Page 104 of Little Deer
A bark sounds, and we all turn and to Rori making her way toward us, Hades at her side. Her face is hard, eyes icy cold. Gone is the easy-going woman that I’ve known, even the one who was in here with us before. This time, she looks dangerous, cold, and almost detached.
“Alonzo shoved you in here?” Sienna asks lightly.
Rori nods. “Fucker,” she spits. Hades looks up at her, like he’s concerned, before he turns his attention back to all of us, sniffing his way through, like he’s trying to make sure we’re all okay too. He stops at Soren and nuzzles his feet, making Soren kick and let out an angry squawk.
“Sorry, buddy, he’s stressed,” I tell the dog, petting his head. Hades seems to understand and moves back to Rori, but instead of staying by her side, he positions himself slightly behind her, almost at the fork in the tunnels. Like he’s protecting her.
He really is a remarkable dog.
“Where’s Sofia?” Rori asks, craning her neck to look around.
“She went to go and get Dante’s mother.” Sienna arches a brow at her. “You didn’t pass her?”
Rori blinks at her, then her lips quirk up. “Bitch, how many times do we need to talk about your sense of direction? Dante’s area is on the south side. We’re on the east. I came from the passage in my room, so we’re not even in the same parts of the house right now.”
Sienna makes a face at her. “Fuck off. She only just left, so I thought it was possible.”
I glance at Amara, who has an odd expression on her face, but she says nothing. Unease builds in my gut. Uh oh. Amara has to be the sharpest out of all of us. If she’s confused, that doesn’t bode well for me. Is Rori lying? But if she is, why? What would she benefit from lying about something like that?
I look at her, trying to be careful not to stare or give anything away about my thoughts. Nothing outright seems like she’s trying to hide something. Her body is relaxed, but her eyes are sharp, and her gun is only at the small of her back, not out. If she is lying, she’s very good at hiding it. Everyone has a tell, but I guess I don’t know her well enough to figure out hers yet.
I glance at Kida, but she’s barely paying attention. “Are you alright?” I ask her quietly.
She nods. “I’m just…I’m worried about Zeno.” She gives me a wry smile. “I guess that shows me what I get for getting upset with you about your connection with Massimo. Here I go and sleep with his brother.”
“Is that all it is for you? Attraction?” I’m careful to keep my tone curious, not accusatory.
“No, it’s something else. Last night after, well, after, we were talking and we’re similar in a lot of ways. The things we like, the way we look at life. I really liked talking to him without the hostility between us, but I don’t know that we’re going to be anything. Is this how you feel about Massimo?”
“No, Massimo and I, we have something really deep. Honestly, Kida, Massimo and I just click. Spending as much time with him as I have in the last few days, and seeing him with Soren, I feel safe. I feel so much closer to him than I did to Joey and we were together for so long.” I swallow hard. “He wants to be Soren’s father. Wants to adopt him, give him his name, and treat him exactly like any other Caruso.”
Kida’s eyes widen. “He does? I mean, I’ve already figured out that he’s crazy about you, but I didn’t realize how permanent he was thinking.”
I nod. “He talked about it with me last night. He calls Sorenourson.”
“I guess when he said he wanted you he was all in,” Kida remarks. “I mean, all I’m going to tell you is to be careful. Don’t get so wrapped up in him and what he wants that you forget whatyouwant. Zeno was talking about me going back with them to Sicily, so he can show me where they live and all that, and as exciting as that is, I don’t know if I’m ready for that step yet. We’re so new.”
I nod. “Yeah, Massimo’s hinted about that, but not said it outright.”
“I’m so sad that you’re all going to be leaving,” Gia remarks sadly. “I mean, I meet all of you, and you fall for people who live on the other side of the world?” There’s a new teasing lilt in her voice.
“There’s still Urso who’s available if you want to toss Nico aside,” Sienna jokes.
Gia shakes her head firmly. “Nope, Nico’s mine. I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.”
“Lazaro is so perfect that I can’t picture anyone else either,” Amara says dreamily. “I don’t know how I got so lucky with him.”
“These guys know what they want and go after it,” Sienna laughs. “Honestly, I’m not as worried about going back to Sicily with Alessio. Maybe because we’ve already been there, but also because my parents live in London for most of the year now, so at least I’m on the same continent and not too far a plane ride.” She sighs wistfully. “I can’t wait until this is all over so I can see them again. Alessio has them under protection, but not being able to talk to them since all this started has been hard.”
I share a look with Kida. Our parents don’t even know about any of this going on. We’re close with them, but this is the time of year when they pull a lot of overtime, so we often don’t talk with them. They have no idea where we are or who we’re with. I think we’ll both agree that’s for the best.
We don’t need our father losing his shit and trying to barge his way in here and amongst all of this.
Hades lets out a low warning snarl, and we all freeze, going silent.
I clutch Soren tighter, trying to keep my breathing under control. Then I hear it. Voices. Deep voices, angry and harsh.
Oh, God. Who’s in here now? It doesn’t sound like Massimo or any of the others to me.
