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“His father had the same attitude towards me. I guess that’s why Lorenzo thinks you should be that way. I don’t think he ever imagined he’d meet his match with his wife.” She chuckled, taking my hand in hers. “His father wasn’t the man he let everyone believe he was. Maybe in the beginning, but near the end, he was a horrible man. That rubbed off on Lorenzo. His father drummed his beliefs into him so damn hard, and with each day, my caring, loving boy became just like his father. It broke my heart.”

“Carmella, I?—”

“I’m not asking you to love him and obey him. I know that’s a tall order, but don’t write him off just yet. He might surprise you,”she said, a plea hidden beneath her words.

“I don’t see how he’d ever surprise me, but I promise not to stab him anymore.” We laughed in unison as I caught the unapproving stare of Lorenzo.

He stood at the door, arms folded in annoyance, and showed no signs of a hangover. Or if he did, he hid them well. Carmella clocked him next as she sighed at the attitude he was already carrying.

He crossed the garden in long, fast strides. “Mama, what are you doing here?” Oh, of course, the attitude was aimed solely at me. How wonderful.

“I came to see you but ran into your beautiful wife instead.” She nudged her shoulder softly into mine with a smile before accepting Lorenzo’s kisses on her cheeks.

“I can see that.” He sent a side eyed glance my way.

“Lorenzo, that’s enough. I found Anastacia, not the other way around.”

“Carmella, it’s fine. I’ll see you again soon.” As I was about to walk away, she stopped me before throwing her arms around me in a warm embrace. Something I hadn’t even gotten from my own mother since the wedding.

“Mama, let her go. She seems to love storming off and leaving,” he snapped, his gaze burning into me.

“I wonder why that is, Lorenzo.” I scoffed. “Last night, you were a complete jerk. Exactly as you are now, and I don’t need nor do I want to stand here and listen to it.” He grabbed my arm as I walked past him.

I pulled the knife I had hidden from the pocket in my dress and pressed it against his neck with a smile so fucking big it could have been seen from space.

“I promised your mother I wouldn’t stab you, but I didn’t promise not to slit your throat,” I threatened. “Take your fucking hand off of me before I open your neck so wide it’ll make a torn pocket look like a pinhole.”

“Just remember, Ana, you went from one cage to another. It’s not your father holding the key this time, it’s me.” He replied as I softly pressed the blade into his skin, drawing blood.

“Lorenzo Ricci, that’s enough.” Carmella scolded him, but he didn’t seem to care. I knew he never would.

I hated him with every fibre of my being.

“Carmella, it’s fine. He’s nothing but a thug with a bad temper.” I muttered, lowering my blade, admiring the blood trickling down his neck. “It was lovely to see you.” I tucked my blade away and shoved past Lorenzo, making my way towards the house.

I heard their raised voices as I slipped inside, coming face-to-face with Emmet in the kitchen.

“Alright, A.” He smiled. “Nice lil’ number you pulled out there.”

“I doubt it made any kind of impact on him.” I sighed, grabbing some fruit from the fridge. “Do you want a smoothie?”

“You makin’ it?” He asked, a little taken aback.

“Don’t look so surprised. I make a really good smoothie.”

“Can I have one?” Red piped up from the doorway.

“Of course, I’ll make enough for Gino, too.”

“I wouldn’t bother. He got lucky last night. He ain’t here.” Emmet wriggled his brows as the three of us burst out laughing for no real reason.

Just as we were enjoying the moment, Lorenzo entered the kitchen with Carmella at his side.

“What's going on in here?” Lorenzo questioned the second he stepped inside.

“Carmella, would you like a smoothie?” I asked, ignoring Lorenzo.

“Anastacia, did you hear me?!” He demanded.