Exactly one week later, I was leaving Alessio’s medical building, my boot reclaimed. If I knew all it would take was soaking the soft cast and walking on the foot all the way to the medical building, I would have done it sooner.

 I couldn’t wait until Caio saw my walking boot again. I had been victorious against Alessio. Of course, I waited until Caio was gone to behave in such a manner. He was helping Vito and a couple of Maddox’s guys with some construction projects.

 I didn’t ask what it was they were doing, since I couldn’t help, anyway. Getting back to Caio’s, I went and got dressed properly now that I could move on my own again. Alessio made me promise to take it easy on my foot and chewed me out about walking on it all week in the soft cast. 

He made it clear that if I was gentle on my foot for another two weeks, minimum, he would spring me from my grey foot prison. Figuring Caio wouldn’t be home for a little while, I grabbed a bowl of dry cereal munched on that in his bed, while scrolling on my phone. His room was the darkest and coldest in the entire wing, and I enjoyed his large marshmallow of a bed. 

I didn’t have anything better to do right now, anyway. Caio had my gun in his office locked up in a safe. Vito gave my weapon to Caio instead of me for the simple reason that I was still healing and didn’t need it. 

Setting the empty bowl on the floor, I stretched out in Caio’s bed, only to get up a minute later to shut the bedroom light off. I left his bedroom door open, so that when he came back, he could easily find me in his bed. I knew Caio finding me in his bed was annoying, but I didn’t really care. It was comfortable and made the perfect napping spot, if I was being honest. 

Closing my eyes, I barely got comfortable when Caio came back. I groaned when he flicked on the bedroom light and I heard him click his tongue in annoyance. 

“Don’t eat in the fucking bed, Matteo.”

I watched him get changed, and he angrily grabbed the bowl and I heard him toss it in the sink from the bed. I rolled my eyes and slipped my foot back into the boot. Standing in the doorway of his bedroom, I watched him stuffing his things back into his pockets. 

“Good, you’re awake and up moving.” 

He spotted the boot and shook his head. 

“What do you owe Alessio for bestowing you your boot back?”

“Nothing. Turns out that he doesn’t like when I come walking into the medical building with a soaked cast and no crutches.”

He gave me a look that told me he wanted more information about the events. Sighing, I told him the entire story. 

“I went and took a shower, soaked the cast, got annoyed, went and got dressed. Walked all the way to the medical building on a soaked cast and foot, and we argued about the walking boot until he finally gave in and gave it back to me. And he politely told me that if I stayed off the foot and let it rest, while still having my freedom. After two weeks minimum, I might be sprang free of the boot forever.”

“Are you proud of yourself?”

“Actually, yes. I got the fucking boot back.”

“At what cost? Is that boot the best choice for your foot?”

I sighed and turned around, heading back into his room to hide in his bed. 

“Nope, you don’t have time to nap, Matteo.”

“Yes, I do.” I yelled from the bed as I was getting back into it. 

“No, we don’t. Family dinner with Nonna tonight, and Alessio is demanding you be up and ready to go.”

“Why?” I groaned, even though I knew the answer. As far as Alessio’s Nonna was concerned, I was family to her grandson, so that was family to her. 

“Don’t complain or bitch about it, Matteo. I will be there too.”

“It’s the first time in three years that I’ve seen her, Caio. She was caring and kind three years ago, and she sees me as a grandson too. But I haven’t given her any reason to see me that way. If anything, I’ve given her a reason to not want me as family.”

“You had your reasons, and she will understand that.”

“You seem so sure.” I sighed. 

“I only have one thing to ask of you, Matteo.”

“She’s going to be there, isn’t she?” I hissed.

“As will Nikki and Alexi’s mother. A large family gathering, or so Alessio told me,” Caio said, looking at me. 

“I refuse to go, pass on my apologies to Nonna Mihail, I won’t—--”

“You don’t have a choice, Matteo.” Caio sighed. 

“According to who?” I said flatly. 

“Your brother, his husband, your might as well be fathers, Andrei and Lukas.”

“Why must I be forced into a space with her? I don’t want to see her, Caio.”

“Do you think I want to be in the same space with a woman who used me to hurt her son emotionally and mentally?”

“You’re in love with her, Caio. You will overlook so much of her behaviour.”

He muttered something before he went to his office. He was only in there for a few minutes before he came back out and went to pull his shoes on. Annoyed, I pulled my shoe on at the table when he brought it to me. I made sure I had my ID, my phone and just about anything else I could get my hands on to distract myself from my mother for the entire dinner. 

Alessio and Lev were waiting for us down by the garage. I didn’t hide my annoyance and Lev gave me a half smile. 

