Chapter 7 Family drama

Caleb

I saw Ava's shoulders relax a little as she walked away with Nonna, at least she was comfortable with her.

As for the other four present; my grandfather, Leone Morano, active head of our family and sole leader of the family business; Vincenzo Morano, my Dad and loyal puppy to his father; my younger stepbrother, Carlo Morano, and his wife, Nadia Morano.

From the expression on their faces, they didn't like that Ava wasn't Italian. Not like I gave a fuck about their opinions... and they knew it.

"When I asked you to get married, I didn't mean you should pick just anyone off the streets and make her your wife."

My Dad spoke up in a bitter tone. I knew he was speaking from my grandfather, that was the usual. Grandfather would tell Dad what to do or say, then he would sit back in an intimidating silence while Dad did he bidding.

Of course, when I used to be scared of their duo was long behind me. Their eyes, their expressions, their words... they no longer had any effect on me.

"Does it matter how it happened? I have a wife now as you asked."

"But an American woman? What happened to Valerie?"

I scowled at Nadia, making her clam her mouth shut. The only reason I allowed her comment earlier to slide was I didn't want to add to Ava's fear.

"Don't glare at Nadia, she's asking a valid question." Carlo spoke up to support his wife. "We were all expecting you to marry Valerie since you were in a relationship with her. When did you even meet that woman."

"I don't have to explain myself to anyone. You asked me to get married, I'm married. My wife's background or the story surrounding our marriage is none of your business."

"It will be our business if it ends up causing an issue with the Russo family." Dad said. "We're not the only ones who are aware of your relationship with Valerie, they are too and like us, they were expecting you two to get married."

"Well, I'm sorry to disappoint." I said flatly, very sure that it would only infiltrate them further.

And I was right, because Grandfather glared at me.

"Tread carefully, grandson. Being our heir doesn't mean you get to do whatever you want. Your actions has consequences."

"I'm aware of that, grandfather." I replied, matching his tone.

"A tavola, famiglia!" Nonna said cheerfully as she came into the living room, unknowingly breaking the tension.

I walked away first to the dining area. Ava, along with the maids were arranging the dishes on the table. I noticed her expression, there was something sour about it.

I closed the distance between us, turning her face to look at. There was something off about her.

"Are you okay?" I asked her, keeping my voice soft so she'd feel at ease.

"Yeah." She gave me that bright smile again, but it didn't reach her eyes like it did before.

"Is this too much for you? Do you want to go home?"

"Huh? No... I..."

"Play your love games after dinner." Dad said sternly as his came into the dining area.

"That's right, I didn't give you a chance to introduce your wife to the rest of the family." Nonna, who came in behind Dad and Grandfather, said.

I placed my hand at the small of Ava's back and faced the others who took their positions at the table.

I introduced everyone in turn and not even one of them bothered to be polite enough to acknowledge her presence.

I'd had enough of that shit show.

"We're leaving. Thank you for having us." I said to no one in particular, taking Ava's hand and leading her out of the dining area.

"Nipote mio!" Nonna called after us, meeting us at the front door. "Why are you leaving suddenly? I spent so much time making dinner."

"Mi dispiace, Nonna. We'll come back some other time."

"Why not now? You're already here. Freda and Bella aren't here, but most of us are."

I was silent. She knew I couldn't openly refuse her, but I also didn't want to stay there another minute.

She sighed, smiling sweetly at me. "Alright, Nipote. I'll let you go, but keep in mind that if I wait too long, I'll come find you myself."

"You're always welcome in my house." I gave her a side hug and buried a kiss in her hair.

She eagerly reached for the silent Ava and squeezed her in a hug. Then she let us go.

Ava remained silent for the rest of the ride back home. That sour look was still on her face and I knew she was thinking about something.

It couldn't have been the men or Nadia, since she was okay when she left with Nonna. Unless Nonna said something upsetting, but that was next to impossible.

We got home and we both headed up the stairs. I was about to go into my room when I remembered that she might be hungry since we skipped dinner.

I turned around she was standing right behind me, hugging her arms and keeping her head down.

"What's wrong?" I asked, not sure what to make of all that.

"Can I come in with you?"

Odd.

"Yeah." I turned back around and opened my bedroom door, letting us both in.

I watched her, her eyes were still down and her was still hugging herself. Why wouldn't she just say what she wanted? It was as if I was dealing with a nonverbal kid.

A thought came to my mind.

"Is it your dress? Do you need help getting out of it?"

"Yes... but..."

But what?

I waited, giving her a chance to say what was on her mind.

"I'm... r-ready for our wedding night."

What the hell?

Ah, Nonna must have mentioned the whole heir thing.

"If you look that uncomfortable, then we don't need to have it now."

She looked up at me. It was the first time I was seeing a determined look in her eyes.

"I-I'm not uncomfortable."

Did she even hear herself? Her voice was shaky.

"It's alright, Ava. We don't have to do anything now. We're practically strangers, right?"

She looked away again, rubbing her arms harder.

"But, won't you be in trouble?"

I frowned. What was she going on about now?

"Your grandmother said you need make babies or you'll have a clash with your Dad and..."

I was in front if her the next second, lifting her chin so that she was staring back into my eyes.

"Listen carefully, I don't give a fuck what my Dad or anyone in my family thinks. And you should care about yourself a little more. Last night, you were so scared to be in the same space with me, and now you're offering your body to me because of people you don't even know?"

"I..." She trailed off.

I let her go.

"Have Gia make you dinner." I said and left the room and the house totally.

Rather than taking a driver, I drove myself out with no destination in mind. I needed to clear my head, maybe have a few drinks in a quiet bar.

I stopped at the first one I came across. It wasn't really quiet since it also had a club area, but it'll do.

What I wasn't expecting was to see Valerie, drunk and dancing on one of the poles.

I wasted no time in getting her down from there and led her out to my car. She was so drunk, she didn't even know who she was with or she's at.

Safest bet was to take her to her house and leave her in her bed. It was a good thing she lived close.

She was already dozing off by the time we got there and I gently got her out of the car and carried her in my arms, bridal style.

"Caleb..." She murmured against my chest.

"You're home. Where's your key?"

She chuckled drowsily.

"If I tell you where it is, will you spend the night?"

"Val..."

She pushed herself up, circling her arms around my neck and kissed me.