Chapter 19

How could Matteo know? How did he know we were here? 'Fine, let's say I believe you, which I don't!" Xander pauses a beat, making it known he doesn't believe me, 'Tell me why he sent me here, there has to be a reason, right?" I arch my brow, silent. Truth is, I am at a loss myself. Matteo was as cunning as a fox hunting its prey. He didn't show his cards until everyone else held out theirs- A trickster in suit 'He sent you to find me." That voice, that distinctive fucking sound coming from behind me, is the reason I close my eyes for a beat. 'We haven't formally introduced ourselves. I'm Alice. You are more charming than your pictures, Xander." Her tall thin body walks in front of me. Alice is tall, confident, and everything I despise in this world. But, there is one problem with this entire picture. She beams at him, as a small dimple under her eye transforms her face from mildly irritated to utterly amused when Xander frowns. "Why would Matteo send me to find you?." 'I told him to. My brother has a thing about manners, if you have them, you get your way, if you don't, well." She purses her lips, pretending to think, 'Let's just say we don't disrespect my brother." Her hand makes a dismissive flare to it. "Okay, so why do you want me here?" "Isn't it obvious?" She side-steps and looks at me, then back at him. "No." He answers, "It isn't obvious. In fact, I am lost." A small smile plays between her lips as she stares at Xander. Amused. She twists her head to face me, "Are you going to tell him, or am I?" "Please don't," I beg, and it isn't the first time she laughs that fake laugh. Alice is a demon wrapped in bronze skin, and short black curly hair, that shapes a face meant to fool you into believing she actually has a heart. "Aliyana is my sister, of course. Get it? Daddio was a very naughty boy." She laughs again, and I close my eyes as the dread wraps around me. Yes, Alice, for all her evilness, her demon ways, and games she plays with everyone, is my sister. A powerful, manipulative bitch. Her Grandfather raised her after her mother passed and what a job he did too. "So she is your sister, what does this have to do with Alec?" "Nothing, this has to do with you asking questions about Aliyana." Believe it or not, I hate her. I have known Alice is my sister since Dexter Kent came into my life. I've kept my distance not just for my good but for hers. I knew there was something not right about Alice from the day I saw her face to face. Since then, staying away from her has been the best decision I made. Didn't help, her stepbrother is the boy I've hated since the day he shoved me in a pool in the middle of winter. ‘Cool off' were the words he said to me that day. Alice was never supposed to find out we shared DNA, but she knew, she always knew more than she said. How much did she know? Did she know she is not my father's only daughter from another Famiglia? No, Papa surely knew how to be unfaithful and fuck it up. Not only did he get Alice's mum pregnant while my mother mourned my sister after the Bratva took her. A few years later, he got Elisa's mum pregnant. A year younger than I am. The only difference is, Alice wasn't Capo Russo's wife's child. Alice was Marianna Russo's daughter, and her brother, Matteo Di Salvo, was the boy I hated most of all. "Is it not obvious?" She questions him as Kylie makes an appearance. Her body stiffens as she takes in the scene. Alice standing two steps in front of me, the center of attention as she likes it. Xander is directly opposite her, seconds away from exploding. Sienna leans against the small wooden frame, curious. Ren behind Xander, no doubt ready to slit his throat if he makes one wrong move. And me, the short girl, the unassuming one, seconds away from throwing my sister over the balcony. Kylie Bray's wariness is not unwarranted. She should be scared. In the room, now, is three different bloodlines. And one of them is lying. "If it was obvious, I wouldn't be asking you questions now, would I?" Xander points out, but his tone has a bite to it that raises my shackles. "Considering you dare to question my sister, I would think the word obvious is a foreign concept to you." Her voice slices the air, and I don't need to look to know more than a few people heard her through the music. "Why would you think that, sweetheart?" His sarcastic tone hits a nerve. "Because foolish man, it is obvious that right now, you are royally screwed." Alice places her hand on her skirt covered hip. The diamond bracelet glittering around her wrist. "Why would you think such a stupid thing like that?" "Oh, I did not think anything. I knew that a fool like you would do exactly what my brother told him. Leading you right to me. Maybe I haven't introduced myself properly, but you see upon my mother's death, my Grandfather took it upon himself to raise me, many people know my mother as Marianna Russo because she took her mother's surname, but my Grandfather , well he was insistent I take his. You see, Mr. Xander, we seem to have something in common." "What is that?" "I'm a Moretti too. And my Grandfather is your Capo's brother." Alice stands in front of me, her short black hair shining under the reflection of the light coming from the ceiling. Kylie observes Alice with an almost bored look, which I know is an act because she has stood on guard since she walked into the door. There's something about Kylie Bray that tells me she's no ordinary rich girl. 