TROUBLE

twenty six

Cecilia's POV

"So let me get this straight... You want me to come with you to burn down the house you've lived in your entire life." Flavio questioned flabbergasted.

"What's so hard about that?"

"Oh I don't know. Let's start with the fact you aren't telling our family you plans. Or how about you haven't once cried or gotten angry about your brother dying. He died less than a day ago and you already want to destroy everything."

I sigh. It can't be that difficult to understand that if I ever step foot into that house again all I will remember is the vivid images of Giovanni being shot out of my head. But Flavio is right. I haven't mourned, I haven't cried, I've just been passive.

Watching my brothers adapt. Adriano is silent, Cyrus seems distant and Rocco is on a damn war path and I am joining him.

The rest of the family arrive yesterday and since then we have been staying at their house here in New York. No one wants to go inside that house, papa has spoken of selling it, it would just be better if the house...ceased to exist.

"Flavio, you are the only one who will do it with me. That house... isn't home anymore."

"Gio wouldn't want it to be like that. He wouldn't want you to resort to such measure just to seek closure." He says empathetically, stepping closer to me from my position in the home office, taking my upper arms into his vice grip. I tense at his cold hands as well as the human contact after coming down from roof yesterday at the hospital with Miles I didn't want to be around anyone. I threw my heels in the closest bin I could find and just ran.

In the pouring rain, until I got home, Zio Luciano's home.

"I can't help you Cesca. Don't get me wrong I want revenge on those bastards just as much as you but cazzo... burning down your own home isn't going to deviate any anger you have pent up." I roll my eyes. Since when did Flavio get so fucking sentimental. "Don't do this Cecilia you will regret it in the long term. Trust me." With one final squeeze of my shoulders he turned and left.

He made his choice and I made mine. Just because he can live, they all can live with their decision of playing the long game doesn't mean I am going to change my own damned mind.

I am Raven, I hunt those who hunt me. I kill those who pose a threat to everything I stand for. Even the most powerful cower at my manicured feet. Why you may wonder?

Well it's simple. Men in this world realise that bowing willingly at their women is a sign of loyalty and sign that she is your only weakness. But for those who do it before their deaths simply do it because they have nothing else to live for. A woman held superiority over them and they despised it.

"Why the long face princess?" Leaning against the doorway was none other than Miles. Smirking, with his arms crossed over his chest, one leg crossed over the other a the ankle.

"Flavio refused to help." He walks over to me taking me tightly in his arm, me tucked under his arm. I lean my head against his chest defeatedly, but not wrapping my arms around him.

"I said I would help. Am I not good enough?" He feigned hurt, well I think he was faking it. My radar for this shit is off the charts right now.

"I know but I wanted a family member to help as well. So I'm not the only crazy one burning down the house, even if I am one lighting the match." I groan annoyed and frustrated. I'm probably tired too.

"When did you want to do it?" He questioned. I look towards the window and seeing ti was dark outside. Taking Miles' hand intone, I rotate his wrist looking at his watch.