Chapter 42

He doesn't turn to face me, just remains standing and I do the same. Staring at his black suit jacket that traps his broad shoulders, I am not certain of what emotions I'm feeling right now. But him standing there, in his suit looking every bit of the dangerous Catelli he was born to be I can honestly say, his choice of attire is a fitting cage for a wild beast. 'I am sorry I hurt you, Aliyana. But, Camilla is going to be my wife. I love her. I suggest you find a new man to give all your affection to. It will be a shame to see it go wasted on a taken man." Marco walked out of my life after delivering words that cut me deeper with every step he took away from me as I dropped to the floor. My knees hit the pebbled ground. My voice, the echo of a broken heart. This is pain, this real. Regret is something I have never felt. Not when I shot the man who killed my mother, or poisoned the girl who broke my friends heart, nor when I went behind Papa and disobeyed every order he dished out. No, regret is something foreign to me. But now, it is my friend, now it has attached itself to my very soul, that light now dimming. I regret the day I ever laid eyes on Marco Catelli. I regret him. My Papa always told me that love is for fools, because the outcome is always the same, heartbreak. It is a weakness, a flaw. My knees should pain from the stones pocking in the flesh. Worry of my father catching me in this disgusting position, over a man should be on my mind. But, right now, as I cry with my body curled on the ground, my throat aching from the sounds coming out of it, all I can think about is how it hurts. My slob from my mouth covering my chin, the snot from my nose leaking out, the rocking motion of my body as I howl in the pain of rejection, uselessness. My tears aren't just for him, my tears started for what he did, but now I am crying for me. A girl who only wanted to be loved, have a simple life. A girl who never got to smile without shadows behind her gaze. I cry for myself, for my 12-year-old self who didn't allow herself to say no, who wasn't strong enough to tell her father she didn't want to be a killer. My stomach caves in as I cross my arms , pushing them into my abdomen. Unsuspecting hands wrap around me, lifting me as I am placed on a familiar scent. The urge to fight is fleeting, as I succumb to this surprising yet needed show of affection by the man who is my enemy. Sometimes enemies could make the best allies at such unpredicted times. I never knew the story unfolding as the hands of my enemy comforted a lonely heart. Mine I cry in Matteo's arms, saying a silent goodbye to my first true heartbreak. 'You should wipe your tears," An unknown voice says startling both of us. My eyes are swollen as they burn when I open them and face the bright sun to look at the owner of the voice. I pull back from Matteo and push my butt off his legs, realizing how this must look. The way I was cradled in his body is forbidden and punishable. The fact that he knows that but took the chance anyway just to comfort me is a lot. I file that small piece away for later when I am not having a ‘moment' of weakness. They say life can be unexpected at times, and when one door slams shut a new one gets made, waiting to be unlocked. I wipe my stinging eyes, snotty nose and the slob on my cheeks and lips. Lifting my head, I look up to the man who stole my moment to mourn. Men are thief's and I am tired of getting robbed. I open my mouth to tell this perpetrator just that. Broad shoulders block the sun as I stare at the tall man. The scar on his neck a reminder of exactly where I am and the type of men I am around. He has a harsh scowl on his face. His mouth which could be full is currently tight as he stares down at me, disapproval festered all over his features. I glare up at him, 'I don't take orders from you." 'No, you don't." His voice, is deep, yet sharp like a whip, as he takes a step closer when my frown turns very deadly. I get up, my short form standing very close to his. 'But come tomorrow, Miss Capello I will take orders from you." 'What?" I am confused, at the same time Matteo gets up from the floor and stands next to me. 'Who are you?" He asks, still liking the sound of his voice but I am grateful because I am also very curious to who the hell this scarred man is. His smile is malicious and sends scary shivers to course up my veins. 'Salvatore Moretti." 'Michel's cousin?" I query. 'Yes, Camilla Moretti's cousin too." It was on this SATURDAY standing in my mother's garden looking at the scarred Salvatore Moretti, that I knew my father was a very intelligent man. And surely he wouldn't be so foolish to give me a Moretti as a soldier without at least a thought, unless… Another thought comes to mind and for the first time since I got home and found out my sister was marrying Leonardo minutes after I found out Marco was engaged to Camilla, I smile so big and the happiness that fills me over flows. Thank you so much for reading. Part 2 in the Secrets of The Famiglia Series will be out May 2020. Please take a moment to leave a review if you liked the book or pop me an email on [email protected]