Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1)

"You care for Sartini's daughter. Fuck, Marco, why!" It is not a question but an accusation.

"Sometimes, we have no choice," I say quietly, knowing he understands too well the words I speak and the honesty behind it.

He gets up from his chair, his tall form, and broad shoulders, the two things I inherited of my fathers.

My mother's eyes will always be what holds me. I am the flaw in my father's secret and my mother's betrayal.

The fault of their love.

It is why he doesn't stare too long. Unlike Deno and Anya. I am the image of my mother's bloodline. I am also the true heir to the DeMarco name. The eldest son of the eldest child. And as of three years ago, when I stepped forward, I am the future Capo Dei Capi, The Boss of All Bosses. And right now, the most powerful person in this room.

I, Marco Catelli, am the bastard son of my father and my mother. In the Famiglia, I am considered a nothing, but in The 5th State, I am powerful enough to rule over all of them. And as the eldest son, and product of two influential families, I have proved myself more worthy than just my name.

A curse, a gift, and all for love. I am not as different to my father as I would like to be.

My father takes a moment to answer a call. I use the time to get myself and my brother a drink.

Leaning against my father's desk as Deno runs his hand across the books on the dark wooden bookshelf. I enjoy the glide of the amber liquid going down my throat.

"If father agrees, how are you going to get Sartini to say yes?" Deno asks as he lifts up a picture of us, from the bookshelf.

I haven't considered it, but my conversation with Aliyana earlier comes to mind, and I smile as I take another sip of my drink.

"I thought I'll start with a more direct approach first."

"Seriously? Just mentioning Aliyana's name will have the man in a shouting fit."

"I know, which is why I'm going to ask him after he agrees to something else."

to face me, and we stare at one another.

my father's office opens, and we both move toward our seats. Our conversation on

death do you part, were his words. I agreed. Camilla is on her way." His words take a full 5

has accepted, 'till

Six months and nothing. Now all of a sudden, I get this? So, what changed his mind?

marry Camilla," Deno

like my brother, always ready to be the

be a direct insult to the Moretti's, and a big fuck up we don't need with Lucca's shit to deal with and

make her choose

of someone finding out the things that shade

the one who asked for her hand all those

also my brother's protector, whether he wants it or not. A promise I made to my

keep him safe, and always choose him even if it meant I had to sacrifice myself. It was a promise I made to her, a

my word." I will have to go along

over all you can have? Do you know what you agree to?" I can feel my brother staring at me as I look at the empty brown leather chair that belongs to my father. My

half-blood, you said so yourself. Camilla is a good choice, for Mischa and our

give you more than just an army, fuck Marco. You know what I'm talking about, you have spent time with

his cold gaze stuck in the past he will never come out of. I'll turn this world upside down and burn every

she is so great, why don't you marry her? This conversation is over. I won't have you question me on this. My choice."

the wrong choice," Deno barks.

with my wrong choices." My phone rings as my brother breaks my eye stare.

the conversation isn't over.

his reasoning will not change

small matter, and my want for Aliyana

my phone out of my suit pocket,