Page 89 of Doll's Eye

She joins us at the small table and pours herself a cup of tea. Her frail arms peek out of her what I like to call a moo-moo dress, and even though she applied makeup, you can see the wear on her from the depression she’s struggled with for somany years. You would think being free of Angelo, she would’ve gotten a little better, but I guess it was too late.

The afternoon I spend with Sarita and Celia is quite pleasant. I can’t hold anything against either of them because it isn’t their fault Massimo is a douche bag. And it’s a nice reprieve to put down the boxing gloves momentarily.

It was a pleasant way to distract myself from thinking about dinner with Tullio tonight. He came by to visit me once while I was behind bars in the basement. I thought he was there to rescue me, but after he saw that I was all in one piece, he decided to ream me out. He did so for so long I ended up passing out before he was done due to the pain killers I was on.

Now, I’m out of my cage that was located inside a bigger cage.

Time to mentally prepare for this.

Chapter forty-five

Massimo

Iobserve with mild amusement as Alessia and Tullio go back and forth with their ongoing dispute.

Their hands flailing around, and mygattinared in the face from anger. He began laying into her as soon as they parted from their embrace.

Finally, they both take a breath. “Why don’t we sit down to eat, huh?” I suggest, standing up.

They grunt their last words under their breath and take my lead into the other room to sit around the dining table. Alessia avoids looking at either of us, and Tullio’s scathing look alternates between us. Leaving me guessing who will be the recipient of his next tirade.

He still harbors resentment towards me for the communication delay. So far, only Tullio has seen Alessia. Her other brothers were responsible for retrieving the remaining Bonetti women. I anticipated they would return to demand a meeting with Alessia, but according to Tullio, they are too enraged to face her.

So, she has yet to reunite with the rest of her family, and I know it hurts her. She can act tough all she wants, but I know her family still means everything despite all her begrudgery.

“I haven’t told Mamma yet,” Tullio mutters once the first course has been served.

“Whatareyou going to tell her?” Alessia replies meekly for once, showing some guilt.

“I don’t know yet. I should probably tell her the truth so you can get a scolding from her as well, but I don’t want to hurt her.” She scoffs. “What?” he snaps.

“Nothing.” She thins her lips.

“No, no. Say what you have to say.”

“I have nothing more to say to you.”

“Why am I the bad guy here? You’re the one who went out and fucked with the wrong people and almost got yourself killed.”

“No.” Her eyes are brimming with fire. “You did this! Assuming any of you could dictate my life, you sent me away, breaking my fucking heart!”

I’ve already endured her guilt trips several times. Not to mention I’ve been haunted by my own regrets ever since she left. Eating away at me and driving me mad. She wasn’t the only one thirsting for blood out of resentment. So many have received the wrath of my longing, but I can’t do anything about what has already been done. All I can do is focus on this day forward.

Tullio’s demeanor softens as I remain silent. “We weren’t trying to break your heart, Alessia. I swear, we were only trying to protect you while we took care of the Russians.” She scoffs again and rolls her eyes as her arms fold in under her breasts. “It wasn’t right the way we went about it.” Alessia’s attitude mellows, surprised by his candid admission of regret. “I’m so sorry for sending you away,piccolina. I’m not always going to make the right decisions, but from now on, I won’t make them for you.”

“You really mean that?” Her voice is gentle, and I envy the way she’s quickly giving into her brother. Possibly even forgiving him.

“I do.”

“Then can I come home now?”

“No,” I answer for him, and she snaps her head in my direction. “Youarehome,cara mia.” I sip my glass of whiskey.

She looks back at her brother. “Tullio?”

Scratching the back of his head, he sighs. “I think you should stay here for the time being.” I grunt my disagreement, and he throws me a look.

“What! So, all that not making decisions for me was bullshit?” she shouts.

---