Chapter 35 #2
“Oh, my God,” I push out, rushing to Purge first. I throw my arms around him gently, and he pulls me closer. “I’m fine, Iskra.”
I look at Synn, who grins lazily. I hop onto his bed, cradling his face in my hands and kiss him, all my love pouring into it. “I love you, Synn.”
“And I Iove you, Pazessca.”
The Doctor comes in, and I jump to a stand. “Are they...?”
“They will be fine, young lady. He motions to Purge, “He’s just heavily bruised, but otherwise fine. No concussion. Addressing Synn, he says, “The bullet entered and exited neatly. I just needed to stitch him up. He did not need any blood. He will have to be careful until the stitches come out.”
I exhale loudly. “Thank God! Thank you, Doctor.”
The Doctor smiles and leaves us alone. I climb in Synn’s bed to cuddle him.
The others come and go for the next few days, until Synn gets his stitches checked. Finally, he's given the all-clear to rest in his own room.
I take that as a cue to get more rest, as well. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.
I bolt up out of sleep. I had a clarifying thought in a dream. I believe I’m ready to make an important decision.
I get myself dressed and fed. I need to tell everyone, and luckily, they’re all in here, too.
“I have a request. I want to go see my parents, and I want Synn to come with me,” I say. “If you’re up to it.”
Synn grins like a lovesick fool. “Just me, Pazessca?”
“Yes, just you.” Turning to my other guys, I smile in apology. “It’s important to me, so please don’t argue. When we get back, you can all spend time with me.”
My voice of reason, Frost, speaks up. “I understand, Killer. Ghost and I need to tend to our mothers, anyway.”
I step away, getting my phone out.
I see the others surrounding Trikk, hugging him. Good, I’m glad they’re focusing on him right now.
My father gave me my parents’ number last time I was there. I click call and wait a bit nervously.
“Hello? Carina?” my father’s rich voice says.
“Hi. Can I come see you today? I’ve made a decision… about everything.”
His voice gets cheerier. “Of course. We'd be delighted to see you.”
“Great. Thanks... Father.”
“Oh. You're welcome, my daughter,” he whispers, his voice hoarse.
I wrap up the call and turn to Synn. “Let’s finish eating, then get ready to go. Okay?”
He hugs me tight. “Anything you want, Pazessca.”
I'm snuggled into Synn’s side, who’s been upbeat since I asked him to come along.
I'm excited to tell my parents my decision.
I clutch the pile of papers, signed and ready to go.
Each mile that passes makes my heart happier.
Finally, we pull up to their house. I burst from the car, Synn right on my tail. The front door opens, and my smiling father stands there to greet us.
Handing the papers to Synn, I run to my father, who sweeps me up into a hug.
We follow him inside where my mother waits, beaming at us. I run to her, too, hugging her tight.
Synn hands me back the papers, and we all take a seat.
“You have the floor, Carina,” my father says.
“Okay then. I accept all the things you offered. The bank account, the spots on the board of your three companies, and... the position as heir of the Rossi family.”
Synn jerks next to me, shock on his face.
I look back to my parents, then add, “I want to re-introduce you to Synn, my husband. And I intend to stay his wife.”
Silence stretches for several moments, then a flurry of activity happens.
My mother squeals, rushing over to hug us both. “Congratulations, Caterina. You and Joseph Franco—what a pairing!”
My father shakes Synn's hand. “Treat her right, son.” He looks at me. “Our two families merged this way will be quite powerful indeed. Though I know that's not why you did it.”
Synn makes a noise in his throat, then turns to me with tears swimming in his stormy grays. “You mean that, Pazessca? You want to be my wife… forever?”
I throw my arms loosley around his neck. “Oh, Synn. You’re one of my soulmates. We have a special bond, my Hoodie Boy. Yes, I want to be your wife forever.”
Synn chokes on tears, shaking his head. “I don’t deserve you.”
I playfully swat his arm. “Don’t say that. I love you.”
Looking back to my parents, I ask the burning questions that have been plaguing my brain. “I’m scared of being in charge. I have no idea how to be a mafia leader. Will you please help me?”
My father laughs. “Carina, we would never leave you hanging like that. We're not ancient yet. Of course, we’ll be right by your side as you learn. Anything you need, you will have.”
