yet

All went well and the next afternoon, they were able to take Emilia home.

The boys and Lexi had come that morning.

Lexi was pleased to be told she didn't remember the attack, that could cause problems. But she was sure, she had scared Emilia enough not to tell.

She had yet to dump the knife but she knew the perfect spot and she would do it tommorow, when they could go back to school. Alesandro had said they could all have today off school.

They left mid day because Alesandro had them leave before the cops and social worker came. They needed to talk to Emilia about the abuse.

"Ok Emilia we need to talk to you about something really serious" Alesandro started.

"We want you to know we love you and we always will. You mean everything to us" Alesandro said.

Emilia nodded in response showing she was listening. She still wouldn't look at them.

"Well sweetheart there is no easy way to start this but when you went into surgery, the doctors found scars showing abuse" Alesandro said.

Both Damon and Alesandro were great at reading people and although she continued to look at the ground, they saw the fear.

"We just want to ask a few questions, because it looks like abuse, the hospital have had to report it. Dad sent the documents showing we took custody of you a month ago and the hospital have confirmed the scars are older than a month but they still want to double check with you" Damon said.

Emilia shook her head, not wanting to talk about it. Her biggest fear, them finding out and hating her for it was coming true.

"Okay we won't push for anwsers, could you maybe anwser two questions though, or even let us ask them, if you don't feel like anwsering them then we will leave it alone until you are ready" Damon asked.

Emilia slowly nodded not wanting to disappoint them further.

"This will be asked by the police too but can you confirm for us that it was your mother and stepfather who did it" Alesandro asked.

Emilia nodded.

Both men were pissed but hid their anger. It was hard for Damon as he was already planning out there murder and with his anger issues he was struggling to stay calm

"Ok sweetheart, and can you tell us on your fingers if you want how old you were when it started" Alesandro asked calmly. He knew better then to show any anger.

She shrugged.

"Do you not know?" Damon asked.

Emilia shook her head. She couldn't remember a time where she wasn't abused.

Although they agreed on two questions, Alesandro couldn't help but follow up.

"Were you younger than 10" Alesandro asked wanting a rough idea.

Emilia nodded

"8?"

She nodded again.

"6"

She nodded again.

Alesandro nodded. He could control his anger but one look at Damon and it was obvious he was on the verge of snapping.

"Thank you for sharing this with us. You were so brave to tell us and we are so so proud of you for opening up" Alesandro said.

"May I ask one more question bambina" Alesandro added.

She nodded.

"Both Damon and I are the only ones who know about the scars, would you like us to tell the others what this means" Alesandro asked.

Emilia quickly shook her head.

"Ok sweetheart, they never have to know if that's what you want. I just wanted to check, in case you wanted them to know. We are done with the questions now and because you did so well how about we send Damon off to get you chocolate"

Emilia didn't have a response to that but since she didn't shake her head, Alesandro saw it as okay to do.

"Vai a prenderle della cioccolata e mentre sei fuori, calmati. Non voglio che torni dentro finché non sei calmo"

"bene. non so come fai a essere così calmo, lei aveva meno di 6 anni" Damon said

"oh credimi sono arrabbiato, quando li metterò tra le mani, non avranno occasione di chiedere pietà"

"

Not long after Damon left did two police officers and a woman from social services come.

"ci dispiace disturbare ma dobbiamo farle alcune domande"

"andare avanti"

"ciao signorina russo siamo qui per farti alcune domande va bene"

"She's not familiar with Italian just yet, having only moved here a month ago so it would be best to use English. And it's best to ask yes or no questions as she's not speaking at the moment" Alesandro explained, taking the chance to point out she was with them a month.

"That's okay, we will make it quick, it seems pretty open and shut so we will be out shortly" one of the officers said.

"It's just to confirm what we know really," the other officer added.

"Miss Russo can you explain to us how you got those scars" the social worker asked.

Alesandros jaw clenched "you don't have to anwser that if you don't want Emilia" he said. It was a personal question and Allesandro wasn't happy with how it was asked so bluntly or at all.

"Of course she does, we need to know exactly what happened" the social worker replied.

"Emilia do you want to answer that question" Alesandro asked.

Emilia shook her head.

"See that, she doesn't want to tell you so you better stop forcing her to anwser your questions. In fact why don't you shut up and let the police officers do the talking, after all you are only here in case there is abuse going on and she needs to be removed" Alesandro said getting protective of his youngest child.

"Yes Mr Russo is right, now Emilia did you mother and stepfather abuse you"

Emilia nodded with tears in her eyes.

"You're doing great Emilia" Alesandro comforted her.

"Has your father or brothers ever abused you"

Emilias shook her head fast, now worried they wouldn't believe her and send her away.

"Have you ever felt in danger whilst in their presence"

Emilia shook her head, it wasnt the exact truth.

"Would you like to continue to live with your dad and brothers"

Emilia nodded

"Okay this is our card if you ever need anything don't hesitate to call" the other officer said handing him an official card.

After they left, Alesandro turned to Emilia "I'm so so proud of you, it's been a hard day and just know if you ever want to talk about it I'm always here for you. I won't ask any more questions unless you are comfortable with it. Now we just need Damon to hurry up with that chocolate "

He got a small smile out of her which was enough for him.

"What happened should never have happened but you can have Damon do anything you want, maybe more so than before. Also I know you both have a stalker joke going on and probably is going to be a stalker so if you ever need some time away from him get him to do something really complicated for you to keep him occupied " Alesandro said trying to lighten the mood.

Damon wasn't the only one who would do anything for her, he would do anything she asked in a heartbeat but Damon was specifically known for not doing as he's asked unless it was Alesandro.

Even before the attack, Damon wouldn't have done everything but now it was different.

Damon walked in carrying a bunch of chocolate. "stupido distributore automatico" he muttered

Alesandro chuckled slightly at the sight.

A very grumpy Damon, the Mafia boss, must have had trouble with the vending machine.

"I saw the police leave, did everything go okay" he asked.

"Yes, Emilia did so well with the questions too. I'm going to get the discharge papers now, why don't you come with me"

"But Emilia will be on her own"

"Emilia do you want a little space from us?" Alesandro asked.

Emilia very reluctantly nodded.

"Okay then it's settled, Damon with me"

They left her to get ready to leave not that there was much to do, she just had to put her shoes on really. Mason had brought her clothes this morning and she was glad to be out of hospital gown. Mason had been struggling what to bring her, he felt awkward going through her closet. Eventually he had asked Mary to help him, so Mary had picked out some leggings and a simple t-shirt. Mason had then decided to raid Damon's closet and got a hoodie from Damon. He was well aware of how close they were so he had picked one in hopes that it was comforting.

And it was. Although Emilia wasnt speaking, she was beggining to come around, Alesandros words meant alot to her, she was greatful she had them. She was starting to feel better mentally.