FAMILY

59| Stronger Bonds

Silas didn't ask any questions when I approached him with my insane plan. He simply nodded and asked by when I needed it done. The same man who gets angry when I curse or when I fight someone agreed to do this for me. I was baffled, to say the least.

"You're not going to lecture me?" I questioned suspiciously.

He was staring at the photos on my desk. There was one picture that I really love. It was at the Cassano Villa in Italy. My siblings and I were sitting on the stairs while cuddling close. I was sitting in Theo's lap with a ginormous smile.

Those summers in Italy felt like a lifetime ago.

"I'd rather you ask me to do it than do it yourself." He shrugged while holding up that picture.

My plan was absolutely insane. I didn't think that I'd ever resort to anything like this but Christian Walker deserved this. Men like that with money and power will never face the consequences of their actions. Justice is a fucking hoax when it comes to rich white men.

That's why I turned to Silas.

"Besides, I love tearing apart child rapists."

I got up from my seat and walked to him. His eyes were completely focused on the picture. We both looked younger in it and I missed those summers a lot. I missed playing in the pool with my siblings and napping in the shade afterwards. I missed my nonno and nonna. I haven't seen them in almost an entire year because I'd been so busy with myself.

I needed this year to myself but I did push away a lot of people.

"Thank you for doing this, big muscle man." I laid my arms around his torso.

He put down the picture and embraced me tightly. It's been a long while since I got a Silas bear hug. The last time that I hugged him was also the last time I saw him.

"You know that I'd do anything for you, kid." He muttered.

"I know." I nodded against his chest.

My grip on him tightened and I didn't want to let go. Silas and I started on a bad note. But we've worked through our differences before and he became one of my favourite people in the whole world. I enjoyed teasing him and getting him angry.

I was ready to try again and work through everything with him. I felt like a renewed version of myself full of energy and will.

"I'm sorry for pushing you away this past year." I apologised.

He was silent. I tried to look up at him but he pressed my head closer to his chest. I felt him kiss the crown of my head tenderly.

"You needed to heal. You had all the right to push us away after what we put you through."

"Since when are you so understanding?" I teased him.

His chest vibrated as he chuckled.

"Belle. She made it very clear that it was mostly our fault and she didn't let it die down until I fully understood."

Belle was a good influence on Silas. He's always been this grumpy, angry, hot mess but she was his vice. I could tell that he tried every day to be a better version of himself for her.

"Whipped." I grinned against his chest.

His grip didn't loosen as he simply shrugged.

"Brat."

"Muscle man," I replied.

"Little shit."

"Asswipe."