Coming Back Home

Confronting the Traitor

With that, I leave the basement and return to my baby sister.

Riccardo POV

After leaving the basement, I go back to the living room. When I get there, I hear Giada talking to everyone about something to do with elephants. I stand in the doorway, watching as my family listen intently to the little girl's story. All of these serious mafia men, practically melting for the four-year-old. Hell, so am I.

I feel someone approach me. I turn to see Xander stop next to me. "Did you threaten them?" I ask my younger brother. He snorts at my question. "Yeah, not that I had to. Our tesoro has everyone wrapped around her finger." I chuckle lowly. "Don't I know it."

I take a deep breath before putting a hand on Xander's shoulder. He looks at my hand then at me with a 'what the fuck are you doing?' face. "I know how you changed when she was taken, Xan. Now that she's back, I can see that you're holding yourself back."

He shrugs off my hand with a huff. "I'm fine," he clips out. I sigh. "Don't push her away. You'll just regret it," I warn before entering the living room.

I walk up to Giada, who is sitting in Matteo's lap, and pick her up. Holding her in my arms, I find a spot to sit down and cuddle her to my chest tightly. "Hewwo, Wiccy!" she cheers, happily returning my hug.

"I heard something about elephants," I mention, hoping that she will continue her story. "Uh-huh. My dweam was having ewie-fans (My dream had elephants)." Xander walks into the room, sitting next to Xavier.

"Xan! You 'membew I has dat dweam wif ewie-fans? I has anovew! (Do you remember I had that dream with elephants? I had another!)" He smiles slightly. "Yes, tesoro, I do remember. Did you tell Dad about that dream?" he questions. After he says that, Giada bursts into giggles.

Every single person in this room is looking at Giada with awe at hearing her giggles. It is the most magical sound in the world. I can't help myself. I lean in and hiss her on the cheek. Her giggles slow down, and she gives me another hug. "Lub you, Wiccy."

MY HEART!!!!! "I love you too, angioletto." I look up to see everyone looking at my with jealousy. Ha. Suck it. "What was so funny?" I ask. She takes a second to comprehend my question, then she bursts into giggles again.

"Xan. You tew dem peas (you tell them please)!" She falls against my chest, still laughing. Xander looks fondly at Giada before nodding. "So, Giada told me about her dream yesterday. Dad, Mat, Cardo, Fran, Xavier, and I were all there with her. We were riding on elephants."

He pauses to smirk at her. "Then, the elephant that Giada was riding took its trunk and spat water all over Dad." Giada's giggles are renewed. There are even tears in her eyes. Everyone laughs along with her.

Dad shakes his head. "Dolcezza, why me?" he asks in mock offense. "Issa dweam, Papa. I no choose! (It's a dream, Papa. I didn't choose!)" Dad sighs. "I guess you're right."

"Alright, alright. Riccardo, bring her here," Nonna orders me. I pout. "Nonna!" I whine. "Now, boy." Well, shit. You don't say no to Nonna. I stand up and bring Giada over to where Nonna and Nonno are sitting. She reaches her arms out, and I set Giada down on her lap.

Now Giada-less, I slink sadly back to my seat. Antonio, who is sitting next to me, pats me on the shoulder. "It's okay, man. You had no choice," he commiserates with me solemnly. I nod. "I miss her already," I sigh.

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Matteo POV

We are all sitting in the living room again, having had dinner. It's getting late, and we are just waiting for Giada to go to sleep so that we can see to the traitor in the basement. Giada, wanting everyone to be happy, took a turn sitting in everyone's lap. Now, she's sitting with aunt Giulia.