Chapter 24
Miliana Pov~
The ringing of my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked over at it sitting on my bed, and a smile immediately crept onto my face when I saw his name.
I didn't even hesitate before answering. "Hello."
"Hello, love." His deep, husky voice immediately sent warmth through my body. I closed my eyes, smiling softly.
"I miss having you wrapped around me, Mili."
A blush instantly crept onto my cheeks even though he couldn't see me. "I miss you too, Niccoli." My voice softened. "But I have to stay here until everything with the council is settled." I sighed, mostly trying to convince myself that staying away was the right thing to do.
"Babe..." I heard the frustration in his voice. "You know I told you a million times that I can help if you let me." I stayed quiet. "All we have to do is tell everyone." He paused.
"Raf already knows. I don't understand why we are still keeping this a secret."
I looked down at the tile floor, letting out a small breath. "I know." My voice came out quieter than I expected. "I guess I'm just scared."
The line went silent for a moment. "After everything that has happened..." I continued. "I finally found someone who loves me more than anything else in the world."
My fingers played with the edge of my blanket. "And I guess I didn't want to share that with anyone yet." I laughed softly, but there was no humor behind it. "I wanted to be selfish for once." I leaned back against my headboard, staring at the ceiling.
For so long, I had spent my life taking care of everyone else. My sisters. my family, my nieces and nephews. Everyone always needed something from me.
And Niccoli...He was the one person who was just mine.
I heard his breathing through the phone, and somehow that alone calmed me. I missed him. I missed us. "I understand, Mil." His voice was softer now. "But I think it's time."
I swallowed. "If you wait much longer, your brothers are not going to be happy."
I groaned, knowing he was right. "I know."
My whining earned a chuckle from him. "You're impossible." I smiled.
"You're the one who loves me."
"That I do." His voice dropped slightly, making my heart flutter.
"I'll talk to them." I whispered the words more to myself than him.
"You can do this, love." A small smile spread across my face. "I have to go. Mafia business calls."
I rolled my eyes. "Of course it does." He laughed. "Love you."
My smile softened. "Love you too." The call ended, and I stared down at my phone.
I bit my lip as nervousness seeped through me like a flood. My heartbeat pounded against my chest, and I couldn't understand why I was so nervous.
I was a grown woman.
My brothers couldn't tell me who I could and couldn't date. I wasn't some teenager asking permission, and I definitely wasn't one of their children they had to protect from every possible danger.
I had spent my whole life watching over everyone else. It was time I stood up for myself. I sat up straighter, confidence slowly replacing my nerves.
"I can do this." I whispered the words to myself before standing up and walking out of my room. I needed to get this over with before I lost my courage.
As I walked down the stairs searching for my brothers, I heard a faint voice yelling.
Then another.
And another.
The closer I got to the living room, the louder the chaos became. When I stepped inside, I immediately stopped. My eyes widened.
Ales, Kalani, Isabella, and Antonio were all standing there arguing at the top of their lungs.
And somehow...All the parents were involved too.
Adriano, Matteo, Giovanni, Yana, Leena, and Gianna were spread throughout the room, each trying to handle the disaster in front of them. I stayed quiet, completely dumbfounded as I watched the chaos unfold.
"You need to stop cheating and admit that I won!" Antonio yelled, looking way too proud of himself.
Ales immediately scoffed. "Oh, are you kidding me? You cheat at everything!" She crossed her arms.
"We all know you didn't win, so give it up, punk."
"Don't call your cousin a punk." Gianna immediately stepped in, hands on her hips.
"But he's being totally unreasonable!" Kalani argued.
"I don't care." Gianna's eyes narrowed.
"And what is this I hear about you guys leaving the house without telling any of us?"
"We didn't really leave!" Isabella defended quickly.
Matteo's arms crossed. "I don't care. You know the rules. Where did you think you were going?"
"For a walk." Antonio shrugged like it was the most obvious answer in the world. The entire room went silent.
Giovanni slowly looked at his son. "You are in deep shit." Antonio's shoulders immediately dropped.
"Upstairs. Now." He pointed toward the stairs. Antonio reluctantly walked away.
"That's what you get, cheater!" Kalani yelled after him.
Ales immediately smacked her on the head. "Shut up, moron." She hissed.
I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. These children were absolutely chaotic.
"You two are in trouble as well." Gianna pointed at Ales and Kalani.
