Found and Forgotten

Chapter 11

Zeta POV

A few days have passed since the dinner incident. Matteo came to comfort me, but I didn't feel like talking. He apologized for them and told me I can always come to him. Then he sat with me in a comfortable silence once I calmed down a little. A small while later, Massimo cake in and apologized to me for not being here. I just hope it was sincere and not out of pity. He then informed us about this trip and me staying home alone. I felt a little relieved. I don't particularly like being alone, but I was a little embarrassed about blowing up at the diner so delaying any confrontation sounds good.

Before he left he asks one question, "Hey Z, when were you adopted?" He doesn't know? I thought he would've been told.

"When I was 13." I respond. "Where were you before that?" He asks. "bouncing between orphanages and foster homes."

Matteo and Massimo both seem sad at this. "That must've been hard" Matteo says. "Yeah, but that's the past. I don't particularly like talking about it." They both nod at that.

The next day they left. Dante and Matteo came and hugged me goodbye, and they told me to text them if I needed anything. They've already sent a few messages in the few days they have been gone. Massimo said goodbye and Enzo muttered one after. The other two must still be avoiding me.

Since no one should be around, I decide to go for a swim. I've been avoiding it due to the large scar on my stomach and all the tiny scars on my back. All of my bathing suits are two pieces and I haven't gone shopping yet. My foster parents knew about  the scars so I didn't care as much about hiding them. I love relaxing in the water.

Massimo POV

We have been in meetings all day. Well everyone but Xander. Xander is our best assassin, and we needed him for a job back in New York, so he will just return home after. I'm hoping maybe it will give him and Zeta a chance to make up. Gianni's resentment goes much deeper, Xander is just afraid to get close and then her leave again.

Anyway right now we are in between meetings, just relaxing for 30 minutes. "Have you heard anything about Zeta's past?" Dante asks. I contacted her social worker to try and get her file. I don't want to invade her privacy too much, just want an idea of where she was living the 13 years she was away from us. Right now we only know is she was in New York until she just moved to South Carolina not too long before the crash happened. "No. It seems her files were given to her adoptive parents after the adoption, and deleted once she moved states. I've decided to let it go until she is ready to talk about it." I reply. All of the boys nod. Even Gianni is curious what happened to her all these years. He didn't love her being here but he also didn't want her to have suffered a lot.

Once this trip is over, we decided we will each spend some one on one time with her. Even Gianni, although I'm a little nervous how that one will go. Matteo offered to go first, seemingly already having something in mind. Let's just get through this week so we can get back home to our bambina.

Xander POV

I'm happy to get out of all of those boring meetings. Killing is my specialty. What I'm not super looking forward to is going home. I know I need to apologize to Zeta. At least I won't have the pressure of my brothers here.

I head inside and sit thinking of what to say to Zeta. I guess I'll start with an apology and wing it from there. I've never been a planner anyway. I finding getting dresses and make my way toward her room. I get no answer when knocking. I open the door to find the room empty. I go to leave the room when I see her switch on the bed. It takes me back to use playing on DS all night when she was little. She would always fall asleep and would use me as her personal pillow. I wonder if she still always picks the grass type starter Pokemon.I admit I miss it. I see she has a custom case with photos of her and her friend holding Pokemon stuffed animals. She must really miss her. I try to move on from her and not care, but it's sad for anyone to have to lose so much.

I make my way out of her room And all one of the maids passing by if she knows where Zeta is. She informs me she saw her going to the pool, so I head there.

I see her laying on one of the lounge chairs with sunglasses wrapped in her towel. I walk closer and decide to start speaking. "Hey Zeta. Can we talk?" She jumps at the sound of my voice, clearly not expecting me.  Her reaction causes her towel to fall off, and that's when I see a huge scar on her stomach  with tons of little scars around it. I have tortured enough people to know it couldn't be anything good. Immediately, I see red.

"Zeta what the fuck? Tell me who did that to you" I shout. The color drains from her face and she visibly starts to panic.

"Uhh hh-hey Xander, what are you doing home?" She stutters, trying to change the subject as she rewraps the towel.

I need to calm down. I can't help her if she's scared of me. I take a deep breath. "Zeta, can you please tell me what happened? I know I'm one of the last people you would want to talk to at all, let alone trust , but I promise I can help. I was actually coming out here to apologize for being a jerk to you. We were close as kids and you leaving destroyed me. I was so afraid of you leaving again that I ignored you. But I love you Z, you're my sister. Please let me help you." I take a huge risk opening up, but I need Zeta to know why I've been such a dick to her.

She pauses again. "It was a long time ago. Can you please forget about it?" She pleads.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can forget it. How about I ask you some questions and you can't nod or shake your head?" Another pause. but then she nods.

"Did this happen before you were adopted?"

She nods.

"At an orphanage? Or a foster home?"

A shake then nod. So a foster home.

"Can you give me a name?" She shakes her head no. "Are you sure?" This time she answers verbally. "I'm sure. I've tried many times to recall his name, but all I can remember is having to call him Sir."

Shit. What has my sister been through? She's looking down shamefully. She shouldn't feel this way. She was the victim. She is so strong. "Would it be okay if I hug you?" I ask. She slowly nods. I wrap her up in a tight hug, wanting her to know that I am sorry and that I'm here for her. I ask her if she wants to watch a movie and eat ice cream together. I have no idea what the best option was, but this is what Matteo always suggested when we were missing mom or Zeta. She says yes and we both go inside.

Zeta heads to her room while I take tons of pillows and giant blankets to the cinema room. As I said for her, I think of how to inform our brothers. It can wait for now. I'll ask Zeta tomorrow. I don't want to break her trust right away.

Zeta walks in with a giant hoodie and sweatpants. I ask her what is her favorite movie. "Draft Day" she mutters. Hmm better than I was expecting. We sit on one of the large reclining sofas as I hand her a tub of butterscotch ice cream. She looks at it and smiles. "Is it still your favorite? I can get something else" I tell her. "No it's still my favorite," she pauses. "Thank you for remembering. As the movie plays, Zeta ends up falling asleep just like when we stayed up late when we were kids. I know in this moment I'll do anything to protect her.