aeipathy

Chapter 26

(Sorry in advance. Go ahead and yell. I'm ready for it😀)

Karmen's P.O.V

"Hello my beautiful family" Emilia said walking into the kitchen. She went around the table giving everyone a kiss on the head. "What time are my other boys getting here Luca?" She asked, referring to Antonio, Matteo, and Andy. We have been here for almost a week but the boys had some stuff to handle so they had to wait to join us.

"They'll be here by 2, they're running a little late because they had to drop Sprinkles off at Cami's before they left, and she got emotional with Tony leaving." He shrugged.

"Wow, first Matteo and Andy, then you Luca, and now Antonio? You guys are all fucking whipped." Santiago said, pouting. "Watch your mouth. We don't curse in front of the 6 year old sponge." I scolded taking off my slipper to threaten him.

"Okay okay chill the fu- freak out" he said, holding up his hands in defence. "Okay, I have some work to do while we are in town. You" Luca said pointing at Caleb. "Are coming with me."

"Really?!" Caleb said excitedly. "Yes but don't get too excited we aren't doing much, mainly security tape watching and maybe a little bit of training" Luca said. Me and Luca talked about how since Caleb seemed interested in the 'family business' then he should start to train. Of course I was nervous. Well, I'm still nervous but Luca promised to never make him do something he didn't want to.

"Yes!" Caleb cheered, jumping up and down. "Okay now go get dressed," Luca smiled and Caleb ran up to the room he was staying in. "You guys better be safe." I said, wrapping my arms around Luca's torso. "Always Mi amor." He responded, kissing my lip.

———————————

"Hello, hello?" Me and Emilia were talking in the dining room when we heard someone calling from the foyer. "That must be the boys!" She said hopping up from her seat.

"My babies!" She cheered, going and smushing all of their faces. "Hey momma V," Antonio said, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "I missed you all so much!" She cheered "Alesia! Santiago! They're here!" She yelled up the stairs.

They both came jogging down the stairs less than a minute later looking disheveled. Alesia's lipstick was smudged and Santiago's button up was only half tucked in, and he had a matching shade of lipstick about his upper lip. "Hey guys!" Santiago said, flustered.

"There's no way. Does Enzo know?" Antonio asked, looking between the two. Alesia looked down embarrassed and Santi just smirked. "Yeah he wasn't the happiest." He shrugged. "You're lucky he didn't kill you!" I said making myself known.

"Ah Hermana!" Matteo said, coming over and hugging me. "Wait, hermana? Matteo, Karmen is your sister?" Santiago asked. "Yeah? How did you not know that you're late as fuck." He answered with his arm still around me. "No one tells me shit." He shrugged and he and Alesia walked back upstairs and Emilia went up to find Micah.

"Where's boss?" Antonio asked me. "I'm not completely sure, all I know is he took Caleb with him. He said they would probably just watch security tapes and maybe train a little bit. Why is something wrong?" I asked him. Karmen don't panic don't panic don't panic.

"Everything is fine Karmen, breathe. I was just wondering, it's okay." Antonio said putting his hands on my shoulders helping me breathe. Just when my breathing relaxed Luca came through the front door laughing with Caleb.

When I saw them I immediately ran and hugged both of them. "What did you guys do?" Luca asked seriously, glaring at Antonio and Santiago. "He said that you were dead." Santiago deadpanned pointing at Tony like a child. "I did not! I just asked where you were and she panicked!" Antonio said defending himself.

"I'm going to kill the both of you. She is pregnant she can't be stressing like this." He threatened. "Okay I'm good. Hi baby how was your day?" I said cupping Caleb's cheeks. "It was good momma, are you okay?" He asked me. He is always so sweet. "Of course I am. But you don't need to worry about me. Okay? I'm supposed to worry about you." I said hugging him and kissing his head.

As Caleb filled me in on everything that him and Luca did today, Luca's phone rang. "I have to take this." Luca said before stepping away. After a few seconds we heard muffled yelling from his direction. When he came back over to us I could tell he was pissed.

"Baby what's wrong?"  I asked, putting my hand on his chest. "We have to go. There has been another attack at the estate." He said rubbing his temples. "If there have been attacks there, why would we go back?" I asked him.

"You're right, but I have to be there to take care of business. We will be staying at a safe house. Caleb, go pack your stuff, I'm going to go explain to Nonna." He signed and walked into the kitchen to find Emilia. "Come on sweetheart let's go pack." I said, giving him the best smile I could.

———————————————

"Karmen?" Luca greeted coming into our bedroom at the safe house. We have been back in the city for about a month. Me and the kids only see Luca about once every few days. He's not here when I go to sleep and he's gone by the time I wake up. His dirty clothes are in the hamper so I know he's been coming home but we've barely been able to speak to each other.

"Hey," I said, sitting up in bed, setting my book to the side. He started taking off his tie in silence. "I've missed you." I said and he just ignored me. "Baby?" I asked standing up. "Yes, Karmen?" He responded like he was annoyed.

"Are you mad at me? Cause if anyone should be mad I think it's me." I crossed my arms.

"What the hell are you talking about?" He sign. "Are you kidding me? I'm really trying to stay calm but you're pissing me off. You've barely been here for the past month and you seriously have the nerve to have an attitude with me for absolutely no reason?"

"Karmen, not now." He said taking off his button up. "Okay then when? Cause me and you both know you won't be here in the morning when I wake up." I commented back.

"Fuck, Karmen stop!" He yelled at me, catching me by surprise. "I'm not going to apologize for protecting my family. So just fucking drop it!" He shouted. "And I appreciate that and I understand but we miss you! I miss you. The kids miss you. Please! We just want to see you and spend time with you!" I begged him.

"God, stop!" He yelled, picking up a vase and shattering it against the wall behind me. It probably wouldn't have hit me directly but I ducked down and put my hands over my head and screamed in surprise. "Fuck baby I'm sorry," he said stepped towards me, his eyes not looking at my face. "God I'm so sorry!" He said reaching for my arm but I stepped away before he could touch me.

I looked down and saw a gash on my forearm. "Mi amor-" I cut him off, holding my hand up. I walked to the bathroom putting a wet rag to my arm, I then silently walked to the closet. I put some sweats and a matching hoodie on before grabbing my shoes. "Where are you going?" He asked me with concern. "A drive." I stated.

"Karmen, I'm sorry. It's one in the morning. Can we please just go to bed?" He asked sincerely. "You can go to bed. I'm going for a drive." I argued. "Fine, okay. When will you be back?" He asked me. "I don't know.  Don't wait up, I might sleep at Camilla's."

"Are you kidding me Karmen? Come on please! I'm sorry!" He begged. "I just- I just need to get out of here." I said walking out of the bedroom and straight to the garage for my car.

I drove around for about 30 minutes before I saw a sign for a 24 hour diner around the corner. I pulled into the parking lot and grabbed my wallet and hopped out. I pulled out my phone and saw a million texts and missed calls from Luca.

Millions of texts saying "baby I'm sorry please come home."  This can't be happening.

I heard footsteps behind me and quickly turned around, but before I could figure out what was happening, a cloth pressed against my mouth and a bag was placed over my head before everything went black.