My Hidden Life

By Necie Navone

...She has to be better than any man around her. She’s the Family future.
Alessandra, the Princess of the Canzano crime Family, was introduced to the dangers of her family’s world at the young age of six when a rival family left her bleeding and scared on her birthday.
Her uncle now dedicates his life to making sure she is not only protected but that Alessandra will never feel helpless again in their world. All the while, trying to keep her feeling like she is just a normal girl.
Join Alessandra in Part One of My Life series as she trains to be the heir to the Canzano Family – the Capo her father wants. A life that she must hide from even her closest friends and family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Necie Navone
• Release date: Sep 26, 2018
• ISBN: 9780999723531

Necie Navone

Necie is a stay at home mom to her autistic son and a Contemporary Romance Indie author. She has dreamt of these 12 HOT alpha men that have lived in her head for years, and she is eager to share their stories with you. They call themselves, The Brothers of Camelot. These 12 guys, come from all different backgrounds and grew up playing Knights of the round table, hanging out in the Gregory Family Treehouse. In Jr. High School they all made an oath to each other, that no matter where life took them, they all come back together and go into business together and form, The Brothers of Camelot Inc, and that is just what they did. They started out with The Brothers of Camelot Construction, to The Brothers of Camelot Bar & Club, to the Camelot Law Firm, and more. With the Brothers, you will find a little bit of everything. Every story will make you laugh, and some will cause you to cry, there could even be a bit of drama and suspense with these guys. But their friendship goes as deep as the blood oath they took with each other as teens. I would love for you to come along with me and discover and fall in love with each of these guys, their family, and there friends.

Book preview

Chapter 1: First Memory

(Aless)

Today is my sixth birthday, and it’s a special day. My Papa is the capo di tutties of the Canzano Family, which makes me a princess because he’s like a king. Whatever Papa says is law, and people follow him without question.

We’re on our way to a big Family dinner. All of the Family will be there, but I’m not really related to all of them. Papa always says, It’s the blood they shed for the Family, and the devotion they’ve shown that makes them Family.

Mom’s been planning this special dinner for a long time with the help of my Nonna. I’m wearing a special dress and cape Mom had made for me just for today. My dress is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. It’s white with a very full skirt and little pretty pink embroidered flowers all over it.

I’m so excited for my party. Nonna tells me all about it while Mom and my nanny, Camilla, give me a crown of braids.

Little One, tonight is your big night. You will remember it always. You’ll be getting a very special gift this evening, a tiara that was created many, many generations ago. It has always been passed down to the daughters of the Capos and was to be worn from the time they are six years old until they become a young lady at fifteen. Then they choose a stone from the tiara to make their Family necklace and replace that stone with a new one. Your Mother and I wore it on our wedding days since we weren’t daughters of a Capo. We both chose emeralds, and when it was your mom’s time to pick her stone, she asked me to help her choose its replacement. We chose a big, heart-shaped ruby.

I can’t take my eyes off of Nonna. Her story entrances me. I, Alessandra Alexa Sophia Canzano, am getting the tiara tonight. I’m thrilled and overjoyed as I sit still and listen to her.

This tiara will be your most valued treasure. As the Princess, you are to wear it everywhere. I’m sure you’ll love it.

She lifts her large emerald necklace, the one she always wears. It’s stunning with two gold swords crossed over each other in front of the emerald with our Family name engraved on one of them, forming our family crest.

This is the stone I picked for my family necklace. It stays lying against my heart and shows my place within this Family. This necklace lets everyone know that the Family will protect me. No one can ever harm me without having to answer to the Family and most importantly to our Capo, your Papa. Tonight, Little One, you take the first step into your place within this Family, as it’s only princess.

Oh, Nonna, I will. I will wear it and love it. I’ll cherish it always, and take really, really good care of it too, I promise, I vow, looking up at her with a huge smile.

Nonna chuckles and bends down to hug me. Oh, Little One, I know you will. You will be my perfect little angel.

