Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Romeo Hall, Sanctum
I perch on one of the high stools, which stand behind the luxurious marble counter in the kitchen. The counter runs down the center of the grandest kitchen that I’ve ever sat in.
I stare around myself in wonder, swinging my bare feet.
Swan and I only took the time to pull on the cozy purple dressing gowns, which we found hanging behind the bedroom door, before padding down the stairs.
I was too excited about my first proper breakfast in years to take the time to dress. Swan is too anxious about finding out Vito’s true identity.
I curl my cold toes.
I bet my new pack has remembered to buy us slippers. They’re probably in the bottom of that huge new closet of clothes for me.
Ambrose appears to have remembered everything else.
I smile.
Vito may have secrets, but I can feel it in my blood that he’s a good man. Plus, he’s the first one in a long time to care for me.
To think that it’s important what I like.
To make me feel heard.
Does it matter what pack he was born into?
The cabinets, counters, and floor of the kitchen gleam in gold veined marble, as if Romeo Hall is owned by Roman emperors.
To be fair, Ambrose reminded me yesterday of a handsome emperor: blond, tall, and powerful.
An Alpha of Alphas .
A stunning chandelier drips crystals from the ceiling.
The morning light struggles through domed windows behind the counter, which look out over the blanketed garden and the forest at the bottom.
It’s begun to snow heavily, however, and it’s hard to see through the snowy veil.
Am I ever going to grow used to seeing out of a window without bars?
Swan appears more stunned than I am to be surrounded by this opulence.
He’s trying to style it out by slouching in his seat. But I can tell how on edge he is.
When I clutch his hand in mine, he darts me a grateful smile
But then, I notice the way that he’s using his other nail to sneakily prise at one of the encrusted amethysts, which decorate the counter like the hearts of the roses that decorate it.
I catch his wrist, shaking my head.
Swan shrugs, as if to say what?
“You’re not Robin Hood,” I hiss.
“But I am a man in tights. Plus, I look good in them.” He casts the gem a longing glance. “We could start a secret stash just in case—”
“We won’t need one. We’ve been bonded by billionaires. You don’t need that gem.”
“But it’s so pretty.”
“So’s this breakfast. Look at all this food. It’s for us , Feathers.”
I lick my lips, eying our Christmas breakfast, which has been spread out on the counter: sliced apples and berries, freshly baked rolls, pots of chocolate spreads and syrup.
“Then I’ll steal apples from the rich and give to the poor Omega.” Swan snatches an apple slice and holds it up to my mouth.
“My hero.” I happily let him slip the apple between my lips. It’s sweet and fresh; the taste bursts on my tongue. “Except, I’m not sure that it’s stealing if the Sheriff of Nottingham has given it to us.”
Swan scrunches up his nose as he whispers, “More like Prince John…or just a mafia prince.”
I don’t like the edge of coldness that’s crept into Swan’s tone, as he eyes Vito, who’s hunched over the cooker flipping pancakes.
It’s not like Swan at all.
Vito is wearing a pink apron with the words BADASS BAKER on the front over leather trousers and a black t-shirt. He has the same black scarf around his neck that he always appears to wear.
He has a smear of flour on his cheek, and his long hair is tousled.
The counters around Vito are covered in empty pans and trays of mince pies and gingerbread men, which he must have got up at dawn to bake.
He already has a large plate of delicious looking golden pancakes cooked but is making more.
Swan has to be kidding, right?
This is the fearsome mafia prince?
Could Swan have made a mistake?
Yet as Vito works, I can clearly see the snakes inked on the back of his hands.
They mark him as clearly as the Rej bracelet that’s locked around my wrist.
The question is whether Vito had any more choice about having his body modified with that tattoo, as I had to be wearing this bracelet.
Are we both marked for the rest of our lives against our will?
I learned in the academy that it’s not only Omegas who are trapped by their dynamics. Betas suffer too.
What if Alphas also struggle with the role that they’re given?
When Ambrose was in high school, and I saw how Olivia treated him. I knew that his life may be as difficult as Silvanus’ was. I felt it was a shame that the two rivals couldn’t talk to each other, rather than hold onto our parents’ feud, because they were likely living through the same hidden difficulties.
I wish that all of us could have our freedom.
I take a deep, happy breath of the mouthwatering smells, which are wafting from the cooker, buttery and sweet.
My lips quirk at the way that Vito’s humming along to the song that’s playing from his phone, which he’s propped to the side.
