Chapter 34
MATTEO
“I don’t know what the hell I’m doing,” I tell my brothers two days later, the car jerking as I try to drive the SUV they surprised me with yesterday.
It’s exactly like theirs. Enzo said it officially made me part of the family.
I know he was only kidding, but I like having the same one. It makes me feel closer to them.
The parking lot at one of their nightclubs is huge and abandoned at this time of day, making it the perfect spot for learning how to properly drive.
Enzo chuckles from the back seat, clasping me on the shoulder. “Bro, how the hell did you manage to drive the van and shit?”
Putting the car in park, I twist over to him. “I don’t fucking know. Adrenaline?”
“Don’t worry,” Dom says from the passenger side. “You’ll get it. You had to see how bad Enzo drove when he first started.”
Enzo scoffs, flipping Dom off.
“You sucked,” Dante tells him, chuckling, seated beside him. “You almost crashed into a tree once. Or did you forget?”
“Damn, you two are trying to ruin my very fine reputation here.” He fixes the collar of his blue button-down shirt.
“So how bad were you, really?” My brow pops, my mouth curling at the corner.
“Fine.” He throws a hand in the air. “I was terrible. I don’t know how they ever gave me a license.”
That has me shaking with a laugh.
“Truth?” he continues. “You’re way better than I was.”
“I have to be.” I let out a harsh sigh. “There’s so much I promised Aida we’d do if we ever got out and I want to do it all with her, without some driver taking us places.
” My chest tightens, recalling the days in the basement, dreaming of a better life, one we could share. Now I can actually give her that.
I wonder if she’s having a good time out with her cousins and Jade. They took her on a girls’ day, whatever that means. She needed that. Family is important.
Reuniting with my brothers has been a gift. I was lost, abandoned, at least I thought I was, until I saw them again and learned the truth. They never forgot me, and I’m ashamed I ever believed they did.
“You will,” Dante says. “You two will have everything you have ever wanted and more. We’ll make sure of it.” His brows bend with reverence. “We can’t undo what’s been done, but we can give you guys new memories. A fresh start.”
“Yeah.” My mouth falls into a thin smile. “I’d like that. Now, if you guys could get me license ready in five days so I can surprise her with that date, I’d be grateful.”
“Shit.” Enzo leans back into his seat with a wide grin. “Never said we could work miracles.”
After an hour of teaching me how to drive, we arrive at some store that sells suits. “What are we doing here?” I ask them as we strut inside.
“Every man needs a suit, especially when he plans to take out the woman he loves.” Dom’s voice is low, as a guy in a black suit comes out from behind the counter to greet us.
“Hello, nice to see you all again,” he tells my brothers with a curt nod. “What can I do for you guys today?”
“This is my other brother, Matteo.” Dom gestures to me with a tilt of his head. “He needs everything.”
That gets the man’s brown eyes lighting up.
“All right, sir.” He looks at me this time. “Come with me. I’ll take your measurements and we’ll set you up with everything you need.”
He starts toward the back room while I glance at Dom, scratching my temple.
“Go. You deserve this.” He nods.
My palm runs down my face as I dart my attention to each of my brothers, and there’s love on their faces. For me. “It’s weird,” I say. “Being out here like I’m normal. I—I don’t know. I can’t explain it.” My eyes lower to my feet.
“Hey.” Dante clasps a hand over my shoulder. “It’s okay. We get it. Take your time. If something doesn’t feel right, tell us.”
“Yeah,” Enzo adds. “Like when we take you underwear shopping. I’m warning you now, I ain’t seeing you model that shit.”
I let out a deep laugh. This is nice. This is real. And it’s my life now, one I’m never letting go.
AIDA
“Guys, this is too much,” I tell my cousins as they continue helping me find more clothes. We’ve been at it for a couple of hours, going from store to store. Chiara’s SUV is piled with bags, all for me and Jade.
“You’re doing this for me,” Chiara says, picking up a baby-blue off-the-shoulder flared dress. “I’m sick of sitting around at home. I want to treat you two. Think of it as being part of my recovery. So, indulge me and try this one on.”
I shake my head with laughter. “Okay. I do kind of like it.” My fingertips run down the soft material, imagining Matteo seeing me in it.
There were so many things we once wanted to do together—picnics and restaurants, dancing as the stars twinkled above us, the water at our feet, making love on the sand. I want that with him so badly.
Earlier today, I had opened up to Jade about what’s holding me back from sleeping with Matteo.
She’s the only other person who knows what any of this feels like.
I asked if she was once afraid to be with Enzo and she told me she was at first. But Enzo’s acceptance and love, made it easier over time.
She’s still dealing with her trauma and is even looking into therapy.
She asked if I’d like to join her, so I agreed.
Maybe that’s what I need. I want to be ready, but I’m just afraid that if we go that far, I’ll make him stop and ruin everything.
In that instant, Jade comes out of the dressing room with a long, flowy red dress, with thin straps over her shoulders. “What do you guys think?” she asks us, doing a little twirl.
“Wow,” I say. “You’re so pretty.”
She waves off the compliment, even as my cousins tell her the same.
Robby sits in the velvet sofa, eating a cheese sandwich, staring at his mother in awe. “You’re beautiful, Mommy. You too, Aida.” He grins at me.
“Aww, you’re just the sweetest boy alive, aren’t you?” I walk over to him, kissing the top of his head.
“I wish Ms. Greco was with us too,” he tells me, his mouth twisting sideways.
“Me too.” I take a seat beside him, and tuck him close, a hand wrapped around his small frame. “But I know she’s watching us, and I know she’s happy.”