I turn to look at him, noticing that Zane has taken a stiffened stance, blocking the man from moving toward me. Lorenzo immediately tries to side step him, but Zane matches him; showmanship of his territorial behavior. I roll my eyes, not willing to attend to the show of this level of male testosterone. I leave them both to it. I cannot and will not give Lorenzo any semblance of hope that I want him.
As I walk toward the bar, I hope he doesn’t wholly listen to my words. I want him to fight; I want him to prove his mistakes are mistakes. He follows me but doesn’t talk again. When I enter the bar, I head straight to Enzo as he waits to be served. I want the strongest, largest drink this place has to offer.
“Get me a double scotch on the rocks,” I order and give him a small smile.
Enzo gives me a worrisome glare but nods. “Go grab the large booth over there. I’ll bring the drinks and send everyone over.”
“Okay,” I whisper and slip away from the bar, taking Manuel’s hand in mine and taking him with me. “We haven’t had time to talk much.”
“I know,” he throws his remark back at me.
“How are things?” I ask as we make it to the booth and I slip in. “You don’t seem so happy anymore, Manuel.”
“Nor do you,” he quips with a small smile. “I always knew it was going to be hard being in our family. I just made it harder.”
“I will try everything to make it easier for you,” I vow.
“I know.” He looks at me, his big blue eyes full of wonder and awe, and I wonder what has him looking at me so intently. “I know what you did for me, Amelia,” he begins and smiles. “Carlo told me that you gave up your chance to leave for me to leave.”
“I kind of screwed that up with what I did, though.” I speak apologetically, unable to look at him. I tried so hard only to fail.
“It doesn’t matter. You chose to give up your chance to give me a real life,” he tells me and leans in. “Thank you for wanting me to have a life like Bruno.”
“I still do,” I tell him and smile, rubbing my hands together as the rest of the boys come over with the drinks.
Everyone takes a seat, and I take my drink. I’ve become more inclined to neck harsher liquor and usually, if it’s not money I’ve spent, practically inhale expensive alcohol just out of chagrin. Especially where Alberto was concerned after a long day of working under his orders because I knew how much he loved his liquor cabinet and he quickly learned how much I loved what was in it.
I’m on my second gulp, when I gaze out at the bar and stop when I see Bruno come in with Allana, their hands entwined with one another, their body language so united it’s overwhelming. I had no idea he was coming tonight, and I never realized how much I missed him until just now.
“Bruno!” Carlo calls out, standing up from his seat at the edge of the booth.
He stops, his eyes staring straight at me. I gulp, a blush racing up my chest and neck to hit my cheeks in vibrant bursts of crimsons and pinks. He clearly didn’t know I was home. I see his mouth fall open in shock before a smile takes over, and he rushes over. I feel impish sitting in the middle of the booth, surrounded by our family and Bruno just staring at me.
“And why wasn’t I let in on this little beauty’s homecoming?” Bruno asks as he watches me intently.
“We wanted to surprise you,” Enzo declares with a smile, standing to give his brother a hug and give Allana a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll go and grab some more drinks.”
“I could murder a large glass of white wine right now,” Allana gushes and giggles. “Please.”
“First night out in a while, eh?” Enzo jokes, and she nods. “I’ll be right back. Bruno, you want a beer?”
“Yeah, whatever you’re drinking, Enz,” Bruno replies, still fixated on me.
“I’m taking that as my opportunity to fuck off,” Giovanni announces and stands to leave.
Lorenzo goes with Enzo and Carlo to get a drink, Zane disappears without explanation while Giovanni slinks off to a table of women, and Bruno takes the opportunity to sit opposite of Manuel. The moment he pushes his way toward me, he envelops me into a tight hug and he clings without showing signs of letting go.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he says, whispering into my ear over the music. “So have the kids.”
I hold back just as tightly. “I missed you, too.”
“How long have you been back?”
“Only since yesterday,” I whisper, offering a small smile.
“And already injured?” he asks cocking a brow after noticing the slender cut to my neck.
“Things never change,” I try to be sarcastic and laugh, but he can tell I’m holding a lot back. “Okay, things do change,” I admit solemnly. “Zane’s pledging to be one of us.”
“Is he stupid?” Bruno asks harshly.
“He loves me,” I reply and try in vain to get my voice to sound stronger. “Or so he says but becoming part of the Dio Lavoro just sounds so stupid.”
“Where is he now?”