He flips the pancake in time to the angsty, rock rage of The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”. He jumps up and down enthusiastically, pretending that the spatula is an air guitar.
I didn’t know that you could cook pancakes aggressively.
Why is my stomach fluttering?
Vito has as much passion for this music, as when I heard Benedict playing the piano.
I don’t think that Vito’s even aware that I’m watching his tight ass sway to the music.
My mouth becomes dry.
Swan notices the direction of my gaze and snorts.
The tips of my ears turn red.
“How can I not look, when he’s wiggling his delicious ass around like that?” I mutter. “Look at how he’s humming along to a song about being a rat in a cage. He’s a rebel the same as you are, Feathers. It’s a talent to make pancakes like you’re in a mosh pit.”
Swan looks confused. “Is this normal? I mean, how most people make breakfast?”
“No,” I reply, softly. “But it’s the best way that I’ve seen.”
Swan nudges me. “You say something to him.”
“You.” I nudge him back. Then I sigh, leaning my forehead against Swan’s to be certain that even over the music Vito will definitely not hear me. “You don’t need to be scared, shy, or cold around Vito. He’s still our Alpha . Don’t judge him because of his old pack. We don’t know how he came to be bonded to Amby or the man he is now, only that he may have been cruelly treated in the Snakes just like you were. And he’s my scent match. Mine. I like him. And I know that you do too.”
“How can I like a Snake?”
“How can I like a Romeo?” I counter.
“Touche.” Swan strokes my cheek. “Vito is our fated. I can feel it. I wish that I didn’t. I was fighting for both Benedict and him to be ours, when we were up on that stage, as hard as I was fighting for Amby. I was dancing my ass off for both of them. But don’t you remember how much I sacrificed for Rem? I took beatings to protect that bastard, when he first arrived. Then he…”
“I know,” I reply. “But Vito isn’t Rem. We need to give him a chance to prove it. What’s in a name, right? So, you don’t remember your real name. Will you reject Vito because of his?”
Swan’s eyes widen, before he wraps his arms around my neck. “I’ll give him a chance for you, my Queen.”
I kiss Swan as a reward.
Then I disentangle myself from Swan and turn on the stool to face Vito. He’s moving his head to the music, and his hair is flying around him wildly.
“You love alternative music, huh?” I call loudly enough to be heard above the guitar riffs.
Vito grins, swinging to me with a twist of his hips that’s so fucking sexy it should be illegal.
Instantly, it feels like he’s too far away from me.
I can’t help wishing that I knew what Vito’s pouty lips felt against mine.
I catch the way that Swan is staring at Vito, despite appearing to be trying hard not to. I have a feeling that he’s imagining those lips somewhere else…probably, stretched around his cock.
I knew that Swan would only bare his neck for me, and with this Alpha, he wants to make him bare his neck, before he bites it.
Except, I won’t let him do that out of hate.
Unless it’s hate sex because I have a sense that these two men may find that hot.
And I’d find it hot to watch.
My cheeks flush.
“What gave me away?” Vito switches the music off on his phone. Then he turns the cooker off as well. “I feel like I’m dying inside, if I don’t listen to rock at least once a day. Amby tells me that he feels like I’m killing him by blasting it through the house. So, what kind of music do you like, Jules?”
I open to my mouth, then close it again.
No one’s asked me that before. Who cares what music an Omega listens to?
Vito frowns, when he sees me struggling. “Don’t worry. I borrowed some of my awesome brother-in-law’s vinyl collection. We can listen to them later, and you can see what you like. Well, when I say borrowed …”
For the first time, Swan smiles. “A fellow thief. We should do the secret handshake.”
“There’s a handshake…? Shit, I must have missed that class.”
Vito slides the last of the pancakes on top of the haphazard pile, before lifting the plate with a proud grin. “I present your pancakes as ordered.”
I lick my lips, wrinkling my nose at the sweet, sugary scent. “They look delicious, Viper.”
“I hope they taste it.” Vito strolls over to join us at the counter. “I’m not normally organized like this. Sir…I mean, Amby…he’s the one who does the pack stuff. He’s incredible at it. I struggle to know what a family should look like really, but Amby seems to know. That man could scare a schedule into order by growling at it. He has this whole icy Alphahole thing down, but underneath that man’s a beast.”
Sir…?
I exchange a glance with Swan, who looks troubled.
Is Ambrose so Traditional that he insists his Second Alpha calls him sir ?
