"Family isn't defined only by last names or by blood; it's defined by commitment and by love. It means showing up when they need it most. It means having each other's backs. It means by choosing to love each other even on days when you struggle to like each other. It means never giving up on each other." -Dave Willis

I watched as my family's cars drove down our driveway. I waited until both of the cars were out of view before I headed to our rather large library that's on the first floor. Going directly towards the bookshelf in the far left corner, quickly scanning through the books on the third shelf. Until I finally saw the book I was looking for, The Name of the Rose, as I pulled the book back the bookshelf opened revealing the stairs that lead to the basement. Stepping onto the first step I looked back pulling the secret door back to its original place.

Our house was brought into the Romano family centuries ago in 1905, by our great-great-great-great-great grandfather, Paolo Romano. As the story goes he built up our, now famous, Italian mafia from the ground up. Back then mafias were still relatively new to the world yet even the idiots knew to fear mafias. As the money that our grandfather earned from the mafia grew he decided to spend some of the money in different parts of the world, such as, the United States of America. He bought this very house. And like all his other houses he added secret passageways just incase the house were to be invaded.

Even after all these years the house has remained intact, although as the times have changed the house has gone under renovations to be accustomed to those changes. No matter, when our great-grandfather wished to expand the business into other countries he came here to this house to stay. While in this country he built up the respect of the Romano name and built our family business known as Romano Incorporated. Ever since then our family has been migrating between spending time in America, Italy, and other countries.

However, we do spend most time in America especially since mom and dad got married. A marriage that ended in the merging of both the American and Italian mafias.

The coldness of the basement finally started affecting me as I got closer and closer to the end of the staircase. Still even though I was cold, right now, I couldn't bother to show it nor give a shit. As I know once I finally hear the screams of the bastard that hurt my sorellina, all of my troubles will just melt away. (Sorellina-baby sister)

I stood in front of the cell door that currently has the bastard inside of it. Without much of a second thought I walk into the small cell that has the bastard chained to a wall with our torture equipment on a table right next to him. Unknowingly a sinister laugh leaved my lips just from the sight of him.

"How do you do, Bastard? It's a lovely morning, don't you think?" I ask with malice in every word.

"Mr. Romano it would be in your best interest to let me go, my people won't take kindly to their leader being taken captive for no reason." The bastard announced with a croaky voice. Did he just say no reason? Honestly, how stupid is he?

"I must of just misheard you because I think I just heard you say that we have no reason to have you here. Even if I were to look over the ruckus you caused yesterday. Surely you remember, locking my sister up in your basement, starving my sister while she was under your care, hurting my sister with your hands, and letting your friends do unspeakable things to my indifesa sorellina." (Indifesa sorellina-defenseless baby sister)

With each word his eyes seemed to wide more and more. His face paling to the point of ghostly. "Y-you m-m-mean that-that she's your actual s-sister. N-no that can't be true she was in the s-s-system." He stuttered out nervously.

"Yes, as much as I would love to explain the whole story to you, unfortunately, my sister along with the whole of the Romano family will be coming for a visit so I have to make our time together short. Good news is that I'm sure that the rest of my lovely family will just love to meet and spend some quality time with you." I watched as the bastards eyes looked like they were about to bulge out of his head and his breathing began to become more heavy. "That being said I have to leave you alive enough so that we can all have our turns." I announced, picking up the pliers.

Hannah stayed true to her word and a few minutes after she left the room she came back but Kaia wasn't with her. For some reason, she looked like she was going to cry. She stitched and put ointments on my wounds, giving my, in a daze, dad medicines that I'm supposed to take and instructions as to what they treat and when I'm supposed to take them.

"Alright, sweetheart, we are officially done. Just go change back into your clothes and you are all free to go, ok?" Doctor Hannah announced, giving me a smile that showed off her slightly crooked teeth.

Giving her a quick nod of the head and leaving towards the bathroom to-quickly-change back into my comfortable clothes to not only, be comfortable again but also because I'm ready to leave this place.

As I walk out of my hospital room, my brothers and father stand in the hallway. Why do they look so out of it?

"There you are, you ready to go? The rest of the family should be at the house soon so we're going to have to hurry home. Leo texted and said he was finishing up with his work." Dad shared with the rest of us, his news making smirks appear on their faces replacing the dazed looks that were once there.

I'm glad they're smiling, although I'm still a little nervous about meeting the rest of the family but seeing them happy enough to smile about our family coming over is easing me nerves a little.

Just as the song on the radio was coming to an end, we were finally pulling into the driveway. Once the car came to a complete stop, we all started piling out of it.

"Alright guys, we have around 15 minutes to spare before everyone gets here. I expect you to be on your best behavior when they get here and do not fight your cousins. I believe we all remember last Christmas, yes?" Dad announced, locking his gaze with Theo's while Ilias and Mateo started chuckling. And the rest of my brothers shook their head, walking into the house. What in the world happened last Christmas?

Soon as everyone was in the house we all went our own directions, I went to go up the stairs but was stopped before I could. I looked up to see Alessandro standing in front of me with his arms crossed over his chest and his usual stern look.

"Where do you think you're going, sorellina?" Alessandro questioned, raising one of his eyebrows.

"Up the s-stairs to m-my room. Am I not allowed to?"

"We both know what the doctor said, no pushing yourself for the next 6 weeks so that your ribs can heal properly."

"But, I'm just going up the stairs?" I questioned him, how is going up the stairs pushing myself?

"Exactly, what if you trip while going up the stairs leading to you falling and hurting yourself even more than you already are. From here on out you'll be spending the majority of your time in the living room so that you can be supervised. Along with keeping ice on your ribs, per doctors orders. You'll only be going up the stairs if someone carries you." Is he being serious or is he joking? I can never tell with him.

"For right now it would be best if you stayed in the living room since our family is going to be here soon."

"But-"

"No buts I don't want you hurting yourself. Promise me you'll only go up the stairs if someone carries you, just for the next 6 weeks." My brother said emotionlessly but I see the pleading look in his eyes. I don't really want to argue and he's being quite adamant.

"Ok" I huffed out.

"Go lay on the couch, I'm going to get you an ice pack for your ribs."

Not even a minute later Alessandro came back with an ice pack. Handing me the ice pack before coming to sit on the couch with me. He turned the TV on before turning on a show called 'Dog with a Blog.'

We didn't get to watch it for to long before we heard the door open and a women's voice yell "Nonna's home!" (Nonna-grandma)

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