Dante quickly climbed the stairs to reach the bedrooms' corridor. He hesitated few seconds about what to do. He tried to listening through the door if he heard something, then he decided to knock and enter when he didn't receive any answer.

Suki was still in the bathroom, but he couldn't hear the water flowing. He sat at the border of the little girl's bed. He was observing around and there was more little things now than before. The room was more personalized and girly too. Two minutes later, the bathroom's door opened and when Suki saw Dante on her bedroom, she froze.

Dante: Don't freak out, I'm not here to do anything to you! Sit, we need... to talk. (She didn't move, and he sighed, a bit annoyed.) You plan to don't listen to me anymore?

Suki: (She approached with precautious.) I didn't do anything...

Dante: I never said that you did something. Why are you standing instead of sitting? Are you afraid of me?

Suki: Yes! (She had spoke frankly with fear in her voice.)

Dante was taken aback by his little sister's frankness. Silence took place in the room for long seconds.

Dante: You don't need to be afraid, I told you, I will not do anything to you. Not today nor in the future, so don't freak out.

Suki: You say that but... you yelled at me... I know that you hate me, that you think that I am stupid... that I should not be here, in your house... I am sorry... (She looked at him with teary eyes.)... but I want to live with Father... (She was now crying.)... please... I won't bother you... I won't talk to you...

Dante had a close face that the little girl misunderstood. He was not expecting that reaction from her, those tough words. She was not only afraid of him, but she was also thinking in a terrible way, about their relationship. Despite the several months, and the time they spent together, she was still thinking that Dante was the same than when she first joined their family. The young man stood up in silence and approached her, she stepped back, afraid of his possible reaction.

But Dante had no ill intentions toward her. He didn't know what to answer and seeing her stepping back, hurt him even more. Did she really think of him as some kind of monster, capable to attack her? He needed to question himself deeply.

Suki: ... I am sorry...

Dante: (He bent and put a knee down to be at her eyes level.) I am the one who should say sorry. (His tone was unusually calm.) What is your name? (She didn't answer.) Your name?

Suki: Suki Tanaka... (He stared at her, like waiting for something more.)... Smith (She answered with a little voice.)

Dante: What is your parents' name? (She stared at him; not understanding why he was asking her that.) Tell me, their names.

Suki: Fumiko Tanaka... and Salvatore Smith...

Dante: Exactly! So, starting today, don't let anyone, and I say anyone, including anyone in that house, treating you as if you were found in a dirty dustbin in the back of an alley. I was... or I am still, I guess, a stupid jerk but unfortunately, I can't erase my mistakes.

Suki's tears were still running on her face. She was surprised by Dante's calm and his apologies. When Dante lifted his hand, she flinched. He delicately wiped her tears with his thumb. His hand was big enough to cover half of her face.

Dante: You must really hate me... (She instinctively shook her head, and he chuckled.)... but you should... I put you in that state... I treated you like shit, disrespected you... hated you just because you were alive...

Suki: I know... (She wiped her eyes with her sleeve.)...but... you saved my life too... and... (She hesitated.)... you are my older brother...

Dante: Damn it... You... (He sighed.) Yes, I am, I am your brother, even if I failed in that role until now. About the other day, I was drunk and angry, against myself. You are not an idiot or any other stupid words I have used by the past. I am not promising you to be the perfect brother in the future, nor asking you for your forgiveness... but I will try to be a better brother... with you.

Suki: So... you don't hate me... because I am a bastard child...

Dante: Stop! Don't use that word... you are Suki Smith! Your father is the most powerful man of that city, that's what matters and whoever claims the contrary will have to face the consequence, including us! (He stood up and she continued to stare at him.) So, now, stop avoiding me and don't be afraid of me either. I will never hurt you. Understood?

Suki:... hum...

Dante: You don't seem convinced. You said that I saved your life, right? (She nodded.) It means that I am responsible of that life. I am not the kindest guy in the world, rather the opposite, but if I promise you to never hurt you, you can trust me... after all, we are family!

