Page 70 of Snake's Head

“Not gonna sleep. I don’t trust your father enough to shut my eyes under his roof. I’ll just watch over the two of you.”

That made me smile. I didn’t try to stop it. I didn’t even think about it. I just smiled at him. “Thank you.”

Valerio reached up, his arm covering Elsie and then his hand touching my cheek. “You don’t have to thank me for doing something for you, Luce. Whatever you want, you just need to ask.”

Sadness filled me, but my smile remained. I wished I could just ask for what I really desired, but even though I believed Valerio was honest in his words, I knew there were just things I could not ask for so easily. I was old enough to know that.

Still, I didn’t want to leave him hanging. He always gave me things, and I never returned the favor. I shielded myself too much, and Valerio deserved so much more. I didn’t have much to give, but I could at least try.

“I don’t know when I will really trust you, Valerio,” I said, and his expression sobered. All of his attention was on me. “But I really want to, and I am trying.”

“I see,” he nodded.

“I know it is not the answer you wanted…” I said until Valerio pushed his fingers on my lips, stopping me.

“I wanted the truth, Luce. I would never want you to lie just to please me. I just want you to talk to me and tell me the truth.”

“Well, that is the truth.”

“And it is enough.”

Something moved in my chest. “Is it?”

“Yeah.” He caressed my cheek, and it almost felt like a kiss. “Don’t worry over these. Go to sleep.”

“You sure?”

“Yes,” he said again. “Just sleep, Luce. I will be here watching over the two of you.”

“Okay.” I closed my eyes and wished he had watched over us every night. I wished I had both of them every night. If I could have that, I wouldn’t have any problems, so I just closed my eyes and imagined a world where that was possible.

It was just a dream but the best I ever had.

Chapter 25

Luciana

Apparently, my brother Tommaso invited us over to dinner. My father told that to Valerio after I left last night, and Valerio told me about it this morning. I was actually shocked. I didn’t know if I ever visited Tommaso’s house more than once in my whole life. This sudden interest was weird, but it was actually not so uncalled for. I was not the one he was interested after all he wanted Valerio Vasile in his house.

I was a bit annoyed at first, but then Valerio told me we could take Elsie with us too and I was happy again. As long as I spent more time with Elsie, I was okay. Also, Tommaso was not the worst. He was definitely better than my father.

Tommaso was twenty years older than me. He got married and left the house when I was too young to even remember ever living together with him. When my life was going down in flames, he knew what was happening but never did a thing. He never helped me. He never tried to save me from our father. I was not a fan of him for that reason, but on the other hand, he never mocked me. Tommaso never insulted me like my father or so many of my other siblings did.

Tommaso was very active in the business as my father’s heir, but he was not that active in family affairs. He married his wife despite my father being against it. I heard that they had a big love story, but I was never too interested to learn more about it. I just knew he was kind toward his wife and children. Tommaso was not as disgusting as most men in Cosa Nostra. He was a good family man and also loved among the men more than my father.

He was not the worst person to visit, but I could never see him as a perfect man because of how he disregarded me. He cared for his wife, children, and business but nothing else. He didn’t care for a little girl in need, and I had every right to hate everyone who turned a blind eye to me.

I decided that long ago. Instead of hating myself, I hated everyone around me. It was easier.

At least it was easier on most days.

Despite the dinner invitation, my day actually started nicely. I woke up in Elsie’s bed. She was sleeping peacefully, and Valerio was hugging us both, looking awake but tired. After I kissed Elsie softly, we sneaked out. Valerio asked me if I wanted to go to the hotel to freshen up. Normally I would have declined to stay with Elsie, but I knew he must be tired, so I accepted.

We went back. Valerio got a few hours of sleep. I had a long bath which he didn’t try to join. After we got dressed, we were back at my father’s house. We still had a few hours before we headed out to Tommaso’s, but I wanted to spend more time with Elsie. Valerio was totally on board with that.

Elsie was already in her blue dress, waiting for us. She looked so adorable I almost cried.

We wanted to take her outside, but Elsie insisted we had to have tea with her before we left. She already had the party ready with her plushies surrounding the small pink table and empty tea cups waiting for us.

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