Chapter Thirty-Six

Once my cast was removed and the doctors had cleared me for travel, six weeks after the attack, Dad allowed me to fly to New York for the first time.

Amo had to fly back to New York a week ago, which had taken considerable convincing on my part, but he needed to show presence in the Famiglia. This would be the first time I would meet his family and his best friend. I was nervous but also excited. It was still hard to grasp that New York would be my home soon.

Mom joined me on the flight and because of that, Dad did too. Mom wanted to help Aria with wedding preparations, since I still wasn’t fit enough to rush from one location to the next. I was happy to give them plenty of freedom with their decisions. Mom knew my style so I was certain I would be happy with the outcome. Dad would meet with Luca for their first meeting as future in-laws. The thought still seemed strange and I was a tad worried about their encounter though Dad had assured me it would be fine.

Amo waited for us at the airport. I still needed to use crutches, though I could walk a few steps without them. Bending my knee was still difficult and would take weeks of more physiotherapy before I would be able to walk without a noticeable limp.

Amo lifted me off the ground when he reached me and kissed me. At once I felt a sense of utter happiness that let me forget the hardships of my knee injury.

Amo put me back down, but didn’t release me. I’d missed him so I was eager for his closeness. “My parents are expecting us for dinner.”

“What a pleasure,” Dad said. Mom elbowed his side but he didn’t react.

I sat with Amo in the front of the car, his hand holding mine. Dad ignored our displays of affection.

My heartrate picked up when we pulled up in front of the Vitiello home. The last time I’d been there I had been anxious for very different reasons. Now I worried whether the Vitiellos would like me. I had my family in Las Vegas, but I knew life in New York would be easier if I got along with Amo’s family, not to mention that it would mean a lot to him too.

Amo gave me a reassuring smile and helped me out of the car. Before we reached the steps leading up to the front door, it opened and Aria stood in the doorway. Her warm smile hit me like sunshine and relieved my anxiety at once. I smiled up at her while Amo helped me climb the stairs.

Aria didn’t try to hug me, though Amo had mentioned that she was a hugger. Maybe once I knew her better, I could hug her. “It’s so wonderful to see you again.”

Luca stepped up behind his wife. He gave me a small smile. I knew he was an imposing man, someone who scared many, but because he reminded me of Amo and because I was used to my father and brother, I actually didn’t feel wary of him. “Greta. Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you. It’s a pleasure.”

Amo led me past his parents and into the living room so our parents could greet each other. His brother Valerio, a man who must be Marcella’s husband Maddox and Marcella who was very heavily pregnant sat on the couch. They all got up when we entered. Even Marcella managed to lift her remarkably big belly quickly. Seeing her, I remembered Mom’s offer. I hadn’t told Amo about it yet. I’d needed time to process it myself and decide what I wanted to do about it. But I knew this wasn’t something I could decide alone.

Marcella came over to me. “Good to see you. If you ever want to talk about my brother’s annoying nature, or anything else, call me.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m glad my brother finally marries a decent woman.”

Maddox shoved Valerio who only laughed. “Ignore him. The filter between his brain and mouth isn’t working. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I’m not easily offended. My brother doesn’t have any kind of filter between his brain and mouth.”

“Or knife hand,” Amo added.

We all laughed and I relaxed even more. I could tell that I would feel welcome in Amo’s family. Maybe it wouldn’t take long until it would feel like my family too.

Dad didn’t allow Amo and me to sleep in the same room just like he hadn’t in the weeks prior. Since I didn’t want to test his patience, I accepted his order, even if it was ridiculous considering Amo and I had already shared a bed. But I noticed that Amo seemed almost relieved about it. Maybe he worried about his abilities to stay honorable and not claim my virginity before our wedding night.

Mom, Dad and I slept in a suite in the Mandarin like last time.

When I limped out of my room into the living area of the suite very early in the morning because I couldn’t sleep, I found Dad on the sofa, staring into the dark. I limped over to him and sank down close beside him. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

“I never thought I would have to let you go.”

“You make it sound as if we can’t see each other. I’m just a flight away.”

Dad looked at me. In the dark it was difficult to make out the details of his expression but I knew him well enough to realize he was worried. “I’ll be safe.”

“Safer than under my watch hopefully.”

I put my hand on his scarred one. “It wasn’t your fault. Nobody could have suspected this. I don’t blame you or Amo or even the guards. Sometimes bad things happen.”

“They shouldn’t happen to you. I need you to be safe and happy.”

“I’m happy most of the time. Sometimes the attack haunts me, especially because my body’s still not fully recovered but I’m a Falcone, Dad. I’ll survive this and come out stronger, right?”

Dad chuckled. “Right.” He fell silent. “I really want to cling to my dislike of Amo. But sometimes when I see him looking at you with that sappy adoration I can’t help but tolerate him.”

I stifled a laugh and squeezed Dad’s hand in thanks. We sat like that for a while before I spoke again. “Did Mom tell you about her offer?”