Dante was doing his best to be a responsible brother, but he was a bit embarrassed to have talk that much, even more because the little girl was not talkative at all at that moment. He was not sure that it was enough for her to believe in him, and frankly speaking, he was not sure to deserve her trust, after how he had behaved with her.

Dante: Are you going to continue to avoid me? To not talk to me? Because It's not easy to know what you think if you stay silent!

Suki:... (She stared at him few seconds, trying to see his sincerity in his eyes.)... you will not yell at me anymore?

Dante: If you don't do something to be scolded, there is no reason for me to yell at you. And if I do it unfairly, I'm sure that Dad or Gabriel will kick my ass! It should be enough for you? (She nodded.) Are we good?

Suki: Yes... (She once again wiped her eyes.)

Dante: You should clean your face... if Dad sees you like that, I'm dead... or it is maybe your way to take revenge on me...

Suki: No... (She shook her head and quickly entered back the bathroom.)

Dante shook his head when his little sister ran away. He felt relieved after talking to her but deep down, he was still feeling guilty.

Dante was about to leave the bedroom and noticed that the door was not closed. He came out and was surprised to see Gabriel, in the corridor his back resting against the wall, arms crossed against his chest. He sighed, sure that his brother heard his discussion.

Dante: Since when are you spying on us?

Gabriel: I only wanted to be sure that things were under control.

Dante: You were afraid that I lose control? (He was a bit hurt.)

Gabriel: No. Your behavior the other night was scary for Suki, clearly, but I know that you would have never hurt her physically. But mentally, it's another matter.

Dante: Yeah... I know, I messed up badly... I was at the first row to see her crying and freaking out!

Gabriel: She is a kind child, she will not keep grudge against you, otherwise, she would have not bond with you those past few months. Despite the way you all treated her, you heard her. You are her brother... just like all of us.

The door of Suki's bedroom opened, interrupting the two brothers' talk. Suki was not expecting to see Dante and Gabriel in the corridor.

Suki: Onii-san...

Gabriel: Are you ready for dinner?

Suki: (She looked at Dante.) Yes... sorry for making you wait.

Gabriel: You are just on time, don't worry, Father is still in his room. Let's go downstairs. Dante?

Dante: Hum... I'm starving...

The trio went downstairs, and a strange scene attracted their attention while passing near the living room. Gianni was sitting on the couch, holding a phone with his three brothers bending above his shoulders. When Gabriel, Dante and Suki entered, they all stared at the little girl. She didn't know how to interpret their heavy gazes and instinctively grabbed Gabriel's hand. She was tensed, so he asked with a cold tone.

Gabriel: What's going on? Why are you staring at her like that? And what are you looking on that phone?

Suki: (She saw a little strap hanging from the phone.) It's... mine...

Gabriel: (He looked at her then at his brothers.) What... Gianni, what are you doing with her phone? You should not look into someone else phone without their consent. Don't you know the word privacy?

Suki had let her little bag with her phone inside in the living room before heading upstairs and when the phone's tone indicated that she received several messages, Gianni took the liberty to check who could text her so frantically at this hour.

In fact, it was Haru. Suki had sent to him the photos of her father's new tattoo and he was replying to her, shocked by the news but also by the fact that she had participated to the tattoo's creation.

Gianni: That's not what matters for now! (He stood up.) Look!

Gabriel: Stop! I don't need to look at anything, give her back her phone and apologize!

Gianni:Bro', I swear, you've got to see that by yourself!

Suki was red of embarrassment, knowing what Gianni was talking about. She didn't know what to do. Dante, him, wanted to know and he snatched the phone from his brother's hand.

Dante: Give me that... what the hell is there to... Holy Fu**!!

Suki stayed even more closer to Gabriel. If she could, she would have hide under his sweater. Salvatore entered.

Salvatore: Dante! (Everyone turned to face him, except Suki.)

Dante: You've got a new tattoo... that you made her tattooed on you! Are you becoming crazy?!

Vito: For real... that's completely crazy...

