Chapter 29
Yana Pov~
"Mom, is that man really related to Dad?" Marcio asked as we all escaped the living room and took over the kitchen.
I looked at my son and let out a small sigh. "I think so, synok. (little son.) It seems like Gabriel is your uncle." I said with a small, almost disbelieving smile.
"That's so wild. I can't believe we actually have an uncle that no one knew about!" Michel exclaimed, high-fiving Dean with a huge smile on his face.
I looked over at the younger kids, watching as Ano V kept them distracted and entertained, making sure they didn't pick up on the tension and the life-changing revelation happening just a room away.
"I kinda don't know who to feel bad for," AJ admitted, his expression thoughtful. "My dad or his siblings."
I shook my head slightly. "Honestly? If I were in Gabriel's shoes, I think he is the one who is the most vulnerable in this situation. He was the secret that was kept hidden for over twenty years. Imagine growing up knowing you were part of a family but never truly being able to have that family."
"Yeah, I wonder how Uncle Adriano held that in for sooooo long," Raf said, dragging out the words with raised eyebrows as he leaned against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest.
I huffed softly while fixing the end of Kaia's braid that had come loose. "Your uncle is stronger than we all truly realize."
I glanced toward the living room, where the echoes of their argument could still faintly be heard.
"The things that man has seen, the things he has done, and the things he has had to carry... it surpasses what any of us in this house have gone through. Even Matteo."
The kids grew quieter, listening to my words. "Adriano has always been the one everyone leans on. The one who protects everyone else. But sometimes I think we forget that he is still human too."
I sighed, looking toward the doorway. "I just really hope my sister can help fix this mess."
Gianna Pov~
"I'm really sorry this had to happen, love. But I am so very proud of you. You owned up to your mistake." I said the words softly as I sat down on his lap underneath the porch tent.
His face screamed anger, but his attitude was something else entirely. Somber. Defeated.
His hard-set eyes stared straight ahead, lost somewhere in his own thoughts. I lifted my hand and gently brushed against his cheek, feeling the scruff from the beard he hadn't shaved this morning.
Those blue eyes immediately found mine. And there it was. Something was brewing beneath the surface.
"I don't have time to make it up to my immature siblings," he finally said, his voice low and bitter. "I have threats to deal with, and my daughter's kidnapper sitting in my basement. If they want to act like fucking brats, then let them."
The harshness of his words made my heart ache. Not because I believed them. Because I knew they weren't truly him.
I could see exactly what he was doing. He was building those walls back up, locking everything away before anyone could hurt him again. He was trying to convince himself that he didn't care.
But I knew better. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
Slowly, I felt his body relax against mine. His large arms tightened around me, almost like he was afraid I would disappear. He buried his face into the crook of my neck, breathing me in.
"I love you, Adriano," I whispered against his ear before kissing his cheek. I pulled back slightly and looked at him. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"You're too good for me," he murmured, his fingers drawing small circles against my waist. I smiled softly. "No, my love. We just complete each other too well."
I grabbed his hand and stood up, pulling him with me. We walked back into the house in silence. When we passed the kitchen, we saw all the kids still gathered there. Adriano stopped for a moment before walking inside.
Every single pair of eyes landed on him. Mostly his children. "You guys okay?" he asked, looking around the room.
Everyone nodded almost simultaneously.
Ano V stepped forward and grabbed Adriano's arm. "Adriano, penso che dovresti parlare con tuo fratello."(Adriano, I think you should go speak with your brother.) Her voice was serious.
Adriano's expression immediately hardened. "Matteo non mi parlerà in questo momento e nemmeno io voglio parlargli."(Matteo won't speak to me right now, and I don't want to speak to him either.)
Ano V shook her head slightly. "I'm talking about Gabriel."
The second his brother's name left her mouth, Adriano's expression changed. The anger disappeared. The walls cracked. He nodded silently before walking out of the room.
I followed behind him and watched as he entered the living room where his siblings were still gathered. The second Adriano walked in, their conversation stopped.
"Can I speak to you privately, Gabriel?" Adriano asked. Gabriel looked at him for a moment before nodding. The two brothers walked out of the room together.
