Nevio stopped squirming.
“Good,” I said. “Now that you’re behaving you can run around.” I set him down. A grin split his face and then he dashed off, wobbling like a little drunk straight toward Samuel.
“Fuck,” Remo growled.
“I’ll get him.” I jogged after Nevio and got him before he reached his uncle. Samuel hadn’t been looking at him anyway. His narrowed eyes were on Remo, and when I straightened only a few steps from him, they settled on me. I returned his gaze steadily.
A cold smile stretched his lips. “Looking into your eyes, I don’t get how Fina can allow her kids to be near you. No emotions, right?”
I didn’t say anything, only regarded him coolly while Nevio squirmed in my arms once more.
“You could probably kill us all even the babies, without blinking and then have a piece of that wedding cake while you’re still covered in our blood.”
I smiled. “I could kill you now and have my cake with my clothing unsoiled.”
Samuel’s eyes flashed with eagerness.
“Nino,” Kiara said, stepping between Samuel and me. “Serafina, will be ready soon, why don’t you take your place by the arc?” Then she turned to Samuel. “Hello, Samuel. I’m sure your sister will be very happy to see you. She misses you.”
Samuel’s brows drew together but he inclined his head politely.
Kiara took my hand and led me toward the arc. “I know you don’t like him, but today is about Serafina and Remo, not blood-spilling.”
“It’s not a matter of liking. He poses a threat and almost killed my brothers.”
“A wedding is about bringing people together, so please ignore him.”
I gave her a small smile that was meant to set her at ease, even though my insides yearned for violence and revenge. “You don’t have to worry, Kiara. I won’t make a move toward him. I’m in this for the long run.”
Kiara stood on her tiptoes so she could kiss me. Nevio let out another screech, causing her to laugh. “Time for your mom and dad to marry. I hope you’ll behave.”
“Chances are slim. He’s a fatal combination of Remo, Savio and Adamo.”
Kiara tilted her head. “Nothing of you?”
I glanced towards Greta, whom Remo carried around. “Greta’s like me.”
“I know, and so does Remo, right?”
I nodded. Remo and I hadn’t talked about it, but he was too perceptive not to realize it.
The wedding ceremony passed without incident and Serafina was very happy about her twin’s presence, which led to my brother being happy as well. Seeing Remo content at all was a rare experience, so I tried to make peace with Samuel’s attendance. There would be enough time to kill him later once Serafina had gotten used to being without him.
I didn’t miss Adamo’s furious eyes when he saw one of his tormentors. He hadn’t argued when Remo and I had asked him if it was okay for Samuel to attend. I made my way over to him, while Serafina and Remo talked to Samuel.
Adamo stood off to the side, smoking. Remo and I had given up trying to bring an end to this habit. He was almost sixteen, old enough to decide for himself. Taking another drag, he tore his eyes from Samuel when he noticed me.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
“Sure,” he murmured. Then put out the cigarette on his forearm where the burn scars marred his tattoo. I gripped his wrist hard to stop him. “What are you doing?”
Adamo frowned. “With the kids running around, I don’t want to leave butts on the ground.”
“Adamo,” I said tightly. “What the hell are you doing?” I jerked his arm toward me, checking the small burn. There were similar marks all over his burnt skin. I looked into his eyes but he merely stared back.
“It’s not like I’m feeling much. The skin there is pretty much dead anyway.”
I released him, peering over my shoulder toward the others. No one was looking our way. “This needs to stop.”
“Why? Didn’t you listen? The skin is numb. It doesn’t matter.”
“It does,” I growled. “Is this because Samuel is here today? You should have said something. Remo wouldn’t have allowed him into the city if we’d known you’re dealing badly with it.”
Adamo glanced toward Samuel again. “I’m not dealing with it badly. It’s good that he’s here. Maybe there can be peace.”
The look in his eyes wasn’t that of someone who wanted peace. I stepped even closer. “Adamo, if you need help, you can always come to us. You know we’d die for you.”
“I know,” Adamo said. “Remo almost did, remember?”
Giggling sounded and Nevio staggered toward us, falling down twice before he finally bumped into Adamo’s legs. Adamo smiled and ruffled his hair. “Hey kiddo.”
It was strange to see him like that, no longer the kid he always was for my brothers and me, but grown and angry and jaded. So much like the teenage Remo, it worried me.