𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇

XXXVIII

— Rori —

As i stand on the tarmac on Monday at exactly 15:00 pm, i stare up at the jet which will take me to Italy to meet Lorenzo Antonelli with wide eyes.

I have travelled in small private jets and even helicopters before, and although these experiences are nonetheless luxurious, they surely appear less seductive to me as i consider these aircrafts were not quite as grand as the one before me, which will accommodate twelve passengers as well as staff.

"How are you feeling?" Wyatt asks me, as he places a supportive hand on my shoulder.

"Fine," i respond without averting my gaze to meet his.

"Well i'm not," he tells me.

This causes my head to turn.

"You're not?" i ask him, surprised by his sudden expression of feelings.

"No," he confirms. "If we are to refer to these Antonelli men as our brothers, then that means i will officially become the middle child," he tells me.

This gets a slight smile out of me.

"You really think things will change that drastically?" i ask him. "They will get to know us? Be in our lives?"

He sighs softly, as though in thought.

"You know, i'm not too sure, Rori. Let's not anticipate what may or may not be, hm?"

I avert my gaze self-consciously.

"Do you want that?" Wyatt asks me.

"Want what?" i ask, lifting my head to meet his eyes once more.

"More brothers," he adds. "More family."

I shrug my shoulders.

"Eden seemed okay," i tell him. "That is all."

Wyatt nods his head in acknowledgement, but the protective look in his eyes only grows.

"We will see," he says, thoughtfully.

"What did you think?" i ask him.

"Hm?"

"About Eden, and Lorenzo, and all of this," i add.

Wyatt thinks for a moment.

"Honestly?" he asks me.

"Always."

"I thought that nothing good can come from a disturbance in the hierarchy. If Zephaniah is to have three older brothers..."

"You think he'll try something?" i ask. "Lorenzo's warning did not seem hollow."

"You know how i once said you and Zeph share aspects of your personalities?"

I furrow my eyebrows in confusion but nod my head nonetheless.

"Well, i think that claim will start to make sense to you if it has not already."

The crease between my brows deepens at this, and Wyatt just ruffles my hair in response. When i consider that he has always had a level of respect for our eldest brother and an undeniable soft spot for me, perhaps i shouldn't be surprised that he finds common ground between the two of us.

As i consider this, Zephaniah leaves the sprinter van. He stands in place as he takes in the sight of the jet before him, his disinterest clear, though sunglasses shield his honey eyes from the California sun, which is as blinding as ever despite the fact today is the 26th of November.

He glances at his signature wristwatch and then, nodding at Wyatt and i, begins walking towards the jet with a determined stride.

"Let's get this over with," he calls to everyone without bothering to turn around.