“She did.” His voice was gentle and loving, a very rare thing even around me. I bit my lip. “I’m thinking of taking Mom up on her offer.”

“You should,” Dad said quietly. “Your mother wants to give you this.” He swallowed. “I could only exact brutal revenge. That’s what I can do, but your mother’s gift is far more precious than mine.”

I leaned my head against his shoulder. “The both of you have always done everything you could to make me happy, and I’ll always be grateful for it. No matter where I live in the world, a part of my heart will always stay in Vegas with you and the rest of my family.”

Dad pressed a kiss to my head. “You should go to sleep. Amo picks you up in a couple of hours.”

“Are you angry that I’m meeting Maximus and even Growl and his family?”

“My grudges of the past don’t have to be yours. As long as you don’t expect me to make peace with my half-brother too.”

“Maybe one day you’ll want to.”

Dad didn’t comment. “We can all count ourselves lucky if I manage not to kill Luca for insisting on the bloody sheet tradition. Everything else would be a miracle.”

“I’m fine with the sheets.”

I bit my lip. “You sent sheets of your first night with Mom to the Outfit Capo and her parents, so I think you’ll be brave enough to see my wedding night sheets.”

“If I’d known my future daughter would find out about this and use it against me, I would have reconsidered my decision.”

“You wouldn’t have,” Mom said, stepping out of the bedroom in her white nightgown and messy bed-hair. “You got a kick out of it.”

With a smile, I returned to my own bed, leaving my parents to their arguing. Dad was right. I needed to sleep.

“Remo will cause a scene when we present the sheets,” Dad said.

Mom shrugged. “You didn’t want to see Marci’s sheets either.”

“They wouldn’t have been red anyway,” Marci said, balancing a small bowl with chips on her belly. Before her pregnancy she wouldn’t have touched these fatty carbs with a ten foot pole.

Mom gave me a nervous look. “Your father can give you tips on how to create false bloody sheets. You aren’t the first couple that consummated their bond before their wedding.”

I didn’t want to discuss the details of my parents’ wedding night. “I didn’t consummate anything. I’ll wait until the wedding.”

Dad gave me a surprised look and Marci even put her chips away to give me an incredulous stare.

“Oh my God, Amo, I didn’t peg you a romantic gentleman.”

My lips curled. “I respect Greta.”

Maddox grinned in a dirty way. “I respect your sister too. But she would have kicked my ass if I’d made her wait this long for it.”

Dad sent Maddox a look that would have sent many people running.

“It’s our peace offering for the hurt pride of the Traditionalists.”

“I don’t want to discuss this anymore.” But one thing was sure, I didn’t want to share any piece of my first night with Greta with anyone.

Greta buzzed with excitement when we drove to the Trevisan dog shelter. “You’re more eager than before you met my family.”

Greta looked shocked. “That’s not true. I was too anxious to be excited before I met your family, but animals always like me, so this will be easier. And if Maximus and his family love animals as much as I do, then I’ll get along with them too.”

“I doubt there are many people who don’t like you.”

Greta remained silent, her gaze distant. I could tell that her mood had changed and I wondered what had caused it.

“My mother offered to carry our baby.”

I almost swerved off the road. I hit the brakes and pulled the car to a stop on the shoulder of the road. I turned to Greta, not sure if I’d heard her right. “What?”

“Mom would carry the baby in her womb if we used IVF to fertilize my eggs with your sperm.”

I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about anyone’s womb, and the rest hardly made sense too.

Greta took my hand and explained everything again, even slower, as if I were a small child. When she was done, I was completely stunned. “That’s possible?”

“Yeah.”

“Would you want to do it?”

I couldn’t deny it. The prospect of Greta and me having a child one day made me deliriously happy. Yet, I didn’t want to push Greta toward something she wasn’t comfortable with. Her expression was difficult to read. “What about you?”

One corner of her mouth tilted up. “Answering a question with a question in turn…But I started it, so I guess it’s only fair.”

I’d promised myself I would be honest with Greta. My first marriage had been full of lies and deceit, I didn’t want this with Greta. “I want to do it, yes.”

Greta blew out a breath and gave me a small smile. “Me too. Not now, but in a few years.”

I leaned over, cupped her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

When we pulled up in front of the Trevisan’ house, Maximus was already waiting in front of it. He and Sara lived in an apartment in the city close to her parents and siblings, but Maximus came here often. His hands in his pockets, I could see the tension in his body when I got out of the car. I wasn’t sure if it was because of Greta and their families’ history or because things with Sara were still difficult.

He strode over to us while I lifted Greta out of my G-Class. I didn’t want her to jump out yet. Her knee still needed time to heal.

Maximus patted my back then he gave Greta a cautious smile and righted the cap he was wearing as if he needed to occupy his hands.

Her answering smile was without reservations. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Amo’s told me so much about you so it’s great to finally see you in real life.”

Some of the tension leaked from Maximus. “Sadly, Amo has been very close-lipped about you for a long time so you were the mystery woman.”

