Found and Forgotten

Chapter 43

Zeta POV

Enzo took me to breakfast first thing in the morning. I know he's trying to distract me and also keep me away in case any of my brothers react badly. I'm kind of expecting it from Gianni since he's so close with our father. I'm still kind of hopeful that he will believe Mass and choose me.

Enzo talks a lot more now when it's just the two of us and it makes me happy. I like hearing and getting to know him more. He's always so quiet. He told me about more of his tattoos. I'm too anxious to talk so he's doing a good job at filling the void. I'm not sure where we are going next, but I think it'll be some time before we go home.

He also let me know that Mass is working on capturing my father today before he can make any of this worse and before any of our brothers potentially try to protect him. It's comforting to know he won't be around me anymore if all goes well.

After breakfast, we made our way to the batting cages. I looked at Enzo questioningly  when we arrived.

"Between everything going on and the fact that you've missed a couple gym sessions, I figured you'd wanna hit something" he answered my nonverbal question.

Honestly, hitting things sounds good. So we spend some time taking turns hitting in order to forget all my issues, at least temporarily.

Massimo POV

I gathered the boys in my office. Its time to tell them the truth and I'm not sure how they're going to react. I just hope they believe me about everything.

They're all looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to open our mouth.

"I know you are all happy that our father has returned, but I think you all need to become aware of his true motive for coming back."

They all look at me curious with varying degrees of nervousness.

"Unfortunately, our father wants to get rid of Z again" I say. I'm trying to ease them into this.

"What? Why?" The twins say in unison. Xander stays silent while Gianni says "is she in danger again?" He assumes a good motive. I know this is going to hurt him the most, but he deserves the truth.

"The thing is. She was never in danger. Not all those years ago an not until our father came back." I respond.

"Liar! He was protecting her!" Gianni outbursts. I knew he would have the hardest time with this. The other brothers stay calmer waiting for me to continue explaining, even Xander.

"I'm sure you all noticed I haven't been very happy with our father's return. I found evidence that he got rid of her for no real reason years ago. I had been looking for Z privately since. Luckily, she found us."

They take it all in. Gianni is still in disbelief, wanting to fight back but also wanting all of the information.

"If this is true, why didn't you tell us?"  Xander asks, glaring at me for keeping something like this.

"You guys already lost Mom and Z. I didn't want you to lose someone else, so I sent him away. We lost our sister because he sees women as burdens. He didn't want it Maria to be weak so he got rid of her."

Now, the surprisingly calm Xander snapped. He punched a wall. "Everything she went through. All of the pain and suffering was for nothing?! You should've told us! We could've found her sooner!" He snapped. I know he's right, but I thought I was doing the right thing.

"Where is he? I'm going to kill him with my bare hands!" Xanders yells.  I know the feeling. I felt the same way when I going out the truth years ago. I've dreamed of the things I would do to him. I refrained for my brothers, but now I can't wait to make my fantasies become reality, regardless of how violent they may be.

"What?" Gianni says with some fear, still holding onto hope our father isn't as bad as I'm saying. I can see he is questioning everything he's ever known. It can't be easy for him. I just hope he doesn't take it out on Z. She understands how hard this will be for him, but that doesn't mean she deserve bad treatment.

"He is currently being captured by our men and taken to the cells. I will be dealing with him. You may join, but you won't be required to. I know how hurt you may feel and how hurting our father could make you uncomfortable." I had my men capture him as soon as I called my brothers in while he wasn't expecting it. I got an alert just minutes ago that he is in a cell. I am going to torture him as long as he lives.

A tense silence encased the room. Admittedly, this has gone better so far than expected. But there is still the heaviest part to get to. The contract. "Wait... You said Zeta wasn't in danger until a few days ago. She's in danger now?" Matteo caught on. Thankfully, because I don't know how I was going to bring this up

Everyone's eyes snapped to me. "Our father didn't come back got nothing. He still thinks Zeta is a burden to  us and the mafia, so he came back to drive her away again."

Knowing the truth will hurt them makes it harder to spit out. Before they can ask more, I add, "He's put her into a marriage contract. One I will need all of your help to get her out of."

I take in my brothers' reactions. Xander has started punching things. Matteo is crying. Dante is sitting still in complete shock. Gianni is crumbling. Clenching his fists while holding back tears. Years for his sister and treats for the lost relationship of his father.

"I'm so stupid. I believed him. I treated her like a burden when she got back. I wanted to be like him. He basically sold our sister!" He mumbled to himself but we all heard. I hugged him and let him know that it is okay. He was young and upset he didn't have a mother. It's natural to want to be close to his only parent and not really look into his true colors.

"So, marriage contract?" Dante finally speaks and I hand it to him. Matteo and Dante begin reading. They, along with Enzo, will be our best chance at beating this contract. They are the best at reading between the lines. Xander has stormed off at this point, hopefully to the gym, but I wouldn't be surprised if he's the first to pay our father a visit. Gianni hasn't moved. I decide to give him space as he process this.

I just hope they don't avoid Zeta, out of guilt or out of fear of losing her again. She needs us now more than ever.

I hate that I had to hurt our brothers by telling him, but someone needs to put Zeta first for once. Plus, this family needs her as much as she needs us.