CHAPTER 23
THE CRICKET
"Finally. I thought I was going to have to wage war just to see you."
“That idiot Seth.” Audrey rolls her eyes and flops onto the couch next to me. “Ever since my therapist told me I need to ease back into things in small doses, he’s been insufferable. Total control freak.”
I raise an eyebrow. Since when is that news? My brother's always been a controlling jerk when it comes to Audrey Ross.
But I keep quiet.
“He’s probably skulking around the perimeter right now. He doesn’t trust Pietro,” she adds, rolling her eyes again.
I chuckle. “That’s because their relationship’s complicated. But, give it time. Maybe they’ll be friends—if they can both get their egos in check.”
“I highly doubt that,” Audrey mutters, her phone vibrating in her hand.
It’s Seth. I know it without looking. He checks in constantly.
I don’t ask about what’s going on between them. First of all, ew, he's my brother. Second of all, she wouldn’t tell me anyway. They've always had this thing, and I get it. It’s the same thing I have with Pietro. Eventually, I think they’ll find their way back to each other.
But Audrey doesn’t know Seth and I are brothers.
It’s irrelevant. It wouldn’t change anything, and I’ve never seen the need to bring it up.
“Hi, Edo! Aunt Audrey missed you so much, cheeks.”
Audrey stands up, walking right past me to Edo, who's sitting on the rug, meticulously sorting his blocks by color. He has recently developed a new obsession with doing that.
My son lights up the moment he hears her voice. His little hands go straight to her nose, and she makes an exaggerated face, making him giggle like crazy, completely ignoring me.
Perfect.
I return to my book on chemical compounds.
“You know, Edo,” Audrey continues, her voice filled with playful mischief, “when you grow up, I’ll teach you how to drive multiple cars to escape from your mother at night.”
Without looking up, I make a noise of agreement. “Obviously.”
Statistically speaking, he’ll have to develop some resistance to chaos at some point. It’s better to start early.
Audrey turns to me, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. She’s like the sun—not the calm, steady type, but the fierce, untamable part, like the solar corona, where temperatures are literally explosive. Her energy is contagious, impossible to ignore, but getting too close to it means you might get burned.
And somehow, even knowing the risk, it’s impossible not to feel pulled in.
Just like my brother. I get why he’s obsessed with Audrey Ross. And, yeah, maybe I’m a little obsessed with my best friend, too.
Sometimes, I can’t believe someone like Audrey chose to be in my life. Out of everyone, she’s the one who’s here. And I’ll always cherish that—even if she never stops talking long enough for me to express it without being interrupted.
“You know,” Audrey says, tossing her hair back with that same overly confident grin, “if you keep looking at me like that, we’re going to have to make out.”
I roll my eyes, though I can’t stop myself from smiling just a little. “You do know my husband’s a humorless mobster, right?”
“So what?” she shrugs. “I can still steal his wife.”
I laugh because that’s such an Audrey response.
“Good luck with that,” I say, turning back to my book.
“You say that like I’m not extremely charismatic,” she teases, leaning in to see what I’m reading.
“You are,” I say, not looking up, “but you’re also highly attached to one particular trouble. I'd probably end up being stalked by some unstable individual, given how you've somehow inserted yourself into this situation. That would likely trigger a cycle where he'd attempt to harm me, not understanding boundaries, and my husband would retaliate, continuing the whole mess. Not exactly efficient or desirable. Besides, you're not really my type—I tend to prefer someone a bit older."
"Audrey sighs dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "You also like them problematic," she adds. "And that’s why you love me.'"
I don’t respond but I do smile.
Audrey smiles knowingly, and annoyingly, she’s right.
I love her.
I return to my book, and she continues to tickle Edo’s nose, making him laugh before pulling him into a big, warm hug. “You’re going to be the best driver, kiddo.”
Edo looks up at her, clearly intrigued by the new game she’s playing.
“Of course, cheeks, someone has to teach you the cool stuff. Your mother will teach you how to mix explosive chemicals, but I’ll make sure you’re well-versed in escaping at night.”