I turned back toward the remaining siblings and crossed my arms. "Alright," I said, taking a seat on the couch. "Come on. I want to hear everything." Because this conversation was far from over.
Adriano Pov~
I made my way into my office and took a seat beside Gabriel. For once, I didn't know what to say.
"I'm sorry about how everyone reacted." I finally said. A small, humorless smile tugged at my lips. "I thought it would have gone... well."
I paused. "Actually, no. I thought it would go exactly like that."
Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, we know how dramatic they can be." He joked. I nodded, a small smile forming before it faded. "But what did they tell you?" I asked.
Gabriel looked down at his hands for a moment, gathering his thoughts before looking back at me.
"They were shocked. Mili was excited and happy, but she was hurt too. Matteo was brooding... pretty much like you." He laughed lightly. "Leena was pissed. Honestly, they were more upset at you than they were at me."
I sighed, leaning back in my chair. "Leena has every right to be angry. I kept not one, but two siblings from her. Matteo is hurt because that was the only secret I ever kept from him. He always believed we told each other everything."
I shook my head. "And Miliana..." I couldn't help but smile slightly. "She is just excited that she has another brother to boss around."
Gabriel laughed. "Hey, I'm all for it."
I looked over at him. "I grew up alone, Adriano. Yes, I had you and Matteo when you visited, but most of the time it was just me and my parents. So whatever comes from them, I'll take it."
His expression softened. "I'm just happy to finally be known. I knew they would react badly, but I also know them. Give them time and everything will settle down."
I looked at him quietly. "And I don't blame you for keeping it a secret." He continued. "I understand why you did it. I was there. I made that choice too."
He pointed a finger at me with a knowing look. "And I know you, fratello. You're going to sit here, blame yourself, and become all moody and brooding because that's what you do."
I rolled my eyes slightly. "Don't." A small laugh escaped me. "You know, I was supposed to be making you feel better. Not the other way around."
Gabriel shrugged with a smile. "Someone has to keep you sane." I shook my head, but I couldn't stop the smile that appeared.
Gabriel and I had known each other since the day he was born. We weren't just brothers, we were best friends. I knew him like I knew myself. And somehow, even after all these years, he still had the ability to make people feel lighter.
Gabriel carried a warmth that was rare in our world. He was kind, genuine, and patient. He saw the good in people when most of us were trained to look for the worst.
Sometimes I wondered how someone like him survived around people like us. He was too good for the Mafia. But that wasn't my decision anymore. It was his.
Although, a part of me would always see him as the little boy I had found in Italy all those years ago.
My baby brother. Except he wasn't a child anymore.
"You know..." Gabriel said, breaking through my thoughts. "Can I finally officially meet your kids now?" I raised an eyebrow.
"They're going to love me." I snorted as I stood up. "They're not normal kids."
Gabriel followed me toward the door with a grin. "Even better."
I opened the door and looked back at him. "You asked for the crazy." His smile only grew. "Perfect." I shook my head, walking down the hallway toward the chaos waiting for us. "Alright then."
AJ Pov~
"Why don't you try moving this-" Uncle Gio was saying before he was interrupted by Clara walking into the room.
"What's all the fuss about? I sleep in for one day and suddenly there's a new Basilio sibling!" she exclaimed.
"Yeah, I guess so." Damien shrugged as he sat there while Marcio helped remove his stitches. "Should've been awake when it happened. The family blew a gasket."
Uncle Gio and I were sitting nearby trying to fix something on my tablet so we could track down Kale's boss. I rolled my eyes at Clara. My dad finally released her from the basement after all her intel came back confirmed.
Clara huffed and sat down beside me. I continued messing with my tablet, but I couldn't focus because I could feel her staring at me.
Finally, I snapped my head toward her. "Can I help you, old lady?" She ignored my comment and studied my face with a shocked expression.
"You look so much like your dad when he was younger. It's uncanny." I rolled my eyes. "That's great, Susan, but I have work to do. So can you please move along?" I waved my hand dramatically, motioning for her to leave.
She scoffed and rolled her eyes before walking into the kitchen. "How did you date that?" Marcio asked Uncle Gio from behind us.
Uncle Gio shook his head while still focused on the tablet. "She wasn't like that when I dated her." "Sure," I muttered.