Or is Vito his sub?
Vito does appear to talk about Ambrose like he worships him.
Swan gives Vito an assessing look, but Vito doesn’t appear aware of it, placing the pancake plate between us.
“Look at me, being responsible and remembering to put out extra plates and knives and forks…” Vito catches himself. “Whoops, I didn’t. Hold on a minute. I’m trying here. I’ve spent most of my adult life eating out of pizza boxes or buying early morning bagels from my favorite stall in town. But I’m learning.”
He drags open a cabinet and rummages around. Then he drags out a pile of smaller plates, which he places in front of Swan and then me.
Swan is staring at the pancakes, which lie in front of him temptingly, as if he can’t believe that they’re real.
It breaks my heart that he’s never seen them before. There’s so much that he hasn’t experienced.
I hope that Swan will finally get to live a proper life. But there are still secrets and mysteries that worry me.
I can’t risk either Swan or me being hurt…not again.
Vito drags open the closest drawer and pulls out a handful of silver cutlery. “Success.”
“Where’s Bec?” Swan forces himself to look away from the food at Vito. “Why’s he not allowed to share this breakfast with us? Is he on punishment starvation rations because he didn’t cope with watching the contest? I’ll save half of mine for him, if he is. Or you’ll have to starve me as well because I can’t eat, while he suffers.”
Vito twists back to the counter, shocked.
He dumps the cutlery in front of Swan with a loud clatter.
I wince.
“I’d never starve an Omega, or anyone.” Vito leans on the table, studying Swan closely. “Shit, did that happen to you in the academy, beautiful? Look, I’d starve myself, before I allowed anyone else to go hungry. I carried a tray up to Bec, when I first baked the pastries and rolls. He had a lovely treat breakfast in bed. He’s probably chilling out in his favorite spot in the library, all stuffed and happy on my cinnamon and apple sauce muffins. He can literally eat three of those at a time. That Omega can eat more than Amby and me combined.”
Swan hums, glancing away.
“It’s great that you’re looking out for him. He needs more of that in his life and he won’t ask for it. He just feels better spending time in his quiet space sometimes. Amby never forces him to share meals with us and shit. Bec needs to be the one who chooses when he socializes.” Vito slides onto the stool on the opposite side of the counter to Swan and me, before nudging the plate at us. “Eat up. Look, I found syrup and some of this chocolaty goop. I’m sorry that I didn’t have double chocolate ice cream. I blame my honey bee for eating the last of that. Anyway, I’ve ordered more in for you.”
A warmth is curling through me that makes me clutch my hands into the bunched material of the dressing gown on my lap.
Vito reaches over to push a pancake onto my plate and then Swan’s.
It's overwhelming.
It’s Christmas.
We have a pack.
This Alpha has kept his promise to make our favorite food. He’s even ordering in ice cream for me.
I reach for the syrup. “Shall I pour this on for you, Feathers?”
Swan shoots me a smile. “I want it swimming in it.”
“You got it.” I keep pouring syrup, until Swan is beaming.
When he takes the first mouthful of syrup soaked pancake, he moans and then hurriedly takes another piece.
“As good as you imagined?” I ask, softly.
“Better.” He answers, not slowing down.
Vito looks delighted.
“I can cook more, if you finish these. See, I can get better at Omega care too.” He picks up the chocolate pot and scoops out a spoonful. “Would you like some to make up for the missing ice cream, Jules?”
I jump, when Swan growls, knocking the spoon out of Vito’s hand.
The spoon lands with a wet splat across the pristine counter, smearing it in chocolate.
Shit, what’s Swan done?
A Beta can’t attack his Alpha, even in the most liberal families.
Is Swan trying to get himself beaten on Christmas day?
On our first day in this pack?
Then I notice that Swan’s gaze is fixed on the tattoo on the back of Vito’s hand that’d been holding the spoon.
Fuck, Swan’s been triggered. He’s trembling. And now he’s going to be punished.
“I can clean it up. Please, let me get a cloth and clean it,” I beg, pushing myself out of my seat and deliberately standing between Vito and Swan.
The Alpha will have to get through me, if he intends to hurt Swan.
“Leave it.” Vito sounds strained. “What’s a little bit of spilled chocolate between friends? That is what we are, right? Friends? Or have I fucked up somehow? Done something wrong? You can tell me.”
Why isn’t this Alpha angry?
He looks more hurt than anything.
Warily, I sit back down, slipping my hand into Swan’s.