I glance up from my book, arching an eyebrow. “No explosions. He can’t even coordinate his hands enough to avoid spilling everything on the floor yet.”
“Does that mean he’ll be able to later?” Audrey grins, bouncing Edo lightly in her arms. “Did you hear that, cheeks? Your mother just confirmed you’ll be a mini chaos scientist.”
Edo claps his hands, loving the energy, even though he doesn’t really understand what we’re saying.
“Or an engineer,” I add absently, turning another page.
Audrey scrunches her nose. “What matters is that he’ll know how to have fun. And I’ll be his favorite influence. Right, Edo?” She pinches his cheeks lightly, making him giggle even more.
“Favoritism’s based on emotional and social cues,” I argue, without missing a beat. “Right now, you’re providing constant interaction and positive reinforcement, so it makes sense that he’s responding to you. But considering that I’m the one feeding, clothing, and caring for him every day—”
“Blah blah blah, Laura,” Audrey interrupts, rolling her eyes and turning her attention back to Edo. “She talks a lot, doesn’t she, cheeks? But don’t worry, I know deep down you love me more.”
“He has a soft spot for you, but that doesn’t mean he loves me any less.”
Audrey dramatically sighs. “I don’t know… Maybe I’ll just kidnap him and raise him as my own.”
“Good luck with the exploding diapers,” I say, never looking up from the book.
Audrey grimaces. “Okay, scratch that. But I’ll still be the cool aunt. When he’s a teenager and you say no to something, who do you think he’ll go to?”
“If you spoil him with bad ideas, I’ll make you answer for every consequence.”
Audrey gives me a smug little smile. “We’ll see, Laura. We’ll see.”
Edo babbles something that sounds like a mix between her name and some random baby sound. Audrey’s eyes widen, pretending to be completely thrilled.
“My God! He said my name first, didn’t he? He totally tried to say Audrey before he said Mommy, didn’t he?”
I roll my eyes. “He didn’t say your name. He’s just testing phonemes.”
“Let me dream, nerd,” she pouts. “One day, he’ll say ‘Aunt Audrey,’ and it will be the most beautiful sound in the universe.”
"Or maybe he'll say 'chemical formula' first."
"Jeez, Laura. Do you want to raise a child or a mad scientist?"
"Why not both?"
Audrey snorts, but smiles. "Whatever. He'll still be my night time escape partner when he grows up.”
"Until he finds out I'm the one with the money to buy his experiment materials," I snap, and Audrey lets out a fake groan of frustration.
Edo, oblivious to the competition, just laughs, happy to be the center of attention.
Audrey frowns, looking around. "Wait, where's my other cuteness?"
“Eleonora is with Pietro,” I reply, without taking my eyes off the book. “Buying new dresses.”
She blinks a few times, clearly processing the information. "Are you telling me that your husband, who is—let's remember—a mafia boss, is buying cute little clothes with your nine-month-old baby?"
"Yes," I confirm, not understanding the surprise.
Audrey stares at me for a second before letting out an incredulous laugh. “Sorry, but I have to picture this. Pietro, the guy who makes even the toughest henchmen tremble, standing in a children’s store holding a tiny dress and trying to decide between a teddy bear print or a flower print?”
"He'll probably buy both. And about ten other sets," I mutter, turning the page.
"That's hilarious. I bet he's all serious, asking Eleonora what she thinks, as if she's capable of giving an opinion."
"That's exactly what he did before he left. He said he needed to make sure it was 'flawless' and that quality is essential."
Audrey lets out a sound somewhere between a sigh and a laugh. “Oh my God. The guy probably has a history of intimidating half the town, but if you give him a frilly little dress to hold up, he’ll turn into a marshmallow.”
"He has trouble being separated from her for too long," I explain. "So I think this is more for him than for Eleonora."
Audrey looks at me with a mischievous smile. “Do you think his security guards are there too?”
"Obviously."
