Chapter 35 (Aliyana)
Chapter 35 (Aliyana)
“How did Royalty become part of the Bratva?”
Marco steps forward and I am shocked, he would be a part of this, how? Why? “Your great Grandmother, Devora Vasiliev, the Queen before your mother, fell in love with one of the Bratva, she’s the one who amended the order, so no one in the underworld including the Boss of all Bosses had more power than the Shadows. It was her way of making sure the 5th State always had a balance and her husband couldn’t use the Shadows to gain power.”
“She was righting a wrong she did.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“Yes,” Marcus says as Marco remains standing, looking at me. All the men are wearing suits except for one. Kylie’s brother, Kevin Stone. Kylie said he had another name, a biker name. Killer.
“I know about the Shadows, I have heard stories, they are a secret brotherhood, sworn to keep the 5th State in line.” The Shadows were a myth, but Leonardo used the name a few times.
“You said all sons?” I ask Marcus.
“Yes, which means my sons will join when they are 20.”
“SO how many Shadows are there?”
“For now, there are 13, the Orniel bloodline has one active member, Killer.” He says his biker name, not his real one which I find interesting but says nothing.
“So, what is my part in this?”
“You would train, like all of us, and become a member of the Shadows. You will be given full-time Shadows, to protect you at all times. When you turn 21, you will sign the treaty and a few legal documents and begin your Reign. Obviously, there are rules that must be upheld, our job is to
intervene in 5th State affairs when it bleeds into the world. We don’t get involved in personal affairs.” Killer says because I guess that is Kylie’s brother's name.
“I understand, but does that mean I can’t get involved too?”
“If you are involved in anything it is our duty to protect you and stand with you as long as it is for a greater purpose of good.”
“And what if one of you is the bad one?” My eyes settle on Marco and he clenches his jaw but says nothing as my brother finally speaks.
“In that case, if you can prove he is not loyal to the course, the majority of us will agree to an amendment of the treaty and we can erase the entire family name off the treaty. However, I must warn you Aliyana, that doing that is not something you should take lightly. Our business outside this circle does not interfere with the balance. Your protection toward your friends and Marco’s vendetta against it has no place here.”
“Your brother is right, being the Queen of Shadows makes you the most hunted female in the world. Killing you is a sign of power. You would need to learn to choose your battles wisely. Your choices affect millions of lives now Aliyana,” Marcus says.
“Marcus is correct. As from today your father and his guards will no longer be of service to you. The Shadows protect their own. Your money, and all your living expenses has been transferred to your own accounts. As heir to the Vasiliev fortune, you are entitled to all the wealth belonging to your family. Obviously, your brother and sister gets a small fortune which they have received upon turning 20.”
“You mean Azurella?” I ask Killer as he plays with his lip ring.
“Yes, and your dick head brother, Aleksie. I suggest you employ me to shoot him now.”
“Killer.” Another guy says and I look at him, also in a suit, but he has a tattoo on his cheeks, with snakes, it looks like it goes down to his neck.
“So, do I get to think about this?”
“Unfortunately, not, none of us have a choice, trust me, I will rather be in New York now.” One of the men says, and he has grey eyes, tall, he reminds me of someone I have seen on T.V but I am not sure.
“Who is going to train me?”
“All of us.”
“And why this place?”
“This is your great grandmother’s house.”
“I see, can I order one of you to not kill my friend.”
“It depends.”
“On what?”
“Is your friend’s death going to start a war that will leak into the outside world killing hundreds of innocents?” Killer asks, but I know he already knows the answer to it.
“No.”
“Then no. I’m hungry, does your place have food?”
“Yes,” I say leaving the word hanging. The men all start filing out. I get outside and standing there is a black car, with dark windows. Killer stands in front of it with his arms crossed, and his tattoos now visible since he removed his jacket.
“I’ll be staying with you for the week as extra protection. I suggest you keep my sister in the not need to know.” His warning is clear and I have no come back to that since I understand his desire to keep Kylie safe and innocent. She doesn’t need to know about this.
I’m a Queen. I wonder if it comes with a Castle?
“Matteo is gone, I’m going to need a lift.”
Killer throws the keys and I catch it quickly. He opens the driver’s door and I feel like Christmas, and maybe a bit like a queen. I jump in as he rounds the car.
“And whatever you do, don’t tell my sister you drove my car.” Killers blue eyes are so in-depth that when he looks at me it is almost like I am mesmerized.
“Got it.” I say as I touch the scanner with the key and the car starts.
This is going to be one hell of a ride. The other Shadows follow us as I speed up and head home. We make it in 7 minutes and Killer doesn’t bat an eye at my driving.
When I get home, it is quiet. The Guards are all gone.
“Salvatore?” I yell, hoping he is still around.
But nothing.
“I told you, the Shadows protect their own.”
“Who is going to protect me from now on?”
“I am. Salvatore and Xander will be on your private protection since they work for me and you may choose any of the Shadows when you turn 21.” Marco answers, walking into my kitchen. I watch all
these men, walking around and helping themselves to everything. They are now mine to command.
I am a Queen, the Queen of Shadows. How does that work for me? Is that why Marco wanted to marry me?
“Doesn’t getting a Mafia to protect me defeat the purpose of the shadows?” I ask the question and they all stop what they doing.
Weird.
“Marco is not part of the Mafia, his brother is. Deno made a choice to take over his father and have no part in the Shadows.”
“How come he gets to choose and not me?”
“Because he is a victim, and unfit to be a part of the Shadows. Marco answers and for some reason the answer is blunt but saying the words aloud hurts him.”
“But Leonardo decided to take his place, he is on his honeymoon but when he is back, he will be your trainer for the 2nd month,” Killer says putting a cup of coffee in front of me.
“We can’t keep things from you, all the men you see here are honorable to the course, we take this seriously. Many have died keeping peace in a fucked up world, so don’t take it for granted.” The man with the tattoo says as he sits down on the counter.
“I’m sorry I asked you about Deno,” I tell Marco in front of everyone and that earns me a small nod from Killer which somehow makes me feel like I scoured points or something with him. But isn’t he supposed to be on my good side?
“Don’t worry about it. But next time you want to know something personal make sure you are alone.”
I nod and get up as Marcus and another man I don’t know start making breakfast.
I want to know all their names but I make a note of spending time with my Shadows. If this is to be my family from now on, I should know them. Because I have a feeling that is exactly what this is, a family of really badass men.