Swan’s head is tilted back defiantly because of course it is. But I can feel how much he’s shaking.
“Done something wrong?” Swan’s voice is sharp. “What could that possibly be, Little Snake?”
This time when he says Little Snake , it no longer sounds like an endearment but rather, than insult.
Vito flinches.
He hides his hands beneath the counter, self-consciously.
“I don’t know,” Vito replies, warily. “I grew up in a fucked up family. My Omega mom was sold to the Omega Institute because she tried to run away to save my sister and me from it. After that, I was at the mercy of my triplet sisters, who were psychopaths in the true fucking meaning of that word. I don’t know why they hated me, only that they did. At least, they hated that they’d been left to raise their younger Alpha brother. So, I don’t always do the right thing, I know that. I’m not a perfect Alpha. I’ve been a playboy for years, too concentrated on looking after my sister who was unwell to even start to think about finding my own pack. Now that she’s safe and bonded with the Saints, I can try and become something more than—”
“Mafia?” Swan takes an aggressive bite of his pancake.
Vito lurches up from his seat, paling. “How long…? You recognized the tattoo.”
Swan’s eyes are fixed on Vito. They blaze.
He nods.
Vito holds his hands behind his back like he’s ashamed of what’s inked on them. “They didn’t think after the conditioning the academy puts you through that you’d remember. I didn’t want to just dump everything on you at once and spoil your first proper Christmas, now that you’re free.”
“Are we?” Swan leaps up, storming around me, before I can stop him. He shoves Vito in the chest, pushing him back over the counter. He knocks over the syrup, which spills to join the splatter of chocolate. “ Free? Or has another Snake just bought me like you once sold me?”
Vito’s expression crumples. “I didn’t buy you. I fucking rescued you. I don’t expect anything from either of you. I didn’t mean to start falling for you both.”
My breath stutters.
Falling for us…?
Swan looks conflicted.
He leans closer to Vito, resting his hand on his cheek like even now he can’t resist comforting him. “I lost everything because of your pack. I won’t let you hurt the woman I love.”
When Vito looks at me, I’m enthralled by his ocean eyes. “You love her, but she’s also my scent match. I promise, I’d never hurt an Omega. I’ve spent my life caring for my sister. Candy had an illness that meant she’d likely die, and I had to live with that…knowing that the only person who loved and cared about me could die. I could wake up any day, and she’d be gone. I dedicated every moment to making sure that she’d be happy and safe for the time that she did have, despite the shit happening all around us. I fought to get us free and independent from the Snakes, just like our brave mom tried, when we were kids. I dedicated myself to making Candy’s dreams of a bakery come true. And now, with the help of my sister’s pack, we’re both free of the Snakes at last. Except, I’m not, am I? Because you both hate me for being trash.”
Swan makes a low sound of denial in his throat, dragging Vito up and wrapping his strong arms around him.
Swan knows what it’s like to be labeled trash .
“It’s okay.” Vito pats Swan on the back. “I meant it, when I said that I don’t expect anything from either of you. I just wanted to be honest about how I was feeling. I know that you both like Amby. Of course you do with that golden hair and amber eyes, right? He’s a fucking billionaire jock from one of the most elite families in the country. That’s fine. I’ll deal. I’ve been rejected enough times for being mafia trash. This tattoo isn’t something that I can get away from.”
“Shut up,” I snarl, shocking even myself.
Did I, an Omega, just tell an Alpha to shut up ?
Yeah I did.
Vito is shocked enough to snap his mouth shut as ordered.
Swan chuckles, yanking Vito around to face me. “She tells me to shut up a lot. It’s a sign of affection.”
I slink closer. “Kissing is too, Viper.”
I go up on my tiptoes, offering my lips.
Vito’s eyes widen. “I wish that I had mistletoe.”
“Kiss our Queen.” Swan grips Vito by the hair and guides his mouth to mine. “We’re not rejecting you.”
Vito’s pupils are dilated. He rests his hands on my hips.
My breathing speeds up. My heart is hammering in my chest.
His lips are so fucking kissable.
I’ve only been kissed by Benedict and Swan.
Vito’s kiss is different. It’s less like a dance and more like a fiery explosion of passion.
Vito grips my hips harder.
I lose track of time. My eyes flutter closed.
I hear someone groan.
I think that it’s Swan.
I tease at Vito’s lower lip, sucking and then nibbling it. He finally breaks the kiss, meeting my gaze intently.
