The Underbosses House Cat [M/M]

20 - Twenty - Ilya Russo's Point Of View.

Pulling back onto the property, I sighed, and looked at Vito. "Is it normal to have more guards at the gates when things like this happen?"

"Yes, they have larger guns on them too when things like this happen."

"Oh. I didn't notice."

Getting out of my car finally, Andrei leaned against the side of the house, and I hadn't spotted him before we started walking up to the house after parking. He opened his eyes and looked me up and down.

"Alessio is waiting for you in his office, Ilya. Vito, Matteo needs you. Go comfort your son."

I nodded and went to Alessio's office. His door was open, and he was sitting at the desk, his eyes closed and he was taking deep breaths. Lev was rubbing his back and spotted me first. He said nothing, not even as I brought my finger up to my mouth to tell him to keep quiet. I wanted to just watch Alessio at this moment.

He seemed almost at peace, despite everything going on. He flicked his eyes open, and took in the look of me.

"Have you been standing there long?" He asked.

"No, just a minute or so. I didn't want to interrupt you." I replied. He stood up, and Lev was by his side immediately.

"Amore. Please, I am fine. Thank you though. I appreciate it." Alessio said, setting his hand on Lev's cheek. The chemistry between those two was off the charts, and they screamed well oiled power couple.

"Things between you two are better than?" I asked.

"Better? What do you—Oh, you mean the Nikita stuff you witnessed? Yes. We talked things out," Lev said, before he leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his husband's temple. "Go before I decide you can't and smother you with my affection, to make sure you're going to be ok."

Alessio looked me out of his office, and out of the complex entirely, and we walked to the medical building. I paused. "Why are we here?"

"I want to check out your vitals, and make sure everything is well, after that high-stress situation."

"Your mother."

"Dead. She was DOA. (dead on arrival)" He said, without spending too much time on the subject.

"Are you actually ok?" I asked.

"No, but I can handle it. Matteo and Gabe. I worry about them. Matteo mostly. Caio said he held her hand the whole way back, even after she passed. Caio had a hell of a time getting Matteo to let go of her hand. After everything she did to him, that kid is still loyal to her, till the end."

"And you?" I asked as we entered the building.

"I'll shed a few tears, a few minutes for the good years. After that, who knows? Yes, she was my mother, but she was a cruel bitch, even to her children."

He took me to the showers. "Get clean, and I'll check you over after."

Stripping down in a stall, Alessio was still out there. Not that I wasn't used to this from before.

"If you have questions about how I found her, ask Alessio." I said, stepping under the spray.

"Did she know she was dying?"

"Yes. She pushed my jacket off her wounds, saying she was dying. She knew there was no way she would make it back in time."

"Thank you for helping to bring her home, regardless."

"Alessio. Your family to me. You are like a little brother, a pain in the ass one, but one nonetheless. I couldn't stay here and not at least offer a hand to you after everything you've done for me. I feel human again. That is because of the work you all have put in for me. What I did for you, and your mother, was the least I could do."