Chapter 26

Aliyana 2 years ago 'Mero, Micky!" Gabriel yells as Ren, and I stand by the door of their tech-class with our backpacks, waiting. Bunking last period wasn't the best decision we were making today with finals approaching soon. We were all accepted into University about a week ago. Since receiving our acceptance letters, Gabriel has not lifted a book to study. I informed my friend, finals were still a big part of getting in. To say he didn't care, was the understatement of the year. Then again, I am here with the brooding bunch as always. 'I am done with Matteo fucking Di Salvo, why couldn't he stay in England like a good fuck boy?" Gabriel states as he walks out with Mero and Michel joining us. 'Because pussies don't know how to stay in one place," Michel responds, as he slides his hand through his gel brown hair. He is the shorter of the four boys, and the most muscular. 'That pussy better be careful," Mero says as we all laugh. 'So where to? We should sneak Yana in the gentlemen's bar again, that was funny," Ren suggests, earning him a smack on his arm in response. The sneaking part wasn't much fun when I had to creep in through the men's bathroom window. Gabriel puts his arm over my shoulders, reminding me of how short I actually am and how tall he is. 'I was thinking of somewhere a bit further," He says as his usually straight face mutates into a smiling one. I love these guys. 'Where?" I ask him as my stomach twist with an anxious thrill of what we were going to do. 'My Uncle is around attending some business. He's given us free rein of his Jet until 7 this evening. I took the liberty to have Constantine clear a flight plan for us to Seattle." 'What are we going to do there?" Mero queries as his brows furrow in an almost hesitant wonder. Vincent Vasati, Deno, and Marco Catelli ran Washington State. It was also Ren's and my home. Well, for the most part. I didn't really have a home. 'Deno has the new exclusive club opening this weekend. The bottom floor is a restaurant, thought, we'll christen the place and enjoy a meal." Ren's glee is unmasked as Gabriel lets us in on his little plan. Ren loves Deno. Marco Catelli is the only brother I haven't met, and from the little Ren has let slip about him, it is a good thing I haven't. His sister, Anya, I liked the least out of his big family. She was false and always had an agenda. I didn't like people who could do something cruel to those they claimed to love. 'Don't we get an invite?" I hear that voice, and we all freeze at the sound. Straight ahead of me, and down the hall is the Russo boys and their new BFF, Matteo Di Salvo. Alec and Matteo stand side by side, while the twins, Cassio and Camelid, take the back. 'No," Gabriel responds, his fingers tensing on my arm as he stiffens next to me, all casualty gone. 'Too bad, I was hoping to see my cousin," Alec says as his evil smile implies otherwise. 'Yeah, too bad. We're full up, try the airport," Ren recommends. Mero nudges his head to say let's go and I think his timing is impeccable. 'We will do just that. I should probably call your brother too, wouldn't want to start a war now," Alec yells as the others laugh at his stupid joke. 'I am not sure which one I hate more, Matteo or Alec," Michel mumbles. "I thought Di Salvos are supposed to be our closest allies," Mero states as his brows draw down into a scowl I know too well. "Allies? What the fuck is that?" Ren's sarcasm makes us burst out laughing. We ignore the irritant foursome as we turn our backs and walk toward the exit. I should've have known it wasn't over. Far from it. "I can't believe he actually asked to join us." My temper is still boiling after our flight. We jump out of the black Mercedes as the six soldiers Deno sent for us surround the vehicle. The building, known as Azure, is a tall face brick architectural dream. Dark-tinted glass going right up to a 5-floor height serves as a front wall. I am sure it is bulletproof. "He's a Russo. What do you expect? There is a reason they are our enemies," Gabriel replies as he slips on a black blazer over his white school shirt. To the passersby, we resemble a group of wealthy kids. We are, but the four-boys, are all Made-Men. They have killed, and the ring on their index fingers show they would do it again. "It looks like there is a drop zone on the roof. Why couldn't we land there?" Mero asks as he straightens his tie. "It isn't ready. Deno is making a greenhouse," Ren answers. "What green are we talking? In house? Purple heads?" Michel goes from mildly interested to very interested. Big hazel eyes widening with glee. His hair is cut short, and his once baby face has now sharpened over the last year. His jaw still not quite as sharp as the other boys, but Michel's hardened exterior in certain places gives off 'a don't fuck with me' vibe that closely matches Gabriel's. "I should have stayed in a girl's only school," I mumble as I push my hair back from my face. "And miss the time of your life? I doubt you would. Your father almost castrated my father when he asked him. He almost castrated me for even talking that day, fuck, my nuts still twitch from that." Ren shakes his head in mock horror as the 5 of us walk toward the doors of the massive club laughing. 'But he still agreed." I point out as Gabriel opens the door when the soldiers line up next to the entrance. 'Yes, he did, and thank fuck for that," Ren's deep voice is loud as we enter the dark place. 'I am calling dibs on the sound," Gabriel declares as we enter the Azure. 'As long as I don't have to listen to that damn classical shit," Ren says, putting on the lights. The smell of new leather and paint hits my nose as the blue glow brings life to the darkened space. 