Page 2 of Vicious Behaviors

Jude doesn’t get the chance to respond to Dom’s unspoken declarations since Gio is already stepping in, ready to take his turn.

“I’m going to miss the hell out of you, kid,” he says, hugging Jude just as tightly. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

“Could you change theirs?” Jude replies, his gaze flicking toward Vincent, whose arm is wrapped protectively around our mother’s waist.

“You Romanos,” Gio mutters, shaking his head, “are the most stubborn bunch I’ve ever met. Not even God, or the devil himself, could change your minds when you get something stuck in those thick skulls of yours.” But even though he’s smiling, his chestnut-colored eyes are weary with sadness.

Once Gio finishes, he steps back towardMammà, taking Vincent’s place at her side so he can have his moment with Jude.

“There’s no shame in changing your mind,” Vincent says, his final attempt to keep his son stateside.

“You’re right. There isn’t,” Jude replies, standing tall, his expression steady and resolute.

“Fair enough.” Our father gives Jude a curt nod in reply before taking his face in both hands. “Just remember that you’re a Romano, Jude. Go out into the world if you must, but never forget your home is here. No matter what happens, I want you to know that we love you. ThatIlove you.”

Jude’s hazel eyes soften as Vincent pulls him into a protective embrace. I can’t hear what our father whispers in his ear, but by the way Jude’s shoulders tremble slightly, our father’s words hit home.

When he finally steps back, Jude’s gaze instantly shifts toMammà. Her face is unreadable as she walks up and presses a gentle kiss on his cheek.

“Have a safe flight,” she says and then swiftly turns to head back into the house.

“I love you too, Mom,” Jude murmurs after her, so softly that only those close by are able to hear him.

“Come on, kids,” Gio announces. “Let’s give Jude and Marcello their moment and go inside to see what Lourdes is making for breakfast.”

Annamaria is still clutching onto Stella as they both wave goodbye, the twins trailing behind them reluctantly. Dom casts one last, sorrowful glance at Jude before hurrying inside, likely to check onMammà.

That leaves just me and our father, Vincent, outside.

I don’t want to say goodbye to my brother. Maybe that’s why Jude saved me for last.

“Come here, Marcello,” he says softly.

I obey quietly, every step heavier than the last. I can’t let him see me cry. It would only make saying goodbye more painful for him, and it’s already been hard enough. If I can help my brother by being strong at this one moment, then I have to be. I just have to be.

Jude places his hands on my shoulders and lets out a long, steadying breath, and with a loving gleam in his eyes, he says, “I need you to do me a favor, little brother.”

“Anything.”

He displays the same easy, crooked smile that always made me feel safe. Always made me feel stronger than what I really am.

“With me gone, I need you to look after our brothers and sisters. You’re their big brother now. They’ll need someone to look up to. Someone to protect them. Someone they can turn to when life gets hard. You think you can do that for me? Protect and guide them when I’m not around?”

“Yes.” I nod without hesitation.

There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Jude. He’s always been the one I admired most in this family. His sense of right and wrong might be just as warped as our fathers’, but that’s never mattered to me. The way he moves through life—with quiet confidence and steady purpose—is what sets him apart.

I’ve met enoughmade menin this life who fear nothing and use it as an excuse to be cruel. But not Jude. Never Jude. Hemight be fearless, but he’s also kind. Thoughtful. Patient in ways most people wouldn’t expect. And maybe that’s why I trust him so completely. Maybe that’s why I’ve idolized him so. And maybe it’s also why saying goodbye hurts so much.

“Good. I’m counting on you,” he says. “But whatever you need, remember that I’m just a phone call away.”

“I know,” I reply on a strangled sob.

His eyes begin to water again, and before his tears can fall, he pulls me into a hug and whispers, “Be there forMammàtoo, okay, Mar? She’s going to be hurting for a while.”

I bury my face into his chest. “She’s not the only one. We’ll all be hurting.”

Jude’s arms tighten around me as if that truth were too much for him to bear.