I tore my gaze away and turned my attention to Remo.
“Can I have a word with you?”
Serafina came in from another room in that moment. “And you too?”
Serafina immediately came toward me and Remo followed. “Where can we talk in private?”
Serafina gave me a smile as if she knew exactly what I was going to say. Remo’s enthusiasm was nonexistent.
“There are no secrets in this house. You might as well pop the question right here and spare us the less accurate retellings later,” Savio said. Gemma shoved the toddler toward Savio so he could bounce her on his leg and calm her.
I shrugged. “I asked Greta for her hand and she said yes.”
“Some might consider it disrespectful not to ask me as her father first.”
“That’s a rule we follow in the Famiglia but I know you’re more progressive in the Camorra so I tried to adapt to your local customs.”
Remo gave me a sharp smile. “Ahh, already being rude when the ink on our truce hasn’t even dried yet.”
Serafina touched my arm and gave me a warm smile. “I’m happy for you and Greta. Now you better make her happy.”
“This isn’t the Christmas present I was hoping for,” Remo muttered.
Nevio sauntered over to me, and I couldn’t help but be wary. I remembered how he’d separated Greta and me last time.
“You heard my mother. Be good to her or I’ll be very unpleasant.” He didn’t mention his actions on stage again, and he didn’t have to. I’d remember that meeting all my life, for various reasons.
“No knife in my side this time?”
Nevio shook his head. “Not from me this time.” He clucked his tongue.
“I’m sure there are enough people out there who would love to stab him,” Massimo said dryly.
“He’ll be family. I’ll have to protect him, I guess.”
My lips curled in a condescending smile. “Thanks, I can protect myself. As long as you keep your crazy outbursts away from me, I’ll be fine.”
Nevio bared his teeth in that crazy fucker grin of his. “Will try my best.”
The sound of crutches carried over to us and a moment later Greta came in with Kiara. “Everything all right here?” She looked between me, her father and brother.
Remo walked past me and kissed her forehead. “Now I’ll have to make sure New York is a safe place for you.”
Greta smiled and hugged him.
Once my cast was removed and the doctors had cleared me for travel, six weeks after the attack, Dad allowed me to fly to New York for the first time.
Amo had to fly back to New York a week ago, which had taken considerable convincing on my part, but he needed to show presence in the Famiglia. This would be the first time I would meet his family and his best friend. I was nervous but also excited. It was still hard to grasp that New York would be my home soon.
Mom joined me on the flight and because of that, Dad did too. Mom wanted to help Aria with wedding preparations, since I still wasn’t fit enough to rush from one location to the next. I was happy to give them plenty of freedom with their decisions. Mom knew my style so I was certain I would be happy with the outcome. Dad would meet with Luca for their first meeting as future in-laws. The thought still seemed strange and I was a tad worried about their encounter though Dad had assured me it would be fine.
Amo waited for us at the airport. I still needed to use crutches, though I could walk a few steps without them. Bending my knee was still difficult and would take weeks of more physiotherapy before I would be able to walk without a noticeable limp.
Amo lifted me off the ground when he reached me and kissed me. At once I felt a sense of utter happiness that let me forget the hardships of my knee injury.
Amo put me back down, but didn’t release me. I’d missed him so I was eager for his closeness. “My parents are expecting us for dinner.”
“What a pleasure,” Dad said. Mom elbowed his side but he didn’t react.
I sat with Amo in the front of the car, his hand holding mine. Dad ignored our displays of affection.
My heartrate picked up when we pulled up in front of the Vitiello home. The last time I’d been there I had been anxious for very different reasons. Now I worried whether the Vitiellos would like me. I had my family in Las Vegas, but I knew life in New York would be easier if I got along with Amo’s family, not to mention that it would mean a lot to him too.
Amo gave me a reassuring smile and helped me out of the car. Before we reached the steps leading up to the front door, it opened and Aria stood in the doorway. Her warm smile hit me like sunshine and relieved my anxiety at once. I smiled up at her while Amo helped me climb the stairs.