Chapter 0192

“Come one,” he says, still smiling fondly at his uncle and...well, someone who acts quite a lot like an aunt, even if she isn’t

biological family. “Let's get you settled upstairs.”

“Such a good little host,” Natalia says, pinching his cheek and smiling at him. Then, she shoots a little glance my way. “Though it

is usually the hostess’s job to settle guests...”

I feel my cheeks go red as I realize her critique. But she’s already halfway up the steps before I can do anything about it. “There

are more suitcases in the car, little Fay!” Natalia calls over her shoulder. “If you want to be useful!”

My mouth drops open and I start, not knowing what to do, but Alessi leans towards me. “Don’t pay too much attention to her,” he

says, smiling and shaking his head. “She is...ah, what do you call it here?” he takes a moment to think, looking up at the ceiling,

and then snaps his gaze back to mine. “Ah! Yes. A bitch.”

I burst out laughing at this, and Alessi laughs with me, coming to link his arm with mine, patting me on the hand. “Come come,”

he says, “you will be my little friend, I will keep you safe from her. Do you have any espresso here, after the long flight?”

“Yes!” I reply, smiling at him, relieved that at least one of these new visitors likes me. I turn towards the kitchen and Alessi turns

with me. “Come on, I'll be happy to get you something.” Alessi smiles at me and nods and we both walk towards the kitchen.

Before we pass through the door, though, Alessi calls to Kent over his shoulder.

“Ah, Kent,” he says, a sly grin sliding over his lips. “You'll get the bags, yes? Thank you, brother. Such a big help.”

I don’t even glance at Kent over my shoulder as we head into the kitchen, not wanting to give anything away. But I know, in my

heart, that he must be boiling with rage.

Kent is as good as his word, putting all of his best people to work planning a party to welcome Natalia and Alessio, even though

they didn’t bother to let him know that they were coming. As a result, I don’t see much of him during the rest of the day.

Luckily, Daniel stays by my side like a little burr, perhaps intuiting that I need his help navigating the innerworkings of his family.

He also sooths me after each of Natalia’s verbal barbs which come...frequently. We have dinner together as a family the night

they arrive, in the back garden. Natalia shoos everyone out of the kitchen so that she can make us an Italian feast of fresh pasta

and fish, complimented with amazing cheeses and cured meats that she and Alessio brought us from Sicily.

Kent comes late to dinner and doesn’t say long. While he’s there, he doesn’t say much. He nods and laughs when appropriate,

but excuses himself quickly, saying that he has work and planning to do. I watch him go with a little regret. I’m still mad at him,

but he was stressed out yesterday - I have no idea how he’s handling the surprise arrival of these intense Italians on top of

everything else.

“This one,” Natalia says, jolting me out of my reverie by placing a creamy soft cheese in front of me, ‘is illegal in your silly

country. Unpasturized,” she says, patting me on my shoulder and gesturing for me to eat. I take a bite, groaning at how delicious

it is. “Good girl,” she murmurs, moving away to bring more dishes to the table. “Eat more, it will help you put some meat on your

body. Grow some tettas.”

Daniel snorts, almost sending red wine through his nose while I gape and look down at my body. I mean, my boobs aren't

gigantic, but...I’'m slim...

“Do not listen to her,” Alessi whispers,

leaning over to nudge me Ee

with his elbow she sipshiseampari

cODKtalI SAE i is trying to see if she

can get under your skin. She will be

more impressed with you if she

cannot.” Please read the original

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“Fay’s tough,” Daniel says then,

winking at me Aes grogsctStabie: oy

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original content at .

“I don’t know,” I murmur, taking

another slice of the delicious

and eatin it, "Maybe Prleed More

rhoat ang bones to survive all of

these knives she’s throwing at me...”

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.

Both Daniel and Alessi laugh, making me smile.

I'm glad that I have both of them on my side. At least, for now.