Page 11 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

I feel bad for biting and kicking him when I woke scared and alone with him. I thought he was friends with the bad man. All I knew was that I had to fight to keep him from hurting me.

They both have been kind to me. However, the Uri man is quiet and doesn’t speak to me as much as Michael does. Uri has a funny accent.

He spoke to Michael in Italian until Michael told him I understood their words. That’s when he stopped speaking. Only speaking in hushed tones every once in a while.

“How is your head feeling?” Michael whispers as I sit curled into the seat beside him.

I turn my gaze to his blue eyes and hurry to look away. He’s so pretty. The two men look alike, but Michael has kindness in his eyes.

“It is a little better,” I say.

He takes the blanket the lady brings to him and then places it over me. I pull the soft fabric under my chin. It’s a weighted blanket.

I can tell because all the noise in my body settles. It’s just like the one Mommy has at home for me. Mommy.

I’m not going to see her again. It hurts, but it’s the truth. I feel so sad.

The music in my mind is all wrong. The colors have become dark, and the notes seem off. I burrow down further into the blanket and the music dies down some more.

I’m safe. Michael is going to get me to Nonno. I can go to sleep now.

CHAPTER 7

Trovati Family

Michael

Uri wasn’t going to take me along to drop Symphony off. However, she broke out into an episode when he tried to leave me behind. She has been through enough.

We both agreed it would be better if I helped him get her to her grandfather since she seemed to have bonded with me. I wrapped her in the blanket I brought along after doing some research before we left for the mission.

I hadn’t known all of Symphony’s behaviors or symptoms, but I wanted to try to be prepared to help get her back safely. The blanket seemed to work wonders for her. Once I had her wrapped in it after Uri agreed I should accompany them, I was able to climb into the back seat with her.

Symphony nearly crawled into my side and remained there the entire ride to Don Trovati’s London residence. Uri still hasn’ttold me what placed him in such a rush to leave California, where we went to collect the girl.

“Nonno,” Symphony squeals as she releases her hold around my waist and takes off into her grandfather’s embrace.

His eyes fill with tears as he holds her tightly. I can only imagine what must be going through his head as he takes in her appearance. I thought we would have more time to bring her back to him looking a little more presentable.

The huge honey-brown ponytail on top of her head has become fuzzy around the edges. She’s still wearing nothing but my dress shirt and her panties beneath. Her legs are mostly covered by the long fabric, but the bottoms of her brown limbs peek out, revealing her pigeon toes.

The flats on her feet scream that this is a child. The black shoes have flowers embroidered across the front and a strap across the center. I’m once again relieved we got to her before something horrible happened.

Although the beating she took was horrific, it’s the bruising and swelling I wish we could’ve done more about. I guess I should be happy we have gotten her here in one piece.

“I don’t think there is anything I can do to repay you both,” Don Trovati chokes out.

“You can start by telling me the truth,” Uri says tightly.

“Yes, now that she is here, there is more we should discuss.”

Symphony releases her grandfather and rushes back to my side, taking my hand. I look down at her curiously. I had assumed she would cling to her grandfather once reunited with him.

However, once she begins to squeeze my hand in hers, I go along with it. I apply a little pressure in return. She seems to relax completely.

“Come with me. There is much to speak of. I have another request,” Don Trovati says as he turns and begins to amble forward as he gestures for us to follow.

Uri looks at me and nods for me to follow. However, I can see the storm brewing in his eyes. He’s been pissed about something since we left America.

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