Kaz nods. “We can kill ten men, not thirty, and that too with three bullets in our bodies.”
I look at him. “You are not a superhuman, and next time you try to act like one, I will beat your ass. Everytime you leave the house, there will be ten big black cars following you, just like Leo.”
He nods.
Kaz laughs. “I can’t believe I’m witnessing Zo becoming such an obedient good boy.”
The door opens again, and Pa enters. “Ok, children, leave. I want to spend some time with him.”
Pa, Ma, and Wen had come the day after the incident.
We all get up and leave the ward. I overheard their conversation yesterday, they talk like old militants who have fought many wars. I stayed in the hospital the whole day, but Wen told me how Pa was singing songs about how Zoan did all that action. He had been scolded by Ma for feeling proud and not worrying, but according to Pa, there was nothing to worry about.
He has been like this always. He has seen a lot in his life. He was the most feared mafia king of California. He left that life after Aunt was born. He was only soft for Aunt, with Daddy, he was the same as he was with Zoan and Leo. When Daddy used to get hurt during training, Pa used to call it the glory of a man, and Ma would fight with Pa over it.
I reach the sitting area of Zoan’s ward. This place is kind of suite-like. Zoan’s ward is one room, there are two other rooms, one for sitting, the other a proper bedroom. There is also a kitchen and living room.
All my stuff is in the bedroom, but I don’t sleep there, I sleep in Zoan’s room on the couch.
My parents, Ma, Uncle Maksim, and Aunt Savi are sitting there. We also find our place and sit.
Soon after, Wen, Uncle Alessio, and Aunt Pheny also come. Wen and I walk into the bedroom.
“Mom and Dad also know about you and Zo,” Wen says.
My head snaps toward her. “Since when?”
“It was Mom and Aunt’s collective plan to tell Uncle that they think something is going on between you two. Although they didn’t expect Uncle to react like that, because for them it’s not a big deal.”
I hadn’t gotten the time to talk with Mom about it.
“And how was Uncle’s reaction?”
She shrugs. “Have you ever seen Dad reacting too strongly over anything? But I think he isn’t against it, or he would have said something to Mom at least.”
I sigh.
I get up from the bed. “Wait. I’m damn sure they are now talking about this.”
We walk out of the bedroom and lean against the wall near the sitting room. Its door is open, and their discussion is clearly reaching us.
“I see no problem in it,” Uncle Maksim says. “In fact, it’s best. If I had a daughter, I would have raised my son-in-law right in front of my eyes.”
Ma’s voice comes. “The children will get bad looks from people in our circle. I just hope they won’t be affected by it.”
“Zo gives no shit about people. Avi will feel bad, but I’m sure it won’t be that bad,” Leo says.
He is right. I’m a very thin-skinned person, people get under my skin very easily. Even if someone has nothing to do with me and they say something bad about me, I start feeling bad.
Zloban
The visiting hours have ended. Now it will be just my Dove and me. She told me everyone’s reaction to our relationship. I don’t really care what people think, but she cares a lot.
“I will need a thick skin,” she mutters, kissing my forehead. “So I won’t feel bad when someone makes a face about us.”
I chuckle. “You can’t have a thick skin, Dove.”
She lifts her face. “Why?”
