ound To My Mafia Stepuncles
Chapter 155
Aria’s POV
I woke up to pain
Not the sharp kind that makes you scream but the deep heavy kind that sinks into your bones and muscles and refuses to let go
Every part of me ached My legs felt like jelly My arms like wet noodles Even my fingers hurt How did my fingers end up sore from punching That didn’t seem fair
I groaned and tried to roll over
Big mistake
A loud whimper escaped me as my side screamed in protest I stayed still for a moment blinking at the ceiling and wondering if I would ever move again Maybe this was my life now A soft lump of pain trapped in bed forever
I turned my head slowly Very slowly to look at the time on the little clock by my bed It was only eight in the morning and the sun was slipping lazily through the curtains painting the room with soft gold light Everything looked calm and peaceful except for me My body was a battlefield
Just as I was considering going back to sleep someone knocked on the door
Before I could say anything the door opened and Matteo peeked in with a grin on his face and a tray in his hands
“Well well look who survived”
I glared at him or at least tried to My eyelids were heavy and my face probably looked like a wrinkled paper bag “Barely” I muttered
He walked in and set the tray down beside me There were eggs toast some fruit and a cup of tea that smelled like mint and honey It made my stomach growl but also reminded me I would need to sit up to eat
“Come on warrior princess Sit up You can’t fight battles on an empty stomach” Matteo said with that teasing smile of his
“I can’t even sit up on this stomach” I groaned again and tried lifting myself with my elbows My arms trembled halfway up and I flopped back down dramatically
Matteo laughed and walked over “Alright alright I’ll help” He slid one hand under my back and the other behind my knees and lifted me gently like I weighed nothing I winced as my muscles stretched but I didn’t protest
The door opened again and in came Enzo carrying a bottle of balm and a towel Dante followed with a heating pad and a serious look that made my heart do a weird little flip
“Is she alive” Enzo asked
“Barely” Matteo answered for me again “But she’s still got that bite She almost threw a pillow at me”
“I did throw it” I said with a tired smirk “It just didn’t go very far”
Enzo knelt by the side of the bed uncapping the balm and warming some between his hands “You’re going to feel sore for a couple days That was a big first session”
“No kidding” I mumbled as Dante placed the heating pad behind my back carefully “Ow ow ow okay that’s good That’s nice actually”
He adjusted the pillow behind me while Matteo handed me the tea I sipped slowly letting the warmth calm the ache in my throat and chest I didn’t realize how tense I had been until I started to relax
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Chapter 155
Enzo gently lifted one of my legs and began massaging the balm into my calf His hands were warm strong but careful Every movement was soff
like he was afraid to break me
“This stuff smells good” I said sniffing it “What is it”
“Made it myself” he replied “Herbs lavender eucalyptus tiger balm mix Should help with swelling”
Dante pressed his fingers into my shoulder muscles his touch firm and soothing “You’re doing great Aria This pain means your body is getting stronger”
“Tell that to my spine” I muttered but I couldn’t help smiling a little
Matteo sat by my other side and took my hand in his He started rubbing circles into my palm and then my knuckles His touch was more playful than the others but still tender
“You did more than great yesterday” he said “You were brave”
“Thanks” I whispered my eyes burning a little “I didn’t think I could do it But I did”
“And you’ll do more” Dante said his voice deep and steady “We’ll train you until you can beat the crap out of all of us”
“I look forward to that” I said trying to grin even though my lips were dry
They stayed with me for a while Enzo wrapped my legs in warm towels Dante worked on my neck and shoulders and Matteo combed his fingers through my messy hair untangling the strands gently
It was strange but good I had never been cared for like this before Not like this Not with such softness and attention
Lleaned back against Dante’s chest as he sat behind me his arms loosely wrapped around my waist Enzo had moved to sit at my feet resting them in his lap as he rubbed circles into my ankles Matteo was lying beside me playing with my fingers and humming some tune under his breath
“I feel like a spoiled queen” I mumbled
“You are” Matteo said “Our queen”
The way he said it made my heart squeeze a little
I closed my eyes and let myself enjoy it Just for a little while
I had always been alone Always had to handle things by myself But now they were here And they weren’t going anywhere
Not just because they were protective or strong But because they saw me Not just the broken parts But the parts that were trying to grow
“I don’t want to be helpless again” I said quietly after a long silence
They didn’t tease me this time
Enzo looked up from my feet Dante rested his chin gently
on my shoulder Matteo laced his fingers with mine
“You won’t be” Enzo said
“Not with us here” Dante added
“We’ll make sure of it” Matteo finished
Chapter 155
I nodded slowly breathing in their warmth their words letting them wrap around me like a blanket
Later they helped me to the balcony so I could sit under the sun I was wrapped in a blanket with my tea in hand The breeze was light the sky clear Enzo sat beside me reading Dante massaged my feet slowly while Matteo braided a little section of my hair just because he said it calmed
him
It was quiet peaceful I didn’t know what the world would throw at me next But I knew one thing
Whatever it was
I wouldn’t be facing it alone
And that made everything feel just a little easier
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