A Bond by Marriage

Chapter 17

Gia’s POV-

The trees had passed too fast, and the flight was too short. The only time, 'time' seemed to slow down was when Dino pulled up at my uncle’s house. Dino held my hand right after I stepped out of the car and Marco held my other hand right before the door. They were like my own human shield. The sudden significance and attention had made me confident until I saw who waited for us inside.

My uncle had hugged me and I realised a little too late that both my hands were free and I was supposed to hug him back. Dino narrowed his eyes at me so I was more careful with Riccardo. Although it sent creeps down my spine. I didn’t have to be afraid though, because I had planned to stay beside Dino all day, all night, throughout the ascension party.

And when Dino couldn’t be with me like now, Marco stayed right beside me, complaining about everything he didn’t like in the house.

“Ugh, another stupid painting,” he said, shaking his head. The painting wasn’t stupid, it just took a good sight to recognize its value. I didn’t bother telling him though. The last thing I wanted was for him to leave me if I annoyed him.

“I wouldn’t call it stupid,” Riccardo’s voice made me still. What was he doing here? It was his house. “You just need to look for the meaning.” I faced the painting, not wanting to look at him.

“Well, I can’t see it.”

“That seems like a skill issue.” I stiffened and my head snapped to look at him. Riccardo smirked at me before directing his gaze at Marco, who was frowning at him.

“Are you calling me stupid?”

“Your words, not mine,” he said, smirking again. There was something wrong with him. He realised he was talking to Dino’s younger brother, didn’t he? But then again, he never really saw Marco being Dino’s half-brother as something important, just like everyone else. What they deemed important held no value though. Dino didn’t treat Marco in any way less than family. And that was what he was– family.

“Do you not have a game room or something?” Marco ignored Riccardo.

“No—”

“I actually do. You can play there. Ask any maid around and tell them it’s my order. They will lead you to the room,” Riccardo said, cutting me off.

“I won’t go alone,” Marco said. “Gia, come with me.”

“She won’t,” Riccardo snapped. “I need to spend some time with my sister.”

“You can spend time with her while I play,” Marco took my hand and started dragging me away but before I could be impressed by his bravado, Riccardo abruptly pulled me back.

“We need to take a stroll in the garden.”

“Do you, Gia?” Marco asked, narrowing his eyes. What was this happening? While I knew Marco was threatening our newly developed friendship, Riccardo’s threat was far more serious.

“I can be back soon—”

“No! You said you wouldn’t leave me alone!”

“Someone needs to teach this kid some discipline.” I didn’t like Riccardo’s tone. I suspected he had smoked something. His eyes did have that look.

“The same could be said about your mannerism,” I heard Vito say, coming around the corner. “Marco is a guest and I believe you wish him to be left alone. Why? Shouldn't you rather attend to him and make sure he is entertained?” He looked between me and Riccardo. The air suddenly felt better with two Accomazzi brothers on my side.

“He wants time alone with her,” Marco bellowed.

“You said you wanted games and I’m letting you play games. Meanwhile, I can enjoy a little time with my sister.” My gut rolled every time he used that term for me. He wasn’t even slightly ashamed of himself.

“Why can’t you do it in the game room?” Marco again threw his arms up in the air.

“Perhaps he wants to know if we are taking good care of his sister. C’mon, Marco, you can be with me,” Vito said, and I felt the dread course through my body. All the comfort I felt with Vito's company poofed in the air. Not only was he going to leave me here, but he was also urging Marco to do the same.

“Yeah, listen to your brother, kid.” Marco narrowed his eyes at Riccardo. I knew it annoyed him to be called a kid after he was trying so hard to follow his brothers’ steps and accept this life. In the past few days, I had seen how much Marco craved to be just an ordinary teenager and yet he couldn’t be. And more than any time, I wanted him to be a rebel right at the moment.

“What if I don’t?”

Riccardo's jaw ticked.

“Perhaps you’d want to rethink?” Riccardo asked with a fake smile. I knew it was fake because I saw the distaste in his eyes. Vito, on the other hand, seemed amused by this interaction between them. Probably because he hadn’t yet realised how vile Riccardo could be and that this wasn’t a fun argument.

“No, I don’t.”

“He really needs to be disciplined,” Riccardo said, trying to sound casual before his expression turned menacing. “He talks too much. Fortunately for him, he carries your blood or he’d just be a son of a slutty b***h—”

Riccardo was pressed against a wall just as quickly as Vito lost his amusement. Vito snarled, holding him by his throat. “What the f**k did you say?” Even I doubted for a second if I had misheard Riccardo. But I hadn’t. I quickly pulled Marco to my side, who stood frozen on his spot. Riccardo had crossed a dangerous line.

Vito kicked him in the stomach before Riccardo could grab his throat. “Just because you have accepted him doesn’t change that he carries the filthy blood of some w***e,” Riccardo spat and earned a smash in the wall. Vito smashed his face the second time, holding him by the hair.

I had to stop this, but Vito wouldn’t hear me yelling his name and I didn’t want to jump in the middle of two males fighting. So, I held on tightly to Marco until he stepped out of my embrace and pulled his brother back before things could accelerate. I saw Riccardo coughing in the corner but refused to go to him. He might not like it but I would make sure we never came across each other or at least not alone.

“Son of a b***h,” Vito muttered before his gaze landed on me. He looked at me with narrowed eyes, as if trying to speculate something. Then, he grabbed Marco and walked away.

I fell right behind him. “Vito, are you alright?”

“Oh, I’m good,” he said, halting and facing me. “But your brother is gonna pay for what he just said. I’m gonna wait until after Aldo’s ascension.” My brother. No, he wasn’t.

“Marco—”

“Tell me something, Gia. Do you think like your brother?”

“What?”

“You two are really close. You wouldn’t be if you didn’t have anything in common.” His words hurt me, but somewhere, they lit hot anger in me.

“If you have forgotten, Marco is the only person in your family I’m close to, Vito. You do not have any right to assume what I think about him or if my thoughts are influenced. If there is anyone who can truly understand Marco’s state, it is me.” After all, I had experienced hostility for five years already.

“I’m sorry if that was rude of me," I quickly added.

“Why would you apologize for defending yourself, Gia?” He looked at me as if he was tired of trying to understand me.

“Umm, I’m not usually mad at anyone.”

“Well, that’s good then, isn’t it? That means you don’t fear me and that you feel comfortable enough to say what’s on your mind with me. That’s good.” I let his words sink and felt my muscles easing.

“Well, apparently Riccardo doesn’t fear you either. That’s why he said what was on his mind,” Marco said, retrieving his hand from Vito’s. I somehow knew he wished to run away but couldn’t because being alone here was much more concerning.

“Wait until after the ceremony. Dino and I will handle him. You just need to know that you are our brother and as much as you hate having Dino behind your ass, know that he won’t ever stop. He loves you, yeah?” I couldn’t help but smile. Though Marco seemed reluctant to admit it, he lifted his chin before giving a quick and short nod. As if it took effort to approve anything that came from Dino, even his concern.