So finally updated, it's after 4.30am so please ignore any spelling errors. updates are still going to be random whilst I get back into writting. Thank you for everyone's support. Hopefully none of you have completely abandoned this book. I have chosen to focus more on Emilia because that book is nearly finished. But also due to circumstances it's been hard to find the motivation to write as most of you probably would understand. I'm trying to get back into writing but I obviously wasn't prepared for a death so I took a break from writing. But I'm sort of back I guess.
Alex felt lost. He had taken his anger out on Marco and now Rafael and Lorenzo were sat talking to him about consequences. At first he was worried, he feared for his siblings but they turn started talking about how he couldn't spiral and anger issues. Honestly Alex wasn't really listening. He was more focused on his siblings seeing him act like that.
He wasn't really allowed near them without anyone else in the room. And obviously at school they were surrounded by their friends.
Rafael was going on about getting him help or something. Lorenzo wanted to bring up the abuse but he had compromised with Skye and James, he was giving them a few days.
He knew his father had his suspicions though.
Everyone did but no one wanted to acknowledge them.
It was one thing to loose the triplets but another to find out about the abuse.
It wasn't like Alex had anger issues, at least he didn't think so. He was just like this. On the streets he had to act tough. He was small due to only being a child but he could throw a punch. And the countless times he had to be held down, he had to watch his siblings being hurt. He was tough for his age and fiercely protective. If anyone hurt James or Skye, it was on him. He had cleaned their wounds, taught them basic education . Told them made up stories. He was the only one the gang had taught basic education too. After all they felt he needed to know maths to be able to know that the gang was being given the right amount of money for their drugs.
Why kidnap three 4 year olds though?
He never realised they were kidnapped. It crossed his mind but they had no memories of it. They were too young and maybe with all the trauma they had, they blocked it out. He didn't understand.
It had crossed his mind that his 'father' and older 'brothers' were in the Mafia so maybe it was a revenge thing. But it just didn't make sense. Why not take Marco or Nico? They were older. Marco was 8 at the time, Alex was sure they got him doing gang activities around 7 or 8. He honestly wasn't sure.
But what did they want with 4 year olds.
"Are you listening Alexander" Rafael asked noticing his son had zoned out completely.
"Yes you mentioned my anger issues and how you would like me to see a doctor" Alex replied.
"Well yes but that was 10 minutes ago"
Lorenzo smirked slightly but it quickly disappeared. He knew Alex was probably thinking about running out of the room or strategizing ways to get out.
And he was.
Alex didn't mean to zone out. That always led to punishment.
"Want to tell me what's on your mind" Rafael said.
It confused Alex. Why was Rafael being so nice to him. Why hadn't he attacked him? He even covered for him with the paramedics. Why wasn't he being punished? He hurt Rafael's son.
Yeah he was struggling to see Rafael as his father, he knew despite how James and Skye were, they too struggled to acknowledge they had family.
Yes James and Skye had a better relationship with their family but they didn't truly acknowledge them as family.
For example despite how close Skye seemed to be with Marco, she didn't fully acknowledge him as her brother.
After all it had been the three of them for years. It was hard for them to acknowledge they had a family.
"Not particularly" Alex replied.
He didn't want to let anyone in.
"Fine I won't push but if you ever need to talk I'm here to listen" Rafael was fully aware he wasn't the most attentive father but he raised his children good enough.
He had many business trips so it was hard m but in the time he had with the triplets he managed to get a little insight into them.
Alex was protective, he had the most walls up and they needed to be broken, it was going to be tough but he knew he had to break his walls to gain his trust. Something Alex didn't do. He constantly worried about James and Skye and his protective nature gave him anger issues.
James was quiet, he lacked confidence but was intelligent for his age, with a little more confidence he wouldn't question his anwsers. He was protective just like Alex but more protective over Skye then Alex. He also seemed to be the calmer one until he got angry.
And Skye, his only daughter. She was his little girl. He understood the boys need to keep her safe, she was quiet but she brought out the best in all his sons. He had seen Lorenzo more around the house instead of at his own place with his annoying girlfriend clinging onto him. He had seen how Marco had changed slightly. He noticed how despite Alex and James being protective over her, she was fully committed to showing them she didn't need protecting . She wanted to be like her brothers but was still extremely vunerable.
