“He said he’d prefer to eat in the bedroom,” Nico murmurs, grabbing a plate to prepare Pablo’s food.
“Well, he should prepare for his bed to be more crowded than normal,” I decide, surprising my brother.
“I’ll let him know,” he chuckles. “Rosa will be joining us soon in the kitchen. She’s taking forever in the bathroom.”
Verona quietly disappears in that direction, and I decide at least she’s good for something. I’m aware Rosalia needs some stability after today’s events and the conversation my brotherundoubtedly had with her, but the woman appears entirely too frail to be the same omega I’ve heard my brother talk about.
Settling around the table once everyone who should be here is present and Nico’s taken Pablo his plate, I dig into my food. My mind is full as I go over all the shit we’ll need to do tomorrow, ticking off items once I’m sure I haven’t missed anything.
“Dario, I can practically hear you from here,” Nico grumbles, taking a bite of his chicken picatta. “Will it help to talk it out?”
Ugh. I’m sure the constipated look on my face as I obsess isn’t exactly helping either.
“I found a house and the property company said we can move in tomorrow,” I drawl, rolling my eyes as I eat. “There’s a large pack bedroom, four other bedrooms, two of which I suppose can be used as nests,” I explain.
“I just need a large closet,” Rosalia shrugs. “I’ve never really understood the concept of a nest.”
“You may as you withdraw from whatever your father was dosing you with,” Verona says, shrugging. “The option is a considerate one.”
“I suppose,” she allows. “Please continue.”
I swallow back the acerbic words on my tongue, because that’s not my style. I don’t start fights, I break them up.
“The house is behind a gate, will not be in any of our names, and is in Ardsley Park. While we won’t be hidden completely due to being so close to the downtown area, hopefully that’ll help conceal us,” I state. “I think it might be smart to rub elbows with some of the crime families with influence outside of the Accetta’s in case we need anything while we’re here. At the very least, it may calm any waves our presence may bring.”
“Provide me with a list, and I’ll make some calls tomorrow,” Nico says. “Tonight will be spent pulling in some of our own muscle from Michigan.”
“They won’t be in our home, will they?” Rosa asks, returning her fork to her plate ever so slowly. She’s gone pale, though I’m not sure why. However, there’s fear coming through her scent, and it makes my nose itch.
“No,” I reply. “Let me know how many people will be temporarily relocating, and I’ll rent out more property, Nico.”
“Tell her why you’re relocating them at all,” Verona suggests, speaking to me as if I’m a toddler.
“We need the support if we’re going to be wiping an entire mafia family’s existence,” I say, shrugging. “Neither of you will see much of them unless we’re in need of the guards.”
Slowly, I think about the huge security presence Don Accetta keeps in his home and frown. I’ve only heard pieces of what’s happened to Rosa, but am aware they’re responsible for the bruises I can see on her skin now that she’s no longer wearing makeup.
“Nico would only bring in our most trusted people,” I explain. “We are currently clearing our ranks of anyone who was complicit in our father’s sex trade business, or thinks the way he did. While it’s true that we’ve held ourselves away from the things that happen in the privacy of people’s homes, that can no longer be tolerated.”
“I just removed the Falconi children from their home because I found out they were being physically abused,” Nico grunts. “Pablo found a hospital report for broken bones and then backtracked to find a disturbing amount of evidence. Thankfully, not everyone has a private doctor on hand to hide their misdeeds. They’re currently living with an aunt who was horrified when presented with the conditions her nieces and nephews were suffering.”
“And the parents?” Rosalia asks hoarsely. I’m noticing her voice sounds like someone who’s sick, and I decide to have Dr. Walsh check her vocal cords for damage.
“Dead,” I say. “There was an unfortunate house fire a few days after the children were removed. It happened at night, and the parents couldn’t be saved.”
“Sounds like it couldn’t have happened to nicer people,” Rosalia quips, taking a sip of water before returning to her food.
As long as she’s eating, I don’t care how long it takes for her to consume her food.
My lips twitch as I acknowledge her words, and I incline my head in response.
“There have been times that we’ve been ignorant of the abuse happening around us,” Ciro admits, sighing. “Some of it was happening right under our fucking noses, and we had no idea. Now, when we see any issue, we handle it as soon as possible. I didn’t see ourselves having to police our family and those we employ, but it’s a necessary evil.”
“Blood and fire can cleanse almost anything. Savannah is going to learn quickly how the Dominos handle their problems,” I add.
“You’re cowboys, in a sense,” Rosalia smirks, swallowing back a snort. I can tell inappropriate humor has been triggered inside of her, as it’s only one step away from hysteria.
Pressing her fist against her lips, she pulls her shit together before acting as if it never happened. I think I may have been too quick to judge her.
