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“You lie like a rug,” Ilaria accused, just as their mother entered the room.
“Alright now, I’m telling you two before you get started that I’m not refereeing a damn thing tonight. We may as well cancel this movie night now if you plan to get started.”
“I don’t plan on doing anything,” Ilaria said, moving over to make room for her mother. “Elle is the one pretending something isn’t going on with her and trying to gaslight me into believing it.”
“Ria, leave your sister alone,” Victoria fussed, climbing between her two girls. “When she’s ready to talk about what’s bothering her, she will.”
Aella groaned. “Ugh, not you too. I’m telling y’all, I’m fine.”
“I gave birth to you, love,” Victoria argued. “I know when something is off with my children. I’m just choosing to stay out of your business and allow you to handle it yourself instead of butting in. You’ll tell me if you need me.”
Her mother’s words tugged at her heartstrings, making her emotional. No matter how she tried to frame it, what Aella had gone through was traumatic. But she knew she couldn’t share the details with her family without traumatizing them. Not to mention her father would blow a gasket unnecessarily, as Cassius had already taken care of the culprit.
Still, there was no harm in picking her mother’s brain, right? What good was having a mob wife as a mother if she wasn’t going to use it? Sitting up, Aella crossed her legs and placed the popcorn bowl on the bed before clearing her throat.
“Mama, can I ask you something?”
“Always, my love.”
“Have you ever been exposed to Daddy’s … other side?”
With the remote in hand, Ilaria peered at her mother, seemingly interested in the answer as well. Folding her hands, Victoria twisted her mouth thoughtfully.
“In what way?”
“Like something he did trickled down to you and maybe put you in danger.”
“Your father’s lifestyle has directly affected me once,” Victoria answered honestly. “You were just a baby, and I was pregnant with Ria. I’m not sure of the reasoning, as he still hasn’t told me what happened, but there was a break-in when he wasn’t home.”
“What?” Ilaria gasped. “You never told us that.”
Victoria chuckled. “Well, it’s not exactly a bedtime story you tell your children to help them sleep at night.”
“What happened?” Aella inquired. “Did Daddy get home in time?”
“No,” her mother replied gravely. “I did what I had to do to protect myself and my children.”
An unnerving silence filled the room as the two younger women deciphered their mother’s meaning.
“Mama,” Aella murmured. “You killed someone?”
“And when it comes to my two, I’d do it again,” she confirmed.
“Damn, Ma. I thought Daddy was the gangsta, but apparently it’s you,” Ilaria snickered.
She smiled, playfully tapping Ilaria’s thigh. “Hush,” she said before focusing her attention on Aella. “Why do you ask? Did something happen with Cassius?”
“And is whatever happened the reason why you’re avoiding him?”
“I’m not avoiding him,” Aella rolled her eyes before spitting out another lie. “And no, nothing happened. But I can’t pretend that I haven’t been thinking about how I would handle it if something did happen.”
“Well, for starters, how about we don’t put that bad energy in the air,” Ilaria said, frowning at her sister.
“Agreed,” Victoria nodded. “But all the same, I know better than to pretend like that isn’t a possibility. I like Cassius for you, but being a mafia wife comes with its challenges, Aella. No one would be upset if you took some time to truly weigh all your options before jumping into it.”
“Ehhh, I think Cassius would have a little something to say about it,” Ilaria chuckled. “But can we table all of this for another day and push men to the back of our minds, please? I’m supposed to be enjoying a night with my sister and my mama.”
“So, I guess Dad isn’t allowed in, huh?” Severo’s voice filled Ilaria’s bedroom seconds before he appeared in the doorway with his arms folded, wearing a smirk.
