I entered my room and flopped down on my bed, careful to avoid some of my recent bruises.

I checked my bag and realized that I only have 2 weeks worth of painkillers, which would definitely not be enough. Hopefully, I could make up a good enough excuse to get some more.

I just sighed and turned off my lights to sleep.

My last thought before drifting off was

"I forgot the dang water."

***

*Emma POV*

I woke up the next morning around 7:00, surprisingly well refreshed. It was still dark out, but I was used to waking up early on the weekends to cook for Gabriel.

I licked my lips and winced at the feeling of my dry tongue running over my even dryer lips.

Last night's events came flooding back to me, and I was left with one question,

"What did Antonio want from me?"

Deciding not to dwell on the thought too much, I got out of bed and got ready for the day.

As today was nothing special and the weekend, I stayed in my pajamas, some old sweats, and an oversized t-shirt.

I trudged down the flight of stairs, slowly wincing with each step I went down, mostly due to my probably broken ribs but also my hips and badly bruised shins.

I mentally scolded myself for even thinking of that again.

I walked into the kitchen, and immediately 3 pairs of eyes snapped over to me.

Alessandro, Luca, and Marco, my 3 oldest brothers, were all sitting at the counter, eating their breakfasts.

The silence held for a minute before Luca finally spoke up.

"So, why are you up so early?"

I flinched at the sound of his voice, my body still in panic mode from Gabriel. The boys frowned at this and made no comment. Well, Marco opened his mouth, but one swift glare from Alessandro shut him right up.

I looked at them in confusion before saying.

"What do you mean early? It's already 7 Am?" I hoped my lie was enough to throw them off of my tracks.

Thankfully it was, but they shared one last look before going back to eating.

What was it with these guys and looks.

I sat down at the countertop and had 2 slices of bread with jam set down in front of me.

I looked up at the mystery hand, Alessandro. I smiled in thanks but soon turned that into a grimace when I realized how much I would have to eat.

See, to the average person, that wouldn't be much, but 2 slices of toast were typically what lasted me at least a day, sometimes longer.

I knew my brothers wouldn't like it if I didn't eat, so I took a deep gulp and started eating.

I only got through one slice before my stomach felt like it was about to burst.

*Alessandro POV*

I knew something was wrong. It looked like Emma had to force herself just to eat one slice of toast. I don't care how small your appetite is, but you should be able to eat one piece of toast, especially after skipping dinner the night before.

"If you open your mouth and your next words are I'm full, then I expect you to eat a big lunch, do you understand?" I said with a dark look on my face.

Emma nervously gulped before nodding her head in conformation.

*Emma POV*

I involuntarily nodded, his voice reminding me too much of him.

He looked alright with my answer before nodding his head, indicating for me to follow him.

He led me down a dark hallway, and before long, we stopped in front of a door. He turned around and looked at me with a dangerous face.

"Niña," he started, "I love you very much, but this hallway that we just walked down is forbidden to you. Under no circumstances are you allowed to come down here. Do you understand?"

Again I nodded my head yes.

At this, he opened the door and led me inside, to what I now realized was his office.

While I was busy looking around, Alessandro had seated himself at the giant desk sitting in the middle of this room.

He gestured to the other chair, telling me to sit down.

He crossed his fingers and rested his head on top of them while saying.

"Now, let's talk about the rules, hmm?"

Alessandro POV* (1 day before Emma arrives)

I gripped the paper in my hands harder, almost as if I was afraid that this was a dream.

The paper confirmed what I had been searching for all these years.

I had a hunch when we first got her DNA sample that she was my sister and these lab results further solidified that hunch.

Knowing that the boys would be overjoyed to meet her, I called them all to the living room. I waited for all the boys to come.

I looked at their eyes, making sure that their focus was entirely on me.

I opened my mouth before finally saying, "We found her"

The boy's reactions were amusing, to say the least.

Marco raised his eyebrows in surprise but said nothing else.

Luca broke out into a broad smile, as he was always protecting Emma from everything when they were younger.

Antonio choked on his Monster drink but not doing anything else. However, I knew that he was secretly celebrating, as he had always had that tough love towards Emma.

Enzo had the most outward reaction. He did a little victory lap around the living room and pumped his fist up and down.

Suffice to say, we were all overjoyed.

*Time Skip to the desk thing*

*Emma POV*

Alessandro rested his head on his laced fingers and stared at me for a moment before continuing.

"Now, I know that you deserve your freedom, but I do have a few ground rules for you."

I took a deep breath, preparing to hear his rules.

"1. Keep all your grades above an 85. If you ever need help with your classes, we are always here to help.

2. No boys."

He paused and stared at me, gauging my reaction.

I kept my face blank. As if any boy would like me.

"3. Follow the rules. There will be exceptions but expect to be punished if you break the rules." Alessandro continued.

I internally groaned at this rule. There was only one thing punishment could mean: getting hit. I glanced up and down at Alessandro for a moment and thought back to my other brothers. They could definitely pack a punch. With this information, I decided to always follow the rules no matter what.

"4. Do not come down to this floor. We run a company, and this is our office floor.

5. Always tell someone in this house where you are going, or take someone with you.

And lastly, 6. You will have bodyguards, so do not try to sneak around." concluded Alessandro.

"Why do I need a bodyguard?" I questioned

Alessandro replied, "Like I said before, we own a good deal of business and therefore have many enemies."

And with those words, he ushered me out of his office and into the living room.

I flopped down on a couch, expecting to be alone.

However, I was proved wrong when a hand clamped down on my shoulder, directly on top of a bruise.

I involuntarily whimpered, and the person immediately released.

I spun around, expecting to find Enzo or Luca.

Instead, I found 2 dark blue eyes staring at me with a hint of wondering in their eyes.

Shit, the person in front of me was my least favorite brother

Marco.