He saw all three were terrified. Skye was more fearful and Alex, he hid his fear well it was almost undetectable but Rafael saw it.
So yes he wasn't the type of father to be attentive but he would help them if they were troubled by something. He cared greatly for them. He wanted them to know that they could come to him but he didn't want to pressure them. He was eager to call their social worker but he wanted to gain their trust, he wanted them to tell him.
After all it was obvious they had been abused. He had seen the signs. He wanted to ignore them but he couldn't.
His only hope was it was recent. It wasn't too bad. Maybe insults and a few hits.
Yes it was a fucked up way of thinking but he knew they had been hurt, he just didn't know how much and he hoped it had started recently because that was better than thinking about his youngest suffering for years.
"Why do you want to listen. Why are you talking? Why aren't you angry?" Alex grew frustrated with the lack of anger Rafael was showing.
"Well it's a serious issue, you can't expect me not to talk about it. As for anger, I don't believe that's the best approach. However since you zoned out before I will repeat myself. You have anger issues, I get that you are protective of Skye and James, you have been since you were born. But it's obvious you are a bit too protective. I understand Marco has been cruel to you and honestly I don't blame you for throwing a punch but you went to far, you knocked him unconscious. That level of anger is dangerous. I know you won't hurt them but we don't know if your anger is unpredictable. Therefore it still stands that whilst home you three can't be alone together"
He didn't want to seperate them but he didn't want Alex turning on them. He knew it would be by mistake if he did but couldn't take the risk.
"So I can't see them? That's bullshit. I would never hurt them" Alex wasn't happy.
"Of course you can see them. Just not alone. Watch your language. It's not that I don't trust you won't hurt them but you hospitalised Marco. You are protective of them which I understand but for your safety and theirs, I don't want you alone with Skye and James or Marco"
"And at school? Am I suppose to avoid them because you're not around" Alex replied. He knew he wasn't currently allowed but he figured that was just whilst his anger dissapeared and he understood that because he didn't want to lash out at them or in front of them.
"No you can see them in school. You are surrounded by kids and teachers" Rafael said.
"What if they need me? What if we want to talk privately?"
Rafael thought about it. He knew it was a bad approach but he also didn't want James and Skye hurt, he especially worried about James, he knew logically he would go for James. The two would argue about Skye and Alex might take it out in James.
Not only did he fear for them. He knew it would make Alex spiral, he knew his son would never forgive himself if he hurt either one of them. So his solution was to have someone in the room with them, just in case.
But he was well aware this was new to them. They needed each other.
"Very well but these private conversations, you will tell one of us and we will check up on you three every so often. No we won't just walk in, we will knock" he said compromising because he knew they did need it.
"Fine" Alex wanted to be insulting but he couldn't let his siblings be taken from him fully.
"Great. Well that's it. Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.
"No" Alex replied.
Rafael nodded "well I need to get started on some work but you can come to me about anything" he reminded him.
He got up and left shortly after.
Lorenzo had been quiet throughout. He saw the look of anger when he was told he couldn't be in a room alone with Skye and James.
"Dad's only doing this because he doesn't want anymore of us hurt including you. We know you would never forgive yourself if you hurt James and Skye would fear you if you did" Lorenzo fully believed Skye would never be Alex's target, he wasn't sure about James though.
"You're just a kid. Let us help the three of you. I haven't told dad yet but will be soon. Although from his word choice I think he already suspects. It's not a lifetime ban from them. It's just until dad knows you aren't a risk to them, hurting them will also hurt you. He cares. We all do. Even Marco, in his own weird way" Lorenzo continued.
Alex knew it was only a matter of time but the last comment about Marco made him angry. Marco didn't care. He was sympathetic to Marco's attempt to stop the kidnapping but it didn't change a thing.
"And you want to protect them by keeping me away but allowing Marco near Skye. Marco could hurt her but no I'm the threat" he snapped. His anger coming back.
