Capo Dei Capi (Secrets of the Famiglia Part 1) novel Chapter 52

Mischa rushes down the white-tiled staircase. Her eyes as black as her mothers' and my own - A trait only one bloodline in the Catelli Famiglia has.

Her black curly hair and naughty dimpled smile, including her wolf nose, is the epitome of her father, Lucca.

There's no denying who her parents are. No denying the venomous bloodline running through her veins and the enemies she'd inherit because of it.

One thing is certain- there is goodness in her. Her father was once a good man, I know, because not too long ago we were friends. Katrina was the poison that slipped into his mind. She turned him evil.

All for pussy. Deno's words play in my head as I smile at the last goodness of my friend, Lucca, and the product of my cousin's Amariya's torture, Mia figlia. My daughter

I smile wider, the closer she gets to me. Her little legs tiny but steady, and I open my arms, bend my knees as she reaches the last two steps. She is the only reason keeping me from killing everybody in the 5th State.

Reining war is what I should do to all the fuckers who stood by and watched what my brother went through, by the hands of my Grandfather . My father included.

My only wish now is, she'd be rushing down the stairs of my Manor all the time like the princess she ought to be. Not in secret locations in fuckin' suburbs. One day soon.

The few hours I spend with Mischa go by fast.

Most of our time is spent at the toy shop. One thing she learned from my sister is how to shop. I get back to Anya's place after 6. The two cars in the front, tell me I am just in time.

My soldiers who kept an eye on us while we were gone remain at the back of my car.

"Uncle Deno and Leo are here, Papa," Mischa beams as she opens her own door and runs toward the house as I take a minute to collect myself.

It is always hard for me to let her leave and harder when I know she isn't going to see me for another few days.

We have no option but to rotate her. Deno, Anya, and I switched her every few months.

Deno, however, kept Mischa the most since he had more time. It made it easier for me to see her since we lived together.

Anya kept Mischa when she could. My sister owned a boutique and a few spa's, which she micromanaged. She was constantly busy, but her businesses made her time worth it.

I acknowledge the soldiers on the left of the house as I jump out of my car, signaling them to get the stuff from the boot.

We spend the evening with my sister as Xander entertains us with stories of his years in Liston Hills.

None of us gets emotional when we talk about Lorenzo. We have all mourned him in our own way this week. My siblings would miss him more than me.

I never really got to know my brother as well as I should have. I loved him, and he will be missed, but I'm not crippled by his permanent leave.

Leonardo stays behind when Deno and I make our excuse to leave. After tucking Mischa in for the evening, I say my goodbyes to my sister. Xander gets a phone call and leaves straight away.