Chapter 50 Leticia
LETICIA
WHAT IS REAL?
I’m shaking. Maybe it’s just my hands, but it feels like my whole body. I’m barely holding it together. My arm hurts, the world feels like it’s ending, and I can’t seem to draw a deep breath. But showing weakness isn’t an option. Not in front of Dad.
Betty takes me into the kitchen and starts pulling coffee mugs from the cupboard before she stops, sighs, and turns to face me.
She pulls me into her arms, gently wrapping me up into a hug like Royal did when I was thrown at him. Betty speaks softly. “It’ll be okay.”
Her hug feels so much more comforting than any I’ve ever received from my own mom. I let the tears fall that I’d held back. She squeezes me a bit and then, when I’m ready, let’s go.
Betty wipes away my tears and gives me a partial smile, but it’s a calculating look.
“Do you need something for your head and arm?” she asks, stepping toward the cabinet where I’d seen some medications.
I shake my head, not wanting to seem weak. But with the movement, something in my neck aches, and I gasp.
Betty pulls out a bottle of over-the-counter pain relief and hands me two pills before pouring a glass of water.
I don’t instantly feel better — pain relief doesn’t work that way — but by the time I’ve swallowed the pills, the water glass doesn’t feel so heavy.
The world doesn’t feel like it’s ending. My head and arm still hurt though.
The coffee machine on the counter gurgles, making a full pot of coffee.
The glass carafe is nearly full by the time it’s done.
Betty places it on a pot holder in the center of a tray before adding the mugs around it.
She makes another tray of things like creamers and milk, sugar, and some other sweeteners.
“Is that too heavy for you?” Betty nods to the second tray.
“I’m sure it’s fine.” I smile softly in reply.
It’s agony carrying the tray, but I follow her with it, items rattling on top, back to the living room.
We’ve been gone for maybe ten minutes. Ian is seated in one of the large recliners, and Valor sits on the stone hearth by his side. Royal stands, feet apart, arms crossed over his chest. He watches me enter, and it elicits the same feeling of being watched that I’ve grown accustomed to.
On the other side of the room, Dad’s men are standing with their hands clasped together before them while Dad sits in the other chair and Berto sits on the couch.
The clearly drawn lines don’t leave Betty and me much room to pick and choose where to sit, but Betty sets her tray on the coffee table before pouring a cup for Ian and then herself.
She sits next to Berto, leaving me room on the far end of the couch, closer to the Cavanaghs than my own family.
Tucked in with the Cavanaghs, I feel safer than I have in a long time. No, I feel safer than I have since I left Valor’s house. It wasn’t that long ago I was here in Cavanagh territory, but it feels like forever when your whole world is uncertain.
Royal is across the room from me, but just having him close, I know I’m safe.
Dad’s phone lights up where it’s sitting on an ottoman, Steffano’s name flashing on the screen.
“The daughter you promised me, that I paid you for, is married to a Cavanagh,” Steffano says like he’s repeating it for the third or fourth time, the implication setting in.
“I am flying to America. We will meet in person tomorrow. You’ll explain to me how this happened and how all of you can make it up to me.
I’ve already invested. The money is transferred. This is unacceptable!” Steffano shouts.
I flinch, and Royal nearly starts moving but holds himself back.
“We’d be glad to discuss how this will work out. This is clearly unexpected, and we’ll happily negotiate a fair price for your inconvenience.” Ian sips his coffee. “But given the damage done to Leticia, she will be staying here in our home.”
“Damage?” Steffano spikes that word up as its own question. Like he can’t believe that would happen. “Surely you don’t think I damaged her.”
“No, but she’s bruised up quite a bit and favors one arm,” Betty casually answers, like it’s her place to join the conversation. “She’ll be seeing a medical professional, and we’ll be taking any damages he attributes to her mistreatment as part of payment in this deal.”
Do I look that bad? My arm hurts, but I don’t think I’m really favoring it all that much. I look down at the bruising. It’s significantly deeper in color than I expected, and compared to my other arm, it’s definitely swollen.
“Fine.” Steffano concedes. “I don’t want to do business with the D’Medicis.
I’ll only work with the Cavanaghs. Gregorio, you can make this up to me in other ways, and we’ll discuss it after I negotiate with the Cavanaghs.
She’s an object of value, and despite her being tarnished, we’ll negotiate for her. ”
I want to be disgusted that he thinks so little of me, but what do I care what an asshole like him thinks?
