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Chapter 16 (Aliyana)
Chapter 16 (Aliyana)
I turn to look at the man, jumping out of a black Maserati parked directly behind mine.
Deno Catelli is our underboss, today he fits the title well. His black suit has silver linings on the edges.
His shoes glimmer under the nights sky. I tilt my head as the soldiers surround him, yet still keep their
distance. Yes, he fits it quite well.
All the people around him stop and stare in awe as his presence surrounds everyone on the street.
Deno Catelli is a man born to be Capo of the entire Famiglia. Maybe he could even be the Capo Dei
Capi? I know my desire to know who is the man my father answers to and advises is not the smartest
thing to know. Knowing such a secret in the 5th State is like getting infected with a fatal virus.
Deno’s strong jaw loosens as his gaze is drawn to me. He grins. I smile, aware it has been months
since we have seen each other.
Not for his lack of trying, but the guys and I have been quite busy with our things these last few months.
The last time I was in our future, Capo’s presence was an amusing memory. It involved me, a bottle of
tequila and his bar counter. The thought makes my skin fluster.
Everyone knows Deno is next in line to be Capo. What I want to know is why Marco isn't.
Deno gets ushered away as the soldiers walk him inside.
“I don’t remember him being so heavily guarded before.”
“I heard Marco and Marcello flew in with a jet.”
I frown just thinking about him, Marco Catelli. He stole that touch from me, and now I hear his name
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He isn’t a man I knew before today. Yet, he has crept his way like a thief into my thoughts. His black
eyes, a haunting promise in my mind. I’ve only met him once, but it feels like I have seen him before
today. An unwanted thought crosses my mind and I do well to push it back.
One time in that man's presence is more than enough to know seeing him again in one day will be too
much.
I don't question why my eyes do a quick sweep of the men around. I am too scared of the answer.
My Papa says that sometimes ignorance is the most significant defense we have in this world if we
want to stay a bit longer. Ignorance is bliss.
"Aliyana, let’s go." My stepmother holds my elbow, not giving me much of an option but to follow.
Gabriel walks behind us, not saying a word. He is aware of my she-demon stepmother. She is his
father’s sister, so like I do, he puts up with her shit. But Gabriel DeMarco is a man who I know won’t
think twice of zapping his father’s sister if she pisses him off.
“How are you going to find a husband if you are always hugging different men?” She scolds me.
"Guardando." By looking
She drops my elbow as we step inside.
I spot the twins and my sister talking to Aunt Fay. The old lady is close to 70, but she doesn’t look a day
older than 55.
My stepmother dislikes the woman. Talking to Aunt Fay always gives Guilia a lot of satisfaction when
my stepmother shoots her daggers.
"Looking isn't going to get you married."
"Why are you so worried about me getting married?" I ask her, it is all she ever talks about since she
has arrived. In fact, my sister has hinted it a few times as well. It's almost like they're forcing me to
make a choice soon.
Papa said I have time.
Is there something I didn’t know?
The restaurant nightclub looks fantastic. The chandeliers are dimmed to a warm glow as the roof lights
remain warm blue with a few bright lights in the center of the room creating a whimsical ambiance.
The glass tables line the two walls, as smaller tables are arranged around the big hall area. The navy
carpet creates a walkway to the stage in front that is currently occupied by a group of teenage girls on
one side and two young boys on the other.
I smile as I think of Guilia and I spying on the men today from my window.
The doors separating the conference room have been opened to cater for the hundred and fifty people.
Kids run in circles around the chocolate fountain on the left with their marshmallows falling all over.
Cleaning this place is going to be a bitch. I make a mental note to offer Deno some help. I know he
won't employ a cleaning service but get some of the women to assist.
Ilaria touches my shoulder. I stare at her, waiting,
“Your father isn’t going to let you stay single for long. It makes us look bad. You have ruined our name
enough over the years. Even lucky people can’t beat fate.”
I smile, there it comes.
“I was wondering when your true self was going to show. Tell me, Ilaria, is it my half Russian blood that
makes you look bad? Or is it that I remind you of why Papa will never love you like my mother?”
Ilaria's eyes widen as I wink at her. Ignoring the nosy woman behind Ilaria staring openly at our little
scene. That is precisely what it is, a scene.
My need to get out of here is potent. If I don’t leave now, I will do something that will really get people
talking. Something that will have me put in an early grave.
“Aliyana, get back here!" I ignore her as I should have done when she ushered me inside. It isn't
difficult when I do so now. I hate her so much.
I leave the gathering of people and go through the hall, barely even glancing at Leonardo.
Taking a sharp left by the white doors that lead to the back of the restaurant, my legs carry me past the
guests that lurk in the passage.
I release a sigh of relief when I pull the familiar door open and make a quick exit to the emergency
landing staircase. Deno took us up to this rooftop a few times before it became the reason I was a
regular at his club.
There's a helicopter always on standby in case they need to evacuate.
But evacuating isn't what I intend to do. The idea holds appeal, but escaping for a few stolen moments
is the only option I’ll ever have. In reality, I can never escape my life for more than a moment.
I push the door ajar and inhale the dense, cold fresh air as my strappy heels click on the tarred rooftop.
Spotting the greenhouse in the distance, I rush forward. Ignoring the two guards near the helicopter
who acknowledge me with a nod. They perpetually just nod anyway.