"So there are some armed mobsters waiting while he picks out baby clothes. That needs to be on the record."
"Fortunately, Pietro has good taste, so Eleonora will probably come out of there looking like miniature royalty."
Audrey shakes her head, laughing. "Edo, your father is a serious case. But that's okay, because you have Aunt Audrey to teach you the really important things."
"If by 'important' you mean irresponsible, then no."
"Please. You already have a little princess, let me make Edo an adventurer." She turns to him. "Right? Cheeks."
"Of course you're going to be the aunt who corrupts him," I say, finally closing the book.
Audrey smiles with satisfaction. "It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it."
Audrey is still holding Edo when her phone vibrates, but instead of answering right away, she takes one last look at the screen before smiling in a rare way—kind and sweet.
This makes me stop.
After everything that happened with Will, it's rare to see her like this.
Part of me regrets asking Seth to spare that idiot. But something tells me he didn't really listen.
"What's wrong?" I ask, curious.
Audrey chuckles and turns her phone to me. "Just a friend I made last year while visiting LA. She's traveling the world now."
And then Audrey pauses. "Wait… I shouldn't talk about her."
I frown. "Why?"
"Zane asked me to keep it a secret." Audrey rolls her eyes, as if she thinks that's a bit of a stretch. "He doesn't exactly want people knowing he married a stranger in Los Angeles. Lucky for him Mia is a sweetheart."
Mia.
My heart stops for a second.
It can't be the same person.
Part of me wants to ask to see the photo, to examine every detail, but I force myself to look nonchalant. I don’t want to sound suspicious. I don’t want any questions.
I know Audrey is okay with me being Nico's daughter because she doesn't see me as his daughter. She knows what he did to me. But Mia? Mia was raised by him. That changes everything.
She hates the Rivieras.
Even though not all of them are bad people.
And I know Mia isn't.
I'm not an idiot. I know why Nico used to lock her away. She was trained to kill, but he could never fully control her. And anything that got out of Nico Riviera's control... was discarded.
I remember the night I set her free. The cold chain on her wrist. Her wide, curious eyes that, even after everything, still had a sparkle of life.
But it can't be.
How many Mias are there out there, right?
"She's crazy," Audrey comments, putting her phone away.
My mind freezes.
"Crazy how?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
Audrey laughs, shaking her head. "Oh, in her adorable way. She talks a lot, and she has this kind of chaotic energy, like she's discovering the world for the first time and finding it fascinating. But at the same time, she's really smart. Like, genuinely brilliant, but a walking disaster."
My stomach turns.
"Does she… know how to defend herself?" I ask, keeping my voice neutral.
Audrey gives me a suspicious look. "You know. Very well, in fact. But you can't tell Zane about that, he gets all tense when it comes to that. And I can neither confirm nor deny that she could throw a knife with the same accuracy as Seth, and that's saying something."
“You really like this girl.”
“Yes! You would too if you met her. Look how cute.”
Audrey flashes her phone at me with that grin, the one she wears when she’s practically bursting with excitement, and I take it without a second thought.
My fingers graze the screen, and I immediately scan the photo, but my focus isn't on the typical 'cute' reaction Audrey’s expecting.
It’s on her. My sister.
Mia’s standing in the middle of a chaotic Tokyo street, the neon lights flickering behind her like a painted blur. It’s surreal, almost dreamlike.
Her hair is a strange, chaotic mix of black and white streaks. She’s holding a stuffed panda in her arms—huge, almost absurdly so, practically the size of her body. Her hands cling to its fluffy ears like she’s worried it might slip away.
I hand the phone back to Audrey, my mind still running a thousand miles per hour. The smile on Audrey’s face doesn’t quite reach my own, though.
"See? Cute, right?"
This is no coincidence.
My heart hammers in my chest as her words echo in my head.
Mia.
The girl I helped escape.
My sister.
And now she's alive. Married—to Kyle's brother.
The world is too small.