'The glass is remote controlled. I need to get the remote, give me a minute. Help yourselves to a drink," Ren states as he disappears to what looks like a big ballroom. 'I have a little present for you guys. Wait here," Gabriel declares, and I watch him walk with ease and familiarity through the back of the club. His big shoulders and tall body are a wonder to the short kid, with keen eyes I met all those years ago. It isn't the first time I consider how lucky I am to be one of them. 'What are we drinking?" Mero asks as his big muscular body comes closer toward me. He is built like a linebacker, but he doesn't just play football like the other guys, he is a professional boxer. His family is big on cage fighting and martial arts. 'I think brandy to begin with," Ren replies as he walks back into the room with a familiar guy following carefully behind. It still surprised me at times, especially ones like these on how in-depth to the inner circle of the next generation of Capos I was. If my father found how I spent my free time I was not supposed to even have, I don't think he would share in my gratitude that I was, in fact, the only girl amongst four dangerous guys. Right now, I wasn't just alone with them, I was in the company of my future Capo, the Underboss to the Catelli Famiglia, Deno Catelli and it wasn't the first time. 'Aliyana. You are always a sight when I see you." Deno Catelli's voice is loud as he opens his arms as his dramatic entrance comes to a complete stop when he gathers me in a big hug. I am short, and he is an important, dangerous man, well over 6-ft tall with hard, sinewy arms that have brought many men to their deaths, and right now, he is kissing me on the cheeks and holding me toward his hard chest. Yes, I doubt my father would be pleased by this; then again, the thrill is something I find quite liberating. 'I am glad someone remembers I am a lady," I point out, knowing Mero and Michel can hear. Deno winks at Mero as he releases me when Mero groans. Mero greets Deno with a hug and kiss before Michel. 'When Gabriel called me this morning, I was fucking glad you misfits were showing up. Until I got a call informing me the Russo boys were joining. I suppose you don't want them coming by?" He gives us a knowing look that is evil in intent, and I am glad he is on our side. 'Well, considering they are the reason we are here, no." Gabriel walks in, there is something about his voice that is different, but I hear the note of badass he is giving off. Behind him walks in a familiar boy, though we never got to see often enough I squeal as I run and throw myself in the arms of an old friend, Dexter Kent. As I predicted the last time when I saw him, 6 months ago, he was now as tall as Gabriel, if not a bit taller. Dexter Kent was hardly a boy any longer, he walked with an air that screamed he came from old money and a powerful family. 'Fuck, Dixie, you've grown so tall. You are like Captain America after his transformation," Mero informs our outsider friend as he extracts himself from me, long enough to shake hands with Mero, Ren, and Michel. Dexter puts his arm over my shoulder, 'It has been a while, but considering the call I got from Gabriel, it was time we have a little reunion." 'Can I come out now, or have you forgotten about me?" The female voice coming from behind me has all of us jumping into action, walking toward the sound, behind the bar. I hug her close, and the guys follow. 'How could we forget a beauty like you," Deno responds as he encompasses her into his side and touches her nose lightly with his finger. That is odd. 'How did you, I thought you were... when did..." My words are all coming out half said as I am speechless. I thought she was halfway to Europe by now. I stare at her, it has been so long, a year almost, and I want to cry, but I don't. We have kept this secret for so long. Her life was counting on it. "No, my father changed his mind, I'll be staying here and finishing school and if I am lucky, maybe study English." 'That is great news, Elisa," I say with a big smile that I hope tells her exactly how I missed her. 'It has been a long time. I'm sorry, I couldn't see you sooner." 'No need to be sorry, Eli, Aliyana knows that your cousin is around." Yes, I knew all about Alice. She was around, and where Elisa was a good thing, Alice was terrible. Both my father's daughters. But Alice, there's no denying the proof, she looked just like him. We lived in a world where fools were few and far in-between. Our men were not stupid, and everybody wanted to know your weakness, and my father's bastard Russo daughters wasn't just a secret but his kryptonite. They were proof that my father's love for my mother wasn't as real as he led many to believe. It hid something else entirely. A secret that both my parents kept and my mother died with. It was something a lot of people would want to know because my father, the advisor to the most powerful man in the world was/is the 2nd most powerful man in the world and his secrets, his life and anything that could be used against him was information no one would pass up. And one of those people was the man who helped us when we needed Elisa to remain safe, Deno. But Alice, she was a different ball game altogether. She didn't know that we shared a father. So far, the only people who knew the truth were in this room, and the fact that we were all standing here told me that this was no casual visit, and knowing Deno Catelli, he was not here to shoot the shit with us. This was something serious. 'Well, now that we got all that out of the way, let's begin, shall we?" Deno voices this as his eyes stare at who I can only imagine is Gabriel. 'We need to take out Alec," Gabriel says and we all look at him. 'And I am going to help you." Matteo says as he walks into the restaurant.