The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 18

Avalee's POV

Over the past week, I had sent over a hundred pathetic messages to Hunter, all of which went unread. After the first three days, I had decided to call only to hear an automated voice saying that the number was no longer in operation.

My schedule had been packed with training and chores, but without school I had too much free time, free time that I spent worrying about my friend. Luckily, I was going back to school today, which would provide a much needed distraction.

After breakfast, Papa had called us all into the living room for a family meeting. Emilio and Matteo had left for their tattoo shop, but the rest of my brothers were here. Teddy and I were lounging on the couch with Leo and Elijah on either side of us and Papa and Alessandro on the neighboring couch.

"Aves, how are you feeling about going back to school?" Papa asked.

"I'll be okay. Don't worry." It was true. I had only had four therapy sessions with Anna so far, but I was already feeling better. There was something about Anna that made it easier to open up than it had been with my previous therapist. Maybe it was our shared past or maybe it was seeing how put together and normal she seemed even after everything she had been through. Either way I was making progress even if I wasn't fully where I wanted to be.

"Tesoro, I want you to know that if you can't do it, we'll pick you up early," Alessandro said. "Emilio said that he'll drop by the school during your lunch to check up on you."

When I nodded my head, Alessandro turned towards Teddy, a stern look directed at him. "Teddy, I know it's hard for you, but if Ava needs to come home early, you can't come home with her. I want you to stay at school for the full day no matter what."

"Like I'll do that," Teddy muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Theodore Russo," Alessandro said with his eyes narrowed. "If I hear about you blackmailing Dad again, you will be grounded for a month. Am I understood?"

"Hold up. You blackmailed Papa?" I asked, holding back a laugh. Turning to Papa, who had lowered his eyes, I pointed a finger at him and asked, "You got blackmailed by a ten-year-old? How did I not hear about this until now? This is fucking hilarious."

"Avalee, it's not that funny."

"Of course it is, Lijah. This is the funniest thing I've hear of in a while." Shaking my head, I let a wide smile spread across my face. "Damn Teds. Give me five," I said holding my hand up. Teddy gave me the high five, quiet laughs leaving my older brothers' mouths.

After he regained his composure, Leo sternly said, "As his big sister, you shouldn't be encouraging him."

"Sorry, but I can't get over the fact that Papa got outsmarted by a ten-year-old. Holy shit. What did you even say to him?"

Teddy nervously scratched the back of his neck, a smug grin tugging on the corners of his lips. "I might have said that if he didn't pick me up, I would walk home, and maybe I would be kidnapped by some enemies of the Italian Mafia."

I ruffled my little brother's hair, a small chuckle leaving my lips. "I'll make sure to use that whenever I want to do something they won't let me do."

"Anyways," Papa said, changing the subject. "Ava, your friend Cara told me that you have this group project for English. You're working with Arya and Cara. They're planning to work on it after school, and I said that you were free. You need to be back by seven since it's a school night, but have fun."

The sound of a car honking from the driveway ended our conversation. "Those would be your friends," Elijah said. "They wanted to drive you to school today."