“I’m going to drive Matteo and I. Just to be safe.” Caio said to my brother, who looked me up and down. 

“Mother is going to be there, but I didn’t invite her. Nonna did. Please try to just ignore her, for Gabriele’s sake.”

“I have no intention of speaking with her ever again.” I said flatly. Caio sighed, and I had to force myself not to glare at him. “I would rather not attend at all, but I was informed that isn’t a choice I am allowed to make.”

“Unfortunately not. Nonna wants to see you. It’s been three years, Matteo.”

“I know.” I sighed. 

Caio unlocked his truck in the parking lot and I got in. I buckled myself in and pulled out my phone. I mindlessly played some phone game until he stopped the next time in the parking lot of the diner. I spotted Lukas’ car, and Alexi’s as well as two other SUVs besides Alessio’s car. 

“Don’t worry, Matteo, I doubt she will try anything here.”

“Then you’re an idiot, Caio. No offense, but she doesn’t care anymore. She made that clear when she… well, you know.”

Caio shot me a look over that comment, and it wasn’t a nice one. But I deserved it. I called him an idiot. 

“Well. Let’s go, Caio. The sooner we can get this done and over with, the sooner I can get away from her and her bullshit.” I groaned. 

Caio followed me into the diner, and Andrei was by the door when I walked in, speaking with Alexi, who was right there, too. Andrei grabbed my arm and pulled me close to him. 

“Lukas and I have already told your mother to be on her best behaviour or she won’t be welcomed back.”

“Thanks.” I said. Before I could get away from Andrei, Alexi grabbed me and I sighed. 

“If it isn’t my favourite Concetta.” He chuckled. 

“That’s only because Alessio is a pest.” I muttered. 

“Well yeah, that’s true. But not the point. Besides, our lovers seem to get along well, too.” Alexi said, and I looked to see that Caio was having a conversion with Creed and Lev. Our mother was chatting with Nikki and his mother, and Nonna was with Alessio and Nikki’s daughter. Gabriele was sitting in one of the booths with Lukas, playing video games.

“He’s not my lover.” I said. 

“He could be,” Alexi said, shrugging. “Stranger things have happened.”

“The sooner this dinner is over, the happier I’ll be. Trust me.”

“Hey, I know what she did, and it’s not cool, Matteo. But don’t let her presence ruin the enjoyment with the rest of your family. We are family, Matteo.” Alexi said, making sure I knew I was still family, even if we were not blood related. 

“Chosen family is stronger than some blood families. It’s been proven time and time again.” Andrei said, looking at me.

“I agree.” I said, before excusing myself to go sit down with Lukas. Gabe spotted me first and smiled excitedly. Lukas smiled at me, too. 

“Come to join us, have you?” He said. 

“Of course, if I’m going to be forced to be with my family, I’d rather be with my gentler adopted father. Andrei is too in his feelings for me tonight.” I muttered. 

“I’m telling him you said that, Matteo.” Lukas laughed. 

“What it’s the truth? Alexi and him are getting far too cuddly in their old ages.” 

“If Alexi is old, what does that make me, Matteo? Answer carefully.” He laughed. 

“You’ve aged gracefully. Those two are acting like sad old men.” I sighed. I turned my head to look at Caio and we meant eyes and I looked away. Lukas touched my hand. 

“Have a little hope things will work out.” He said. 

“At this point, I just want a little piece, before everything falls apart on me again.” I muttered, looking at Caio again. He was having a deep conversation with Creed and Lev. They looked to be having a great time. I looked at my mother and met eyes and her eyes were so cold to me. It was almost sickening. 

Standing up, I headed to the kitchen, mostly because I just wanted a cold drink and to be alone for a moment. Alessio followed me into the kitchen, not saying a word. He just popped open a bottle of beer and took a drink of it. 

“She gave you nasty eyes too, huh?”

“You know it.” I muttered, getting a glass of cold water and drinking it down. Nonna came into the kitchen next and smiled largely. 

“Oh, look at you! So grown up.”

She pulled me into her arms and looked me up and down before she glared at Alessio. 

“You Mikhail Men, break everything.”

“I didn’t tell you so that you could hold it against me, Nonna.” Alessio sighed.

“Oh, hush you. Look at you, Matteo. You look like your late grandfather.” She cooed. 

“Better that, then the devil out there,” Alessio said, tossing back the rest of his drink and leaving me with his Nonna. She shook her head, looking back at me again, and spoke.

“I want to know all about your three years in Italy, in a far more private setting, with fewer ears, sweetheart, but bring darling Caio, of course.” She said, looking out the door at him. "He is far better suited to be at your side. Trust me, Matteo, Nonna knows best."