I return with Ari's family in tow, and we enter the kitchen through the back door. Food sizzles, sending delicious aromas through the house. Ari wears an apron with a giant pair of red kissing lips and the words "Bacio the Cook," and her eyes are red-rimmed again. I silently scold myself for not suggesting we go to her father's house together.

Her dad walks around the counter and pulls her into his arms, hugging her tight and kissing the top of her head. "You found that ridiculous apron," he says with a slight chuckle.

"She didn't get rid of everything," Ari replies.

"No, baby girl, I made sure she left things for you to remember her."

Nicky kisses her on the temple and pats his father on the arm. "You know there are only four of us, right?" He points to all the food on the counter.

"I know, but happy or sad, we all have to eat. She'd haunt us if we let ourselves miss a meal," she says with a smile, and the tightness of my heart lets go a little, knowing Ari has found the smallest happy thought.

We sit around the table eating our huge breakfast, and I listen as everyone recalls memories of Nonna. I'm included in their recounts by them saying phrases such as "Kade, you should have been there" or "Kade, she was so..." Their laughter fills the house as they finish each other's sentences and add forgotten details to their stories. I'm privileged to be a part of such an intimate moment.

Ari stands to clear the table, and her father directs the conversation toward me. "So, what are the plans today, Kade?"

"I have the next ten days off, and I plan on hanging around for as long as you let me. So, I guess it's up to Ari," I answer and take the last sip of my coffee.

She looks at me from the sink. "I thought you were supposed to be recording in L.A.?"

"They'll be fine without me. Besides, we have three concerts in L.A., and I can go to the studio in the morning."

"But—"

"I'm not going anywhere, Ariella James," I say.

She turns back to the dishes and mumbles, "Pain in my ass, Kade Edward."

Mr. Carmichael gets up from the table and joins his daughter at the sink. "Why don't you get dressed and get out of the house for a bit," he suggests.

"I'm fine," she argues.

"Go," he demands, taking a plate from her hands.

When she walks out of the room, Mr. Carmichael turns to his son. "Get over here and finish these dishes for your sister."

Nicky rolls his eyes and does as his father says without complaint.

Mr. Carmichael stands in front of the counter with his arms crossed over his chest and looks down at me. This may be the most intimidating situation I have ever been in. Ari's father is not as tall as me, but he's a brick of a man. If I had to punch him, I'm sure I would break my hand.

"You know what that girl has been through," he states.

"I do, sir." I keep my voice steady and maintain eye contact with him.

"Listen to me because I'm only giving you this one warning: I don't care who you are. If you fuck with my daughter and break her heart, I won't hesitate to hunt you down and rip you apart limb by limb. Do you understand me?"

In the movies, moments like this are kind of comical, but in real life, it's the most terrifying promise ever. "Yes, sir."

I look past Ari's father to see Nicky staring back at us, nodding his head.

Mr. Carmichael continues, "I made the mistake of standing by while some little self-absorbed asshole treated her like shit. I hoped she would come to her senses on her own, but I won't make that mistake again." The demeanor of his face changes and a huge smile spreads across it. "With that being said, I'd like to thank you for beating the shit out of Asher. I've wanted to punch that kid out for years."

"It's nice to know you and I share the same sentiment when it comes to Prescott, Mr. Carmichael."

He nods with a barely-there smile. "You can call me Rob; you've earned it."

Ari's family returns to the main house, and I'm left sitting at the table. I like her dad and can relate to his overprotectiveness for his daughter. The night Asher attacked her, and I heard her calling for help, something ignited in me. It didn't matter what danger I was running into; all I knew was I had to get to her, and my safety be damned. When I saw Prescott pinning her to the bed, the communication between my brain and body disconnected. I was functioning outside of myself as pure hatred coursed through my veins. I wanted him dead.

Prescott had hurt my sister and was attempting to destroy the girl who I laid in bed thinking about every night. My fists flew into his face on their own accord, demanding retribution for his sins against the girls. The sight of his bloody and battered face wasn't enough to stop me. It wasn't until Ari's pleading voice entered my conscious that I slowed my violent assault on him. I didn't want her to fear me or hate me for what I was doing, but I was reluctant to pull away. The only reason I let Nicky yank me to my feet was that I couldn't stop on my own. I won't take back how brutal my attack was. I broke his nose, and he deserved that at the least.

Ari enters the kitchen wearing a dress she wore in Italy. It's short and shows off her toned legs. She wears a pair of brown combat boots, and at her nape is a sloppy bun. The mere sight of her has me struggling to stay in my seat.

I swore to myself that I wouldn't make any advances toward her unless she initiated them first. She's too vulnerable, and I don't want to take advantage of her. I'm here to support her through this however I can.

Grabbing the helmet off the counter, she tosses it to me. I catch it and raise an eyebrow at her.

"Take me for a ride," she says.

I turn the black helmet in my hand, examining it. "Are you sure your dad's not going to kill me? He kind of made it clear that if I harm you, he'll murder me."

"This is just one of those things where we're going to have to throw caution to the wind and hope for the best," she says with a mischievous grin.

I haven't had the chance to observe her adventurous side. She's so busy with work and making her family proud that she doesn't have much time to let go of her inhibitions. I'm thrilled to witness a new side of her.

I stand and hand the helmet back to her. "You have to wear it."

She places it on the counter. "If you go down, I go down with you just like Romeo and Juliet." She winks and walks toward the front door. "Besides, we'll take the back roads. Hardly anyone drives them, so we'll be safe."

God, she's the sexiest thing I have ever seen. Every second I spend with her makes me want to steal another until I've captured them all. I can't get enough of Ariella James.