Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1) novel Chapter 46

"Be careful, Aliyana." I nod my head slightly, understanding that this is our goodbye until we meet again, which I knew would be soon.

I walk toward Josey's Fraternity house, remembering, last minute she's staying there and not the dorms.

"Aliyana." I spin around at the sound of the man in the dark suit walking closer to me.

His strides are so long. Powerful. Marco's face is set in a harsh scowl as his eyes burn with so many emotions that I can't pinpoint just one.

He cradles my face in the palm of his hands. I surrender as his lips come in contact with mine.

Standing on my toes, I kiss Marco.

His lips consume my senses as he glides his tongue into my mouth, touching my own.

My hands grip his forearms, digging my fingers into the suit jacket. The sun is bright as his lips come apart with my own. I never kissed a guy before Marco Catelli. I always thought my first kiss would be with Leonardo. I imagined it would be in the corner of a building or behind a big tree, hidden from prying eyes. Never did it cross my mind that I, Aliyana Capello, will be kissing Marco Catelli under the bright sun, in broad daylight with people strolling past us, and he would be kissing me back. Claiming me, a half-blood. Mezzosangue

His kiss is felt down to my core, my body warming under the heat rushing through my veins like tiny bursts of static. My lips move with his, as his tongue demands more, sucking on mine. A forbidden happening, with the sun bearing witness to another stolen moment with the brother I didn't choose. Yet, every time it feels as though he chose me. I feel wanted. Is that why I line my body, stepping into his as our lips move together as two lovers unite.

He pulls back, and I look into his eyes. A mad man.

Death.

Marco Catelli feels- The haunted look in his eyes that never had a chance to be a child, born amid bloodshed undoes me.

"Your soul brings kings to their knees, Mezzosangue."

"And what about a mad man?" I don't say made, I say 'mad' and the smile dominating my attention, disregarding where we are is enough to bring me to my own knees.

"His death."

My father would think me a foolish girl falling so fast. Gullible.

I know my eyes stare intently into Marco's burning gaze. If we could swap thoughts right now, I wonder what his would say.

"Marco!" Deno's voice booms like a whip behind us. Cutting this moment.

"Go away, Deno," He says, not releasing his hold on my face. His chest blocks Deno from my view.

It's the first time I really notice how big his build is. I am a cat trapped in a bear's cave by just his will, and his hands that I am positive have snapped many necks. Is this how it feels to be held by a killer?

"This is not the way, Marco." His eyes turn tortured, I know, because they closely resemble my own when I looked in the mirror this morning. It isn't easy burying someone you love, especially when the person is the only one who really saw you. No, it's like they are dying all over again.

Whatever his battle raging in his head, wins over him. He releases me and takes a step back.

"Go Mezzosangue, I'm not leaving until you do." One would think the word is meant to hurt me. When he says it, his focus is dead set on me. The tone of his voice dipping in darker territory. His Italian heritage dominating, when that word is spoken.

He says Mezzosangue with affection, but right now, I sense his darkness, his need.

Marco Catelli wants me. There is something about that which makes me heat up inside like a reckless inferno as I stand and stare at him.

"Go, Aliyana." His order comes out like a whip. I jerk out of the small frozen state I'm in.

I don't question Marco Catelli further. I listen to his order, turn my back, and walk away from him.

I didn't turn my head. I was confident I would be seeing him soon. I didn't know the circumstance would be different.