The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 25

Avalee's POV

For the past week, my family had been keeping a tight watch on Arya, Teddy, and I in fear that Cameron would return to hurt us. Papa, Alessandro, Elijah, and Leo were barely home anymore, their work keeping them out late as they followed any lead they could find on Cameron. Emilio and Matteo had been left in charge of us for the most part, but even they would disappear at times, leaving us with the countless bodyguards that surrounded the house 24/7.

The week had gone by slowly with none of us allowed to leave the house except for school and Arya's dance practices. But by Friday night, Alessandro had heard through some of his Mafia connections that the Blade was seen in a street fight in Russia on Thursday. Papa and Alessandro eased up on the restrictions, but with the threat still out there, Arya, Teddy, and I could only leave the house accompanied by one of the boys.

I had told Matteo and Emilio about what had happened between Arya and I that night we were left alone. They were happy for us and had agreed to keep our relationship a secret from Arya's parents and the rest of our family so that Arya's sexuality wouldn't be revealed before she was ready to come out. Of course, they made it clear that doors had to stay open when we were alone together or there would be consequences.

Typical older brothers.

It was Saturday afternoon, and I was getting ready for my date with Arya. She had planned out our outing herself wanting to surprise me, only telling me to wear something casual.

Like every other day this week, the only ones home were the twins, Teddy, Arya, and I. After hours of pleading and bribing Matteo with doing all his chores for the next month, I had convinced him to follow us along. He promised to keep a safe distance away to give us privacy but stay close enough to intervene if a threat arose.

A knock on my door followed by its opening took my attention away from the makeup I was applying. "You can't wear that," Matteo said. "Dad and Sandro will kill us if they see your tattoo."

I was wearing a yellow knit sweater tank top with floral embroidery on it, a matching cardigan to go over it, and a pair of high-waisted white pants. A month ago, I never would have had the confidence to go out in this outfit with the scars that could be seen, but the tattoo and frequent therapy sessions had made me feel comfortable in my own skin for the first time since Mom's death. The tattoo could be seen on the small amount of exposed stomach and the chest area, but I didn't think it was that noticeable.

"Come on, Matteo," I said, turning to him. "They won't get home until the middle of the night, and you know that. Nobody will find out."

My brother narrowed his eyes at me and said, "Teddy is a fucking snitch. He's always looking for a way to get Emilio and me into trouble. We can't trust him."

"I'll button up the cardigan. He won't see any of the ink," I suggested.

"Aves—"

"Matteo," I said, walking towards my brother. "This is the first time I've felt comfortable showing this much skin. And it's because of this tattoo that for the first time I feel...good about myself."

"Oh, Aves," Matteo sighed, wrapping his arms around me. "Aves, you were pretty before the tattoo, but I'm happy that it made you feel more confident. You deserve the world, sorellina."

"So I don't have to change?"

A chuckle left my older brother's lips as he shook his head. "No, this is perfect for your first date. You cleaned up nice."

Matteo led me down the stairs where Arya was waiting for me with a bouquet of wildflowers in her hand. She was wearing a cinnamon-colored sweater and ripped jeans paired with black boots. A woven basket was resting on the ground by her feet.