Before I can decide what to do, the door opens and Pietro walks in, holding Eleonora in his arms, shopping bags hanging over his arm. “Little one,” he greets me, ever so serious. Eleonora is snuggled against his chest, playing with the collar of his shirt.
Audrey blinks a few times and suddenly lets out a sigh, grabbing her phone. "Oh, shit. I have to go. Seth is going to worry if I don't answer soon."
And by worried, she means he’ll march in here like the reckless hurricane of impulse and defiance that he is—volatile, and entirely unbothered by the consequences he'll leave in his wake.
She's already walking away before I can say anything, which is good because my mind is still trying to process everything.
“Hi.”
Pietro notices the change in my tone before I even finish my sentence. His sharp eyes analyze me, his posture becoming even more rigid, as if he is already anticipating a battle.
"Is everything okay?" he asks, his voice deep and controlled, but with that hidden concern that few know.
My throat feels dry, but I say it anyway:
"I want to tell Seth the truth."
The silence between us is immediate.
Pietro doesn't react immediately, but I see the tension growing in his shoulders.
"What truth exactly?" His voice remains calm, but there is a hidden weight to the question.
I swallow hard.
"That Mia is alive."
Pietro's eyes narrow immediately, and I watch as he puts all the pieces into place. He may be rational, methodical, but he's also a natural strategist. Within seconds, he's already plotting the consequences of this revelation.
"He thinks she's dead," I murmur.
Seth has spent his life believing this. Believing that his little sister died in the basement where they were both raised. It's a wound that has never healed because, to him, Mia never had a chance to exist beyond that place.
And now, after all, he would discover that she is alive—and married to Kyle's brother.
Pietro closes his eyes for a moment, as if he already knows the chaos this will bring.
"He's going to try to kill me," he says with almost casual certainty.
I let out a sigh. "Probably."
"He'll assume that if I know the truth, then I've known it all along. And that means I will use it against him."
I don't say anything, because he's right. Seth will react as he always does: aggressively, looking for a way to regain control of the situation. He'll be impulsive. Dangerous.
Pietro rubs his chin thoughtfully.
"He hasn't developed a sense of feelings the way other people do, Laura. The way he processes betrayal isn't the same as yours or mine."
I know that.
“Seth already know about me,” I murmur. “He always seemed… confused around me, like he was trying to figure out something that didn’t make sense. And then I put the pieces together.”
Pietro crosses his arms. "And you think throwing him into the middle of an emotional hurricane that he doesn't know how to get out of is the best solution?"
"He has a right to know. And so does Mia."
Pietro stares at me for a long moment, assessing my expression, my conviction. Then he exhales a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"If he puts you or the children at risk, I'll kill him."
I smirk. "Fair enough."
Pietro pulls me against him, firm, possessive.
"He's going to attack us," he murmurs against my hair.
"He will try."
Pietro chuckles softly. "The problem with people like Seth Evans is that they think they're invincible."
"Well, the problem with you, husband, is that you think you're always ten steps ahead of everyone else."
He squeezes me a little tighter, his body relaxing at my touch.
"And I am," he says simply.
I sigh against his chest.
Pietro watches me for a long moment, his hazel eyes assessing every nuance of my expression. He weighs the risks, the variables, already anticipating Seth's possible reactions, the consequences of this revelation.
He doesn't like surprises. He doesn't like losing control of the situation.
But he likes me more than any power play.
With a heavy sigh, he gives in.
"All good."
Before I can respond, he pulls me firmly against him, his hands gripping my waist as if to anchor me in place. He lowers his head until his forehead rests against mine, his lips brushing a protective kiss against my skin, warm and solid.
“But you’re wrong,” he murmurs, his voice low and thick against me. “I can never be ten steps ahead of you.” He pauses, his fingers tightening against my waist. “It’s too far.”
I smile slightly, feeling the familiarity of his presence, the weight of his protection. Pietro can command the Cosa Nostra with an iron fist, he can manipulate opponents and engineer scenarios like no one else, but with me…
With me, he always gives in.
Because, at the end of the day, I'm the only person in the world who can change his mind.