Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1)

Chapter 15 (Aliyana)

I hope Papa picked a man who will love her, even if it is just for the sake of his children. I still believe

Deno will be an excellent match for her.

He has crimes, but I have witnessed the way he treats a woman who he beds.

Guilia's chest expands as she inhales a deep breath. I smile, hoping my eyes give Guilia the comfort I

know she needs.

I love my sister, all of my siblings, really, but I am glad I am not too close to any of them. I wouldn’t be

able to handle this unknowing.

The faith that lays before her is going to be determined today, in front of all of these people.

Yes, I am grateful I am not close to my family. Very glad indeed. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

When my sister visits, we are like long last friends coming together for a short time. We share that time,

having our laughs, but my secrets remain my own.

There is an unspoken rule between us, lines which we don’t step over. We are our father’s daughters,

yet, our choices remain a big difference between us. Our history, our path.

I stare at her, unblinking, waiting for a signal. She nods her head, keeping her eyes on the people

outside. The road is filled with cars. Everyone knows that something big is happening at Azure tonight.

It is no secret that Deno Catelli is a prominent businessman. Azure is the ultimate venue in Seattle.

We open the car door and jump out, getting the twins as a few cameras flash. I wonder what this event

is going to be called in the tabloids tomorrow? The thought comes to my head as a soldier blocks one

of the cameramen with his big stocky shoulders. His back is faced toward me, but the sense of

familiarity hits me, regardless. I frown as a thought crosses my mind.

It couldn’t be.

“This weather is not good for my hair,” I spin around at the sound, a familiar voice, and beam.

“You made it!” I hug Gabriel DeMarco.

Ren, Gabriel and I were particularly close growing up. When we got to high school, we’d sneak fire-

crackers every year into the school’s premises. Gabriel would take the blame, knowing Ren and I

would get into big shit with our fathers.

“You said you weren't coming.”

His stubble brushes my cheek as I let him go and take a step back. I look up, because, like Ren,

Gabriel is very tall. But where Ren is showing the promise of a man’s body, Gabriel is very much a

man. His haunted, dangerous blue eyes that smile at me proves he is a Made-Man with very dark and

evil crimes.

“I know, I know. I wasn't going to, but I couldn't let Ren have all the fun now. Plus, I missed you a bit.”

He winks as my face goes red.

My stepmother hisses behind me, as Gabriel engulfs me in his arms again laughing.

“Aliyana, let's get inside,” My stepmother says in a firm voice, as I take another step back from Gabriel.

His dark olive skin, and narrow, sharp features, with those almond-shaped eyes, have caused his uncle

a lot of headaches over the years.

The DeMarco family is married into the Catelli family. My Papa once mentioned that Gabriel’s uncle

married our Capo's sister.

Ren told me once, they had a daughter. However, I am not so sure how true it is.

Rumors get people killed in the Mafia. We shouldn't start them unless we have facts.

My Papa instilled in me the art of silence and not starting rumors when I was still young, untainted by

the reality of the cruel world I live in. It was the first and last time he ever hit me. I have never been the

target of his violent temper since.

And I have done much worse than start rumors. Much worse, indeed.

I spot Gabriel's uncle, Stephano DeMarco, at the back of us. He has three times more guards. I don't

know him very well, apart from the few times I attended a function with Gabriel at his mansion in the

South. The way he scans the open road tells me that I don't wish to.

Stephano DeMarco could very well be the Capo Dei Capi. But not many people know for sure. I wish I

knew who he was.

“Why are you staring behind me when I am standing right here, Liya?”

I roll my eyes at Gabriel, as his brown gaze twinkle in mischief.

“I am looking at your uncle; he is always so heavily guarded.” Gabriel's mood switches from my

lighthearted friend to a closed-off stranger at the mention of his uncle.

Maybe I said too much.

“My uncle is just a bit cautious. Why do you say such random stuff? You should be careful in places like

these.” He shakes his head in amusement. I notice a girl standing, watching us with envy or hatred.

I don’t know her enough to distinguish between the two. If I had to guess, maybe a bit of both. The

turmoil in her gaze paints her pretty face in intense emotion.

She would make an excellent piece for my art class. Her blue dress, however, doesn’t match her face

at all. Although it matches her glare perfectly well.

Such is the thing I don’t get with a lot of young women.

They wear their emotions for everyone to see at the worst of times. Capturing such rawness has

always been my passion when I put my brush to the canvas. The small piece of devil hidden in all of

us.

"Deno has at least five more soldiers than my Uncle," Gabriel point's out.