Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1)

The Catelli’s were kind to the children, raised them as they would us. But for us, it wasn't the case.

We weren’t accepted in Chicago as our parents had hoped. I was treated the worst and called a whore for staying with four boys.

They didn't consider that we were staying with their Capo’s sister and husband. Well, they just didn’t care. It wasn't the Adults that made us miserable, it was their kids.

Our Famiglia killed a lot of their family. They wanted to do the same, but their hands were tied, and payback wasn’t off the table.

What the other kids hoped would make us miserable and easy targets made us stronger.

“Yes, indeed we are,” Ren touches my head. His gaze straining far away. I don’t need to be his mind reader to know the night he is thinking about. The night we were saved by a Di Salvo.

“Now, you all join the same University. One day your kids will be just as close,” My sister says.

To the people in the Famiglia, these four boys are my brothers. After seven years, the stories amongst our kind became history, and Papa's choice of sending his half-blood daughter was regarded as an honorable action, not a suicide to his name.

But unfortunately, marriage to any one of the boys would be a scandal. It was the one rule Papa couldn’t be clearer about as I got older.

The thing is, I didn’t care, the lot of them were not him.

It was 2-days after my 15th birthday and the first day of summer vacation when I fell hopelessly in love with the handsome Leonardo Catelli.

The sun was blazing, giving his skin that extra golden glow as he stood in the Chicago heat.

He was moaning to Ren and Gabriel about having to fetch us. He was 19 and the epitome of bad-boy. And I was a 15-year-old girl with crazy hormones. The poster girl for all things wrong.

He looked right past my short form as I stood gawking at his tall one. Black glasses hiding the eyes that would come to haunt me in the days that followed.

I didn’t exist now. I was Yana, Ren’s friend. Leonardo greeted me when I went to his home after that day. He spoke to me when he had to and I always froze.

A little cat with a distinguished surname and him - A lion raised to rule a territory of his

my own personal brand of torture that Leonardo Catelli is the only one for me. Maybe

we shared on those rare occasions. Moments, I convinced myself a man like Leonardo Catelli

force to get into University. The reason I choose to stay in Seattle, far away

grounds and a few more when he attends frat parties is the perk me up, I need. A link. Even

if he is the sole reason I

Papa was proud when I announced that I was going to

always empowered me in more ways

am clueless as my sister. My father still preaches to me that love will not guarantee me

met your brother, Marco. Is he as charming as Deno?” I question Ren, changing the topic of conversation and quietening my

Marco. I have not seen the man in person,

humor, always welcomed.

would call him a friend. But Deno once told me that his friends were actually

to be

seen him. There are rumors that the Famiglia is shifting power. And Deno

ones that make up the 5th State, I say again, I know

I was always ashamed of having only half Italian blood. My Papa told me to be proud of the Bratva's blood in my

I like to believe that is

know of the Bratva isn't something I want to be known

or you might just be stuck with one of

chances of me marrying his brother is in the negative.

rings. I know the ringtone all too well, his fathers.

it, just frowns.