Her Return

Adriana's POV

It's thanksgiving and I'm stuck at a family dinner. I wanted to spend the day in bed with Tyler but my biological family decided to surprise me. They rented a house in London and everyone flew in so I could be present. It's a sweet sentiment and I'm happy to see my siblings. It just took forever for me to cover up my hickeys.

"How's school?" Riley asks me

"It's good. The work load is unnecessarily long but I've made friends who make my time here really fun. How's Harvard?"

"Exactly how you described it here. If it weren't for the clubs I joined I'd be miserable."

"You should visit me without the family." I whispered to her

"I definitely will."

"Wow AJ you're even taller than last time we saw you." Alessio commented

"You're taller too."

"Not by much. You're still taller than me!"

"Just give it a year. You'll hit your growth spurt." Matteo told him

"Yeah, most of us got our height when we turn 16." Ace added

"You ladies should be in the kitchen helping out." Nonno scolded

"You guys came to surprise me. Why should I have to help?" I challenged

"A young lady should help with domestic chores without being asked. You're a mafia princess you should be prepared for house work. You're already of age. You should already know this. Do you want to embarrass the family like your cousin?"

Nonno is very old fashion. No one has told him of my position in the Russian mafia because they don't want to deal with him.

"This isn't the 1800's I don't have to train to be a dutiful wife. If you try and marry me off I'd do worse that Riley."

"Adriana mind your tone." Alessandro tells me

"No, I'm not going to stand by and allow him to disrespect me or Riley. 14 isn't of age for anything. That fact you see your granddaughter's as tools to advance the mafia is perverse and disgusting."

"This is how the mafia is. As a Lombardi and a woman you do as you're told. Riley is of no use to the mafia now that she's used so you'll have to learn to live with your responsibilities."

"Used? What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" I exploded

"She's no longer a virgin. Respectable men want a respectable wife. Someone impure is worth very little."

"Riley was never an object for you to sell. Her value isn't something any of you get to decide. If I ever hear you addressing her with such little regard I'll cut off your tongue. This should go without saying but if you try and marry me off I will kill every single suitor along with their family. Am I being clear."

He raised his hand to slap me but before his hand could connect with my cheek I grabbed his wrist and threw him over my shoulder. I made sure to slam him extra hard.

"Consider this a warning to keep your hands to yourself." I spat and walked off

"What the fuck Adriana?" Alessandro followed me out

"What?"

"You're out of control! I'm sick and tired of your behavior. You have no respect for anyone in this family."

I yawned which set him off even more

"I'm going to let Aleksandr know about your behavior today."

That comment made me snort