At least they’re allowing me to unlock the door, I think with an irritated huff, directed more at Zeno than Lev. Lev’s doing what’s asked, I get that.
When the door falls open to reveal a decently sized space, all my petty mental arguments with my brother fade into nothingness. The dorm is much larger than anticipated. There’s a small space to either side of the door, the right holding a mini fridge and a small sink to make up a little kitchenette. The space expands into a living room area with a blue couch and flatscreen TV, plus a single square window overlooking campus. To the other side of the room, there are two doors—bedrooms, presumably—and a single door opposite, beside the living room. Peeking inside reveals a skinny stand-up shower, small sink, and toilet.
I wander deeper into the space, peeking into the two bedrooms. Both are equipped with a double bed, a desk, and asmall window. The one on the right has two black duffle bags resting on the bed, so I’m guessing mine’s the left.
“Comes with a TV?” For a dorm room, it feels a bit extra, though definitely a bonus.
“No, but the previous furniture was old and disgusting and made me want to take my own gun to my head. Couldn’t even imagine how many fluids were on it. As you’d guess, the university didn’t fight when the last name Mancini got a delivery of new beds, a couch, and, knowing you’ll drive Lev fucking insane if you don’t watch your reality shows, a TV.” Zeno throws a pained glance at Lev. “Good luck, man. I pity you. Before you have the guy wanting to quit, figured the TV is more for him than you. Lev set up private internet so yours won’t be throttled by the dorm’s public Wi-Fi.”
I watch the man as he drops my bags in front of the door presumed to be mine. The back of his neck flushes—nerves?
Not sure what was required to set up private internet, my thanks is mumbled, caught between a few different emotions. He didn’t need to do all this…but he did.
To let me watch my shows.
Because he’s a good person.
Because I asked him to come here, and he gave up his home temporarily, travelled to Italy, signed for keys to a dorm, and spent hours getting everything in place.
God, I suck.
Lev paces away from my door. “I’ll get out of your way so you two can say goodbye.” The front door opens, but he’s stopped when Zeno calls after him.
“Meet me outside? I’d like to talk for a few minutes.”
Once we’re alone, I recognize Zeno deserves gratitude as well. The couch looks puffy, like it’ll be a dream to rest on in the evenings, and his thoughtfulness of a TV means not needing to rely on my laptop’s smaller screen.
“Thanks for all this, truly. I’m, uh, sorry I was kinda a bitch the past few days.”
He shrugs but grins, reminding me of when he was so much younger and a whole lot less serious. “You’d gone your entire life without bodyguards until recently. University’s about being free, and I recognize having someone constantly around is irritating. Basically, what I’m trying to say is, I understand. I’d probably be pretty pissed in your shoes.”
My brows raise, and I tread closer, lifting on my toes to inspect his face. “Hi, are you Z or an alien inhabiting his body? Whoisthis version of you?”
Chuckling, he knocks me to my feet. “What can I say? When not hunting Volkovs, my mood improves. Plus, I know you’re safe with Lev, so how can I be in a bad mood?” The amusement suddenly fades, and his shoulders lower a few inches. “God, I still remember your first day of elementary school. This is surreal.”
I make a gagging noise. “Please don’t go down memory lane. It’s weird coming from you.”
“Fine, I won’t, but I am really proud of you for doing this.” Sincerity runs through his tone, and for once, he’s not a Capo of the Cosa Nostra, but simply my older brother.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah, seriously. You’re probably the only Mancini ever to do extra schooling.”
His unspoken words: every Mancini male is sworn into the Cosa Nostra when they’re a teenager, and every female is wed off for alliances.
Now, I feel even better about attending. I’m designing a new kind of path within the family and earning Zeno’s respect. If we were a typical mob family and I got wed off, he’d probably be proud of me then too…but it isn’t the same. This is earned, while a marriage would be a convenience designed around being a girl.
“Maybe I’ll begin a legacy,” I joke, not quite realizing the weight of my words. Being raised outside the Cosa Nostra means any children I perhaps one day have would also be raised normal. Essentially, I’d be ending the Mancini line, which can’t happen, which means Zeno would need to have a child.
“Maybe you will.” He scans the dorm, settling on my bedroom. “Be good, Sera. Stay safe, and don’t be hard on Lev. Remember, he’s doing what I asked.” He steps closer to drop a kiss onto my forehead. “I’ll leave you to settle in and unpack, get ready for classes and all that. Call whenever you want.”
“Thanks, Z,” I murmur when he reaches the door.“Ti amo.”
“Love you too.” With a parting smile, he shuts the door, closing me into the room.Mydorm.
Into my freedom.
Ostia, Madre, and the Mancini villa feel so far away. This is right. This isnormal. No more kidnapping from rival mobs. No more assholes trying to murder me.
