Tread Carefully

Chapter 13

Velvet's POV•••

I had woken up naked and alone...or so I thought.

"Tsk look at your head, it's a mess," I heard my mother's voice. I turned my head in her direction. She sat knitting in a chair at the foot of the bed.

I blinked in confusion. What was she doing here in Italy?

"Mom, what are you doing here," I asked gathering the covers up to my nose in embarrassment.

She shook her head. "I am here because I want to be," she nodded.

"I'll be leaving at the end of this week, so get your ass up and get ready to go to the pool," she demanded before calling Vito to help her out of the chair.

I could only stare in astonishment as he disappeared briefly before stroding back into the room.

A scowl was etched into his face as he ran a hand through his black curls.

"Did you know she was going to be here," I asked in horror.

"Hell no, the woman woke not to long ago, " he came around to my side. "Nearly have me a damn heart attack, she was groaning on my biceps and poking my pecs," he seemed to shiver in disgust.

I laughed and took the hand he offered. "I wonder who let her in," I murmured as our lips met.

The kiss was so gentle and sweet compared to the hot needy ones from last night.

He kissed the tip of my nose before pulling me out of the bed all the way. "Bruno opened it fir her, he told me he could feel her coming up to the house," Vito muttered with curiosity.

I shook my head and winced when I headed into the bathroom to pee.

I was sore below as he was rougher than I'd expected him to be. Just remembering it made heat pool low in my belly.

After I emerged from the bathroom I doned a bright yellow two piece swim outfit and headed down stairs.

I wanted breakfast but I would wait until I was done swimming with my mother.

Bruno was already outside chattering with my mother like two gossip girls. Vito side eyes my mother who oddly stared at him like she hadn't seen him before.

Leo and Ganeva were in the pool hugged up and talking quietly.

As I stepped out and neared Vito they all looked up.

Geneva waved with a light smile. I didn't smile back just waved. I wasn't the friendly sort and didn't want friends as all I needed is Bruno.

Bruno ran to me with a toothless grin.

"Nànà's here," he wrapped his little arms around my waist.

"I know," I grinned back and picked him up. "Vito told me you opened the door for her, mind telling me why you were up so early," I asked.

Vito came to investigate the reason he was up. Bruno obviously didn't feel obligated to tell him.

"Well I felt her coming to the house, but before that I had to pee, Emiliano gave me soda before I went to bed," he pouted.

"Ah," I murmured. "Where is Emiliano," I asked before catching Vito's eyes.

"There," he looked behind me.

I turned a cold eye to Emiliano before settling Bruno into the ground and letting him run off the the couple in the pool.

"Bèbè, what's the matter," Vito's arm snaked around me.

I scowled at him. "Bruno doesn't get soda peroid," I hiss. "You guys should really ask about my child before trying to feed him anything, he could be allergic," I hissed.

My voice had clearly rose with each word because Vito was shushing as I glared at a wide eyed Emiliano.

"Alright Vel," Vito replied. I didn't play about my baby. Never did and never will.

"My apologies Velvet, your right I should have asked you, not to mention he's still a growing boy," Emiliano said grimaced.

"Bah hush boy," my mother said as she waddled over. "Are we swimming or not," she looked at all of us like we were children bickering over a toy.

"Yes ma'am," both men said in unison.

•••

After a long day in the pool I watched Vito and Bruno unpack a new Lego set.

Bruno puffed up his chest and cheered every time he got a few peices together. Vito smiled and struggled.

I sipped the cup of wine I held in my hand. I was tired If I was being honest. Listening and pretending not to be angry at my mother wore me out.

"I'm going to shower Vito," I said before lazily trudged out of Bruno's room to mine and into the tub.

I decided to soak and relax. I wanted to ask my mother why she told Vito our location but I knew that would only spark an argument so I decided not to say anything.

The last thing I wanted to do was argue with a guest who's my mother.

"Vel," Vito called.

I turned around with a grin on my face. "You're back earlier than I expected," I greeted while continuing to chop the jalapeños.

"Wasn't much work to do," he replied hugging me from behind. I hummed and nodded.

"This smells delicious bèbè, isn't this your mother's secret taco salśa," he took a few bits of jalapeño and shoved it into his mouth.

"Yes, it's not going to be perfect-hey!"

He'd taken a whole jalapeño and walked off with it.

"I was going to use that,"I pouted knowing I had plenty more.

Vito chewed on it unfazed by the spice. "You have more bèbè," he chuckled before disappearing from the kitchen.

I tsked and rolled my eyes before turning back to cooking.

"Diós mió, he's going to get enough of eating hot food," I muttered.

Cutting the tomatoes took longer than I wanted it to but it got done. Vito must have been in the shower because he hadn't returned yet. I hummed to the music flowing through the house.

Crash!!

I jumped and looked behind me. A figure dressed in all black was falling to the floor with a bloody Vito standing behind them.

My mouth dropped open in shock. As soon as I started forward to help Vito he held a hand up to stop me. My brows furrowed in confusion. There was a loud bang before a the sounds of guns riddled the house.

I shrieked in horror.

"Velvet!"

My body seemed to spasm as my eyes opened to find Vito standing above me.

My hands clutched his shirt. "It was just a nightmare," I gasped. I released him to cover my face. I felt my face heating up ready to cry.

"It's alright bèbè,"he murmured and pulled me from the cold water.

That dream was a memory I'd forgotten. Me and Vito had just gotten together and I had finally moved in with him. That night I'd seen so many lost lives. Just a sample of what kind of life I lived.

Vito had gotten shot twice. Neither life threatening but it hurt me seeing him hurt.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and sobbed. Held on for dear life. I didn't know why this sudden need to be close to him surfaced but it did and I didn't even try to let go when lowered me to the bed.

He simply decided to sit and hold me while murmuring those smooth Italian words.

•••
Please don't forget
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