I clear my throat, tears threatening to spill. “You don’t know how much all of this means to me. Having parents who love me this much… I never thought it was possible. You are both a treasure. I love you so much.”
Everyone starts to cry, and we all stand for a group hug.
I pull back, saying, “Thank you, Mom and Dad.”
That gets my mother crying harder, but we all manage to collect ourselves.
Sniffing, my mother tells us, “I have a huge feast that should be almost done. This is a celebration.”
That it is. I feel like my true life is beginning, and I couldn’t be happier to finally live it.
Synn
I can’t believe it, at all.
Pazessca wants to stay my wife.
Emotions flood through my body, ones I’m not used to experiencing: joy, happiness, and pure love.
My real family is all around me, and I’m humbled. So fucking grateful.
I grin to myself thinking about announcing this to my brothers. They’ll be jealous, and maybe even pissed, but I know they’ll accept it. Just because Pazessca is my wife legally, doesn’t mean she can't be theirs in every other way.
We get back to the compound and walk inside, grinning like fools. The guys push forward.
“Well?” an impatient Razor asks.
“What’s going on?” Sam asks next.
“Well, for one, Pazessca wants to stay married—” is all I get out before voices rise.
Surprisingly, Harris is the one to lose his shit first. “The fuck? What about the rest of us?”
Pazessca speaks up. “It changes nothing with the rest of us. You are all my soulmates, and I love you all more every day.”
A hurt-looking Trikk mutters under his breath, then turns to walk away. Pazessca makes to go after him, but I stop her.
“Let him have some time to process. He'll be okay, I promise.” I hug her to my side.
Feminine voices come toward us, and Valley and Cynthia reach us, eyes wide.
“Did we hear that right? You're staying married?” Valley asks.
“Yep, I am. That's not all the news I have though.” My girl looks at all of us, while her friends nestle into her sides, chattering happily.
“I accepted my parent’s offers. I'm taking the board seats... and the position as Rossi heir.”
A shocked silence settles over us. Everyone just stares.
A concerned Frost frowns. “Killer, do you know what you’re doing?”
“Yes, I do. My parents will be helping me the whole time.”
A thought occurs to me. With our fathers all dead, the mantle goes to us officially.
My father’s men will automatically look to me for answers, and I expect the other families to do the same.
“Guys—all our families have no official leaders. What are we going to do?” I ask them.
“Fuck,” Purge groans, swiping a hand through his messy blonde locks. “I sure as hell am not going to let one of those assholes that worked for my father take what’s mine.” His brow furrows. “But this is also an opportunity to walk the fuck away. I don’t know what to do.”
We break out into conversation.
Pazessca listens for a few minutes, then raises her voice to be heard.
“Have you thought of the possibility that we can make a positive difference if we band together? We can not only change the way things work, but become the most powerful unit in the world. We can make real changes. Get rid of the fucked-up shit, like the trafficking.”
“You’re right, Baby Girl,” I agree with her. “We can build something real and sustainable. I say yes. I'm taking control of the Franco family.”
That announcement sets off a domino effect with the others. One by one, they all mirror my thoughts.
“So, we’re doing this, then? Stepping into our new roles as leaders?” I clarify.
“I guess we are,” Frost answers.
We’re so busy discussing it, we don’t see Trikk coming back. He strides into view with a resigned look on his face.
“I overheard: I’m in, too. For once, I want the Barbieri name to mean something. I want to stand for what’s right.”
Pazessca rushes to him, smiling up at him. “You are incredible, Trikk.”
“Alright, it seems like you all have a lot to discuss,” Harris chimes in from the sidelines.
“In the meantime, Jax is working on a plan to get everyone out of The Retreat. Boys—can you use your connections to aid us at all? We want to avoid the media, but will need help relocating the students once they’re all out. ”
I tap my teeth in thought. I'm familiar with who is in our pocket. “I can arrange it.”
The others echo my thought.
Harris nods, then smiles. “Get ready to start those big changes. We're doing the right thing.”
Murmurs of agreement come from everyone.
I, for one, am excited. It's about fucking time. I'm ready to be a good person for a change.
Well, a better one, maybe.