For three blissful months, the Falcone family enjoyed a period of complete peace. During this time, Remo proposed to Serafina, and Nino and Hope grew closer. Everything seemed perfect, but the tranquility was short-lived. Emerging threats began to s...
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Later that day, I headed to the kitchen to put together something to eat while Nino was in the shower. As I was cooking, Remo, Adamo, Savio, and Fabiano walked in from the gym. They were all just in shorts, their abs impressive, but none had as many tattoos as Nino.
"I thought the doctor told you to rest," Remo stated firmly.
"Cooking is hardly any work, so I'm good," I responded, trying to ignore their eyes on me.
"Hope, you have to rest. Getting shot is a big deal," Adamo said softly, with a hint of concern.
"Not for me. I've been shot before, even stabbed. I just wasn't expecting it right outside the mansion." I gave Adamo a reassuring smile.
The men sat down at the dining table, occasionally glancing my way.
A few minutes later, Nino walked in. The minute he saw me cooking, he frowned.
"You're supposed to rest, not strain your shoulder," Nino said disapprovingly. He walked over, resting his hand on my waist. His skin felt warm as he started drawing small circles on my stomach.
"I'm fine, Nino. I've lived with a shoulder injury most of my life. It's just another normal day for me." I tilted my head back and kissed his jaw.
"You have a shoulder injury?" Savio spoke for the first time since his outburst before I left.
"Yeah. I got it when I was young," I responded, maintaining eye contact.
I let Nino carry the pot to the dining table because it was heavy. I followed him and sat next to him. Remo was on my other side at the head of the table. The chair opposite me was empty.
"Where's Fina?" I asked Remo.
"She's probably still in the room playing with the kids." Remo was about to get up, but I stopped him.
"I'll go get her," I said, eager to escape their attention.
Entering Fina's room, I saw her rocking a crying Greta. I went over and took Greta from her so she could grab Nevio, who was running around knocking over a pen stand.
"Why is she crying?" I asked.
"She bumped her head on the wall while crawling behind Nevio," Fina said, exhausted.
I gently rubbed Greta's head, soothing her as I headed to the dining hall. She stopped crying but was still grumpy, playing with my necklace that had a nightingale emblem on it. I didn't try to take it from her to avoid making her cry again.
As I entered the dining hall, all eyes were on me again. Remo instantly got up and came over.
"Did you forget the part where you have to rest?" Remo tried to take Greta from me, but she clung to my necklace, wailing. Remo quickly withdrew his hand.
