Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I’ve kept our arrival to New York under wraps for the last two days. I wanted to surprise my family. I also didn’t want my brother to warn his new girlfriend about me. I fully plan on digging into her as much as I can.
I’m still trying to figure out why Enzo’s dating a cop. How did that even happen? How can they build a relationship of trust when they met because she was out to get evidence against him and his family? She wanted to lock him away.
Whenever I think about what she was doing, I’m overcome with pure rage. Of course, I don’t show it. I’m good at hiding my feelings.
The thing is, I do want my brother to be happy. Which is why I’m not going to act on those feelings. Instead, I’m going to go in nice as pie.
“You look fucking ravishing,” Connor says from where his tall frame leans against the bathroom doorway.
“Thanks.” I rub my lips together and replace the lid on my lipstick. “I wanted to look my best for them.” Especially for my mother. If she sees that I’m okay, that I’m good, she might worry less when I have to leave again.
“It’s your family, princess. They don’t care what you look like,” Connor says. “They don’t care if you’re wearing a designer dress or a trash bag.”
“How would you know?” My family is, in fact, very showy. No one dresses down. Ever.
“Because I love you and I don’t care what you wear.” Connor shrugs.
“You just told me I looked ravishing,” I remind him.
“I also tell you that when you’re completely naked and your face isn’t made up like a runway model.”
I can’t argue with that. He does say it a lot.
“Mo mhuirnín, they are going to be so excited to see you. Trust me, they won’t care what you’re wearing.” Connor pulls me against his chest.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?” I ask him.
“I can’t. Unless you really need me there, then I will reschedule my meeting,” he says.
“No, it’s okay. Like you said, it’s my family. I’ve been to Sunday lunch a million times. What could possibly go wrong?” I ask, knowing Connor has never been to one of my family gatherings.
A lot could go wrong.
“Take this.” Connor hands me the gun he bought me.
I smile. I like that he doesn’t object to me having it. Unlike all the oldies. “Thanks.” I can’t wait to see everyone’s face when I have to place this in the weapon basket.
“I love you. Call me, text me. Anything at all, I will always come for you.” Connor kisses me briefly before stepping back.
“I love you more, and ditto,” I tell him, knowing full well he is not going to call me if he’s ever in trouble. He’d want to keep me far away from it.
When I get to my grandparents’ house, the guards at the gate do a double-take and then smile at me. “Welcome home, Miss Valentino,” one of them says.
“Thank you. I’m surprising everyone, so let’s keep this between us.” I pat his shoulder and bat my lashes.
“Of course. They’re going to be thrilled to see you,” he says.
I make my way over to the gardens and sit down in front of the house. I don’t see Enzo’s car, and considering he’s the one I’m here to see, I’m going to wait for him to arrive.
When his car does finally pull up, he gets out, and then I run forward. “Enzo!” I squeal as I jump at him. Throwing my whole body into his while my arms wrap around his neck.
“Thought you were a little busy. Why are you here? Are you sure you should be home right now?” My brother lets go of me and takes a step back.
I smirk. And the moment I do, he knows exactly why I’m here. His smile fades and his eyes squint at me.
“What kind of sister would I be if I missed this?” I ask him.
“Aurora, behave. Please,” Enzo whispers.
I roll my eyes. When do I not behave?
“I always do.” I turn my attention to the woman next to him. I looked her up. I already knew she was gorgeous. “Hi, I’m Aurora, the baby sister and the person who’s going to rip your heart right out of your chest and shove it up your ass if you ever hurt my brother.”
My threat is delivered with a smile. They always are. The girl doesn’t flinch, though. No, she steps closer to me, and both of us ignore Enzo’s audible growl.
“I’m Kayleigh. I’m the one who’d rip my own heart out before hurting his. It’s nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
I’m still processing her words when her arms wrap around me. Huh, maybe she isn’t that bad. For a cop.
“Fucking finally. It’s about time one of you brought someone interesting into the family,” I say to my brother while I point to Kayleigh. “I like her, Enzo. We’re keeping her.”
Then I turn and walk towards the house. I have other people I need to see. Like my mother. I don’t actually care if his girlfriend hangs around or not. But you know the whole keep your enemies close thing? I figured it couldn’t hurt.
After finding my nonna in the kitchen, I make my way to the back patio. All eyes turn to me as soon as I step out. Mine fall on my mom. She jumps out of her seat and runs for me.
“Baby, oh god.” She sighs into my hair as she holds me tight against her chest. There is something about a mom’s hug that just can’t be beat. I hold on to her tighter.
“Mama, I missed you,” I tell her, doing my best to keep the tears at bay. That’s the last thing I need right now. I don’t want my family to think I’m unhappy.
My dad pulls me in next. I missed him too, but not as much as my mom. I haven’t seen her since I left home.
After greeting everyone, I stop and take my time introducing myself to Sebastian, Orlando’s cute-as-pie little baby. The kid is so adorable he almost makes me change my mind about having children. Maybe they’re not so bad?
“Okay, everyone, sit your asses down. We’re eating,” my Nonno says. And when he speaks, people listen. “Weapons out.” He points to the huge-ass basket in the middle of the table. I smile and wait for my turn.
Once everyone is done emptying their bodies of their chosen weapons, Zio Theo looks at me with a grimace. “Okay, Aurora, let’s have it.”
With the biggest smile on my face, I push up from my seat, reach behind my back, and remove the gold-plated, diamond-encrusted forty-five I stashed in my waistband and place it in the basket. “Anyone touches it, I’ll cut your fingers off,” I warn.
“Who the fuck gave you a gun?” my dad growls.
“It was a gift. And I like it,” I tell him.
“I’m going to fucking kill him…” My father’s knuckles turn white as he grips the butter knife in his hand.
“No, you’re not. Besides, I haven’t even killed anyone with it yet.” I shrug. “It sure does look pretty though.”
The rest of the lunch goes off without a hitch, surprisingly. I hate to admit it, but Kayleigh doesn’t seem all that bad. I can see why my brother likes her. I still wouldn’t trust her as far as I could throw her.
She’s brave coming here, considering she was trying to lock all these guys up and now she’s what? Family?
I hug my mom extra tight and promise to come home and see her with Connor before we leave again. And not long after that, I’m headed back to the O’Malley estate.
He’s still not home when I return. It’s really weird being here without him, so I just head up to his bedroom and sit on the bed. All the dark thoughts start creeping in. It happens when it’s quiet, and when I’m alone. I try to focus on my breathing.
I’m okay. I’m not there. I’m safe. I repeat the mantra in my head and try to erase the memories of being trapped in that dark basement, the beatings, the brutality of it all.
I get up and start flicking on every light in the room, including the desk lamp. I then open the closet door, turn that light on, and then do the same with the bathroom. I need light. I need to not be in the dark.