Dominic Aritello

Chapter 2

Dominic
Present

My hands felt clammy and my muscles hurt. Fatigue scraped at me and I sat as soon as I could. I ignored my sister's previous insults and grabbed the food beside her. It was clear she had just gotten it and it was still warm. I tugged off my gloves and began eating the three burritos, fries and two drinks they had in the back here. It was quiet as I ate and I knew they were either watching in disgust or curiosity. It was probably the latter. Never have I once been this hungry for food in front of them, or at least in front of Alicio. Sage has seen every part of me, the good, the bad and the starving.

Leah drove as I finished the meal, my back against the chair as I sat on the floor, knees bent with my elbows on top of them. I held the neck of the water bottle between two fingers and leaned my head back onto the seat when I was done.

"Are you okay?" Alicio finally asked and I nodded, not sparing him a glance. He tossed a duffle bag in front of my feet. "I brought a change of clothes."

"I'd rather change later." I whispered as I eyed the bag not inclined in the least to change infront of them.

"You don't really have a choice. You can't be wearing that where we are going" Sage mumbled and I wanted nothing more than to go to sleep.

"Fine." I grumbled before packing the food wrappers away in an empty bag. I moved forward to give myself enough space to get this jacket off. I took off the black sweatshirt next, the white t-shirt coming off next and by the look on my sister's face I could tell my paleness was worrying her before she caught a few new bruises across my abdomen.

"How'd you get that?" She asked and Alicio simply stared, a worry line creasing his forehead.

"Inmates don't like sharing with Americans or Italians so they flipped when they realized I was a mix of the two." I mumbled before pulling on some new socks, then new boots.

"Why didn't you tell us where you were going? I had to threaten Damien to even tell me where you were." Sage was controlling her anger, but under the rage I knew it was fueled by fear and concern.

"I thought it would be quick. An in and out type of mission, but I underestimated the Russians." I said as an excuse, but the truth is I was being impulsive. I was angry and needed to release it on someone who deserved it. I guess traveling across the world to release anger is a sign of my slipping sanity, but then again I have never met someone with their sanity fully intact.

"I think you're lying." Alicio spoke up and I became silent once more. Alicio Cane is a man of many skills, one of his best ones being the fact that he's a human lie detector. My sister on the other hand is capable of reading people like an open book. The pair together is actually quite annoying when I do happen to lie or not want to talk about something.

"How did the mafia fare without me?" I changed the topic.

"Managed to find a mole and three stowaways from the ship our drug shipment arrived on. Theo has sworn to beat your ass and Quin has been sneaking around with someone but I have no idea with who." She glanced at her fingernails as she studied them.