Lissy Romano

41| Little girl.

Dante Romano

"I think she needs to stay home. School and everything else is just too exhausting for her," Paolo said, looking at Vincenzo.

"I'll think about that," Vincenzo replied.

I'm not going to lie...I'd love for her to stay at home, where she'd be safe and protected. But she needs to be around her friends, to socialize, to feel normal.

"We need to ask her," Santino said, holding Jax in his lap.

He looked...different. I don't understand how he's changed so much. He used to be angry, ruthless, and rude. Now he's just a little sweetheart, holding a puppy in his arms and thinking about how to make Lissy happy.

I don't blame him. We all changed when Lissy came back. We're all worried sick about her. I feel like a fucking failure when I can't protect my little sister.

She has a soft spot in my heart. In fact, my heart only has room for Lissy...and maybe my brothers. But no one else.

After a while, Paolo left Vincenzo's office. He reminded us that whatever Lissy decides to share about her past is confidential. I get it, but I'm still worried. At least he promised to tell us if it's anything serious—something about her safety or health. That's a relief.

When Paolo left, he mumbled something about his girlfriend's "serious problem." Apparently, she didn't know which dress to wear to some party. Women...

It's not that I don't like women. I do. But I can't imagine myself being with one in any sort of relationship. I like to fuck them, yeah. And they love it too. But I can't picture anyone being my girlfriend or wife. That's just not me. I'd rather shoot myself in the head.

"Santino, go to Lissy's room and bring her to the gym. Dante will teach her some self-defense techniques," Vincenzo said in that no-arguments tone of his.

"But she's tired, no?" Santino asked, furrowing his eyebrows.

"Just do what he says," I barked.

Santino sighed, got up with Jax still in his arms, and left the office. I glanced at Vincenzo. Something about him seemed...off. He looked tense.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting down in front of him.

The twins—Giovanni, Davide, and Domenico—looked just as confused as me.

"About school...maybe she really does need to be homeschooled," Vincenzo admitted nervously.

I've never seen him like this—so unsure of himself.

"I think she needs to attend school," I said firmly, standing up. "I'll teach her how to beat up some jerks."

"Okay," Vincenzo said with a nod before turning to the twins. "Domenico, Davide, Giovanni—you're coming with me. We've got a mess to clean up at the nightclub."

"What kind of mess?" I asked, curious.

"Andrew beat up some guy. Everyone saw it," Vincenzo explained, his jaw tightening.

"Why would he do that?" Matteo chimed in.

"Some asshole slapped Ava's butt," Vincenzo replied, his expression darkening.