Chapter 5
When I get out, Gabriel is sitting in the front seat staring at me. He's always been quiet, never saying too much. I admired that about him. But the quality I admired was also what made me wary. My papa told me a quiet man is a waiting man, and that makes him patient, and those who are patient are the most lethal. Would Gabriel prove to be a problem, eventually? I hoped not. I liked to think of him as our secret weapon.
I sometimes secretly wished he would be that weapon when it came to Alec. The guy made me mad in ways that were not sane on any level of the word. He knew how to push my buttons and he pushed them mercilessly.
He chose to pick on Gabriel and me. Gabriel was the tallest and the son of a DeMarco. The same DeMarco's who killed his mother's brothers. Yes, revenge in the Mafia was a real pain. And the sins of the father fell heavily on their sons and, in my case, daughter.
Which was the reason a made-man was taught to kill the children too because kids grew up and a made-man's son would want his flesh of meat when his time came.
"I can't believe he actually asked to join us," My temper is still boiling after our flight, mostly because all I managed to do was think about Alec Russo and all the vile things he chose to do.
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's 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 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 shows that 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 broody self.
"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. Even if that luck came at a price.
"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. It was a good thing I mentioned it to him today, else I don't think I would win this one without a massive blow.
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.
He opens his arms as his dramatic entrance comes to a complete halt when he gathers me in a big hug. Deno has always smelt like leather and a mixture of something forbidden, dangerous. We had enough of those going around in our world. But Deno Catelli was in a league of his own.
I think I have always had a certain amount of respect for our future Capo. I'm not sure if it was due to the fact of his willingness to help us, or his ability to control a situation without making it known that he was the one in control.
It still boggles my mind even now as I stand here wrapped in the arms of this important, dangerous man. He is 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 am well aware my father would not 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 a kiss before Michel.