60

"Oh really?" Liliana asked, glancing at her brother playfully as he shoved his hands in his pockets sheepishly.

"Lili, can you come with us? I mean, you've probably got a whole life now, I understand if-"

"No," she said, smiling, "I'll come. I'd love to." Vincenzo grinned wider, scratching the back of his neck. "The others will be so excited to see you."

She looked nervous, ". .th-the others?" Vincenzo nodded slowly, "yeah, Dante. .Leo. ."

"Cristiano?" Liliana asked hopefully though Vincenzo shook his head causing her to frown a little. "How am I not surprised?" I didn't know who this 'Cristiano' was but didn't ask, not wanting to be nosy.

"Dante and Leonardo. .are they alright?" She asked, with tears in her eyes. "Yeah, more than alright," Vincenzo told her as she sniffed.

"God, I missed you guys. ." Liliana admitted, sniffing again. "I'll come with you. I need my brothers."

After some time of hugging, we got into the car and drove back to the mafia land. "Is. ." Liliana shivered a little, biting her lip. "Is he still there?"

Vincenzo's knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, his face suddenly hard. "I killed the bastard."

Liliana briefly nodded, exhaling in relief. "How's mama?" Vincenzo licked his lips, "better. Much better." She smiled a little, "Good. She deserves happiness."

"So, Mia," Liliana said, turning me. "What's it like putting up with him?" I chuckled a little, shrugging, "he can't seem to keep himself out of trouble," I told her glancing at Vincenzo with a smile.

"I know. I remember one time," Liliana told me with a smile, "at school, he wouldn't stop back chatting the teacher so he ended up staying in the principle's office for the day. He wasn't allowed to go to the toilet but he was desperate so he peed in the plant pot and it stunk for weeks!" I bursted out laughing, shaking my head. "God, Vince!"

He rolled his eyes, "I was desperate. What else was I supposed to do?"

We got to our destination not long after. Vincenzo stopped the car while Liliana glanced around, cautiously. He went to open the door but paused and looked at Liliana. "You okay?" She nodded, rapidly, exhaling. "I'm just nervous. What if they turn away from me?"

Vince shook his head, giving her a warm smile. "They'd never do that to their little sister."

He rolled his eyes, "I was desperate. What else was I supposed to do?"

"They love you," I added, giving her an encouraging smile as she nodded, following us into the Rossi house.

Vincenzo pushed the door open to hear the sound of laughter coming from the dining room. "You own the mafia?" Liliana quietly asked as Vincenzo hung her bag on the hook on the wall. He nodded, leading us into the dining room.

Once the door opened, I saw the whole family at the dining table, laughing and talking. It all stopped once they noticed us.

Dante froze, shaking his head, his eyes fixed on Liliana who had tears in her eyes. Leonardo slowly stood, his eyes on his sister also while the two women sat oblivious to who she was.

Vincenzo swallowed as Leonardo came over and pulled Liliana into a tight hug. I moved to sit next to Valentina who gave me a curious look. The children seemed to not notice the chill in the air and were chatting amongst themselves.

"There's no way," Dante said, as Leonardo let go of Liliana who smiled sadly at Dante who had tears in his eyes. "Dante." He walked up to her and hugged her, squeezing her tightly. "I thought you were dead," he told her, his voice muffled. "I'm here," Liliana told him as she tried not to cry, "I'm here."

While Dante and Liliana were hugging still, Vincenzo wrapped his arms around them, as did Leonardo and soon, all men were hugging their newly found sister as a family. My heart melted at the lovely sight.

"I know you have a lot of questions-" Liliana started but Dante shook his head. "We don't have to talk about that now. Tomorrow's a new day. We can talk then . . That's if you're staying?" Liliana nodded and the men had looks of relief on their faces.

"Great," Leonardo said, a slight awkwardness in his voice. "We'll talk about it tomorrow. Mia will show you to the guest room."

They all said goodnight and I stood, leading Liliana upstairs and into one of the large guest rooms. "Wow. ." She said, her eyes looking around, amazed. "Yeah," I replied quietly, also glancing around the expensive room.

She plopped herself onto the bed, her hands sliding around on the duvet. "This is beautiful. .thanks for taking me here."

"It's alright," I told her kindly with a smile. "So how long have you known my brother?" Liliana asked me curiously.

I scratched my wrist. How was I going to explain?

"We were dating for a year and engaged for three weeks but then we broke up . . I didn't see him for three years," her eyes were filled with shock. "Three months ago, we met again and it took a while but we're back together now."

She nodded, listening. "Why did you guys break up?" I looked down, shaking my head before looking back at her. "He cheated on me and ended up impregnating the same woman."

I sniffed as she gave me a sympathetic look. "It's alright," I said, more to myself. "I forgive him."

"You must of been through a lot," Liliana said with a small smile. I nodded, "yeah. .but it's in the past now."

"Anyway," I said, with a bright smile. "You should get some rest. Is there anything you need before I go? I think there's some clothes in the drawers." She shook her head, thanking me and bidding me goodnight as I left.

I closed the door behind me, going downstairs to see the dining room empty of people and clean. I went into the kitchen where Valentina was cleaning the counters. She smiled once she saw me. "So, you sneaky snake, how's it going with Vincenzo?"

I couldn't help but smile, "we're fine. I actually wish I forgave him earlier." Val nodded, "yeah, but you needed to move past what happened and you couldn't. It's normal. The way you guys keep kissing, am I going to expect a little baby soon?"