As Nonna is kissing my cheek, there’s a light knock at my bedroom door opens. It can only be my favorite person in the world, my Uncle Louie. He’s got to be the biggest and tallest person in the Family. He always says, I’m only six foot five and weigh two hundred pounds more than you. which makes me giggle because that’s an awful lot, considering I only weigh fifty pounds.

The cars are ready and waiting for you ladies. Let’s get this celebration started. He looks at me with bright, smiling eyes.

Oh my, Lou, can you get her cape on for me please? Mom exclaims as she rushes out the door followed by Camilla and Nonna. They chatter away as they move to the stairs.

Uncle Louie bends down his large frame and wraps my white cape, with a real fur collar, around me and fastens the golden clasp under my neck. It’s so soft and even has little slits at the waist for me to put my hands through. I can also flip it back to show the pink satin lining that matches the flowers that are all over my dress. When it’s folded back, it looks like a royal cape.

You look just beautiful. Are you ready to go to your party, Little One?

Oh, yes. I can’t wait! I grab his big hand and tug him to the door.

I won’t be able to do this much longer, Uncle Louie says as he swoops down to pick me up. He carries me out the door.

Uncle Louie, I’m six years old today, I can walk, I protest with a giggle.

Nope, not until that tiara is on your head are you truly six years old. He chuckles as he continues, But, you’ll always be my Little One… unless you grow up to be taller and fatter than me.

We both laugh all the way to the waiting car.

As we pull up to the Family restaurant, I see a huge pink and white balloon arch stretching from the front door to the car. Huge bouquets of pink and white flowers line the walkway under the balloon arch. The doorman runs over to open our car door. Uncle Louie hops from the front passenger seat where he always rides, shoves the doorman out of the way and takes my hand to escort me into the restaurant. Papa and Mom follow us but stop to wait for Nonna to get out of her car.

Inside, everything is covered in pink and white balloons, flowers and streamers. I take off my white gloves and tuck them into my new purse. I feel so grown up and beautiful tonight. I can’t wait for it all to begin. I know I have a big surprise coming.

Uncle Louie helps me remove my cape, takes my purse, and hands both to the coat clerk. Mom, Nonna’s and my things are hung in a private closet.

Finally, Uncle Louie escorts me, Mom and Nonna, to our table, which is set on a small stage in front of everyone. This is so Papa and Uncle Louie can see the whole Family, and so they can see us easier too. Uncle Louie picks me up and sets me on a big chair stacked with pillows, making me look taller.

I take in all the pretty decorations for my party. It looks amazing. There’s a huge banner that reads, Happy Birthday, Princess Alessandra, over the gift tables. There’s so many presents that the staff is setting up a third table just to hold them all.

Everything is pink, Mom’s favorite color. I guess she thought it’s mine too, but it’s not. That’s okay, it makes Mom happy.

Papa walks through the crowd, shaking hands and patting men on their shoulders. Vito and Lorenzo, his guards, follow closely behind him, as usual. The restaurant is filling rapidly. Every table is packed with people of all ages. Everyone is here, even my friends, which makes it extra special.

It’s rare that the entire Family gathers in one place at the same time. Usually, we would never all be in the same place, and the women and children would gather somewhere else.

Today’s your birthday celebration, Papa had told me earlier, but it’s different from all of your other birthdays. It’s very important for everyone in the Family to witness this, Princess.

Papa sits in the middle, as usual, but tonight I’m seated to his right, with Uncle Louie beside me. Usually, Papa has Mom on his left, and Nonna to his right. But tonight is different; Nonna is sitting beside Mom to her left. Mom and Papa’s bodyguards stand behind us.

I turn in my seat and peek over my shoulder to smile at them. They never smile back. They give me that chin lift thing that men do with each other, making me giggle.

Just as I try to copy them and give them my very own silly chin lift, Uncle Louie pats my leg. I find him shaking his head at me and pointing to the gathered guests. He’s trying not to laugh, which makes me giggle harder.