Swan still has a hard grip on his hair.
“I wasn’t meant to feel this way about you,” Vito murmurs. “Like I want to protect you both forever and never let you go.”
“You want to be honest, well so do I.” I place my hand firmly over Vito’s on my hip, tracing over his tattoo. It’s beautiful, and I won’t let him feel ashamed of it. “We don’t only want Amby; we want Bec and you as well. I’m from the Cinders. I’m Amby’s rival. I’ve lived for four years amongst my enemies. I know exactly how it feels to be rejected and treated as the bad guy. So, I understand but need you to know that we’re all simply Romeos now. It shouldn’t matter who our packs were before. And Swan has never judged me for being a Cinders.”
“But will he judge me for being a Snake?”
Swan tugs hard on Vito’s hair, yanking back his head and forcing him to meet his eye.
The long column of Vito’s throat is bared and gorgeous.
It’s also vulnerable.
How many Alphas are emotionally strong enough in themselves to allow this? How many would permit this behavior from a Beta?
“Maybe it’s not clear enough that I want you too,” Swan snarls. “You were hurt by those assholes in your family, just like I was. You fought to escape from them. So, how are you the same? As much as you want to protect us, we want to protect our Alpha as well.”
“ Alphas ,” Vito breathlessly corrects. “Amby is yours too. He may look the most dom of uber Alphas, but take it from someone who survived one of the most vicious packs in America, the Romeos are fucked up as well.”
I stiffen.
I always knew that Olivia was cruel to both Ambrose and Laurent. But is there more to this? More to Ambrose being sent to England? His mysterious reappearance? His scar?
Swan snorts. “Tell me something that I don’t know.”
“My cock is tattooed.”
I choke on my tongue.
Swan gives a low, filthy laugh. “Okay, you’ve earned your kiss.”
He spins Vito like they’re in a dance, and Vito lets out a gasp. Then he drags him into a savage kiss that’s all teeth and wild passion.
It looks like a battle for dominance, as they push each other over the table, knocking the plates, cutlery, and apple slices flying. Smeared in syrup and chocolate, they growl and snarl, as they kiss and dry hump each other.
I cross my arms as I watch them but I’m smiling.
I encourage food related wrestling for my men. In fact, next time, I’m going to suggest that they do it naked with their muscles oiled.
Finally, Vito rolls himself on top of Swan, pinning him down; Swan looks deliciously debauched with kiss reddened lips. “Wait, I need to tell you something, before I give you the best fucking blow job of your life.”
“That’ll be easy. It’ll be my only one.” Swan glances significantly at the floor. “On your knees then, Little Snake.”
This time, Little Snake isn’t an insult. Instead, it makes Vito’s eyes glitter with wicked pleasure.
“I can’t wait to be the first mouth to stretch around your cock, beautiful,” Vito replies, before glancing at me. “I love that our Omega will be watching. I’m going to suck you so hard that your knees will buckle…or you’ll lose all control and grab my hair and ride my face until I gag. It’ll make you come so fucking hard to see me on my knees with tears in my eyes…but only for you.”
“F-f-fuck, yeah.” Swan’s panting.
“But first,” Vito cards his fingers through Swan’s hair, “I need to tell you why my balls will be busted for this. You’re my best friend’s younger brother. Have sympathy for me because I was sent here by him to rescue you…not to fall in love. And definitely not to fuck you. When I return to Haven, I’m officially R.I.P. because I’m pretty sure that your brother is even training his Omega to become an assassin right now.”
Brother…?
Assassin?
Surely Vito isn’t talking about Lincoln, who is the only person Swan remembers from his past.
But what if he is?
Please, let Lincoln have truly sent Vito here on a rescue mission because that would mean Swan has found his only family member.
My mom is still missing.
But everything that I’ve hoped and wished for Swan would have come true.
Swan has suddenly become as still as a statue.
“Do you know my brother?” Swan whispers, before adding like the word is holy, “Link?”
“After you were taken, Link, Candy, and I grew up to become best friends. Link was our protector. He’s so strong. Hey, don’t cry, beautiful. This is good news. I’m shit at this. I didn’t know how to tell you.” Vito wipes at the tears that are trailing down Swan’s cheeks.
Swan doesn’t seem aware that he’s crying. I don’t know if they’re sad or happy tears.
He seems dazed.
Distressed, I rush to Swan’s side, clasping his hand in mine. I rub his fingers.
