What They Don't Know

New Home and More Brothers

Tessa's POV:
1) don't speak without permission
2) don't eat without permission
3) arrive on time, don't be late
4) what what I'm told to or what's laid out for me
5) don't look into others eyes, keep your head down
6) cover my bruises and scars always
7) don't tell anyone what happens at home
8) no doctors or hospitals
9) do as your told, when your told
Break any of these rules and you get punished.

I repeated these rules in my head almost the whole car ride to the new place I will be living at. The place where my brothers grew up. Together. Without me. I must follow these rules Bobby instilled in me. He said to always follow them no matter where I am and who I'm with. If I broke a rule, he'd hit me, beat me, hurt me in horrible ways.

Leo tried to talk to me, breaking me out of my trance. He was asking me my favorite color and favorite food. If I had any hobbies and dislikes.
I was too afraid to answer since he didn't give me permission yet to answer. I fidgeted with my fingers and kept my headed down. I felt a little guilty. I also felt confused. Why would he want to try tog Er to know me. Know one ever wants to. It's not like I'm anything amazing or special.

I think he finally caught on that I wasn't going to talk to him. He stopped trying. Next thing I know we are pulling up in front of the most gorgeous house I've ever laid my eyes on. It's a mansion! It was beautiful. Right by the lake. It was stone and at least four floors. I was absolutely stunned.
"Welcome home bambina", Leo said trying to find my eyes. I gave a small smile staring at the house which caused him to let out a little chuckle and a big grin.

Leo came around the car and opened the door for me. I grabbed my backpack from the boot of the car and followed behind Leo towards the front doors. Leo opened the doors and ushered me inside rather quickly. He walks me into the living room where I'm met with six pairs of eyes staring right at me. One of the boys jumps up off the jump making my flinch and step backwards. Leo grabber my shoulders form behind me whispering "it's okay mi amore, they're just a bit excited. Jaxon calm down!".

Jaxon's POV:
As soon as that front door opened, I flew off the couch taking steps towards her when I saw face pale and she flinched back into Leo's grip. I took a step back winning slightly at Leo scolding me.
"I'm sorry Tessa. Welcome home sorellina. I missed you so much. I don't know if you remember me but I'm your older brother Jaxon. I'm 18 now I my senior year of school, goodness my you are so beautiful. You look just like her".

I couldn't stop staring. My sister. My Tessa. My beautiful sorellina was home! I'm only a year older then her but I felt the need to protect her from all the dangers of the outside world. In that moment seeing my baby sister again, I made a promise to myself and to her, that I will keep her safe.

Lijah's POV:
She's home. After 13 long years, my baby sister is finally home. I still remember the day mom took Tessa and moved away without saying a word to any of us.
I was mad. I was beyond upset. I was mad at mom for leaving us. I was mad at her for taking my baby sister away from us. I was made at her for not taking me with her instead. I was mad at myself for not hearing her sneak out of the house at night and leave us. I was made at Tessa because mom chose to take her over me. But i was and still am, most mad with our father. He cheated on mom. He drove her away. Mom would have never left and taken Tessa away from all of us if he didn't chose his mistress over mom and us.
The day he died was the greatest day of my life. My brothers would agree. He was a careless and heartless man. He never hurt us physically but her tally and emotionally abused us by tearing us down.

I didn't speak a word. I just stared at her. I have a cold exterior and I'm sure I look like the meanest brother glaring at her. But I have to put up that front. I can't show anyone my weakness. I don't blame Tessa for mom taking her. She was the baby and the most innocent of us all. She was the only girl. What frustrated me in this moment was that I could see staring at my sister that she had been through hell and back. I will do anything to keep her safe but I can't be too nice to her because I can't get too close to her. I don't want to hurt her.

Cole's POV:
"Tessa. It's me, Cole. I'm not 24 years old. I must say you have grown into a beautiful young lady. We've missed you so much. I know it's probably a lot to take in right now. How about I show you to your room where you can clean up and relax before dinner?" 
I was hoping she would look up but she kept her head hung low and eyes locked on the floor. She hesitated but slowly nodded her head up and down.
"Great. Follow me bambina and I will show you. It's right up the stairs fourth door on the right."
I watched her carefully as she started to come up the stairs. I noticed how slow she was moving and she kept wincing. Almost as if climbing the stairs was causing her pain. I tried to hide my concern as I slowed down my own pace so she wouldn't feel bad. We made it to the top of the stairs on the second floor and made our way to her room. I opened her door and she looked around the room while giant eyes.
"Do you like it? Because if you don't we can redecorate it or change it completely!"
She again nodded her head up and down. She like sit. I couldn't help the smile that sneaked it's way into my lips. I closed her door and let her be.

Tessa's POV:
My new room is HUGE! I had a walk in closet and my own bathroom attached. I badly wanted to take a shower or a bath. I haven't in ages but as soon as I tried to step into the shower and the water hit my back, the pain became unbearable. I put my clothes back on since I only have a few outfits and brushes through my hair. I sat on my bed amazed because it was the softest thing I've ever touched. At Bobby's House, I slept on the sleeping bags. I haven't had a real bed in years. It didn't really bother me much since I got used to it and I considered myself lucky to have had those sleeping bags to make me comfy at night.
Cole mentioned coming down for dinner. I knew it would take me at least five minutes to descend the staircase so I made my way over to the stairs and made my way down. Every step felt like getting hit by the belt again. It hurt bad. It only happened the day before so I know the pain will be gone in about a week. The wounds should close up in about three more days if I'm lucky.

I finally make it down the stairs and follow the noises of four rowdy boys to the kitchen area.