Are you ready for your dinner to begin, Little One? Papa asks.

Oh yes, Papa, I answer excitedly.

Papa nods to the head chef, who claps to signal the wait staff. They flow across the stage wearing white shirts with pink ties and black aprons, placing our dinners before us. Seconds later, the entire wait staff enters the dining hall from the back, carrying trays with everyone else’s dinner. They serve dinner so fast that I’m surprised.

Nonna let me help pick out the menu for this evening’s dinner. We chose all my favorites for everyone to enjoy. Oh, how I hoped they like it as much as I do. The basil from the pesto fills the room with a wonderful aroma. I can hardly wait for the main course to arrive at our table.

First, we’re served minestrone and then a Caesar salad. Our wait staff makes sure every table has garlic bread as well as fresh sliced french bread with olive oil, minced garlic, and basil for dipping. My servings of the soup and salad are very small because I want to save room for my very favorite, chicken pesto pasta. It’s made special to my liking, with no pine nuts and lots of Parmesan cheese. When it finally arrives, I sit up straight like a lady so as not to get a speck of the green pesto on my party dress. Papa had insisted we have a second entrée of braised lamb for everyone as well, for some reason.

After all the plates are cleared, Papa stands. Uncle Louie pulls me into his arms and joins him, standing next to Papa’s capo chair. It’s a large, leather high-back chair made of richly colored cherry wood. Uncle Louie places my feet on the chair, leaving me to stand on it. He kisses both of my cheeks then moves to stand at my right and places his left hand on the back of the chair. Papa’s right-hand man, Vito, hands Papa a red velvet jewelry case. He smiles at me as he returns to his position. I’m smiling so big my cheeks are starting to hurt, but I don’t care because I know what’s in that jewelry case and I can’t wait to see it.

Papa opens the small, velvet case. He gives me a bright smile as he lifts the small tiara from the case. The girls and women throughout the restaurant gasp collectively. Papa holds the tiara high for everyone to see.

It’s covered in diamonds and precious stones of different sizes and shapes. In the center of the small tiara is the biggest heart-shaped ruby I’ve ever seen. It’s even more beautiful than Nonna described.

My eyes grow big as Papa turns to me, and I already know which stone I’ll chose for my family necklace. He leans over me and places the tiara on my head. It’s so heavy. Papa kisses both of my cheeks, then my forehead, and finally, a quick kiss on my lips. He lifts me into his strong arms and turns to face our guests.

Let me introduce you to the Family’s Princess! he shouts.

Cheers and whistles answer his announcement. Papa gives me a gentle squeeze and makes sure to turn so everyone can see me better. I smile just as big as I have all night as cameras flash from every direction.

As Capo of this Family, I want you all to know Alessandra is our princess.

Papa stands me back on the chair then turns back to the Family, continuing his speech.

She is the future of what is to come, and one day I will find her the best man to become her husband. Together, they will carry on the Family name and its traditions.

Everyone starts to clap again, but Papa holds his hand up to quiet them.

Alessandra will be brought up and trained to be the next Capo of this Family and will rule it with the support of whomever I choose to be her husband.

This time, the applause isn’t as cheerful. Some of the men’s faces are scrunched like they tasted something bad, and the women look at each other with surprise. My father’s face is very serious, and so is Uncle Louie’s. Mom and Nonna come around the table and stand next to Papa. Mom has tears in her eyes, but Nonna has the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face.

She gives me a little head nod, then turns to the crowd, her smile vanishing. She told me earlier that day to just stand here and smile for our Family while Papa spoke to everyone, and I do just that. I proudly smile at all the people who came to celebrate my birthday, being a perfect little angel for my Nonna. I don’t understand most of what Papa is saying, or what it all means, nor why everyone seems so surprised, so I just stand there swaying back and forth, feeling my dress swish against my legs.

