Union Of Death (Secrets of The Famiglia Part 2) novel Chapter 21

“I have never seen you at any of the Gala’s Aliyana. Thought a young woman like yourself will be on the prowl for a dashing man.” We are sitting in the lounge area, eating breakfast, the men are getting ready to leave beside Marco.

Yesterday was eventful and I have no idea what happened after I went to bed, but whatever it was has left everyone rather on edge and quiet. To be honest a quiet breakfast is exactly what I need but Camilla has other plans when she opens her mouth.

“I thought this was a breakfast not an interrogation,” I say as I stop what I am doing and look at the woman who cannot seem to keep her opinions to herself

“Interrogation, breakfast is all the same thing we are Italian are we not,”

“Actually Camilla, if you must know I'm only half Italian, another part of me which you seem to forget is Russian and the Russians believe an interrogation is an interrogation.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“Well now you do,”

Deno walks in interrupting us by clearing his throat. Camilla has the audacity to look surprised. I don't even look at him I keep my eyes on her.

“Aliyana a quick word.”

I get up putting my half-eaten eggs on the coffee table and go to Deno,

“I see you have an enemy, which makes Camilla a problem since she happens to be close to Michel.”

“The same Michel who told me she was paying people to get information about me? Yeah, I doubt it. What can I do for the almighty Deno?”

He smiles, “I spoke to Dexter, he said he can help with our little problem. I told your father I need your help at Azure tonight and my sister said she’ll cover the evening for you. If Marco finds him before you...” He leaves the words hanging in the air and I already know what I am going to do. And Dexter did just as I asked.

“Got it.”

“Oh, and one more thing, whatever you took yesterday in that LIBRARY, make sure you give it back.” He winks and walks down the hall leaving me standing there.

I watch Deno walk away and somehow, I know things are going to be different after the nights over. Sometimes in a world ruled by trust, we are bound by not just our duty to each other but by the integrity behind our decisions.

I head back to the lounge and stop. I can’t believe my eyes. Camilla and Guilia hug, I say nothing as I enter.

“Aliyana, I’m sorry I have been such a bitch to you and Guilia.” I am shocked, at her quick turnaround. How did 2 minutes change a person? That doesn’t just happen. Dislike is like a disease, if you find a cure, it doesn’t automatically heal you in seconds.

“Guilia, can you give us a moment?” Camilla asks and Guilia leaves without so much as a flinch.

“What do you want now Camilla?”

“To say I’m sorry.”

“I’m not the one you should be sorry to, my sister has a mark on her arm with your fingerprint.” If I were any other female, I would feel an ounce of forgiveness toward the woman who now is stripped of any false bravado. Only I am not.

“Marco and I have history, a complicated one at best. We have known each other since we were kids. I think I loved him even then. After my parents died, I left America, and Marco along with it, with no intention of returning. I missed him, cried for him, but life with my grandfather...” She pauses and laughs, shaking her head.

“Wasn’t all rosy?” I ask but I am not sure my wanting to know the answer to the question is strong enough as my need to understand why she’s sharing this with me.

Her sad eyes settle on my curious one, “Well, you don’t survive this long with a man like him without learning to adapt fast, and adapting at 8 meant giving up all of those childish dreams, including the boy I loved.”

“So, you had a crappy childhood, I’m sorry, but it doesn’t explain your behavior toward Guilia.”