26. Nerissa
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Nerissa
T he door flies open, and my adrenaline shoots up again. Tuomo throws me behind himself and stands to defend me. I’m terrified, but he will protect me.
I don’t even scream. There is no point. My neighbors don’t care.
“Stay behind me.” Tuomo commands.
I scamper off the bed, over the edge and onto the floor, ducking low and peaking up to see what is going on.
The three dark shadows who burst into my room step closer and light touches their faces.
I gasp.
I know who they are.
I would recognize the Vece brothers anywhere.
They all look older, more defined, stronger - but it is them.
But what the hell are they doing in my apartment in the middle of the night.
Tuomo is just as shocked as I am, and they argue. I don’t know if I should stand up and tell them all to calm down or just stay out of it.
Masaccio seems the most upset, and Rufino seems ready to tear Tuomo apart. Celso is hanging near the back, not saying much, trying to stay out of the fight.
“You need to leave.” Tuomo hisses. “You have no right to be here.”
“We aren’t going anywhere until we know who that girl is and what you are doing with her. Is she a hooker? Does she have something on you? If she’s blackmailing—”
“Fuck off man. She isn’t a hooker. Nothing is going on here that you need to be involved in.”
Rufino marches over to the wall and flicks on the main light.
Harsh bright light floods the room, and I lift my hand over my eyes blinking at the sudden intrusion. Shit. I’m not even wearing pants and there are four men in my room.
“Stand up.” Masaccio demands.
I hesitate. I don’t know what to do.
Masaccio makes as though he is going to walk around the bed towards me and Tuomo steps in front of him, pushing his hands against his brother’s chest to stop him.
“Leave her the fuck alone.”
“Get out of my way before I take you down, Tuomo. We are sick and tired of your shit, and we need to know what the fuck is going on.”
Rufino steps forward and grabs Tuomo’s arm. He is much bigger than Tuomo. And while Tuomo could take many men down, Rufino looks as though he could crush a truck with his fist.
Masaccio steps past Tuomo as he struggles in Rufino’s grasp.
He walks to the bed and glares down at me.
“No.” he mutters. “It can’t be.” His mouth drops open as he stares down at me.
“Who is it?” Rufino and Celso ask.
I stare at Tuomo, begging him for help with my eyes.
He closes his eyes and his jaw clenches. He knows there is no way out of this.
I stand up, pulling the edges of my t-shirt down, as low as it will go, so I’m completely exposed.
“Nerissa?” Rufino gasps in shock. “The maid’s kid?”
Celso pushes past his two brothers to stare at me and I feel like I’m on display for all of them. I’m vulnerable and very alone in this moment.
“Guys, please, leave her alone.” Tuomo says.
Masaccio turns on him with anger. “Are you fucking stupid? How many times did our father have to warn you to stay away from her. She is beneath you. She is trouble. What the fuck are you doing messing with her?”
Tuomo’s rage surges and he shoves Rufino off him. Rufino lets go and steps away. It’s not like Tuomo can fight all of them - but right now it looks as though he will try.
“I said get out.” He snarls.
Masaccio steps towards him and grabs his shirt in both hands, growling into his face.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Tuomo? Who is she to you?”
Tuomo’s breathing is heavy. I can see his chest heaving up and down.
“She is the woman I love.” He whispers, but his voice is steady and strong.
“Love?” Masaccio stammers in shock. “You think you love her?”
“I don’t fucking think I love her - I know I do.”
“Dad’s going to kill him.” Rufino says, shaking his head.
I am just standing there like a mute statue, not sure what to do. I want to defend Tuomo. But I feel attacked myself. Who cares if my mother was a cleaner. She was an incredible woman. A kind, loving, and gentle person who deserves respect. My fists clench at my side. They are all horrible people. They are nasty and cruel, and I want them out of my house.
But I don’t say a damned thing.
I’m too scared.
“Leave our father out of this.” Tuomo says, his eyes darkening towards Masaccio and Rufino. Celso sighs. “We don’t have to tell dad. It will turn into a nightmare if we do.”
“Shut up, Celso. Nobody asked you. This is a serious situation. If you will not help us - leave.”
“Fuck sakes, don’t be an asshole, I was just saying that we can handle this between ourselves.” Celso turns towards Tuomo. “Bro, you can’t get away with dating someone like her. Stop. If you agree to stay away from her, we don’t have to tell dad anything. He has an entire plan, a list of possible, suitable wives for us.”
“I will never let her go. Since the day I met her, I decided she would be my wife, and I don’t care if I have to fight every single one of you to make that clear.” Tuomo is furious and not backing down.
Masaccio is getting tense and Rufino’s brows are so knotted it looks as though he wants to tear Tuomo apart.
Rufino turns to Masaccio. “We should deal with this in private.” He gestures towards me, eyeing me as though I was a spy.
“You’re right. Tuomo, come with us.”
“Fuck you.” He snarls.
“Rufino.” Masaccio nods.
Rufino steps forward with purpose and grabs Tuomo’s arms. “It’s time to go, man.”
Tuomo fights and Masaccio steps into the mess of arms and legs and between the two of them they clamp him in a head lock.
Still - I don’t move. I’m frozen. I’m terrified.
Rufino drags Tuomo out of my apartment and away from me.
Masaccio stands alone after everyone else has left. His eyes are dark on me. Threatening.
He steps close to me. Close enough that I can smell his breath against my face when he speaks.
“If you speak a word about our family to anyone, I will make sure you never see the light of day again. I don’t know what was going on between you two - but it’s over now.”
My heart is beating so fast I can hear it in my ears. I’m holding my breath. Too afraid to move.
“Nod if you understand, girl.”
I nod and take a shuddering breath in.
He grabs my jaw in his hand and pulls my face closer to his.
“I never want to see you again.” He snarls.
Then he lets me go and walks out.
My apartment is empty and silent again.
I stare at the open door, willing myself to rush forward and close it.
I take a long time to find the ability to move again.
When I do I close the door, with shaking hands and tears in my eyes.
I am so grateful that none of them saw me crying - that I held back all of my emotions until they were gone.
I walk backwards until my legs bump against my bed then I sit down.
For over an hour I just sit there staring at the door. I don’t know if I’m safe. I don’t know if one of them is going to come back for me and make sure that I can’t tell them anything. I don’t even know anything. Tuomo didn’t speak about his family. What is there to tell?
Focus on your breathing, deep slow breaths in and out. They aren’t coming back.
But still. I stare at the door.
I stare at the door until light filters in through my window and only then do I lie down on the bed and close my eyes - too exhausted to think anymore. Too exhausted to worry if someone is going to come crashing through the door to steal me away and make me disappear.
My dreams are dark and full of dangerous things.
I was asking for trouble getting involved with Tuomo.
I should never have done it and now - now my heart is aching, and I’m scared for my life.