I didn’t say anything, not sure what he wanted to hear. I hadn’t heard what Nino had said but knowing him he’d probably repeated my words accurately.
“Talk to Kiara,” Dad said after he’d regarded me for a long time. What was everyone trying to see?
I gave him a puzzled look. “Why?” I enjoyed talking to Kiara. Her kind insights were very close to how I saw the world, which was very nice, but I could tell Dad had a reason for his request.
“Remo,” Nino said firmly. “She doesn’t display any signs. Calm down.”
Amo’s expression twisted with fury and so did his father’s. They obviously knew what was going on even when I didn’t. At least I wasn’t the only one who seemed clueless as to what was happening judging from Alessio’s analyzing expression.
“We’re leaving now before this ends in a very unpleasant way,” the man, who must be Luca Vitiello, said. His arm was stretched out in front of Amo’s chest as if he feared he would have to hold him back. It was all very confusing.
Nino held Dad by the shoulder, and murmured something in his ear. Dad motioned me forward and I went over to him immediately. Dad cupped my chin, his eyes so intense I had trouble returning his gaze.
“I’m fine, Dad, only cold,” I said with a reassuring smile.
He gave a nod. Then he looked over my head. “You can leave.”
“I wasn’t asking for your permission,” Luca Vitiello said.
Dad’s expression sent a shiver down my back. I touched his chest and his gaze found me.
Nino stepped forward. “We should continue our meeting tomorrow, once we’ve all calmed down.”
Amo laughed, but it was a very different laugh from the ones I’d heard in the basement. It was harsh and derisive. “And you think that’ll be the case tomorrow?”
“You need peace more than we do,” Dad growled.
I lowered my gaze, trying not to let my anxiety get the better of me. It was too loud in here and all the people, their movements, scents and voices sent my mind whirling. I longed to be back in the basement.
I focused on the marble beneath my ballet flats, its firmness, solidity, cold. I breathed in very slowly and let my breath out at an even slower pace.
2. 5. 7. 15. 25. 55. 75.
Once I’d repeated my favorite numbers in my head, I felt calmer.
“Mia cara?” Dad’s quiet voice filtered through the whooshing in my head. I peered up, realizing that we were alone. He touched my cheek. “You’re cold. Take a hot bath.”
“Momo’s missing.”
Dad’s mouth tightened with disapproval. He didn’t like Momo very much. Though that had less to do with Momo and more with the fact that Dad disliked many things, humans and animals alike.
“If we haven’t found him by the time you’re done taking your bath, you can join in the search, but now I want you to warm up.”
If Dad demanded something, I knew he wouldn’t budge. I nodded. “Where are Nevio and Massimo?”
Usually, my brother stuck to my side, especially in situations like this. That he wasn’t here meant Dad had ordered him to stay away. Probably because of Amo, if Alessio was right.
“Helping your Mom wrangle Giulio into submission until I have time to talk to him.”
“Did he trigger the alarm?”
“Who else?” Savio muttered as he returned to the common room, followed by Alessio and Nino. I assumed they’d let out Amo and his father. I felt a pang when I realized I hadn’t even said goodbye to Amo. Would he return tomorrow?
I felt myself wishing for it.
Savio smirked. “Now that Nevio goes bump in the night, Giulio took over his spot as the residual trouble maker.”
“He’s only six. He’s not always going to cause trouble,” I said, feeling protective of my little brother.
“Take a bath now. We’ll look for the dog,” Dad said.
“Which one?” Savio asked. “If I have to look for that ugly beast, I’m not wearing my new Balenciaga sneakers.”
“He’ll go for your throat not your sneakers,” Alessio said, one corner of his mouth edging up.
“It’s not Bear, it’s Momo.”
“You should have never allowed her to bring the beasts into the house,” Savio said.
“I didn’t,” Dad said with a reproachful look at me.
“Momo was in the studio with me, and Bear’s locked in my room.”
“That he is. Nice surprise when I tried to check on you,” Nevio drawled as he stalked into the room. His left forearm was covered in blood but because he wore leather wrist cuffs, I couldn’t see the extent of his injuries. In three long strides, he was in front of me. Our eyes locked.