Page 23 of Little Deer
Some of the tension in the room eases, but Lucy looks both terrified and fascinated. “How about we all sit down to have something to eat?” I suggest, gently putting my hand on Lucy’s lower back. “And there won’t be anything else.” I pin Rori with a hard look, which she ignores. Same with Alonzo.
Lucy doesn’t argue and allows me to lead her over to the table, sitting her in the seat next to me, with Rori on her other side, and Hades sticking his head between the arm chairs, his face resting close to Soren’s in the sling.
The door opens once more and in walks Papa, Aurelio, and Zeno, all three of whom look grim and tired. I want to ask them what’s going on, but I see the moment they clock Lucy and Soren. All three of them give her warm smiles. “Ms. Taylor,” Papa says welcomingly, rounding the table to hold out his hand to her. “Welcome, cara mia. I hope you’re well rested. You and the bambino,” he adds when he looks down at Soren.
“Better, thank you,” Lucy says shyly.
“You’ll be much more rested in a few days. I am Pietro Caruso, this one’s father.” He claps me on the shoulder. “When he doesn’t annoy me. Then I only claim one of his other brothers. I like to make sure they all don’t get big heads.”
“You failed spectacularly with Alessio then,” Rori quips, earning laughter from Sienna and others at the table. Alessio just rolls his eyes at her.
“Nice to meet you,” Lucy murmurs.
“And I am Aurelio Cattaneo,” Aurelio says warmly, gently taking her hand in both of his to shake it. “You have met Sofia and Alonzo, I heard. Urso and Lazaro are my other sons.” He winks at her. “And if any of them, even the Carusos give you a problem, you just let me know and I’ll handle them.” He smiles at the baby. “What is the bambino’s name?”
“Soren.” She adjusts herself slightly to pull the wrap a bit further away from the baby’s face. The baby looks up at Aurelio with a serious expression, and Aurelio grins.
“A strong name and face for a strong boy,” Pietro agrees. He and Aurelio take their seats, but give all of us a quick look to let us know we have things to discuss once we’re done with our meal.
A benefit for Lucy, I imagine, considering we’ve never hidden things from the women before.
Plates are passed around as everyone talks, mostly about mundane things, but I’m careful to watch Lucy. She quietly eats, taking everything in with assessing eyes. Even Soren is quiet, maybe sensing his mother’s unease.
Finally, I lean closer to Lucy and ask, “Are you alright,dolcezza?”
She glances at me. “Just processing.”
I nod. “It’ll get easier.”
“If you say so.”
I’m not sure how to convince her otherwise, so I leave it be. It’s been less than twenty-four hours. She’ll come around.
“Lucy, what is it that you do?” Amara asks suddenly. She’s positioned almost directly across from her, with Lazaro’s hulking form beside her, arm slung over the back of her chair.
“I work at a bookstore, but I’m on maternity leave for a few more weeks.” Soren lets out a low sigh, making me grin. Perfect comedic timing. I think he and I are going to get along well. Rori grins as well.
“Oh, Gia is going to be so excited,” Sienna predicts brightly. She gives Alessio a pointed side-eyed look. “Her husband gave her two libraries full in this place.”
Alessio grins wickedly. “I can give you that as well,conigletta, but I thought you would much prefer a row of knives. We both know you love those more. I even have a few in mind we can try out.”
Sienna gives him a heated look, and I see Lucy looking at them curiously. “Don’t ask unless you want to know,dolcezza,” I murmur with a grin. “There’s a history there.”
“I’m pretty sure that has to do with the picture Rori showed us last night.”
I blink, while Rori bursts out laughing. “You would be correct,” Rori agrees. She winks at her. “Everyone’s kinky around here. Makes things interesting.”
I have half a mind to ask her about her own experiences, but the dark look from Alonzo makes me keep my mouth shut. We agreed no more shouting or throwing things.
“What do I get two of?” Amara asks Lazaro curiously, her eyes bright with laughter. “You’re going to have to work hard to top libraries and weapons.” Lazaro gives her a slow, devilish smile, making her flush. He leans down to whisper something in her ear, and her eyes widen, her blush deepening. “Oh, uh, yeah, that works,” she finally manages to get out.
“Nauseating, isn’t it?” Rori mutters to Lucy, but I give her a bland stare. She ignores me.
Lucy smiles genuinely. “It’s nice. Clearly, everyone here is comfortable with each other.” There’s a wistfulness in her voice. Is she missing her husband? I find myself wondering just whather relationship with him was. Was he good to her? Did his dying devastate her?
“Sofia, what about you and Dante?” Rori suddenly asks, a devious grin on her face. “What did your man give you?”
The room instantly goes silent as we all turn our glares on the man beside Sofia, eating quietly, and without a care in the world. Dante Esposito isn’t good enough for our sister, and the fact that Sofia never told any of us about him is evidence enough. Not to mention, we all know men like Dante. He’s going to string her along until he’s married off by Nico, or falls for someone else, and I’m not going to stand by and let him hurt her.
