Love, Evangeline

11.

By the time we got back to the house, the sun was high up in the sky. The gardens fresh smell, the town, and the soft pattering sound of fountains nearby made Rome feel like a complete dream. Servants immediately surrounded the car, taking the many bags from Mya and the others before quickly making their way back into the house. Grabbing my one small bag, I followed behind Isabella and Gianna as we made our way through the side door of the house.

The house was silent, except for the soft chattering of Mya and her sisters as they made their way up to their rooms. To be in a new house, with no idea where anything was, let alone fully know the family I was staying with, the one thing I wanted was to find my brothers. Walking past the main hall, and past the staircase, I walked past the Commodore which was near the library. Right as I turned the corner, the smell of sweat and blood numbed my senses. I inhaled deeply as I clenched my jaw and paused. The sound of fighting, grunting, metal clanging together, machines going to a work, and dinging sounds echoed off the halls in the hallway.

Keeping my attention on the room hiding away whatever ruckus and commotion was behind the door, I began to walk towards it. I knew it wasn't my place to creep around, but I couldn't help myself. " I wouldn't do that if I were you," I voice suddenly spoke up. I flinched before turning around, finding Luca walking down the hall. " Where are my brothers?" I asked. " In there," Luca said as he walked past me. " What are they doing?" I asked turning to Luca. Luca looked at me, " why are you down here?" I stared at him, his eyes glued on mine. " I was just looking," I began to say. " Your brothers are in here, training," Luca suddenly said, cutting me off. I closed my mouth, Luca kept his eyes on mine.

A smirk crept across Luca's face, but immediately disappeared. He walked up to me, I inhaled softly as he stoped, about five feet remained between us. " You wanna go in there?" Luca asked. I eyed the door before looking back at Luca, " I don't think that's a good idea." Luca scoffed, " you were already heading towards that room before, why stop now?" An uncomfortable feeling crept its way up my stomach. " You're not scared, are you?" Luca asked. " I know what's in there," I said folding my arms. " My family has a room just like that in our house. I've been in it, so no, I'm not scared," I said defensively. Luca chuckled, " what your family has are just some lousy toys." I eyed the door again before reconnecting my eyes with Luca, he refused to look elsewhere but at me. " What we have is bigger and more dangerous," Luca said in a hushed tone. He smirked, " knowing how your family treats you, you wouldn't survive in that room."

Right as I blinked, all five of my brothers emerged out of the room that had caught my attention merely minutes ago. " Evangeline," Dante said. I looked at Dante, swear glistened on his face, cuts and bruises dotted his arms, face, neck, and hands. My eyes slightly widened as I looked at all five of my brothers. " Scared yet?" Luca asked, barely above a whisper. " What are you doing here?" Dante asked walking up to me, he side eyed Luca before looking back at me. " I was looking for you guys?" I told Dante as I dropped my arms to my side. " With him?" Dante asked in a stern, disgusted tone as he looked Luca up and down. " Sadly, no," Luca teased. Dante turned his head and glared at Luca, " stay the hell away from her, understand?" Luca's smirk slipped off his face, " she's not up for grabs," Dante added.

Turning, I began to walk down the hall with my brothers behind me. " Your sister will belong to us soon, so I suggest you get used to it," Luca suddenly said. All five of my brothers instantly froze, I looked at Dante and saw a muscle in his jaw tense up. I attempted to grab Dante's arm to keep him back, but he was faster. Within a blink of an eye, Dante's face was inches away from Luca's. " You wanna say that again?" Dante asked sternly. " You don't own her," Luca said sharply. I looked at Damien, who was ready to grab Dante if things got out of hand. " She knows nothing of the world because you and your shitty family keeps her locked up like some dog," Luca spat out. I swear I saw Dante's eyes darkened, his jaw immediately clenched.