ruthless

chapter 23: truth

TW: mentions of abuse

I wake up to the sun in my eyes and Luciano moving himself off of me."sorry i didn't mean to wake you" i place my face in my hands "it's fine" he stretches as much as his body will let him and winches a bit because of the pain.

"Take it easy" I push his arm down. "how did u get stabbed" his jaw clenches but he seems to calm himself down.

"When I got into the house they were already there. my father was gripping her wrist yelling apologies at her she was yelling at him to let go and then he just shoved her on the ground she fell on her wrist i grabbed him." he closes his eyes biting the inside of his cheek.

"I grabbed him and we ended up fighting. He got too aggressive and my mom said she would stay if he stopped. We thought of a plan to leave. That's why I was gone for three days." i nod "we were gonna leave but he caught us. I got into another fight with him,he grabbed a knife and stabbed me." my jaw clenches.

"it's was like adrenaline or something because I didn't feel it and I just punched him and knocked him out, took my mom and bolted. i ended up pulling the knife out in the car after i took her home,i know stupid"

my eyes widen he did what "luciano you could have gotten in an accident you lost a lot of blood" he stares at me smiling "you care about me,but i'm fine"
yea i do care "of course i care luciano '' he smiles "ok well i have to get ready i'll see you at breakfast" i grip his hand for a moment before pulling away.

stepping into my room I change and get ready for the day. hazel peers into my bathroom "you alright you just disappeared " i nod as i put mascara on.

"yea i was just with luciano." she nods while sitting on my counter tell her about the other night. closing my mascara i sigh "so like the night luciano left i saw him." her eyes widen.

"why did you tell anyone you stupid bitch" pressing my lips together i pause "well it's kinda strange if i explained to my brothers and father that he finger blasted me" her eyes widened again.

"BITCH WHAT!" i place my hand over her mouth "shhhh" prying my hand away she's speechless "niki what-" she gently places her fingers on her lips letting out a sigh. "i was gonna tell you but like he went missing" she nods "well i haven't gotten around to telling you but,vinchenzo asked me to be his girlfriend". a smile grows on her face.

SHUT THE FUCK UP "no fucking way!" i grab her hands "holy fuck you've wanted this for so long" i let go of her hands on press myself against the wall opposite of us making her laugh "i know and it was so cute" she places her hands on her face.

"I'm going to bully him about it now." i laugh "he's gone soft for you" she rolls her eyes "like luciano hasn't, i see the way he looks at you" i smile "ok enough boy talk i haven't eaten in 3 days let's go"

She agrees and grabs my hand walking downstairs. sitting in our seat i notice luciano doesn't have a shirt on damn he's just perfection vincenzo walks in.

Hazel looks at him and he smiles. grabbing her toast she takes a huge bite. i lean close to her ear "someone's nervous" she lightly slaps me "fuck off" I laugh.

"Hazel and I are dating," vinchenzo spits out his words. Everyone's eyes widen except for mine. hazel sighs throwing a grape at him "vin you asshole i wanted to tell them" he laughs dodging the fruit being thrown at him.

"I'm sorry baby just got excited" he winks at her and i groan "call her baby again and i might throw up" they both laugh.

my fathers head nods "vinchenzo,hazel is like my second daughter don't be an ass like your brother stefano and cover up" he smiles causing everyone to laugh.

"Ok, what did I do to deserve this?" throwing his hands in the air he scoffs at us laughing "for your information alice and i have been seeing each other more often and i have been safe" he points his finger "ugh gross dude i don't think anyone wants to hear about you late night booty calls during breakfast" antonio's face contorts with disgust

"What about you, Antonio, we never hear about the joke you call a love life" he stares at me for a second before chugging his water. "you know the usual. I'm too busy for anyone" boring "ugh loosen up and get out there" my father laughs a bit. i look at him

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing but you're almost 30 don't you think settling down would be nice" his jaw clenches "you've been saying it for years dad,and i still don't wanna settle down yet" why is he upset. a long few days i guess.

"you were walking and talking by the time i was 30" my father put his hands up "you're seriously comparing me to you." he scoffs "we're not the same dad,you married a crazy narcissistic bitch. I am trying to keep my life as long as I can." pushing himself out of his seat, he walks upstairs. "talk about dramatic" i sip my mimosa

Hazel slaps my chest "be nice". I look at her with confusion. We hear some clashing and banging from upstairs. Antonio never loses his temper. What's going on with him?

"looks like nikis anger issues are contagious" i look over and luciano who's trying his best not to laugh. "i could walk over there and rip you stitches out don't think i won't" pointing my finger at him i take a bite out of my toast.

...

Luciano couldn't sleep and neither could i so we stayed in his room. leaning on his head board, he sighs. looking over at him he plays with his thumbs "what's on your mind?" he looks at me letting out a shaky breath "i have a sister" i'm sorry what "huh" he looks into my eyes.

"Her name is lilian." I tilt my head. "So why haven't we met her before?" his foot shakes "she's a lot older than me. I was 15 the last time I saw her" i furrow my brows. "What happened?" his head turns to face the wall in front of him.

"she had enough of my father." he stops fidgeting but continues to stare at the wall. "why are you just telling me this now" he sighs "because i became something i hate" i lean my head back.

"After she left,my father got stressed trying to find her. His drinking escalated and so did the abuse" he pauses for a moment. "she was everything to me and she left i had no one" he raises his head looking at the ceiling.

"I had so much hate, I grew cold, I was out of control. I slept with so many girls,did a lot of drugs,drank a lot" he looks at me "i killed a lot of people too. and the sad part is i felt nothing. when i tortured people i would wait till they were on the brink of death to stop,that's why i have so much control"

he looks into my eyes "i never wanna be that person again niki. That's why I'm telling you this" i grab his hand "you never have to be that person again." looking away he sighs "i know but i need you to be there if something happens" i take my hand and gently turn his head "i'll always be here,always" what does he think is gonna happen?

He smiles and I move closer to him to lean on his shoulder. He turns his tv on and picks out some movies. About 15 minutes in, Luciano sighs "Niki" , removing myself from his shoulder. I look at him "yes" he gently grabs my chin and kisses me.

The kiss was soft but It had a sense of hunger to it . I needed it. We both needed it. I touch his face with my finger tips. letting the kiss happen for a few seconds I pull away smiling. "I needed that" he smiles and I smile back