𝐕𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐭 |𝟏𝟖+|

Chapter forty-nine

Romeo Lianni's POV

"Merry Christmas bambino!"  Nonna's voice was cheery and soulful, the husk in her voice a result of all the cigars she'd smoked in her long life.

I'd just walked into one of my parents' house, this one just outside of the city. And I say walked, but really it was my brother who forced me to come, the guilt trip of nonnas age something I couldn't argue with.

"Merry Christmas nonna." The small Italian woman grabbed me with a lot more force than should be allowed for her age. Her short frame hugged me tight as she filled my senses with cocoa and nostalgia.

Two things my grandmother loved was chocolate and cigars. She lived in Italy since she was twenty so her accent was broad. Even after my grandfather made the move to New York, there are still many Lianni's who prefer the Tuscan lifestyle instead of mainstream city life.

I do not prefer either right now. In fact, simply waking up alone is hard enough.

"Is that my baby boy I hear?" Mommas voice rang out before she came rushing in with an apron tied over her designer clothing.

I offered a small smile. Whilst I was dying on the inside, it felt nice to see my family at Christmas. But at the same time, I was dreading spending the day with them.

If I could keep the topic of conversation about business or about everyone else's lives, then I could cope.

But the second anyone mentions her or even anything relating to that god awful day, then I might just break. Again.

My thoughts have consisted of her and only her.

My nights have been restless without her beside me.

My appearance has changed, all because I left her.

And I know it's all my own doing, but the pain doesn't hurt any less. 

Why did she have to take a bullet for me? Why did she feel the need to protect me? Why did she have to go and fall in love with me?

"Oh honey, look at you." Moms voice pulled me out of my stupor, the blue eyes which mirror my own looking straight back at me. "When was the last time you shaved?"

I gently pulled moms wrists away as she tried my to straighten my crumpled shirt. I ran a calloused hand over my jaw, feeling the stubble that was soon going to turn into a beard if I wasn't careful.

"How long till lunch?" I changed the topic, mom shaking her head and informing me that the conversation wasn't over yet.

"Twenty minutes. Go help your nonna, she's been trying to set up the mini telescope that your father got her." I nodded, walking over to the couch where the old woman was swearing at the small tube.

Christmas dinner was served in the dining room, my brother and father now present at the table as we listened to nonna thank god for our food and family. Nonna was staying with my parents whilst her house was being rebuilt back in Italy.

She may be in her early eighties, but she still knew how to live a lavish lifestyle.

"Zoey, I heard that you've been talking to someone. How's that going son?" Dad smiled as my brother rolled his eyes at both the nickname and the tease, my mother dropping her fork from obviously not knowing the latter information.