Gabriel looked at the little girl clinging at him. Salvatore approached and patted his daughter's head with affection.

Salvatore: I don't get why you're making such a fuss about that. It was something that I wanted to do since a long time. And no, there is nothing crazy by letting my daughter doing it, with Alessandro's help, of course.

Davide: Well... it's still crazy! Are you not too old for that?

Enzo: I think that's cool... also crazy... but cool!

Dante: So that's what you've done today?! It's not really what we call normal family's stuffs!

Salvatore: We should head to the dining table. I don't think there is the need to hold a meeting in the middle of the living room because I've got a new tattoo. (He put his hand in his daughter's back.) Let's go, Suki, you must be hungry.

Vito: I told you... he is becoming senile... (Gabriel glared at him.) Gab, you can't say that he is not doing things far from what he is used to!

Gabriel: Be respectful. You're reacting like a jealous kid because your father is doing new things with your little sister.

Vito: Not at all!

Enzo: Kind off... brother... (He laughed and followed the others to the dining room.) Dad, you have to show us your tattoo after?

Salvatore: If you are so curious, I can show it to you after dinner.

Gianni: So... the little kitten was bold enough to do that, crazy...

Salvatore: As I said, Alessandro was there to guide her, and it was his suggestion if you want to know. I am not the first one to do that. Do you have another question?

Suki was embarrassed by the discussion. She was still not comfortable to be in the middle of the talk in her family. Vito and Davide were staring at her while Gabriel was pretty silent.

Dante: Alessandro too is losing his mind... Letting a kid tattoo someone... (He was back at his old self, not the Dante of few minutes ago.)

Davide: I think so too... were you not afraid that she screws all your back, and your other tattoos?

Salvatore: It never crossed my mind. (He smiled.) Can we move to another topic of discussion for the rest of the dinner?

Gianni: Hum... I think the kitten would love that too..., isn't it?

Suki: ... Yes...

Suki surprised everyone with her honest answer, making Salvatore smile, proud. But 2 seconds after saying that, she was blushing a lot. Her natural shyness took the upper side once again. Enzo came at her rescue, changing the discussion's topic and the little girl was able to have the rest of her dinner quietly.

When Suki had finished her dinner, she wished good night to everyone and ran to her bedroom. Gabriel had given her back her mobile earlier and she took time to text back Haru. Then, after her night routine, she felt asleep pretty quickly.

Downstairs, to fulfill his sons' curiosity, Salvatore took off his t-shirt and showed his new tattoo. Seeing their dates of birth on their father's back was always giving to the boys a comforting feeling. The three youngest left to their "boys" room.

Salvatore: Dante, I guess you talked with your little sister and apologized for your behavior?

Dante: I talked to her, yes, we're good.

Gabriel: So, today, as you went to see Alessandro, I guess you made a tour in the neighborhood too.

Salvatore: Yes. We took a coffee at Alfredo's café, and I can tell you that he is really losing his mind. He thinks that you're still 15. Then we ate nearby... you know how old people are clingy sometimes!

Gianni: People there must have been surprised to see you with a kid of that age and... Don't take my words badly... but different. (He knew that it was a risky comment and Gabriel's glare confirmed it.)

Salvatore: I only received praises, because my daughter is beautiful and very polite. She is an angel... while her brothers are devils!

Gianni: I didn't say that in a mean way... I mean, it's true that at first, it was a bit weird... Apart Gabriel, we all thought like that... so, I was just wondering if people reacted strangely... that's all.

Salvatore: No, no one showed an inappropriate reaction. I guess, I am the one at fault, of the bad education of my sons. (He had a neutral tone,.) As I said, they were just surprised that I have a young child like her and some thought that she was Gabriel's daughter, because they have the same eyes color and deep black hair.

Gianni and Dante both had to face their guilty feelings regarding Suki already, and here, it was another reminder again that their behaviors were stupid due to a bad way of thinking.

They continued to talk but the topic of the discussion changed. They focused on their work and the coming event with Zhang. Salvatore would have to talk about that too with Suki in the coming days. He really wanted to take her to the reception.