"Your rooms. Now." They opened their mouths to argue. But one look from their father stopped them. Adriano's expression hardened. "Now."
The two girls immediately hurried upstairs. "And don't come out until dinner!" Gianna yelled after them.
I continued standing there, completely amazed. I was starting to appreciate how easy Raf had been compared to everyone else. I don't know if I could have handled more than one child.
Isabella remained standing there as Matteo stared her down. "You know what you did was wrong." His voice was calm but firm. "Follow the rules."
Yana stepped forward. "Upstairs. No phone, no TV, no tablet. Go finish the homework you've been ignoring."
Isabella sighed but nodded. "Yes, Mom." She walked upstairs, escaping the disappointed looks from her father and uncles.
"And tell your cousins the same thing." Leena called after her. Once the room finally settled, everyone released a tired sigh.
I decided that was my chance.
"How can they be so stupid?" Giovanni shook his head. "They had one rule."
"I don't know." Gianna frowned. "But Ales usually would have stopped this." Her expression became more concerned. "The fact that she went along with it bothers me."
I took a deep breath and stepped further into the room. "Hey guys."
Everyone finally noticed me.
"Hey, Mili." Leena looked at me curiously. "Did you see the disaster that just happened?"
I smiled slightly. "Yeah...that was crazy." I looked around at all of them. "But I actually need to tell you guys something." My fingers immediately started playing with each other.
A nervous habit I couldn't stop. The room shifted instantly. The playful atmosphere disappeared.
"What's wrong, Miliana?" Adriano asked, concern immediately crossing his face.
I smiled nervously and shook my head. "Actually..." I took a breath. "Nothing is wrong." I paused. "It's actually the opposite." The room went silent.
Miliana Pov~
"Oh my god! It's actually happening!" Yana exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement. "Are you sure you're ready?" Gianna reached over and grabbed my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. "There is no rush, Mili."
I looked between the two of them, my nerves somehow getting worse.
"Mind telling us what the hell you two are talking about?" Matteo asked, completely confused. I took a deep breath.
"I've been seeing someone for about a year now." I admitted, a nervous smile spreading across my face.
The room immediately went quiet. "Who?" Leena asked curiously.
"Uh..." I looked down, suddenly unable to form the words. "I- I..." Why was this so hard? I started taking slow breaths, trying to calm myself down. Everyone stared at me like I had lost my mind.
Then I heard a familiar voice. "Conosco, Miliana." (I know Miliana)mMy head snapped toward Adriano. I narrowed my eyes in confusion. "You know?" He raised an eyebrow, almost amused by my reaction.
"You really think I wouldn't find out who was dating my sister?" I stared at him, completely caught off guard. Of course he knew. This man knew everything.
A small smirk tugged at his lips. "And before you ask, yes. I am one hundred percent on board with this." He leaned back slightly. "I just don't understand why it took you so long to tell us."
I shrugged, playing with my fingers.
"Who is it?" Yana practically yelled. I couldn't help but laugh at her excitement.
"Niccoli." The room froze. "Your brother."
Yana's excited expression disappeared instantly. "That big liar!" Gianna shouted. Everyone looked at her in surprise.
"I knew he was dating someone!" Yana threw her hands up dramatically. "For months I kept bothering him about it, and every single time he swore it wasn't you."
She shook her head, completely offended. "Where's my phone?"
"Absolutely not." Matteo immediately grabbed her, wrapping his arms around her before she could storm away.
"Let me go!" Yana protested.
I laughed softly. "I told him I didn't want anyone knowing yet, so please don't be mad at him." Yana sighed, finally calming down as Matteo released her.
"You could have told us." Her voice softened. "But I understand you probably had your reasons for keeping it private."
I smiled gratefully. Before I could respond, Leena gasped. "This is so exciting!" She immediately rushed forward and wrapped me in a hug. Gianna joined her a second later, and soon we were all laughing.
"You guys are weird." Giovanni commented, shaking his head. I rolled my eyes but couldn't stop smiling.
"Does Raf know?" Gia asked.
I nodded. "He does. He was completely supportive when I told him." I smiled softly. "I guess Niccoli being around all these years helped."
Matteo walked over and pulled me into one of his giant hugs. "We're happy for you, sis."
I immediately started pushing against him. "Let go!" He laughed as I struggled against him.
"Matteo, you're literally crushing her." Yana teased.
"I am showing affection."
"You're suffocating her." Leena corrected.