Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Mena

“Whatever suits you,” I replied, chuckling. I had been observing his personality from the second we had met, and it was mostly because he was interesting. He was mischievous, loud, stubborn, yet kind–and somewhere in between respectful and disrespectful.

Dante piled some food onto his plate, not noticing I was staring at him. Then he snapped his finger, and raised his glass, making a maid rush over to fill his glass wish some orange juice,

“Thanks, babe,” he smiled at the blushing maid, openly watching her as she walked away. Mind you, I found him to be the most normal of the three brothers

Dante pushed some food inside his mouth. “Man, those waffles are tasting good today!” he spoke with his mouth full, but I wasn’t disgusted. It was actually kind of cute.

I can tell your

you were starving,” I commented, watching him devour his breakfast.

“Hmm,” Dante nodded. “When there’s food on the table, I’m going to with his mouth full, making me burst into laughter again.

eat

LW

What else do y

you expect me to do with it? Put it in my ass?” he replied

“You talk a lot about asses”

“And well, you’re engaged to the biggest one,” he pointed out as if he had been waiting to tell me that one all along

While he went back to eating, I went back to just looking at him, this time taking in his handsome features. Dante’s hair was slightly brighter than Alessio’s and so were his eyes, his most beautiful feature. They were framed by long lashes which many of my friends back in the day would’ve died

for.

He looked soft, shy, innocent–and with his mouth closed, you would’ve never expect the kind of words that often escaped his lips.

“Is that your natural hair or permed?” I referred to his soft curls. It was one of those things I just had to know, otherwise it would bother me for the rest of my life.

Dante ran a hand through his hair. “Natural. I’m the only sibling with these curls. Alessio and Glan like to joke that I’m adopted”

“What?” I asked, surprised by his words.

“At one point, dad made me do a DNA test to shut up about it. Turns out he’s really my dad, and I’m still related to Alessio and the bunch, unfortunately,” he explained with a hint of sarcasm.

“Unfortunately?” I repeated, intrigued by his tone.

Dante shrugged. “Yes, unfortunately. You’ll find out soon enough why I say that.”

I nodded, smiling slightly. There was not much left to find out. It was easy. He was born into this family, and he wished he hadn’t. Hearing him opening up, gave me the perfect opportunity to ask about Alessio.

Tell me something more about your past. What was Alessio like as a child?“

Dante took a moment before answering. “Alessio Growing up, he was either in a good mood or he was like a worse version of our dad. No in- between.

“And how about now!”

Dante pulled a disgusted face before covering it with a smirk. “You would know. He’s very straightforward. Doesn’t hide anything, doesn’t beat around the bush. If he hates you, he’ll tell you, if he loves you.. well that’s debatable, but if you smell —*

“He’ll tell you,” we said in unison. “Yeah, I get it. But what do you think? How do you feel about him as a brother?

Dante paused, and his expression softened. “I think he has his good days and his bad days,” he said. “He likes to boss us around, bullies me most of

the time–but he makes sure others know only he gets to bully me. He’s a good brother. One that would take a bullet for me.”

In any other family. I wouldn’t have taken it so literally, but considering the Fanuccis!

Their bond was as complex as the family itself.

He loved him, yet he hated him.

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Chapter 22

“Anyway, I’m glad I finally got your alone.” Dante suldenly said

Í gave him a questioning look, wondering what he meant by that. Hopefully it wasn’t a sign with me.

sign that he still didn’t get the memo, and was trying to flirt

“I want to say I’m sorry.” Dante began. “The way I’ve been forcing myself onto you was low and disrespectful. III had known you were Alessio’s, I never would’ve done it,” he apologized. “That last part iloesn’t even matter. It was just wrong, and I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay, let’s just drop it,” I replied, wanting to put the awkwardness behind us.

“Thank you,” he smiled. “So how are you holding up, living with the Fanuccis?” Dante asked, his expression shifting as if he was preparing himself for a rant

“Good,” I answered simply. Anything was briter than being with Anson, including being around the Fanuccis

“Hmm, interesting,” Dante commented with a slight frown. “Some of the guys told me you’re like a ghost around here. It’s like you’re not even

there”

“In order for me to be a ghost, it must mean that I’m dead, so I hope that’s not the case,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

“You like being funny, don’t you?” Dante pointed at me with his fork with a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

I smiled back, then he Lughed while I joined him, trying to match his vibe. However, soon after the mood changed. Dante’s laughter died down, and so did mine as I heard footsteps apprisiching from behind. The irritated look on his face, made me suspect it to be Alessio, and when he revealed himself like a dark shadow, those suspicions were confirmed.

So it turned out I wasn’t the only one feeling the mood change by his presence.

Alessio’s hands were in his pockets. He cleared his throat, looking back and forth between us with an annoyed expression. I knew it wasn’t out of jealousy, it was probably just Alessio being Alessio.

He told me not to show my face too much, and here I was, eating breakfast and laughing with his brother

“We were just-” I started to explain, but Alessio cut me off.

“Dante,” he addressed him in a cold tone, “Have you finished making the calls I told you to make?”

“I was going to get to that, Dante replied, swallowing his throat. I could tell he didn’t fear his brother, he just didn’t feel like listening to his bullshit

“Get to it then,” Alessio commanded, showing him a weak smile that lasted less than a second.

Dante sighed, but obeyed. He got up and gave me a small smile before leaving

Once he was out of sight, I looked at Alessio.

Thick yours and Naty’s suitcases. We’ll be leaving tomorrow at

six, he instructed me.

Both his gaze and his tone were sharp and intimidating

“Where to?” I asked, curious.

“Where to?” he furrowed his brow, and tilted his head a little as if no one had ever dared asking him a question. “I need to seal a deal, and I don’t want to leave you alone, everything up more than you’ve already did.” he spoke irritated. “Pack your stuff, you’re coming with me”

I wanted to ask how long we’d be gone and whether Naty would miss school, but the fear of his reaction kept me silent

“Have I done something wrong?” I wondered, trying to find out the reason behind his attitude. He wasn’t the kindest, I was aware–but this was something else.

“Where’s the ring I gave you?” Alessio i ignored my question.

“In my pocket-”

“If I wanted to buy you a pocket ring, I would’ve bought you a pocket ring!” he raised the volume of his voice.

“What

Was that what all of this was about?

Because I didn’t want to wear that big ridiculous thing in public!

“Look listen,” Alessio huffed, calming himself down. “When I tell you to do something. I expect you to do it. I gave you that ring, and when I see you

12:04 PM 3 B

Chapter 22

again–you better be wearing that ring” he spoke angrily, then he stormed off.

I pulled the disgusted face I wouldn’t dare doing in front of him. “I gave you that ring, and when I see you again–you better be wearing that ning.” the childishness deep inside of me, had to mimic him. “Asshole,” I muttered under my breath.

I knew it would be for the best not to question his orders and just start packing. Whatever his reasons were for taking us along, it was pretty clear to me that questioning him was not up for debate.