Sold To the Grizzly Don (Alcee and Bruno) novel Chapter 122

Chapter 122

“I’m not angry, Antero. I’m concerned. Like you are worried for Avalanche, I am worried for you and your mama. It is always risky to go out for dinner, and it is my first time taking you both out.”

“Why didn’t we stay home then? Nonna said she’d rather stay home and eat stale bread and water than to sit and eat with the lady.”

Alcee’s lips twitched as she tried not to laugh aloud. Nonna did indeed say this in Antero’s presence but the things she said when Antero wasn’t in the room was far saltier.

“Because part of being a family, a family such as hours, means proving to the world we are supportive of each other. We need to prove to the world that there is no discord in our upper ranks.”

Antero looked at his father as if he had three heads and he leaned sideways

ays to his mother, “I don’t know what he means.”

“He means he wants everyone to know we’re all a big happy family who gets along and is nice to each other.”

“But Nonna doesn’t like the lady. What if she’s rude in the restaurant?”

“She won’t be. Nonna is a grown up and knows how to conduct herself in public.”

“Are you going to be,” Antero made a face as he tried to recall the word Alcee used, “uncomfortable the whole time?”

“Antero, please stop asking questions.” Torq suddenly closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose as if he were trying to stop his brain from leaking out. “My head is pounding,”

“Well, you’re scary.” Antero said and burled his head in his mother’s shoulder. “I don’t like you.”

“This is not the time for this.”

“Torg, enough.” Alcee cut him off. “He is five. Emotional regulation today was difficult for the adults, and he is feeding off your negative energy. Perhaps you should have let us ride with your mother.”

“I wanted him to ride with my mother, but he took off on her, didn’t he? I couldn’t exactly send him packing with high resolution lenses pointed

at him.”

Akcee dug through her bag and found the noise–cancelling headphones she’d packed for Antero. Distractions were always the way to go when she was away from home and unable to work with him through his thoughts. She synced them to her phone and pulled a video up. “Here, Ant. Watch this. When we get to the restaurant you can sit beside me and use my phone.“.

“He can’t wear headphones in the restaurant.”

“Why do you think I brought them, Torq? We’re going to a venue where it will be loud, music overhead, people talking and loads of people he doesn’t know. Probably won’t have food he’ll like very much. This is the beginning of a clusterfuck for him and I’m not going to spend the next two weeks facing radio silence after he melts down in a public forum. We are here supporting you because this is how you want to run our family. Fine. The least you can fucking do, as the grown up in the situation, is recognize a boy with a diagnosed condition which lends him to be overwhelmed in situations where he is not comfortable, is feeling the effects of this ballshit.”

“No. Don’t you fucking say another word until we get to the restaurant. I will smile. I will do everything I was trained to do as a principessa of the Mariani family. I will do as my mother and father trained me to do. I will smile at the right time. I will laugh when expected. I will be ingratiating to the point of fawning over your oversized ass. I will, however, continue to make sure my son is safe from a mental health perspective. Do not speak to me again until you can reflect on why you are incapable of recognizing the bay is stressed.”

“Mom, my headphones aren’t working”

She closed her eyes as she realized Antero heard everything she’d said, shoved into the middle of the argument and she inhaled sharply and pulled him closer, feeling his trembling as she kissed his forehead. She looked into his eyes.

I’m sorry for raising my voice.”

1/2

Chapter

“The restaurant won’t have food I like?”

“We’ll get you plain noodles and butter, I promise.”

“And bread.”

“We’ll make sure you get bread.” She pointed to her bag, “I packed crackers in there too.”

“Thanks Mom.” Suddenly music started blaring from the headphones and he grinned. “It’s working.”

She put the headphones over his ears and turned her gaze out

the window.

“I’m sorry.” Torq’s words came softly from across the bench as he reached out and touched her knee. “I’m sorry Alcee. You’re right. I’m not managing any of this well. I don’t like the spotlight. I don’t like the limelight. I hate publicity. I’ve avoided it my entire life. I’ve used doubles and fakes to hide my identity because I hate this.”

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