Anya
Dante stays to eat breakfast with us, and it goes over much less awkwardly than you might think. He mostly talks to me, asking questions and getting to know me in a way that feels genuine, rather than like some sort of interrogation. I’m certain that Dante Moretti can be a very frightening man when he wants to be, but he hasn’t shown me even a glimpse of that side of him. He’s been lovely, almost fatherly, even.
When we’re done eating, he joins my father in his office. None of us are sure how their conversation goes, but we don’t hear yelling through the walls, and both of them come out unscathed. I don’t know how likely they are to become friends some day, but I haven’t given up hope yet.
“Dad’s going to stay the night at our family place,” Matteo informs me, pressing a kiss to my temple. “I’m going to go over there with him and Nico to show him around, but I’ll be back in an hour. Two, tops.”
“Okay,” I reply with a hesitant smile, accepting the cold drink that he passes my way.
He catches the uncertain look on my face and frowns. “Something wrong, baby?”
“I think I’m going to try and call my brothers while you’re gone,” I say quietly, twisting my fingers in my lap. “I’m just nervous. I want to make it a video call, but I’m afraid that seeing them again will bring back bad memories.”
“Do you want to wait to call them until I get back?” Matteo asks immediately, rubbing my shoulders to comfort me. “I could be there for you in case you need to hang up but feel like you can’t or you shouldn’t.”
“No.” My head shakes slowly. “I think I have to do this alone. I have to trust that I know how to handle difficult situations, and that I know how much discomfort I can take. Dad will be here, and if I end up reacting poorly, I’ll go to him.”
“You’re going to do amazing,meraviglia.” He kisses me on top of my head this time, breathing in the scent of my hair as he does. “I believe in you. I know you want to talk to them and to see them, even though it’s scary. Remember what you’ve talked about in therapy, you have nothing to be ashamed about. Your brothers saw you in a vulnerable state because they were racing to save you. I promise you, as a brother, they don’t think about that when they think about you.”
“Yeah,” I agree, swallowing thickly.
I’ve been over this with myself a thousand times. They found me naked, battered, and bloody, but they weren’t trying to see private pieces of me, they were trying to keep me alive. It’s a mental block that my brain can’t seem to break down, but one that I’m tired of letting control me and my actions.
I want to talk to my brothers again. I want to get to know them as they are today. I want to see them interact with the twins, and I want them to introduce me to Jade. She’s my sister-in-law, and one of Matteo’s favorite people. We’re tied togetherin more ways than ever before, and I think I’m finally feeling strong enough to face my fears where they’re concerned.
“You sure you don’t want me to stay?” Matteo asks again.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” I confirm, looking up at him. “Just talking to you about it has already made me feel a little bit better.”
He grins, pleased with himself. “I’m glad to help.”
“I’ll miss you,” I admit, unashamed. “It’ll only be a little while, and I’ll miss you. I think I’m going to ask Dad to let you officially move in soon. We should give him a week or so, though, don’t you think? If we ask for too much, his hair might start going gray.”
Matteo chuckles but agrees. “Yeah, we should let him warm up a bit more first. But I think he could be sold on a couple more sleepovers in the meantime.”
Visions of last night dance behind my eyes and my face goes warm. “I hope so.”
Groaning like he wishes he could steal me away upstairs but he knows he can’t, Matteo sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “All right, I need to go before Nico gets antsy and he comes in here to drag me out.”
“Don’t dread it too much,” I insist. “Enjoy the time with your dad. I know you miss being with him, even though you like being here.”
“Yeah,” Matteo agrees. “He’s a good dad.”
“I can tell.”
His responding smile is the last thing I see before he jogs out of the room, heading toward the inside entrance to the garage. I take a few substantial gulps of my water before I pull out my phone and start walking upstairs.
Hands fumbling with the device, I find the contact number I need and open a text message just as I get to my bedroom. Shutting the door behind me, I drop into my desk chair and take a few preemptively calming breaths, using the diaphragmaticbreathing method. Slowly intaking air through my nose and pushing it out of my mouth with pursed lips.
Anya
Are you and Ivan free?
Although my older brother isn’t known for being constantly on his phone, he responds quite quickly.
Dmitri
We’re both home, not busy. Do you need something?
