Santino Romano
"Can someone remind me why we let this happen?" I asked as we stepped back into the house, the familiar tension thick in the air.
"We've had this discussion a hundred times, Santino. Federico proved we can trust him, and Lissy was adamant about going." Vincenzo's tone was calm, but I could tell he was just as tired of explaining as I was of hearing it.
"And to be fair, now's not exactly the best time for her to be here either," Dante said, his jaw clenching tightly.
"Why can't we just kill them? Huh?" Davide asked, his voice sharp, practically dripping with venom.
"Keller gang members aren't like any others. It's not that simple. We have to find a compromise," Vincenzo replied firmly, though I could sense his frustration simmering beneath the surface.
"Yeah, sure. Because compromise always works so well," Matteo said sarcastically, his disgust evident. "Have you even heard the kind of shit they're into?"
"I don't care about their shit, Matteo. Know your place in this world," Domenico said with a sharpness that shut him down instantly.
"They kill and torture innocent people. And you still want to find a compromise with them?" Enzo challenged, his voice filled with disdain.
"What they do is disgusting and wrong. And I'm proud of you for recognizing that," Gio interjected, looking at the twins with a rare softness. "But we can't let emotions rule us. We have to be smart. Survival means playing the long game."
"Exactly. Let's just kill them smartly then," Matteo said with a twisted grin.
"We can't kill everyone, Matteo. They're too many, and we have to prioritize. Remember, we're not alone in this anymore. We have Lissy to think about. If we die, she'll be all alone. Do you want people like the Keller gang getting to her?" Domenico asked, his voice dark as he locked eyes with Matteo.
"What kind of sick question is that?" Matteo barked back, anger flaring in his tone.
"It's a harsh truth," I said, cutting in before Domenico could escalate things.
"There are dangerous people everywhere who'd love to see us fall. Just imagine for one second—Lissy, all alone, with no one to protect her. Our enemies would be on her in seconds. Is that what you want?" Dante's words were raw, cutting through the room like a blade. The sick feeling in my stomach intensified.
"I'd slit your throat if you weren't my brother, talking like this," Davide snapped, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles were white.
"But it's the reality we live in," Vincenzo said, stepping in to take control. "Every decision I make is with her in mind. Every single one. And you think it's easy?"
"It's not fair," Matteo muttered, glaring at the floor.
"Fairness doesn't exist in our world," Vincenzo said with a tired sigh, unlocking the door to his office. We followed him inside, the tension still hanging heavy in the air.
"I'd die for her," Enzo said, his voice quiet but resolute.
"And then what? We all die, and she's left alone? We don't have that luxury, Enzo," Domenico said coldly, exhaling smoke from his cigarette.
"I know it's fucked up, but it's how it is," I said, running a hand through my hair. "We have to be smart. Keller's gang is based in Germany. As long as they stay there, we keep things contained."
"We have teams restricting their activities. Just last month, we saved almost a hundred girls from them," Dante added, his voice weary but determined. "We're doing what we can. Smartly."
"It's still messed up. I'd kill them all myself if I could," Gio muttered, his jaw clenched.
"And we will. But when the time is right," Vincenzo said firmly.
"Them being here isn't the right time?" Davide asked, smirking.
"Not yet. We've got an arranged meeting with them. That's why I'm okay with Lissy being with Federico. He's proven himself. With him, she's safe." Vincenzo's tone left no room for argument, and I nodded in agreement.
"Yeah. You're right," Domenico said, taking a long drag from his cigarette.
"We'll stop them, but we'll do it the smart way," Dante said, drinking water from a bottle. Since his drunken slip-up with Lissy, he hadn't touched alcohol. He'd promised himself—and us—that he wouldn't make that mistake again.
Before anyone else could speak, my phone rang loudly, cutting through the tension.
"It's Lissy," I said, seeing her picture flash on the screen—a memory of her smiling with Jax in her arms while I stood beside her, amused. A good memory.
"Then answer it already," Gio said impatiently.
I picked up, and her face appeared on the screen. Even through Facetime, she looked beautiful.
"Hey, baby. How're you doing?" I asked, trying to gauge her expression for any sign of trouble.
"Hi. We're doing good. Federico says 'hi' to all of you. He's at the gas station right now. Jax misses you already. He's been whining all day," she said, smiling softly as she adjusted the phone to show Jax in her lap.
"We miss him too. And we miss you more," I said, watching her cheeks flush. "You sure everything's okay?"
"I'm alright. It's just... I don't know," she admitted, her voice small.
"Why? What's wrong, sweetheart?" Vincenzo asked, stepping closer to the phone. Everyone crowded around me, their concern palpable.
"I'm not used to being away from you all. I miss you so much," she said, rubbing her eyes.
"Are you crying, baby?" I asked, my heart tightening.
"No—well, yes. I don't want to look stupid, but I miss you. I've been checking my watch every five minutes to see if it's been long enough to call," she said softly, her words melting me.
"You can call us every two minutes if you want," Vincenzo said gently.
"You never look stupid, cupcake," Dante added, making her laugh.
"Why're you laughing, huh?" Davide asked, grinning.
"I'm not used to that nickname. Cupcake—it makes me sound chubby or something," she teased.
"More of you means more to love," Gio said, leaning closer to the phone. "You're perfect, and the nickname suits you."
"Stop it. If you keep complimenting me like this, I'll jump out of the car," she said with a playful smile.
We all froze, jaws dropping.
"Don't joke like that, princess," Domenico said, his doctor instincts kicking in.
"Sorry, bad joke. I love when you're sweet to me," she said softly, her voice like a balm to our frayed nerves.
She's our everything. Our angel. And we'll do anything to keep her safe.
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Lissy Romano
ActionFourteen years old girl named Elizabeth Romano lived with her father until he got killed, only then she learned that he wasn't her real dad. Elizabeth...called Lissy for short, finds out that she was kidnapped when she was little and that she actual...
