The Ones Who Saved Us

Chapter 45

Avalee's POV

Alcohol. They had blamed Salvatore's outburst on alcohol and nothing more. Giancarlo was the one who had made up the pathetic excuse after swinging by the hotel to check on his son, claiming that the scent of alcohol was clear on Salvatore's breath. It wasn't there, though, when he was in my room yelling at Eden, throwing me to the ground. It was a lie created by an apologist father who refused to make his son take accountability for his actions.

And Papa accepted the lie without hesitation.

Safe to say, Teddy and I weren't on speaking terms with him. At least my brothers had stuck to their decision, prohibiting Salvatore from returning to our home.

Alessandro and Elijah were out of the house for the night due to their work piling up in preparation for the official joining of the Italian and American Mafias. Aunt Scarlett had given birth two weeks ago, and it wouldn't be long before they moved to New York.

After what had happened earlier, Leo had refused to leave our side and was with us now as we slept. Or in my case, attempted to sleep. Like the night before, Teddy had insisted that I sleep in the middle, the reason for which I still had no idea.

Exhaustion had completely taken over Teddy the minute his head hit the pillow, his eyes struggling to stay open as if he was scared—no, terrified—to take his eyes off of me. Leo was the same, the long work hours from his internal medicine residency making him extremely sleep deprived. Meanwhile, I remained perfectly still, not wanting to wake up either of my brothers. I knew I would easily fall asleep if I went to Papa, but I couldn't do it after he had excused the way his brother had treated Eden and me. I wouldn't forgive that easily.

I don't know how much time had passed, but the peaceful sound of my brothers' breathing was replaced by a quiet whimpering. Teddy's face was contorted, his arms hugging his knees to his chest.

"Stop it. Please don't hurt her. I'm sorry, Ava. I'm sorry."

Teddy hadn't had a nightmare in so long that I didn't know what to do, my body stiff and frozen as I tried to think of a way to help my little brother. I sat up, slowly reaching for his shoulders, which only made his lip quiver even more. "Teddy, please wake up," I pleaded. "It's only a nightmare. We're safe."

"Aves, what's wrong?"

Leo's groggy voice was heard behind me, the movement from sitting up causing the bed to creak.

"Teddy. He's having a nightmare."

Leo moved next to me and placed one of his hands on Teddy's cheeks, his fingers wiping away stray tears. "Teds, it's me, Leo. You're safe, buddy, but I need you to wake up."

Leo rubbed soothing circles on my little brother's cheek, his other hand combing through Teddy's hair. "Ava," he said, looking at me when his methods weren't working. "Can you get me that glass of water?" I reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the glass, handing it to Leo. My brother dipped his fingers in the glass and flicked some of the water on Teddy's face. He repeated the action two more times before Teddy's eyes flickered open.

Teddy bolted upright gasping for breath, his eyes scanning his surroundings and stopping when they landed on me. His hand covered his mouth as he ran to the bathroom with Leo and I on his tail. He dropped to his knees in front of the toilet and started retching. My eyes stung at seeing the absolute helplessness in my little brother, at seeing how sick the events from earlier had made him. Because there was no doubt in my mind that seeing Salvatore throw me to the ground this afternoon had triggered this nightmare and the nausea that accompanied it.

Teddy's sobs accompanied the heaving, and there was nothing I could do for him except rub his back while Leo fetched some water for whenever Teddy's vomiting stopped. It felt like we had been kneeling on the bathroom floor for an eternity when Teddy raised his head, his cheeks wet from the sobs that had now reduced to mere hiccups. Leo helped Teddy to his feet and directed him to the sink, helping him rinse his mouth and brush his teeth. Once Teddy finished, Leo turned to me and nudged his head towards the door. "Let's get you both back in bed. We can talk in the morning."