The line disconnects, the phone screen turning black.
Dad glares at me before assessing the room. “This is unacceptable. You should be negotiating with me, not Steffano.”
“Gregorio, Steffano already paid you for Leticia.” Valor says my name less harshly than every other word in that sentence.
“You gave up your claim on your daughter. Now we have to deal with the person who actually has a legal vested interest.” Valor stands, rising to his full height. “It’s best you leave. Now.”
Dad goes red in the face all over again, and he stands. “Are you throwing me out?”
“No, we’re telling you to leave, and you’ll do the right thing and vacate the premises. This is supposed to remain civil. Let it be civil.” Ian remains seated, sipping his coffee like there isn’t enough tension simmering to boil water.
“Come on, Dad.” Berto can barely handle looking at him and spits his words with disgust. When he stands, he extends his hand to Valor. “Thank you for your time.”
Dad and I are both slack jawed. Is Berto taking over? Dad will allow it?
But Dad gets to his feet. Making a point of looking anywhere but at me, he snatches up his phone and storms out the door.
Berto gives me one last smile. It’s small and apologetic, but he doesn’t say anything. Then, gesturing to the other two men to follow, he leaves.
The brush of cold air sweeps through the room and takes with it all the tension.
The most surprising part is that Betty laughs. “What a blowhard.”
Ian cracks up and joins in. “I thought he would turn purple with how little he was breathing. Do you perform CPR on someone if they’re actively choosing not to breathe? Or is there something else you’re supposed to do?”
Valor lets out a yawn. “Well, that was eventful. We better figure out what Steffano Bianchi will want, though, so we’re not caught negotiating with our asses hanging out.”
“I’ve already been going through what I could uncover.
His tech is surprisingly well set up, but the maintenance is a little lacking.
From what I can find, he’s still up to some bad shit.
” Royal looks at me, and his gaze is weighted with heavy emotion.
“I’ll fill you in, but I want to get Doc to look her over first.”
“Already sent him a text. He’ll be here soon.” Betty reassures him. “Why doesn’t Leticia help me figure out what to have for dinner, and the three of you go look over some inventory numbers and be productive.”
She’s practically dismissive with them, but they don’t argue . . . Well, Valor and Ian don’t. They make their way out toward the garage while Royal remains in place.
“Can we have a minute?” Royal gestures between him and me.
“The last time I let you two have a minute, we got into the middle of an Italian deal. Is that really the best idea?” She huffs.
I’m really taken aback by how strong-willed Betty is with the men of the house. She doesn’t concede or bow to any of them.
Royal looks at the floor and mumbles, “No.”
“I’ll do it anyway since I’m sure I’ll find her in your bed in the morning, but you’re not off the hook. Fated mate or not, you know this wasn’t the way to get what you want.”
Fated what? I have to assume that’s a wolf thing but not exactly something I need to expend brain space on at the moment with everything else going on.
Betty stands, crosses the room, and pats him on the shoulder. “But when the dust settles, know that we’ll be extremely happy for you both.”
As soon as the door to the garage opens and closes one more time, Royal rushes to me. He kneels at my feet and gently reaches for me. “Are you okay?”
“Am I okay?” I repeat. “Am I okay? I told you not to do this. It’s too dangerous. What if something happened? What if Dad got mad and hurt you? Your family could be in so much trouble. Even though they’re acting like this is just business as usual. It’s weird. No, I’m not okay.”
“I’m so sorry he hurt you. I had no idea he’d — I should have assumed he’d have done this to you, and I didn’t have a better plan in place to protect you when he found out.” Royal has tears in his eyes, the deep brown intensified by moisture. “Forgive me?”
“Of course I forgive you.” I lean forward, trying to get closer to him.
“Take it easy.” He brings his hand up and lightly brushes at my hairline.
The barest pressure sends a sharp sting through my skull, and my right arm aches. Maybe I’m more hurt than I thought?
“I can’t wait for the doctor to get here and get you checked out.” Royal’s nostrils flare. “I want to hurt Gregorio the same way he hurt you.”
“I don’t like that.” I shake my head. “I don’t like the idea of you stooping to his level.”
“Fine.” Royal leans forward and places a soft kiss against my lips. “I’m glad you’re back home, where you belong.”
I nod because somehow, despite how wrong and weird everything is, I do feel at home. I do feel a sense of belonging. Is this what family is supposed to be like?