“You know where Link is.” Swan meets Vito’s gaze. “Is he… I mean, is he okay? Safe? Happy? Wait, did you say teaching his Omega to be an assassin ?”
Vito gently pushes a smear of chocolate off Swan’s cheek. “Ehm, yeah, that’s his male Omega, Ghost. He’s sort of feral and unique. Link’s also bonded to my sister and the Saints. They fucking love each other so hard that it makes me feel lonely just looking at them. They’re fated mates. And your brother can more than take care of himself. He’s a bodyguard. And he got into so many fights at school (and won), that he was nicknamed, the Destroyer of Alphas .”
“Oh, that’s your brother all right.” I grin, and Swan finally relaxes enough to grin back as well.
“Destroyer of Alphas.” Swan puffs out his chest. “See, this is why I fight and rebel against the system. It’s genetic.”
“Genetically disobedient,” I mutter.
“A maverick.”
“Willful.”
“A renegade.”
“Sassy.”
Swan hesitates. “Actually, that one’s true.”
Swan’s smile widens, until he’s lit up with joy.
It seems to have sunk in finally that his brother is alive and doing well.
Also, that Lincoln was searching for him. He didn’t forget him.
But that’s a lot for Swan to process.
“So, one brother became a badass bodyguard,” I say, “and the other a ballet dancer.”
Affronted, Swan squirms out from underneath Vito to stand up, posing gracefully, despite his tangled hair and clothes that are smeared in syrup and chocolate.
Then he pirouettes. “I bet that I still have the better ass.”
Vito bursts out laughing.
He pats Swan’s shoulder. “You do, beautiful. But never make me think about Link’s ass again. He’s already going to break me in half for saving you through that disgusting Ballet Bonding Night tradition. I don’t want a trained killer with a gun after me for thinking of his ass.”
I put my hands on my hips, aware suddenly how much smaller I am than either of these men.
I don’t care.
They’re still my men to stand up for, even if I look like the fairy that Swan refused to call me next to them.
“If Link tries to kick your ass, Viper, then I’ll kick his,” I declare. “He may be a Destroyer of Alphas, but I’m an Omega. I’m not only territorial of my nest. I’m territorial of the men who I want in my nest as well.”
Vito’s expression softens.
He turns to me and cups my cheek. “You’re incredible, you know that?”
I blush.
“But Link’s truly my best friend.” Vito glances over his shoulder at Swan. “Seriously, he was always awesome but he’s grown up into an amazing guy. He’ll be pleased that we…if we do…well, he understands about fated mates because that’s what he has. He’ll give me some grief about how this has turned out but he’ll just be so fucking ecstatic that I’ve got you out of that place that he’ll be happy about whatever you choose to do.”
“Can I meet him?” Swan’s voice is tight.
I can tell how much this means to him but he’s trying not to show it.
He expects Vito to say no.
Please say yes.
My stomach sinks, however, when Vito’s expression blanks, and he shakes his head.
“Not yet,” Vito replies. “There’s a mandatory bonding period of two weeks. We need to remain in Romeo Hall for that. There’s other serious things going on that we’ll need to talk about. Can’t we just enjoy the holiday?”
Swan isn’t able to hide the flash of devastation fast enough.
Vito doesn’t miss it.
He bites his lip, hesitating for a moment, before he strides to the counter and snatches up his phone. Then he walks back to Swan and holds it out to him.
“I suppose you can have your gift early. Amby will probably spank me for this, but hey, I’m used to pissing him off. It’s my best skill. Isn’t this the day that we’re meant to speak to family?” He presses the screen.
Who’s he calling?
My chest tightens at the thought of talking to family. He’s right. But I can’t talk to mine.
Where are you Mom?
Are you having delicious food for breakfast? Presents? Are you happy?
Or is Mom cold, scared, and alone?
I shiver, trying to block the image from my mind. I need to start investigating now that I’m free. But how?
Where do I start?
I hate that I can’t talk to Silvanus today. But after how he’s bullied Ambrose in the past, I can hardly ask to call my cousin.
Smiling, Vito passes the phone to Swan.
Tentatively, Swan holds the phone to his ear. In the academy, we didn’t have phones.
“Hello?” A deep man’s voice answers on the other end. “Vito?”
Swan clears his throat. “It’s Swan.”
Silence.
Shit, has the other man put the phone down on him?
At last the other man answers in a broken voice like he may be crying, “S-s-swan? This is your brother. It’s Link.”