Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1) novel Chapter 5

We get home after 2-hours due to traffic. The familiarity of home is welcomed to me. I have lived here for a while, with Papa around for most of it.

This house is one of my father's many properties. Like most in the Famiglia, Papa has legitimate businesses and The 5th State ones.

The 4-floor Mansion my sister and I walk into is one of the legitimate things he owns - Real Estate.

“Hello, siamo a casa Papa,” We are home papa, I yell.

Papa doesn’t respond.

He is either busy or out back in the gardens. I am guessing the former.

“You two are quite cheerful today, excited for tonight?”

Filippo, my eldest brother, walks out from the open arch-way leading to the study. His voice is deep and loud as his big smile makes us giddy. I haven’t seen him in months. Staying this side has a few downsides when it comes to my family. But I have never had a close relationship with any of them besides my father.

Filippo looks handsome and refined in his navy suit and grey tie. Guilia and I picked it out for him last week as his birthday present.

We both say my brother is the Italian version of Christian Grey. He has grey/brown eyes and dark hair, which is almost black, like Papa. My friend Kylie says he is a cliché of bad-boy heartbreaker. Too hot for his own good.

His jaw is clean-shaven today. I prefer him with stubble. He smiles at us, showing the dimple just under his eye.

“I didn’t know you were here. Papa said you would make it only tonight,” I say as my brother kisses me first on my cheeks, then my sister.

“Ah. Papa wanted to surprise you. It’s been a few months since I have seen you, you should come to New York more often.”

I don’t respond to Filippo, he knows the chances of me coming to New York to see them are slim to none with Ilaria’s hatred for me.

Here, I have college and friends. I could escape at any time I want. This very home I live in was the home my mother and Papa chose to raise us in. Seattle is my home, New York is my prison.

Papa understands it.

He spends most of his time here with me than he does in New York. Guilia doesn’t mind that much because she has Filippo and her own friends to keep her busy.

Elia and Serena don’t have the same feelings as Guilia does.

I knew this because they always act out when they're here. I feel terrible that we are all divided.

Papa doesn't share the sentiment. He once said that Ilaria was a great mother, and his time was more valuable than using it to raise kids and playing house.

Filippo places his arms around the two of us,

“Follow me.”

We know Filippo has got us something. He is always giving us presents. Sometimes I wish he’ll get married and settle down. He’s almost thirty.