Aria

Chapter 27

-Aria-

Once we gather and place the wooden pieces in a box, everyone gets up to stretch a bit before beginning a new game. I excuse myself and run quickly to use the restroom. Hoping I could hurry back before my brothers get tired of waiting.

As I finish up, I rush out of the bathroom, just to see two men standing in the kitchen.

They weren't here before.

Both of them had their backs towards me, huddled by the counter. On the right was a man with light brown hair and dark brown skin, standing with his arms crossed. The man on the left had reddish hair and pale skin; he was the tallest of the two. Both were wearing thick dark clothes, almost resembling an armor of protection. They shift slightly to the left, and I notice the man with red hair wearing a mask.  I observe their outfit once more before zoning in on the dark silver object by their belt, some light glinting off of it. I squint my eyes and look closer- I-Is that a gun?

I freeze and hide behind the side wall as I hear a deep voice rumble, "il capo ci ucciderà se non lo facciamo bene."

To my surprise another man joins the group, walking out of the pantry with a small container in his hands. He places it on the counter before walking away from the group, and peeking out the window. He lets out a sigh and says, "sembra occupato quindi abbiamo un po' di tempo."

He walks back to the counter and looks down at the center with a look of confusion. "Fuck-" the man on the left grumbles as he throws down a-

piping bag?

I hear the side door open and peek out slowly, watching Gabe walk through.

"I thought you said you found someone to do it!" He states frantically as he reaches to look at the cake that was on the counter. "We tried but no one would even let us walk through the door looking like this. And I wasn't going to change."

"No shit they didn't let you through, what's with the mask Rowan."

"Apparently chicks dig it, well besides the bakery ones" the man with reddish hair, Rowan, replies.

"la mia sorellina e qui e-" Gabe stops abruptly and looks in my direction. "Aria?" I shut my eyes and take a deep breath before leaning out. I glance at the other men and they still before hastily looking away.

Gabe walks over and stops in front of me, he lowers himself and looks me over. The men in the back watch in shock before turning around when they hear Gabe clear his throat.

"G-Gabe do you know t-them?" I whisper dumbly as I remember him calling them by their names.

He takes a couple of seconds before responding, "I hired them to help around, like ...assistants."

There's a crash in the back and I whip my head in the direction. Rowan was about to say something to Gabe before quickly getting lower to pick up the glass object that fell from the counter.

"Our previous staff no longer works here so I thought it'd be best to hire others."

"Gabe, I-I think one of t-them has a g-gun" I lower my voice towards the end and hope to inform him of the vital news. He freezes before abruptly speaking, "Oh that- that's just a safety precaution, like security. Don't worry, they are just here to help us, they're good people."

I turn towards them with confusion clouding my thoughts but If Gabe trusts them, then I should as well. However, they don't look like typical assistants?

I move around the wall and step towards the men, staying close to Gabe, just in case. I look them over and give a shy smile, hoping to make up from my first impression.

"Hello gorgeous, my name is Rowan." He does a little bow while still on his knees before getting kicked by the man with brown hair. Gabe cleared his throat and wrapped his arm around me as the other man spoke.

"I'm Dario and to your right is Gianni."

I smile before introducing myself, "Hi i-it's nice to meet you a-all, my name is Aria." The two men nod once before taking a step towards the counter. Gabe squeezes my shoulder lightly before moving around me to go join them.

"è davvero terribile riferirsi a noi come amici?" Rowan spoke and I realized he was having trouble picking up the smaller pieces. No one acknowledged his statement and began to converse amongst one another by the cake.

I get down on the ground and start to pick up some of the shards, placing the tiny chunks in the palm of my left hand. Rowan looks up before giving a thanks and a wink, going back to quickly clearing the mess.

Once we got every piece and put it in a trash bag, Rowan quickly stands up. Bringing his right hand forward he says "I am forever indebted to you," in a very princely manner. I smile at his statement yet hesitate to take his hand. Memories of the past catching up with me. James pulled tricks all the time disguised as polite acts of service.

My smile slowly fades from my face and I see Rowan raise a concerned brow. Before he could say anything I get up and turn to look at the counter, there was a cake-

"We Love You Berry Much!"

My heart pounds as I read over it, over and over again.

W-what do they mean?

Gabe catches my gaze and notices a change in my expression, rushing towards me, and blocking me from the cake, "Munchkin?" I snap from my daze and glance at him. He brings his hands up and places them on the sides of my cheeks. I hear the shuffling of the boys walking out and blink before looking away.

"...Me and our brothers are so happy to have you back my angel." Gabe speaks in a low lovely tone, "We are the luckiest people ever to have such a sweet and kindhearted sister. I'm aware you haven't known us for long but I truly mean it when I say we love you." He places a kiss on my forehead and lifts my chin up. I take in a deep breath, feeling the tears rush in my eyes and smile up at him.

I want to say it back but I can't, I can't risk it getting taken away.

I clear my throat and step back, looking up to see his eyes hold a few unshed tears.

I bring my hands up and wipe under his eyes.

"Munchkin, that's my job." He pinches my nose slightly.

"Actually, I'm s-supposed to take care of you as well s-so I do believe it is my job." I get on my tippy toes and pinch his nose before quickly rushing outside, giggling as I turn around and see him with his arms frozen in the same spot. He jolts out of his still state before picking up the cake and running after me.