The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 43

Avalee's POV

Alessandro had left Teddy and me in my room saying that he wanted to finish some work before they arrived. Teddy and I decided that we would be anything but cordial to the family, making snide comments and making it clear that they weren't welcome. We had even pulled out the electric shock chewing gum that Matteo and Emilio had placed in our stockings last Christmas, earning a look of disproval that day from every other Russo.

We planned on saving that trick for Giancarlo.

As we continued planning our evening of pettiness, a knock on the door followed by Elijah peeking his head inside caused us to hide any evidence of what we were orchestrating. Elijah raised an eyebrow but eventually let it go, perhaps deciding that it was best to remain ignorant. "Ava, can I talk with you outside?"

"We're busy here, Elijah," Teddy said, earning a nod of agreement from me.

My brother sighed. "Amore, I wasn't asking. We need to talk."

"Fine," I muttered. As I stood up from the floor, I turned to Teddy and said in Swahili, "Continue using that brilliant mind for good. We'll make them regret ever coming here."

Teddy gave me a mock salute, and I turned to the doorway where Elijah was standing. The two of us went to the hallway, and I leaned my back against the wall with my arms crossed over my chest. Elijah ran a hand through his hair, a look on his face that told me he was unsure of what to say or how to say it.

"Spit it out," I said. "I have things to do and would rather not waste my time here."

My brother dropped his hands to his side, his eyes softening as he said, "Ava, I don't know what went down earlier other than our grandfather—"

"—he's not our grandfather—"

"—came here unannounced, but Dad is really upset," Elijah said, ignoring my interruption. "He feels guilty because of how you reacted. He never meant to hurt you."

"Well, maybe he should cancel dinner tonight. It'll solve all of our issues," I retorted, my voice holding a coldness that even I didn't expect.

Elijah placed his hands on my shoulders and sternly said, "You need to talk to Dad. Listen to what he has to say. And really listen."

I turned my gaze away from my brother, blinking away the tears that had glossed over my eyes. "I've already listened, Elijah. It only made me angrier."

"Then listen again," Elijah gently said. "I didn't understand it at first either, Ava. He told us about Giancarlo's alcoholism and what he would do in those drunken states, and I too couldn't believe that he was letting that same man come here for dinner. Dad explained it, and it made sense. Please, honey, just listen. That's all I'm asking of you."

But you don't know the whole story. Because if you did, you would be on my side.

To appease my brother, I agreed and walked down the stairs to the kitchen where Elijah told me Papa was finishing up dinner. It was only thirty minutes before they would be here, and it seemed as if every second brought me closer to my breaking point.

Entering the kitchen, I saw Papa with an apron tied around him as he tasted what looked like soup, but it was unclear what kind it was. Unsure of how to proceed, I neared Papa's side and quietly said, "Can I have a taste?"

Papa turned to me with so much adoration in his eyes, and it almost made me feel guilty for the harsh words I had thrown at him earlier. But then the guilt slipped away as I remembered the reason behind those words: I tried protecting him, and he pushed me aside.