By Darkness I Burn [EN]

Chapter 6

Isabella – 18 years old

I laugh at Greta's joy. She was extremely excited about her family coming for the New Year. It would be their first commemorative date here, which was only fair since we had spent Christmas in Las Vegas.

"Is everyone coming?" Hana, sitting next to me, asked horrified.

I forced my laugh to stay in.

"No." Greta shook her head. "Just my parents and brothers, and Fabiano and his family."

"Better than nothing." Hana murmured and I kicked her shin.

Aurora laughed. She understood Hana's despair about the Falcones, even though she didn't have the same feeling about them.

"They're not that bad." Aurora defended.

"I'm sure they're not." Hana's sarcasm oozed like poison.

"You are impossible." I murmured.

Thank God, Greta was too happy, fixing things with Sara's help, to pay any attention to us.

"Anyway, the worst of them is coming." Aurora shrugged and her gaze darkened for a moment.

Mom had already told me that Aurora had come to New York for a while because of something that happened with Nevio, since Aurora had told Aunt Aria, and Aunt Aria had told her. We just didn't know exactly what.

"Why?" Hana asked.

Rory just shrugged, making Hana echo the movement.

"I'd like to meet Alessio, though." Said and I threw her a murderous look, which she ignored, just getting up in sequence. "Greta, is your dog going to try to attack me if I walk past him? I need to use the bathroom."

Greta laughed and shook her head.

"They are used to it now, you can go with no problem."

I saw Hana disappear down the hall and minutes later my cell phone vibrated in my pocket.

"If you freak out every time someone mentions Alessio, soon your secret will stop being a secret."

"Maybe you need to be fucked again."

"Relax, dammit."

"Bitch."

I responded promptly and she responded back with a bunch of crying laughing emojis.

When I turned my gaze back up, the smile on my face fell... Aurora had her eyes on my cellphone.

I quickly locked the screen and cleared my throat as I shoved the device in my pocket. Her blue eyes rose to meet mine, the same color, and she flashed a slight smile. I forced a smile back onto my face.

***

"I don't want to leave them trapped." Greta made a pout that Amo promptly kissed.

I smiled, I don't know if it was because of her concern for the dogs or because of their overflowing love.

"They'll be fine." Amo replied.

"I can check them out from time to time." I said willingly. "Since you're going to be busy taking care of everything. Just let me know which room they're in."

Greta flashed a dazzling smile. She was really easy to please.

"Thank you, Isa! Come on, I'll show you where they are." She held out her hand to me and we walked hand in hand to the room where the little monsters were.