"You're right. Marco has acted awful in the past but notice how he changes his attitude, change yours and you will be trusted again"
"That's stupid. It's obvious Marco is trying to hurt Skye. Luring her into a false sense of security before hurting her"
"Marco is complicated. He was a dick to the three of you in the beggining but he's trying his best to change. But I understand your point and I'll speak to dad and see what can be done. However it's not going to make much difference. When she wasn't with you and James , or watching the stars with Leo, she was with Marco. The three of you have a bond that will never break but her and Marco, their bond was almost as strong as the three of you" Lorenzo explained. A small smile on his face when he thought back to how they were as children.
"I highly doubt that" Alex felt like he would never let her out of his sights.
"Then you will not believe how James and Nico were kind of geeks about certain stuff, mostly superheroes at that age I suppose "Â he continued.
Alex smiled at the thought. Glad they both had good relationships with their 'brothers'. Maybe that's why this was so hard for him? Did he not have a special bond with any of them.
"And what was I doing whilst they were off doing stuff... which I don't believe by the way" he said.
He acted like he didn't care. He expected Lorenzo to tell him he was alone.
Lorenzo smiled. It wasn't one of his small smiles but an actual smile. He was thinking about how Alex was always around him.
"With me of course. You were my mini me. It was fun. Especially when I finally got my driving licence. You always did enjoy a drive" he didn't mention how Alex would always chant faster and Lorenzo would comply...keeping within the speed limit of course.
"You're lying"
"Am I?"
"If we were so close what happened to all that I won't be so nice when the social worker isn't here bullshit" Alex asked recalling their first meeting.
"It still stands. Respect is a two way thing I know but I don't appreciate the lack of respect you had for us that day and I still don't appreciate your attitude. I understand why but trust me if I do receive it I won't be nice. I'm not talking about this pettiness arqueing. It's annoying but understandable"
Alex nodded. As much as Lorenzo was cold and blunt about it. He appreciated that he was honest about it.
In a way Alex respected Lorenzo. The man was honest and blunt. He was scary but he never hid the truth. Especially now they knew about the Mafia.
And that was his greatest fear. Being forced to join it.
They said they wouldn't but it was the Mafia.
"You were always my mini me Alexander. You wanted to be just like me. You were just like me " Lorenzo told him.
"What about Skye, if anything I would expect you both to be the closest. And Leo was he not close to any of us"
"Leo loved nighttime, he and Skye bonded over that. As siblings we were all very close. But there's no denying he was closest to me and Skye. as for Skye and I, she's my baby sister I was always there but Alexander you were always the one I worried most about, who i wanted around. Now I might be more calmer around Skye but the three of you arent okay. And the honest truth Alexander, you irritate me. Despite your trauma, you are still like me. It's infuriating how much alike we are at times"
For some reason Alex smiled slightly. Was it because he did have a older brother who he may or may not slightly trust or the fact that irritating Lorenzo was amusing.
"Alexander, I know you don't trust me and I know you have dad now but it's a different relationship to a sibling relationship. It's not just the three of you anymore. And despite his much you annoy me, I still consider you to be a mini me. What's the worst that can happen if you let us in? We want you here no matter what. Besides maybe now you're older we can try build our relationship back up. I have missed you Alexander"
"You'd make a terrible mafia boss. You have too many feelings " Alex joked.
"See you're annoying" Lorenzo smiled slightly.
"So are you"
"Did I mention you were childish" Lorenzo added.
"Just following your advice to become more like a child"
Lorenzo laughed a little at this.
"I'm always here for you Alexander. Night or day"
"Thank you"
Hope you all liked this one it's not much but it's extra long and I want to focus on individual characters a little.
Just a little side note for questions you might be wondering about Leo's relationship with triplets, Leo didn't have a favour triplets like his brothers but it was Skye he bonded with most out of the three.
(I do have this book planned out for a change, there's going to be lots of cliff hangers and 'drama' but if you're familiar with my writing it's nothing new)
Unrelated to this book but I figured I'd put it on this book since it's updated first ....Emilia 'spoiler' for next chapter
Damon and Dante team up....not as good as they were in book 1 but still love writing them together.
Damon and Dante
Emilia and Damon
And Emilia and Dante
Are my favourite character moments to write.