Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1)

His rich scent, wraps around me as a breeze blows by, and my throat clogs knowing that this moment, is fleeting. Knowing he is not mine. “Do you think Ren is in heaven?” I ask him. My gaze focused on his harsh face as the flesh under his left eye twitches. He remains next to me, looking into the garden as if it could talk.

“When he looked at you, he could see a glimpse of heaven.” His head turns to me, my face lifted to his, as his stares down at me.

I wish I knew what was going through his head.

“He must’ve been drunk.”

Marco chuckles, “He was pissed. We all were.” His voice is a melody to a sad song, as his eyes, a picture to a lost one.

I remain staring as he looks away, his attention on the rose bushes. We stand in silence, both lost to our own thoughts.

The air is thick, a lot left unsaid. Feelings still linger between us, not fully formed to give it a name, but intense enough that neither of us choose to leave this, here, now.

“Is my sister going to be okay living with your brother?” It is a natural question, and the only thing I can think of to ask at this moment, when the light burns my flesh as the man standing next to me burns me from the inside.

He sighs.

“Is that a no?”

“Your sister could have done worse.”

“That isn't an answer.”

“It's the only you’re getting.”

My sister’s marriage to Leonardo will placate his father. Put a lot of our people at ease.

“Papa will never allow another marriage between a Catelli and Capello.” Of that I am certain.

what it is,” He

down my eye.

true Italians and I am a half-blood, not worthy of marrying a Catelli. I can’t

freezing my tear as my heart beat mirrors the

faithful, but he will never hurt your sister

nodding, because what else can I say. I was born into this life. The day my parents gave me life, this

choose from here on, would still lead me to

man. I'll see you around Mezzosangue.” He turns away from me, but it feels like

the words, watching his back stiffen, I can’t take the words back, and I don’t

Marco, why her? You owe me

is what

not

never lied to you, Aliyana, don’t make me start

asked you for

to face me, just remains standing and I do the same. Staring at his black suit jacket that traps his broad shoulders, I am not certain of what emotions I’m feeling right now. But him standing there, in his suit looking every bit of the dangerous Catelli he was born

Camilla is going to be my wife. I love her. I suggest you find a new man to give all your affection to. It will be a shame to see it go

deeper with every step

hit the pebbled ground. My voice, the echo of a broken heart. This

or poisoned the girl who broke my friends heart, nor when I went behind Papa and disobeyed every order he dished out. No, regret is something foreign to me. But now, it is my friend, now it has attached itself to my very soul, that light now dimming. I regret

position, over a man should be on my mind. But, right now, as I cry with my body curled on the ground, my throat aching from the sounds coming out of it, all I can think about is how it hurts. My slob from my mouth covering my chin, the snot from my nose leaking out, the rocking motion of my body as I howl in

as I succumb to this surprising yet needed show of affection by the man who is my enemy.

Matteo’s arms, saying a silent goodbye to my

An unknown voice says startling both of us. My eyes are swollen as they burn when I open them and face

from Matteo and push my butt off his legs, realizing how

took the chance anyway just to comfort me is a lot. I file that small piece