Chapter 24

Aliyana Death is final. We all will meet the same fate as the boy who now lies in the black coffin, his face cold, hollow, the mask of all that made him left for us to mourn. Lorenzo Catelli was a boy filled with love and life. He made me believe I was more than just the face of a woman I never knew, yet so many feared and loved. He made me see, I was deserving of my own identity, and he loved me regardless of who I found once I opened those gates and found myself lacking. Lorenzo Catelli looked at me and saw me with a knife in my hand, as the man who dared touch my sister laid beside my feet on the floor bleeding to death. I am a monster, a killer, and I will kill again if it means I protect the ones I love, and Lorenzo, my beautiful friend, loved me regardless of what he knew. I couldn't protect him, there was no way I would have known he was going to die. After Marco left, I made a vow to end the one who did this to him. No matter what. The funeral is filled with people, some who shed fake tears, and those like me, with real sorrow. Most of the people in attendance today only got a glimpse of Ren. They never knew him, not like the few of us who could say different. My attention takes me into the distance away from all of us. Standing by an old tree is Kylie Bray, and Vincent Stone arguing. Vincent- A man of power, a far-removed relative of Ilarias' through marriage. Kylie Bray- A Texan heiress, a close friend, and woman who has been in love with him for years. Kylie is a friend who is as loyal as the man she calls father. And Vincent, the faithful cousin of the Catelli siblings, the Stone brother born in our world. Vincent is the 3rd son of Victor Stone, but Vincent's family, love, and loyalty belong to the Catelli siblings. His ties to them are forged by strong bonds, and the territory he owns and runs by their side solidifies that bond. But that isn't what makes Kylie and Vincent complicated. It's the fact that on paper, they are step-siblings who are caught in the web of love and hate. His hate for her is so cruel, and her love for him, raw and real. When she looks at him, it sends shivers in my body. I doubt there's a word to describe the way those two look right now. Not even my brush could perfect that scowling hardened face of Vincent, or self- hating gaze Kylie watches him with. 'Stop staring, it's rude," Guilia whispers as she nudges me. I drop my eyes, and as they have done this passing hour, look at Marco. My lips remembering our kiss last night, his haunted black depths as he stood across from me outside my house, almost defeated. The dance we shared, our forbidden moment that happened while Ren was getting shot at. The beginning of one story, and the ending of another. How Ironic is life, it gives you greatness, teases you with possibilities of tomorrows, but never grants you forever. In one night, I went from dreaming of Leonardo Catelli to kissing his brother. From one night, I went from having Ren in touching distance to mourning him. And 5 days later, here I am burying him, a 19-year-old boy who didn't deserve this. There are always consequences to our actions, I wonder which of Ren's actions led him to a coffin. I see my friends, in their suits, resembling equal parts of hate and pain. If what Deno and Marco say is true, one of them could have killed Ren. Could the others be guilty too? The thought makes an already sinking pit in my stomach twist. Betrayal is not a natural emotion to swallow. When it stems from those you hold close, betrayal is not an option until its evidence is staring you right in the face. Deno, Marco, Gabriel, Romero, Michel, and Leonardo step forward to throw a handful of sand on the coffin as the scream of Lorenzo's mother calls to the god we pray to. Nicole Catelli is a strong woman. It is sad to see her so fragile and weak. Early death is the one thing in this world, I was born in, I loathe the most. We are all doomed. The laws of this world don't give a fuck if you deserve it or not. 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.