Once again, he’s been the father I’ve never really had.
I cling to him as desolation falls from the skies and showers me. All the fear I felt and didn’t truly release now comes out and I bury my head further into my brother’s chest. It’s as my onslaught hastens that Enzo grips tighter. One arm goes around my back, bringing our proximity even closer, while his other hand cradles my head against him. I hear him coo into my ear, shushing my woes, trying to calm me. I’m completely protected in this embrace and allowed to be my absolute weakest and rawest form here.
“You’ve got to tell us what happened, Lia,” Enzo soothes gently, trying in vain for answers. “But Amelia, you need to just realize that Carlo and I will not let this slide,” Enzo states as we finally part. I take the moment to wipe my face clear of my tears and take a step back. “This is far from over.”
“We’ll get you back and see what he has to say,” Carlo chimes in. He reaches out for me, pulling me to him to give me a hug. “He won’t get away with this sort of emotional abuse.”
I nod my head, apparently disbelieving as all men give me a glare.
“He won’t care,” I managed to admit and remind myself of the soulless man that has full rein. “I’ve never felt that terrified,” I utter as I finally decide to confront everything that has happened. “One of them started touching me and then they all did. I thought, for one second, that maybe I deserved it. I used Mom’s death against him, so maybe-”
“No,” Enzo bites into my sentence, cutting me off quickly. “Don’t you dare ever think you deserve to be placed into a predicament that scares you because you found a voice. That man needs to see that you aren’t some clone of him. You have feelings, very real feelings, and you’re jeopardizing yourself to please him. He needs to know how this is affecting you, Lia. If you don’t, then you will forever live in fear.”
“I’m always going to live in fear,” I admit and look down. I can’t meet my brother’s gaze. I’ve survived twenty-three years under the Dio Lavoro’s teachings, so I’m not sure what changed to get me thinking I can’t survive another twenty-three.
“Allana will be taking the kids out in a moment,” Bruno comments, opening the front door and gesturing with a head nod to go inside. “We need to discuss what Salvatore is up to now. I just don’t want that sort of conversation within hearing range of my children or my neighbors.”
We all proceed to go in and I hear Allana cheerfully talking to our nieces and nephew about their plans. I knew they were going, but feel like in some way, I’m the cause of it being sooner, so it’s actually exciting to hear her rile excitement in their three children. She’s such a breath of fresh air in the insanity we call everyday life. She’s the saving grace to Bruno taking so long coming back. Shortly after he had left, Allana fell pregnant and Bruno was worried to come back. Understandably, but at least Papà had originally accepted her into the family. He loved her like she was his own daughter. Her betrayal hit him quite like mine would. But with her pregnancy progressing, Bruno found it as a way to steer clear until he could promise her utmost safety.
“Lia’s back!” my nephew Kai chirps up as I go over and ruffle his hair.
“Uncle Enzo and Carlo are here, too,” I tell him as I sink into a seat beside him.
I watch him excitedly jump down from his perch on the wooden seat and run over to them. He flings his arms around them and squeezes as tightly as he possibly can. I watch both my brothers transform into these light-hearted individuals who don’t look chinked by the world we’ve lived. They love, cherish, and protect our nephew and his two baby sisters as if they were their own. I just wish my father had an opportunity to see what an amazing life Bruno has made for himself. He has a doting wife, a wonderful son, and identical twin girls. He’s happy and content without having to dabble in mob business. It’s an envious existence he leads.
“We’ll be out of your hair soon,” Allana says as she grabs some cups to make drinks for us all. “I didn’t realize the time. Mom will be expecting us in ten minutes. They’re just finishing up and then we’ll be good to go.” She turns around and looks at Enzo with a look of utter adoration. “I’ve put a new pot of coffee on. After I heard Enzo’s voice, I thought it was wise.” She gives Enzo a quick wink. “I know how you love your coffee when you come over here.”
“That’s because you make the best, Allana, what can I say?” he compliments teasingly. “It’s the only reason I come over here.”
“What about to see me?” Kai asks, still mot having left his uncle’s side. “I’ve got all the best toys ever!”
Enzo crouches down to pick Kai up. “I’ve got to keep your mamma in my good graces so I get good food out of her.”