'Well, why all the effort to lead me right to you? If you want me so bad, Principessa, all you need do is tell me." 'My taste buds are very peculiar. Let's cut to the chase, Alec is not dead, he's missing. It seems someone wanted him dead, but he managed to elude them. Isn't that right, Elisa?" Elisa stops walking, I didn't even notice her arrival. Her eyes - wide and scared. I want to comfort her, but I do well to remain standing in the same spot. There's no way Alice could know about Elisa. No way. 'And you, dear Xander, aren't here to make sure he is safe, are you? You want him dead, so let's cut the bullshit, shall we?" Ren frowns, as my heart beats harder in my chest. He is worried, just like me. How did our night turn so bad so fast? This is not good. Alice turns to look at me, "And dearest Aliyana. Maybe I am a bitch little sister, most of the time, and yes, you and your misfits want to kill me the other half of it, but that..." She points at Elisa, "She makes me look like a fucking saint. She has you all fooled. You claim THAT devil as your sister, but you don't know the claws she's hiding. Alec deserves what's coming to him, but she deserves a fate far worse than a quick death." I didn't care about Alec's whereabouts as much as the woman standing in front of me, staring at Elisa. What was she talking about? Elisa didn't hurt a fly. Was it jealousy? 'I think this conversation has come to an end darlin'. Now since we are all talking about what's ours. I should mention that this house belongs to the Stones, and like your family shenanigans, the Stones happen to be my family." Kylie stares at Alice, who still has her gaze on Elisa. 'Which means that it is protected by The Satan Snipers and The Catelli family so, you two sweethearts need to get the fuck out," Sienna finishes for Kylie as both cousins move closer toward each other. Standing side by side, looking at Xander and Alice. 'I don't give a fuck about the Satan Snipers or The Catelli family." Xander snarls, getting pissed off. 'You should if you care for your life. The shadows don't take likely attacking their own," Leonardo walks up from the stairs, and if looks could be given a name, I'd call his ‘the Reaper' as he stands on the last step, behind Kylie and Sienna. Whoever the Shadows are, Xander and Alice seem to back down. Kylie's mouth gets tight for reasons I am sure has to do with the Shadows. I didn't know much about them, but as I stand here, it isn't the first time that name has cooled off a hot mess. 'This isn't over." Alice turns after delivering her promise to all of us, and it isn't a coincidence when her gaze lands on me. She winks and walks past Leonardo. He grabs onto her arm, saying something to her. She pushes his chest, rushing down the stairs. 'Xander, as much as I am happy to see you, you should leave too." Sienna's voice is almost sad. She likes him, but even she knows that this isn't going to end well. 'Certainly, but just so you know Aliyana, your sister has just been marked, you should tell her to watch that pretty back of hers. I don't appreciate her little antics," Xander walks away. He walks by Leonardo, who gives him a chilling glare as Xander heads down the stairs. I know I will see him again. Fuck you, Matteo, fuck you. If Alice knew Elisa's my sister, what did that mean for us? Did I go back to ignoring her, or should I be concerned about Elisa's safety? What would my father do to the daughter he never wanted? What will he do to a bastard child that proved to everyone that he didn't love my mother as much as he wanted people to believe? What did it all mean for me? What did it mean for Elisa? And why would Alice say that shit about Elisa? I look at Elisa, she is so innocent and good. I shake my head in confusion more than anything else. Someone must have said something to Alice that made her say those things, I would know if I needed to keep a watchful eye on Elisa. I have known her most of my life. I don't see Alice as the person who'll let things slide. If she knows what happened with Alec all those months ago, did it mean she'll come after us? Surely not, I wouldn't want to stain my hands with the blood of my sister to protect the ones I loved. She is, after all, as much my father's daughter in blood as I. "Well, now that we have all that out of the way. We should really get back to the reason we are here." Sienna breaks us all out of thought. She pulls my hand, and I follow her as the others step in behind us. And for the rest of the night, we drink, smoke pot, and dance. Ren leaves the open balcony for an hour, and I think nothing of it. My phone rings as I watch Sienna grind herself against one of the football players. "What is it?" I ask the caller, my voice loud to overpower the music and catcalls blaring in my other ear. "Alec is dead, consider this your only warning, an eye for an eye. I won't be there to save you this time, darling." The line to the other end goes dead, as Matteo Di Salvo's voice tilts my world on its axis. Ren walks in seconds after, and as I stare at him, I see the guilt, I see the death on his face. Forgive him, father, Lorenzo Catelli has just started a war.