact that I didn’t get nearly enough time with him and never got the proper chance to mourn him. Just as I was beginning to accept from grief, I experienced my first heartbreak.
“I know. I do too.” He pulls me into his arms and I wrap mine tightly around his torso. Santino is the tallest out of my brothers, even taller than Massimo, but he’s not the gentle giant he’s perceived to be. But to me, he always is.
We turn to go back to the room. “That reminds me. Do you think I could pay Angelo a visit soon?”
He chuckles and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Only if you promise not to chop his cock off and make him choke on it.”
I roll my eyes grinning. “I won’t make any promises I can’t keep.”
By the time my family decides to leave, I'm exhausted. I tried to weasel my way into leaving with them by using Mamma, but she turned out to be a complete traitor. She said that I needed to stay with Massimo and that he’d keep me safe.
“You really don’t care that I’m being held prisoner here?”
She frowns and looks down at my hands. “I don’t see any shackles.”
I give her a dry look and drop my head. “I’m not shackled, but I am not allowed to leave. I want to be home, not here.”
“Alessia.” She cups my cheek with her hand. “I know Massimo hurt you, but he thought he was doing the right thing.” I open my mouth, but she doesn’t let me speak. “Although he may not have gone about it the right way in making you feel unloved by him, he knew it was the only way you would leave.”
“They didn’t give me a choice.” I swiped at the tears that managed to slip out. “I don’t think I can forgive him, Mamma.”
“I know your stubborn streak is hard to get past, but you will. You’ll find a way, bambina .” She kisses my forehead. “I love you.”
It’s late by the time I make my way up to Massimo’s room. He’s still not home, and Monte wouldn’t tell me where he’s been all day. In a torpid state, I become disgustingly sentimental when I glance down at the ring I’m forced to wear. Normally, I only wear it around Massimo, but I forgot to take it off when he left today.
Sitting on the edge of the bed and staring at the ring, I feel a wave of disheartenment instead of anger.
Massimo and I were so good together, then he demolished everything. No matter if what he said in Tullio’s office to make me leave was bullshit or not, it does not erase the pain it caused me. If it was a ruse to let me go, then he purposely hurt me, and I can’t see past that.
Even if I wanted to forgive him, I don’t think I know how. I’m stubborn by nature and he doesn’t even seem contrite. He’s more eager to disavow his mistakes than to take real accountability for them. Admitting you’re wrong and expressing your remorse are two different things.
I’m already asleep when the sound of the bedroom door clicking shut wakes me up announcing Massimo’s homecoming. Sitting up in bed, I adjust my eyes to the dark. “Hey,” I say quietly, and he comes to my side of the bed. His tie is loose, and his suit jacket is draped over his one arm, seemingly exhausted. “Where were you?”
“California.”
I sit up more and turn some. “What were you doing in California?”
“Getting Vita.”
My eyebrows jump up to my forehead. “You were getting Vita? Like as in bringing her home?” He nods his head. “Oh, wow.” My thoughts are a bit staggered right now, realizing he actually heeded my advice. “So, she’s here?”
“For now.” He sighs and sits down on the bed. My family seriously messed with my head today because all I want to do right now is hug him and rub his shoulders to relieve some of the tension he’s burdened with. “We’re taking her to a facility tomorrow.”
“What kind of facility?”
“A rehab. She’s in poor shape. Gave her some sedatives to keep her out most of the night.”
“But she’s alright?”
“She will be.” He turns his head and gives me a tight smile. “How did it go with your family today?”
“Better than expected. Though my brothers forced me to tell Mamma about the accident I caused,” I mutter.
“Well, that’s what you get,” he teases making me crack a smile. “Monte said you didn’t try to use them to escape.”
“Oh, I tried,” I admit truthfully, and he arches both eyebrows. “I even told Mamma how I’m being held here against my will.” His lips twitch in response. “But she told me I had to stay put.”
“Did she? And why’s that?”
“She’s obviously losing it.” I sigh and lay back down.
“Mhmm,” he mumbles unconvinced. “Well, she obviously has changed her tune since we talked.”
“You talked to Mamma?” He nods. “When?”
“A few days ago.” He reaches up and unknots his tie to slip off all the way. The movement I find myself transfixed by.
“And what did she say?”
“You first.”
I screw my lips to the side as my eyes narrow on him. “Whatever.”
He chuckles and stands to his feet. “I’m going to shower.” He looks at me over his shoulder. “Care to join me?”
“No, thank you.” I settle into the covers with a slight smirk.
“I could make you.” His voice lowers an octave, and I glare at him even though my stomach flips. Please, make me. It won’t take much effort . “You’re lucky I’m too tired right now.”
He closes himself in the bathroom and the water to the shower turns on a moment later. Turning on my side to face the bathroom door, I’m so tempted to walk in there and join him. To run my hands all over his scarred-up muscles. Water dripping down his olive skin and washboard abs.
My family has seriously put my brain in a blender tonight.