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“The Gallo family is as follows. Aldo and Natalia had five children. Three boys and two girls. No one knows what went down between the family, but word is that Aldo was sick with cancer and handed Rocco the reins of the mafia before he killed himself. His wife died not so long after he did.”
From everything I remember about the family, Natalia was like my mama: all about appearances in front of other people. The real truth is no one ever knows what goes on behind closed doors. They could be the nicest people you’d ever meet, but the moment they’re in their own home and the doors are closed, they could be brutal bastards like Marco.
“Their youngest daughter was only thirteen when she was caught in the crossfire of a war the Gallagher’s were involved in. They almost lost their other sister too. She’s also married to a Gallagher. Hayden is the boss here in Indiana.”
Vivianna was the sweetest girl you’d ever meet. She was adorable, and I hate that she lost her life.
“Oh, here we go. Are you ready?” I ask, as I realize she’s gone deathly pale. I’ve scared her. Which is what I wanted. She needed to know everything. I just hope she doesn’t run.
“You said not to go anywhere alone, but you are,” Tee says pointedly.
I smile at her. She’s good. “I’m not. Nell is ahead of me. She’s talking to a friend of her grandmother’s. Nell was born on the streets and has never left them. She’s a social butterfly. She knows everyone there is.”
“Any more rules I should know?” she questions, and I hear the hesitation in her voice. She’s not yet made her mind up about staying here.
“One last one. Rule number four: information is money, Tee. If someone has money, you’d better believe that most people on the street would give up their own mother if it meant they’d get cash.”
I watch fear creep into her eyes. “I don’t know anyone or anything,” she stutters.
I smile. She’s going to be fine. “That’s the best way to be, Tee girl. Never give up information on your friends. That’s a line we don’t cross.” I link my arm through hers and pull her into the shelter. “Yo, Nell,” I yell, needing my girl to see if what I’m feeling is right about Tee. “We got a live one. This is my girl, Tee.”
“Oh, newbie,” Nell cries as she runs toward us. “Oh, honey,” she says as she holds Tee at arm’s length. “You really have been through it, haven’t you?”
Tee glances at me, confusion written over her face.
“This is Nell, Tee girl. Nell, this is Tee.”
Nell nods, her red hair flying everywhere. “Portia, she’s now ours to protect,” she says softly yet fiercely, so that she’s not overheard. “Ours.”
Anger whips through me. Christ, what has happened to her? “Nell here is an empath. She can feel pain.”
Tee takes a step back, horror etched on her face.
“Don’t do that,” Nell whispers. “I’m so sorry for the pain you feel. I don’t know what happened, but I do know how terrible it was.”
That’s all I need to know for me to keep Tee with us. I won’t let anything happen to her while she’s here with us. No fucking way.
“Come, let’s get you some food,” I tell Tee as I pull her into the shelter. Nell links her arm through Tee’s other arm.
We won’t fail her. No way. The girl is scared, so we’ll make sure she’s going to be okay. Just as Nell and I have for each other. Sometimes we need someone to help us, and it’s okay to reach out for that help.
FOUR
DARIO
ONE MONTH LATER
Anger. That’s all I fucking feel. Utter fucking anger. Those assholes burnt my brother and yet we don’t get our revenge. It’s been a long time since I felt this rage building inside of me.
No one hurts my family and gets away with it.
But the Dirty Demons Motorcycle Club did. They almost killed him. Those fuckers were working with a player from Ireland and wanted revenge for Chloe Gallagher slighting them. So they came for her, and Elio got caught in the crossfire. He was burnt, his chest completely scarred from what those assholes did. He was in the hospital and needed skin grafts and operations. Thankfully, he’s home now and ready for war.
The Famiglia have been geared up, ready for revenge, only for me to discover that Rocco, my brother, our boss, gave the revenge to the Gallagher’s to take for those Demons taking Chloe and holding her hostage. They took the entire chapter out without a second thought for what the Famiglia needed. Not one asshole thought to have us with them.
Fucking assholes.
It’s not the first time Rocco has pushed aside what is best for our family in return for what he and his wife want. When the shit came out about Ade being beaten by our father, Elio, Hayden, and I wanted to kill him then and there, but Rocco wanted to ensure that he would have the reins for the Famiglia. So, we waited it out, let that fucking asshole of a father spew even more hate at Ade while Roc got his ducks in a row.
