CHAPTER 45 (ALIYANA)

I jerk back from the past as a loud honk of a car shocks my senses. Marco drives with a casual shift in

gears, flying at an insanely illegal speed I know too well.

"So?" He asks, patiently waiting for my reply.

"Matteo devised a plan to kidnap Alec. Alec escaped with Alice's help, we weren't going to kill him. She

told Matteo, believing he was on Alec's side. The night of the Fraternity party, Matteo sent Xander to

us, knowing Alice was there." owns © this.

"So, Xander was a diversion?"

"Yes, he was keeping Alice occupied, well, all of us occupied while Matteo got Alec. Ren slipped out

after Matteo sent him a message. They were close enough that Ren could walk back to the party and

far enough that nobody saw them. I didn't know any of this until Ren got back and told me."

"And I supposed the others don't know?"

"No, they didn't trust Matteo. Deno is the only one who knows Matteo's involvement."

"Sure, he does." I ignore Marco's sarcastic reply.

"Papa is getting old if he thinks Matteo is going to keep me safe."

"Or maybe he sees an opportunity," His words have me frowning.

"For what?"

His lips thin as his mind works.

Marco doesn't answer my question.

"Have you decided how you're going to find out which of your friends killed my brother?"

"Maybe after you tell me why you told us about Diamond and the drug, knowing that this probably has

very little to do with Diamond?"

"I'm not, but I have my reasons. This, it has everything to do with Diamond, she might not be the

reason he is dead, but she is the reason Lorenzo lived." I don't ask him to elaborate, sometimes even I

know when to leave certain things alone.

"I was thinking of a direct approach," I answer him.

"That won't work. Have you considered it might have been all of them?" Yes, but I don't say the words.

They are my friends, and right now, they are innocent.

"What do you suggest I do? Hold a séance?"

"No. I'm going to talk your father into hiring them as soldiers. That way, you can be more hands-on.

With Matteo in the picture, it might be just the trigger we need."

"And he would listen to you, why? You do know my father doesn't enjoy getting told what to do,

especially from a Catelli."

"Your father and I share a mutual interest, he would listen. Now, get yourself inside so I can leave."

"Yes, sir."

He parks the car next to the entrance of the dorm. I don't inquire how he knows where Josey stays. He

is a Catelli, there isn't much he doesn't know. Josey was Ren's friend too. Ren spent quite some time

with her shooting the shit and getting his assignments done since they both shared a chemistry class

together. The Catelli's didn't invite her to the funeral. I doubt she would have joined if they did. Josey

hated funerals. Didn't blame her, when her kid brother was killed at a gravesite.

"Thank you."

He turns his head to face me. I stand with my hand on the open door doing the same, except Marco is

frowning, and I am trying not to drown in the weight of it all.

We have both lost, for Marco, it's a brother, a sibling.

Me? I lost a friend, my person, one who I have chosen to be a part of my life.

Sometimes I wonder what hurts more, letting go of someone you are related to and obligated to love or

someone you choose, and start to love.

Only those who have had both and lost them could tell you, and even then, the answer changes from

person to person.