Chapter 32

"Yes. Divorce is off the table. Aliyana is a half-blood, you said so yourself. Camilla is a good choice, for Mischa and our family. A big army is what we need to protect Mischa, and Camilla comes with just that. A small price to pay." "You are making a bad decision, a mistake. Aliyana can give you more than just an army, fuck Marco. You know what I'm talking about, you have spent time with her." I look at my brother, his cold gaze stuck in the past he will never come out of. I'll turn this world upside down and burn every fucker whoever takes his choices from him again. Myself included. "If she is so great, why don't you marry her? This conversation is over. I won't have you question me on this. My choice." "You are making the wrong choice," Deno barks. "I will sleep with my wrong choices." My phone rings as my brother breaks my eye stare. I'm aware the conversation isn't over. I don't expect anything less from Deno, but his reasoning will not change my decision. Not on this. My body hardens, as my mind goes to war with itself. Mario Moretti's threat is no small matter, and my want for Aliyana is not worth the lives I'll lose if I refuse. I slip my phone out of my suit pocket, 'VINCENT' flashes on my screen. "Who died now," I say in all calmness when dealing with my cousin. "The Bratva is going to be soon if we don't talk with Aleksei." "What happened?" I am already dreading whatever it is he is going to say. "They kidnapped my brother, Jace, from his school trip. I think it's about that fuckin' biker girl Lorenzo was fuckin'." I close my eyes, and a heavier weight falls on my shoulders. This is not good because I have a feeling Vincent is correct. They have been asking about Diamond, by name. "Did you call anyone else?" "No, why?" "Because it's a sensitive matter. I'll handle it." My cousin Vincent Vasatti is a Mezzosangue. His mother's short affair with Victor Stone produced my cousin. We accepted him as a Made-Man because Victor is a quarter Italian, which meant my cousin wasn't totally a half-breed. Over the years, when I was away, it was Deno and Vincent who held our territory, did all my father's dirty work. While Deno did his share, our name protected him, but Vincent didn't get such luck. His family is strong, but like most of our clan, they're tied to Catelli's through marriage. He had to earn his stripes in blood and war. Power was something he took. And my respect is something he still needs to earn if he wants to become part of my circle when I take over. "The Stones were looking. Hold on, it's my dad." I hang on the line for Vincent. A minute goes by, 'My father said Diamond is going to give herself up." Fuck. "I'm on my way." I signal Deno that we have to move. I don't bid my father farewell as I walk out of his office. Deno follows close behind. Dante Moretti has twisted my hand, and my father had accepted it when he agreed to Dante's condition 'till death. I asked for this, but one thing my mother taught me is seeds grow silent. The power of that seed is the thickness of its branches and the stubbornness of its roots. I am Marco DeMarco Catelli. Heir to The 5th State, and it is time I sent a message to all those who will answer to me.