Greta laughed. “It was complicated.”

“That’s one way to put it,” I said.

Greta’s entire face lit up when she turned her attention to the closest enclosure where several dogs were begging for attention. She gave Maximus’ a hopeful expression. “Can I go over to them?”

He shrugged and motioned her to go ahead. “These are the socialized ones, so you can even pat them if they don’t shy back. The dogs in the kennels farther down are unpredictable though.”

Greta nodded and slowly walked over to the fence. She still couldn’t bend her knee fully so she was limping.

Maximus stepped up beside me and squeezed my shoulder. “I never quite got it but seeing how you look at her now, I get why you went through all the trouble.”

“It was worth it.”

Maximus’ eyes reflected his own conflict.

“It’ll be worth it with Sara too.”

“I know,” he said quietly. “And I’m doing all I can to make it work.”

“Maybe she and Greta can become friends. Sara is pretty quiet and thoughtful like Greta.”

Maximus nodded. “That might work. She’s at her parents’ house today. Primo’s on his way here. Mom has prepared lunch, in case Greta is willing to eat with the unwanted part of her family.”

I didn’t have a doubt that Greta would say yes. She didn’t hold the grudge her father kept up for the most insane reasons. “Greta, should we stay for lunch? Cara, Maximus’ mom, cooked for us.”

She turned away from the Pitpulls she’d been petting through the fence and her entire face lit up. “I’d love to meet them!”

I gave Maximus a I-told-you-so look. He stifled a smile. “I’ll tell my mom so she can really get going. I can give Greta a more detailed tour later.”

“I’ll try to tear her away from the dogs.”

I went over to her. She looked as if she couldn’t be happier. “I miss working in my own sanctuary.”

Most of it had been destroyed by the fire and Remo hadn’t allowed Greta to return there. “Your animals are all taken care of.”

“I know, they found good homes but I miss working with animals.”

“I talked to Growl a few days ago.”

She straightened, curiosity lighting up her face. I’d always preferred women with very long hair, but Greta with her chin-length bob made me reconsider my past preferences. Of course, I still couldn’t wait for her hair to grow back. She tugged a strand behind her ear. “I’m still getting used to it too. I’ve never had short hair. I miss being able to put my hair up in a ponytail so it doesn’t get in the way.”

“It’ll grow back.” I stroked my fingers along her cheek then over the skin below her ear, feeling a small burn scar there. She also had a couple of smaller burn marks on her shoulders. “And you are beautiful.”

She smiled. “What about Growl?”

“I told him about the sanctuary you had in Las Vegas and he suggested that you can work together with him and his family. So far he only takes in dogs, but if you want to expand on the shelter I’m sure he won’t mind helping you. The premises can be expanded with barns and there’s pasture land close by.”

Greta’s eyes widened. “Really?”

“Really. I know you wouldn’t be happy living in the city all the time, so I thought we could build a house close to this place and split our lives between that place and an apartment in Manhattan or a townhouse in Brooklyn.”

“What about the house you shared with—”

“It was never a place that felt like home and I spent less than twenty nights there in total. Dad already sold it to a business partner.”

Greta searched my eyes then she nodded. “Okay.”

Nothing from my past with Cressida would ever touch our lives again. Greta would carry the marks of the past on her body, I could do nothing about that, but that was the extent of the past’s grip on us. Cressida was dead and I would make sure the memory of her would die too.

“Lunch’s ready!” Maximus called from the doorway.

A pick-up pulled up in the driveway in that moment, and I tensed, my arm coming around Greta protectively until I recognized Primo behind the steering wheel. He jumped out and strolled over to us. “Hey long-lost cousin,” he said with a smile.

Greta grinned. She gave me a pleased smile as we followed Primo toward the front door. When we entered the big kitchen, Cara immediately turned away from the stove, an apron protecting her gym clothes from the meatball sauce.

She headed over to us but didn’t try to hug Greta as I’d told them about Greta’s need for space when she didn’t know people very well.. “Greta, so nice to finally meet you.”

“It’s so nice to meet you too. Thank you for cooking for us.”

“It’s the first time I tried vegan meatballs so please don’t be too critical.” Cara let out an embarrassed laugh.

“I’m sure it’ll taste wonderful. It smells so good.”

Growl rose slowly from the kitchen chair from where he’d been watching the scene unfold with his usual caution. His expression remained wary as he stopped in front of us.

“Hello uncle,” Greta said in a soft voice, her expression warm. “I’m glad I can finally meet you. Is it okay if I call you uncle or are you uncomfortable with that label?”

Surprise crossed Growl’s face. He glanced at Cara then at me before the hint of a smile pulled at his lips. “Nice to meet you too. And you can call me uncle if you want.”

She nodded eagerly.

“Let’s eat,” Cara said after she’d cleared her throat, obviously a tad emotional.

“See you’ll have blood family here too,” I whispered in Greta’s ear before we headed over to the kitchen bench to sit beside Primo and Maximus. I wanted Greta to find a home in New York.