"so girls what do you think of my cooking" Rose asked.

"You mean our cooking" Carlos added.

"Well technically it was mum's since she prepped all the food" Leo said.

"Prepping not cooking" Carlos said

"Yes but cooking really is only heating up the food and making sure not to burn the food mother made" Alesandro said.

"Fine how did you like her food" Carlos asked the girls.

"It is so good, the best food ive ever tasted" Lexi replied.

"Thank you dear, and what about you Emilia do you like it" Rose made sure to ask a yes or no question so she could anwser.

Emilia nodded.

But she felt slightly guilty as it wasn't the best food.

She quickly wrote down a proper anwser and showed Damon who was sat next to her.

"She says your a good cook but dad's food is better " Damon read out.

"Really bambina? I'm so happy you think that" Alesandro had a huge smile on his face. It was a big compliment for him and he knew the smile wouldn't go away anytime soon

Emilia nodded.

Dinner went on, nothing eventful happened. The family ate and got on well with the twins, except Marco who still hated them.

They didn't think much of Lexi but they got on with her and remained civil.

They mainly asked yes or no questions to Emilia as she wouldn't talk to them.

Everything was fine....until it wasn't.

Damon received a phone call. He shouldn't have taken the call....but he did.

He switched to Italian as it was a call from one of his men.

He anwsered thinking it was about the knife but it was actually about some petty gang who kept trying to steal from them.

Damon was not happy hearing this.

" he warned

The person on the other end was shaking even though he wasn't in the same room as him, he was terrified. His fear increased when he had to tell Damon that they needed his help.

He then hung up

For the family who understood Italian, they decided not to comment on this, they knew something must have happened.

Emilia had gulped, she knew that tone, he was angry. And didn't understand anything apart from curse words.

And the the 'stupid' part of her decided to comment on them.

She tapped his arm, he looked at her with a blank look, she hesitated but showed him her notebook. Everyone watched in curiosity to see how this would play out.

You said bad words, you made clear its not good to say them

Any other time, Damon would have smiled or joked with her but he was annoyed.

"Yes I did and you will never say those words, do you understand" he warned putting a hand on her upper arm.

Emilia shivered, she didn't like this version of Damon. It scared her so much.

"I said do you understand, yes or no" he asked again, this time his anger got the best of him and his grip tightened on her arm

Emilia nodded fast, her eyes watering from pain. Damon saw this and in and he pulled his hand away very quickly. A look of guilt in his eyes. He had done the one think he swore he'd never do. He sighed and muttered "oh god, I'm sorry Emilia" but she shook her head.

None of the family heard him and they didn't realise how tight his hold was on her so they didn't stop him

"Damon told his family.

"Alesandro told his son. It wasn't unusual for him to up and leave to do business stuff.

Dante said refering to the knife

"" Mason asked knowing his brother would end up killing his men if he didn't calm him down before he got there

"" Damon replied not bothered if he came or if he didn't.

They both left. They shouldn't have left.

"Well how about you kids go down to the lake, we will have desert when Damon and mason get back" Carlos suggested.

Meanwhile in the car, Mason had decided to drive since Damon was too angry.

"You shouldn't have spoken to Lia like you did, I bet she's said a whole lot worse to you" Mason said

Damon wasn't listening though, he was going through an email what had been sent to him about this gang but that didn't stop him from thinking about what he had just done.

Back at the house, Emilia was distant. Damon of all people had caused a massive bruise to start forming.

Enzo and Xavier had stayed behind both had decide to grab a drink.

Zach, Matteo, Marco, Dante, Lexi and Emilia were sent down to the lake.

"I don't see why I have to be stuck with the kids" Marco complained.

"I'm older than you" Dante replied.

They were both 18, Marco was a few months younger.

Matteo and Zach were both 17, Matteo also being slightly older than Zach.

"Besides we aren't kids, there is about a year between us and two with the girls for you " Matteo defended.

"I almost forgot your sisters since one of them never speaks, probably attention seeking and the other is a hoe" Marco snapped.

"I suggest you shut up" Dante warned.

"Or what" Marco taunted.

That was enough for Dante who stood, grabbed Marco and dragged him away, making sure he was out of sight when he beat him.

"God this family has so much drama" Zach stated shaking his head.

"I know, I just love it" Matteo reoliedm

For the next 10 minutes the four of them seemed to get on until they didn't.

Lexi began her little act. She told her brother and cousin that she overwhelmed with meeting them all that she needed time Emilia. She wanted Emilia gone.

She asked for time with her twin as she was getting ancous and anxious.

Another mistake. They agreed and went to get themselves a soft drink.

Emilia and Lexi were alone.

"You better quit using that notebook, it counts as talking, I dont like it. You are not allowed to talk remember " Lexi said.

Emilia gulped as she looked at her sister it all came back to her. She remembered how she stabbed and pushed her down the stairs.

"Just a heads up too, Damon isn't the nice guy you think he is, you know he owns several knives too and a gun. He cut my arm open too, can only imagine how much you have longer before he does the same and judging by how he spoke, not long at all"

"You're wrong" Emilia whispered but even she wasn't convinced. She wasn't oblivious, she knew he had a scary side to him.

"Don't you fucking talk to me you lie e of rubbish, no one wants you, you are a disgusting whore" Lexi screeched and again she pushed her. This time into the lake.

Now Emilia had never learnt to swim and had been drowned by Henry multiple times so when the ice cold water hit her she began to panic. She couldn't stay up.

No one was around. They had given the kids space and Dante was busy pushing Marco around.

"Help" Emilia cried drying no to go under but she did.

"Help" she cried again when she resurfaced a second time.

Lexi just walked away.

"Help. Please help" Emilia couldn't keep fighting the water. She tried to get to the edge to get out but couldn't.

"Damon" she yelled as she went under not being able to fight it any longer.

He was her protector. He had to come. He had to save her.