The next day, the two youngest were finishing to prepare themselves to go to school. Suki already had her breakfast, and she was ready to leave and thought that her bodyguard will drive her to school, but Dante was there, waiting for her. He didn't inform her but when she passed near him, he grabbed her bag pack.

Suki: Dante... I need to leave for school.

Dante: I know, I'm driving you today. (She looked at him, intrigued.) You don't seem happy that I am the one taking you to school.

Suki: No... It's just I'm used to go with the driver now... and I know that you don't like to have to drive me because you're busy with your work.

Dante: (He sighed, knowing that she was referencing to his usual complains when he had to drive her.) Today, I'm not, so let's go!

The little girl followed her brother to the garage and the drive to school was a bit weird for her. Dante was way more talkative than usual, trying to lightening the awkwardness between them. And even if Suki's answers were short, little by little, she was more comfortable. When Dante parked the car in front of the school, she thanked him with a natural smile, but once again, she was surprised because Dante grabbed her bag and got out of the car. She stared at him when he made the tour of the car and opened the passenger door.

Dante: You don't plan to get out?

Suki: Ah... Yes, sorry... Thank you. (She tried to take back her bag, but he smiled.) Dante, can you give me my bag please?

Dante: Go ahead.

Suki: But I need my bag.

Dante: Yeah, I know. I'm accompanying you to your classroom.

Suki: What? Why? No! (She grabbed her bag, but he held it tightly.) Dante... (He lifted his arm.) why are you acting strangely today...

Dante: I just want to be sure that no one is going to bother you, and the best way for that, is to take you to your class, and remind to everyone, once again, to which family you are from!

Suki: But everyone knows already, it's not useful... and it's embarrassing! I'm not a baby!

Dante: Really?

Dante chuckled and Suki frowned. The students around were staring at them. She felt embarrassed and blushed a lot. She tried to grab once again her bag, in vain. Vito arrived at the same time, clearly annoyed by the situation.

Vito: What the hell are you two doing?! Everyone is staring at you, what shame! (Suki looked down.)

Dante: What shame? If someone has something to say, they can try if they dare... (He glared at everyone around.) Kid, let's go.

Suki: Dante... (She held out her hand to have her bag.)

Vito: You're both so fu** annoying!

Vito snatched the bag from his brother's hand and gave it back to Suki, before pushing her toward the school entry.

Vito: Don't you have better things to do than to play the nanny with her? Really... think about our reputation!

Dante: That's exactly why I am here. She is a Smith, and she should be respected in that damn school. Are you going to make sure that it is the case, or will you let your friends insulting our family as you did?

Vito: As if I have the choice now... (He glared at Suki.) Move! (Suki made a little hand sign to Dante to say bye and quickly left.) I know my job, even if I hate that idiot, I care about my family's honor, so you don't need to lecture me. If you are worried because of Jamy, I'm sure that Andy will keep an eye on him because he already knows in what mess his family is because of his little brother's stupidity!

Dante: I'm good with that. Have a nice day... little bro'!

Vito: (He shook his head and left.)One more idiot in the house...

Vito had followed Suki into the school and when the siblings passed the entry gate, Dante left. When entering his car, he noticed the car with the bodyguard in stand by.

When she entered her classroom, Suki was welcomed by one of her classmate. The young girl barely talked with her during the past months but today, she seemed to wait for her specifically. She was smiling and stood in front of Suki's desk as soon as she sat.

Britany: Suki, I'm organizing a party for my birthday this weekend! Here, an invitation.

Suki: For me?

Britany: Yes, you. We saw you on Friday with your family... to be honest, we thought that no one liked you because Vito didn't seem to really pay attention to you, but your father and brothers were all there to show support to you for the concert... so, it's maybe time that we get to know you better. After all, you're a Smith.

Suki: Ah... thank you, but I'm not sure to be able to come.

Britany: Take the invitation first, you can confirm later in the week!

