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He brushes a hand over my hair, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.
“Of course.” He says, and as his arms tighten around me again, he adds, “Be careful, Chiara. Promise me that you will be careful, va bene?”
My breathing turns shaky at the emotion in his voice as I pull away, looking up at him.
“I promise, Papa.”
Dario takes a step forward, throwing his arm around my shoulder as he tugs me to his side.
“Don’t forget to update us.” My brother says, his tone light, but his expression serious. “Wherever you go, at whatever time, you let us know. Okay?”
I smile up at him.
“I know, Dario. You’ve only told me this about a million times now.”
The corners of his lips twitch.
“I’ll tell you the same thing a million more times.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “And if you think you’ll get away with not telling us, I’m going to turn up unannounced, haul you over my shoulder, and take you back home myself.”
I nudge him with my elbow, making him laugh, then I fold myself against his body.
“Thank you, Dario.” I say softly as I throw my arms around him. “I’m lucky to have you.”
He hugs me back, squeezing me so tightly that my memories take me back to the day of my mother’s funeral, when my brother had taken on the role ofprotectortoo.
“You don’t need to thank me, sorellina. Just please promise me that you’ll call if you ever need anything, no matter how big or small it may be.”
Dario tells me softly, pulling away to look down at me.
He holds my face between both of his hands, looking down at me like I’m the most precious thing he has.
I smile at my brother.
“Of course, Dario. You’re the best big brother, even if you are a little bit crazy, and majorly overprotective too.”
He smirks at me.
“Obviously.”
Papa breathes out a laugh behind us.
Turning around to face him, I notice the way his expression softens as he looks at us both again.
“Come on, Dario. Let Chiara settle in.”
After a little while, both Papa and Dario leave my new flat.
I feel a pang of sadness as I wave them both goodbye, watching them both walk away. And as I shut the door once they’ve both left, I look around my new place, and I smile to myself.
Tamana flops onto my sofa, scrolling through her phone as I finish putting on covers for all my new cushions.
She’s been glued to her screen for at least an hour now. I narrow my eyes, pretending to glare at her.
“You know, Mana, you could help a girl out here.”
She waves a hand in the air, her gaze fixed on her phone.
“Why would I do that when you’ve got it all under control? And besides, look at what I’ve found; this is way more exciting.”