Shattered Loyalties

28: Finding Family

Isabella

It's been three weeks since my brother's funeral. While we tried to intend to leave in two weeks' time, because of the funeral, they gave us an extra week to mourn. In a day's time, we'll travel to Italy to prepare for the mafia banquet that everyone can attend. I've never been to one of these events, but I know of the importance of it because of my family's status.

Carlo sits in my room while I write in my notebook. He sits on the couch and scrolls on his computer while he looks at different designs for a nursery for their baby. Abigail's working today...it's her last day before she takes maternity leave for the rest of her life. Carlo has enough to make their little army comfortable, so Abigail will become a mother and stay-at-home wife while Carlo takes care of his little family.

"Fuck," he mumbles. "This is harder than it looks."

"You'll be a great father, you know," I hum. I cross my legs and sit against the headboard of my bed while continuing on writing.

"What are you writing, hermanita?"

"A poem."

"About what?" I blush and close my book for a minute. It's Gio's birthday today and I'm writing a poem as one of my gifts to my boyfriend. Gosh...that's weird to say even now...boyfriend.

"It's for Gio," is all I say. He smiles and hums.

Gio's been working all night. It's almost ten in the morning and I've still yet to see him, so I sit cooped up in my room.

Antonio comes in my room and sets my suitcase down. "You need to be packed by tonight."

"Not gonna happen," I say nonchalantly.

"What the hell do you mean it's not gonna happen?"

"Do you need it in Spanish, dear brother?" I joke.

"Goddamnit, is it shark week for you or something?" he scoffs. Carlo raises an eyebrow and looks up at his eldest brother. I stare at him in disbelief.

"Even if it was, I don't think you'd want dear Papi to know what you've said to his only daughter, si?"

"I'm not scared of—"

"You're not scared of many people, but I know you're scared of the power Dad holds," I remind. I close my notebook and lean forward. "So please refrain from asking me if I'm on my period or not. And that doesn't even matter. I've been late."

"What the fuck? That's too much information for your brother." And Antonio walks out of the room in a hurry. I lean back against the bed, but I can feel Carlo staring at me.

"You're late?" He asks.

"I mean it's normal for me. I was abused for years. My body is still healing," I say. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"I'm not asking because of that," he starts. "I don't want to talk about this because you're my baby sister, but put two and two together." Before he can even finish, Gio comes in the room. He has a big smile—the kind where he only smiles around me. He climbs on the bed and snuggles into my arms...holding me close and laying his head against my chest.