Aria

Chapter 19

-Aria-

"What did I tell you about coming back here?"

She says with a sneering expression.

"I- I promise I w-won't do it again, but please let me in. I ca-can't stay out there anymore." I beg as I run up to her to get away from the horrors of those men.

"You should've done what I told you to my darling." He steps away and slams the door shut, racing the car away.

"Aww, I thought you liked having us here?" A deep voice rumbles "Boss won't be too happy with your statement." He tsks as he gets close, moving his hand to trail along my jaw and chest.

"Ahhhh such a beaut-"

I jolt awake.

Feeling the cold air brush my arm, I start gasping for air. My hands reach for my chest as I try to breathe.

I can't-

Hands reach for me and pull me towards them, moving my arms away from my face. I look up with blurry eyes and see a tall built man hovering over me, I scream and try to push them away. Someone from behind tries to calm me but I can't hear them.

"Ari-"

My knees are up as I fight back trying to catch my breath. A bag is pushed into my hands and someone frantically shouts, "Here, breathe in and out!"

I shake my head before the bag is pushed towards me, I try doing as the voice says- wait who's this, how did I get here? I remove the bag and push away the hand that was on my back.

"P-please l-let me go, I I- promise I'll listen, pl-"

"Shhhhh it's okay, it'll all be okay, munchkin-"

Munchkin,

"G-Gabe?" I let out a sob and hug him tightly.

He hugs me back, avoiding my shoulder.

I try to stop my trembling as Gabe places his hand on my hair, getting me to calm down. Another figure walks up and takes my hand in his, Leo. I eventually pull back from Gabe and wipe my eyes, looking at my surroundings. The room is unfamiliar, I don't think I've been here before. There's a lamp on the side radiating light and mattresses placed all around. I look up and notice all my brothers around me.

I bring the blanket around me higher and try to think of a way to diffuse the situation.

"Aria," Alessandro calls, he brings his hand to my chin and lifts it. I move my gaze to avoid looking into his eyes. If I do, I know I won't be able to lie.

He moves his face to where I was looking and brings his other hand to wipe the hair out of my face.

"Can you tell me about what happened?"

I try to think of every excuse I can but they all sound irrational.

They will never believe me, especially after this.

"Has someone hurt you?"

"I j- just fell out-"

"Do you really think we will believe that?" Matteo inserts darkly.

I move my head back and shift my gaze to the bedsheet.

"You have to let us know so we can help you, my love," Leo says, walking closer.

"I- I was walking wh-" I cut myself when my eyes meet Zeno's glare.

There's no use, feeling defeated I give a light nod and feel Gabe still beside me.

The thought of them not wanting to be with me anymore makes my heart drop. I try to hold in the tears rushing to my eyes, but Gabe surprises me by gently wrapping his arms around me.

He isn't angry.

"Is that how you got the scars and injury on your shoulder?"

After a couple of seconds, I nod once again and take a deep breath, biting the inside of my cheek. Keeping my tears at bay. Matteo slams his hand and I jump in my place. Zeno whispers something to Matteo, who looks at me and leans back against the wall, placing his hands in a fist.

"Has anyone touched you inappropriately Aria?"

I freeze at that question, getting flashbacks to the nightmare. I feel my heart start to pound fast and my eyes water.

I didn't want to think about it.

"My bambina," Gabe pulls me closer and rubs his hand up and down my back.

"Cazzo" Matteo says angrily and approaches me.

Alessandro places his hand on Matteo's shoulder and pulls him back. Matteo glares in return and pushes his hand away, walking out the door, limping lightly as he goes.

Zeno and Leo get up from their positions and follow him out, with angry expressions covering their faces.

"Aria, have they ever gone further-"

I widen my eyes and quickly shake my head.

"I-it didn't happen." I sniff and move away from Gabe's arms, hugging myself tightly.

"Would you like to tell us anything else?" Alessandro asks but I quickly shake my head in refusal.

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that," Gabe softly says as he meets my gaze, I didn't notice earlier but there were tears there now.

I didn't want to worry any of them.

"I'm going to go get some stuff from the room, you might want to freshen up." Gabe steps out as he says that, leaving me and Alessandro.

"I wish I did things differently so you didn't have to go through that," as Alessandro continued to talk I feel a tear drip.

It wasn't his fault.

"I wish I could go back and-"

"No Alessandro, you didn't do anything wrong. A-and I'm so happy to be with you all now." I say as I watch his expression, trying to find a shift in it.

"You never have to worry about that, I promise,"

I fist my hand, nails digging into my skin. Alessandro drops his eyes and for the first time, there is no anger or dominance radiating from them. Although he still had his stern face, there seems to be some gentleness there. I hesitate before placing my hand on top of his. I feel him stiffen before taking it gently in his, squeezing it lightly. 

Thoughts race my mind of how everyone will act now that they found out. 

Suddenly Gabe walks in with some clothes.

"Munchkin, here you go. Why don't you go take a shower and freshen up? The bandages are waterproof so everything should be fine."

He goes to place the items on the bathroom counter and leads me in.

"I've already hung the towel and placed the soap. Call for me if you need anything, I'll be right out here," he kisses my forehead and closes the door.