Family

FIFTY-EIGHT

"You wanted to speak to me Dad?" I ask as I shut the office door behind me.

He nods to the chair in front of his desk and I sit down, facing him as he stares at me with his usual cold expression.

"How are you feeling?"

His question doesn't surprise me and I shrug, "Fine now that I'm home instead of that suffocating shithole."

"Your counselling-"

"I don't need counselling, I'm fine." I shut him down immediately and it's obvious he's displeased by my answer.

He goes to reply but I interrupt him again, "You got me into therapy when I first got kidnapped and it changed nothing. I'm fine."

Dad doesn't reply, staring at me with a calculated gaze but eventually nods and I'm surprised he's chosen to respect my decision.

"About Leo.." He begins, and it's only now that I notice the dark bags under his eyes.

"He's grown quite attached to you, of all people."

I don't hold back the scoff leaving my lips at his words.

Dad goes quiet for a while before speaking up again, "He was always looking outside the window anytime a car pulled up, waiting at the door until one of us came and took him away. It's clear he missed you and whilst I am relieved he sees you as someone he can trust, it's worrying how much he's grown close to you."

He raises his dark eyes to my own, "You of all people know what separation anxiety does to someone."

A sneeze comes from behind the door and a small chuckle escapes my mouth at the sound.

Walking to the door, I swing it open to reveal Leo resting against the wall, his eyes wide and mouth slightly agape.

"You been waiting long?" I ask him, a small grin playing on my lips.

He slowly shakes his head and stands up.

"Did you finish your food?" 

Leo hesitates but nods, playing with the drawstrings on his hoodie.

"He barely ate half!" Luca shouts from somewhere.

"At least you ate something, we can try again later yeah?" I ruffle his hair, taking his hand in mine and directing him towards my room, though my father's words nag at the back of my mind.

Leo's eyes wander around my room in curiosity, taking small steps around my spacious yet comfy area.

He seems at ease until Luca pokes his head through my open doorway, "Guess who's coming tomorrow?"

"Who?" My eyes narrow at his annoyed expression and my curiosity only rises when Luca sneaks a glance at Leo.

"Uncle Enzo and his kids."

Leo noticeably stiffens at his words and I hold back an eyeroll, I've just gotten home and there's already people wanting to barge into my personal space.

It doesn't help that Leo's terrified of Uncle Enzo after what happened the last time he visited before Leo was sent away.

"How long will they be staying for Luca?"

"They'll go back home tomorrow night so shouldn't be too long." He replies, a relieved look on his face.

"Do Gio and Antonio know?"

Luca nods before heaving a sigh at his name being called by a very angry Giovanni.

"Luca you little shit why were you in my room?" He barks from down the hallway, his footsteps getting closer by the second.