Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1) novel Chapter 41

I spot a man walking toward me, my breath betrays me as recognition flares within my mind’s eye. Blonde hair falls carelessly in his vision as his tall, lithe form approaches me. I thought I recognized him at Azure the other night. But I didn’t know the blue-eyed man would have such a strong death wish. Not after all the shit, he caused.

He stops next to my sister. His unconcern for the people looking at him is not something that surprises me.

“What are you doing here, Matteo?” I ask as my sister observes him with curiosity. His confidence can be a bit intimidating, but so can most of the people standing here. The difference is Matteo Di Salvo doesn’t know the meaning of personal space.

“Aren’t you happy to see me, Little-flower?” His British accent asks in that sinister way of his.

“You should leave,” The warning is evident in my voice.

I ignore my sisters gasp at the chill coming from my voice.

“I am not here to fight with you, Little-flower. Regardless of our disputes, Ren was a worthy opponent. He didn’t deserve what he got.”

“No, he didn’t.”

He puts his hands on my sister’s arms, moving her to the side. A few people notice, thankfully, Papa isn't one of them.

I doubt my father would be forgiving today of all days. He's in a foul mood, and I suspect it's centered on Ren's death.

Ren was family, and Papa, with all his secrets, protected his family. Blood will be spilled.

“I want to apologize for what happened a few years ago. We were young. Alec went too far, his hate for your father was no excuse for what he did to you or Gabriel. He deserved what he got.”

“It's a little too late for apologies, I hear Gabriel has already carved your name on his list.” This is not a lie, and we both knew intimately the nature of Gabriel’s promise was not something to toss aside.

“That is if you don’t get to me first.” This also is not a lie, I have my own reason for his demise.

“We are the same, Little-flower.”

“I am nothing like you! I don’t hide behind my name when things get dirty, sending Alice to clean up your mess. It must have hurt when she called you out on your shit.” I glare at him, voice low, but my meaning is as bright as the death of my friend.

How dare he come here on this day and even consider me in the same sentence as him. Ren’s body is not yet covered with soil, and already a Di Salvo taints this gathering.

“Fair enough, Little-flower. Have your victory for now. But know this, your father has offered me a position today as your head guard while I finish my studies this side. I am going to accept it. So, I best you get used to it because I have a mouth, and I happen to love the sound of my voice.” Matteo leaves me with my mouth hanging open and a tyrant of hateful emotions.

How easy will it be to just end him? I fume silently as I watch the people mourn the loss of a man most of them didn’t even know. But, Ren was such a man, you didn’t need to spend days with him to love his soul. He was a big part of the good we had in our world. And like all things good and pure, he was taken.

Sometimes I wonder if the 5th State is cursed. Are only the wicked sinners allowed to blossom in the dark? I spot Matteo on the other end as he stops and stands close to Elisa. Her eyes face me for a moment, I hold them before I glare at the boy who stands next to her. Matteo might not be a Russo by name, but he is a Russo all the same.

I hate the Russo family. Matteo, I hate even more.

“We should go home. I don’t want to go to the Catelli house, Guilia.”

“It's not a good idea Liya, we need to pay our respects, Papa will look bad if you don’t go. Who is that boy, Matteo? He is trouble. You should tell Papa not to give him the job,” My sister whispers from next to me.

“Not that simple, Guilia. Papa seems to trust him enough for the task. I want to leave now, COVER for me, tell Papa I was feeling ill.”

Papa stands with a few of the soldiers talking as my stepmother, and the twins stand next to Maria Catelli, cousin of our Capo. Filippo is on the other side with the DeMarco family.

I don't see Ren’s sister, Anya. Her visit the other day to my house didn't bode well. Anya didn't visit, and death was something she didn't bat an eyelash about.

Andreya Moretti is even present, the beauty of the Californian Famiglia. Alice's cousin. I wonder if she's as bitter and cruel as her family. I have only seen her a handful of times, unlike Alice, Andreya prefers isolation. I don’t get it, but whenever I see her, she looks at me like I'm a ghost she never wants to see, and that sends chills down my spine.

“I need to see someone. Tell Gabriel I left if you see him,” I say to my sister, and is true to a sense. There were a few others I needed to see.

“Go then, but go now. I'll tell Gabriel. I’ll get Filippo to cover for you, at least Papa won’t be too mad.” I smile at my sister and kiss her cheek. I leave the burial site, backing away just as Ren's girlfriend, Diamond, walks toward Kylie.