Suki didn't want to go to that girl's birthday party. Britany was clearly and only inviting her because of her family. The little girl didn't want to be too rude in class, so she put the invitation in her bag. The morning classes passed without issue and for lunch break, Suki met Haru in front of the cafeteria.

The two friends sat in a quiet corner and talked about their weekend. The young boy's father was back for few days and Haru was glad to have been able to spend time with him. The two children were having a great lunch break.

The ambiance was less jovial at Vito's table. Andy had tried once again to ask to Vito to convince his father to forget his brother's mistake. The young Smith reaffirmed that it was Jamy's fault, that he had warned them to not do something stupid in presence of his brothers.

Boy: Guys... it's weird now between us...

Girl: Clearly... but Vito, Andy didn't do anything wrong, it's not cool to stop talking to him because his brother had a crush on your sister!

Vito: I don't think that you have a damn shit to say about that!

Andy: Guys...calm down. Vito is not responsible...

Boy: But he is not helping you either!

Vito: (He glared at him.) It's not you or your brother who are involved, so why are you pestering me like that! (He stood up.) If you feel so brave, go ahead, confront my father and explain to him that he is wrong! (He left.)

Andy: Fighting with Vito is not going to help, dude!

Girl: Don't you think that Vito changed lately? He dumped Amanda because of that kid, and now the two of you are in cold too.

Andy: She's his little sister... after all.

Suki had noticed that her brother stormed out of the cafeteria and his friends talking with Jamy's brother. She was glad to not have crossed his path during lunch break. And the reason was that the teenager didn't come to school today. The end of the day was normal, and Suki came out of the school, looking for her bodyguard's car, but Dante was there.

Suki: Dante...

Dante: How was school? (He took her bag.) Someone bothers you? That guy talked to you? (They walked to his car.)

Suki: No, it was a normal day. We had lunch with Haru, that's all.

Dante: (He opened the passenger door.) Nothing unusual?

Suki: (She looked at him few seconds.) Hum... in fact, a girl of my class invited me this weekend... to her birthday party... (She got in the car, Dante closed the door and got in too.)

Dante: You want to go to that party? (He had a serious gaze.)

Suki: No... but you asked me if something unusual happened... so, that's why I'm telling you... (He was glad that she was honest with him.)... I don't want to go, and she didn't hide the fact that she only invited me because of our family's name...

Dante: Give me that invitation.

Suki took out the invitation and handed it to her brother. Dante looked at the girl's name then tore it in pieces before throwing it by the window. Suki didn't expect that reaction from him.

Dante: You don't have to go anywhere, even more at parties of people from that school! Next time, refuse the invitation directly!

Suki: I tried...

Dante: Try harder! You have to become tougher! (She frowned.) Keep that face for idiots of your school!

They left and the ride back home was silent. When they reached home, Suki thought that her brother would leave for his work, as he usually did, but not today. He followed her in the house and headed upstairs to change for a sports outfit.

She was having a snack in the kitchen when he came back to prepare a special drink. She observed him in silence.

Dante: Staring at people is rude you know!

Suki: Sorry... are you going to the gym?

Dante: Hum... no time this morning and I need to maintain that wonderful body in shape! Why? You want to train your tiny body?

Suki: (She shook her head.) No... it's too difficult!

Dante: You're afraid because last time Gianni hurt you?

Suki: Yes... you are all tall and very strong... it's scary to do sports with you... and I don't really like sports...

Dante: Easy to guess... if you change your mind, you know where to find me!

Dante left the kitchen with a smirk.

Time passed and everyone came back home. They had dinner and Salvatore took that opportunity to talk about the reception organized by Zhang and that he wanted that Suki participates.

As her father asked it, the little girl didn't want to say no, even if she didn't know what to expect from that type of events. Gianni was the one who asked if it was a good idea to bring her with them and Salvatore reaffirmed that it was a safe kind of "families" small event. Of course, Suki would have to buy a new dress, according to her father, and once again, she couldn't say no. Gabriel said that he will take her to the mall the next day after school.