I feel like I’m a real princess wearing my crown and this beautiful dress. I’m glad Mom and Camilla braided my hair and wrapped it around my head, or the crown would be too big. It has to be a little big for when I grow up. I’m going to wear it to all the Family get-togethers and whenever I leave the house because I’m the Family’s princess now.

Papa places his hand on my back, announcing, Come and welcome your princess and wish her a happy birthday!

All the men line up on Papa’s left. The line wraps around the side of the huge room. The first man kisses Papa’s ring, then hands him an envelope.

He approaches me and grabs my hand. I shoot Papa a nervous look, and he nods to me. They do this to let you know they are forever in your service, Alessandra.

Man after man kisses my hand, declaring their allegiance to me. When the last man leaves the stage, the room gets quiet.

Uncle Louie starts singing Happy Birthday in a loud and clear voice. Everyone joins in as the wait staff rolls out the biggest cake I’ve ever seen. It looks like my favorite, strawberry cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting. There are little flowers and bows in different shades of pinks looped around it. This is the best part of birthdays, the cake.

After dessert, it’s time to leave. Uncle Louie wraps my cape around me, securing the clasp beneath my chin. He folds it back, showing the pink satin.

Little One, you made me so proud tonight. I devote myself to you and will lay down my own life to make sure you are always happy and smiling. No matter what, I will be here for you. I love you, Princess. Uncle Louie kisses my forehead, both cheeks and then my lips, before lifting me into his arms for a big bear hug. His words make me happy because I love my Uncle Louie so much.

Papa helps Mom into her coat as Vito helps Nonna with hers. We move through the large oak doors of the dining hall into the cool night air. Several of Papa’s men load my presents into an SUV. Our guests stand around, waving to us as we make our way to the car. Most are smiling, others are whispering to each other.

Holding my Papa’s hand, Uncle Louie walks beside me. Papa lifts my hand above my head and spins me in circles as I hold onto his fingers. My dress and cape catch in the wind, making me feel like a ballerina.

Papa releases my hand, and I raise both of my arms, pirouetting around. Papa’s happy face flashes by on every turn, making me happy. This is the best birthday ever.

A loud popping sounds stops my dancing. People scream, some of them falling to the ground, others running frantically around. Vito grabs Nonna and shoves her into a car. More popping sound shatter the night air as I watch everyone panic around me. My spinning has left me a little dizzy, but I see Uncle Louie pull out his gun and he starts shooting at the darkness around us.

Papa opens the door to the Town Car and pushes Mom inside. He reaches his hand out for me. As I take a step toward him, I’m stopped. Something hits me in my shoulder, hard. My arm goes limp.

Mom screams from the car and starts to get out, but my father shoves her back inside. He runs to me and picks me up with one arm, and in his other hand he’s carrying a gun aimed at the dark trees. Uncle Louie wraps his big arms around both of us and shoves us into the car, slamming the door behind us.

Mom dives onto the floor of the car, still screaming and crying. My father wraps his arms around me as he falls into the back seat, laying us sideways. There are sounds of faint screams and cars speeding away from outside our car, and I can hear them, pings as bullets bounce off the car and windows.

Uncle Louie jumps into the front seat and rolls down the window. He points at the trees again and shoots.

"Go, go, GO!!" he shouts at the driver. Our driver swerves around fleeing guests, jolting us. My shoulder screams in pain.

Oh, God! They shot our baby! Look at all the blood! Oh, my God, oh, my God! Mom’s wails trail off as she buries her head in her hands, sobbing.

Papa sits us up, but I can’t find my balance because I can’t move my arm. He balances me, and I look down at my dress and notice with horror that it’s covered in dark, red blood. My blood. My once beautiful dress and cape are ruined. My bottom lips quivers as the pain finally registers. I don’t cry, but Mom isn’t helping, carrying on the way she is.

Shut the fuck up and be quiet! my father yells and reaches over and slaps her. I’ve never heard my father yell at Mom like that. She closes her eyes, rocking and praying to Mother Mary. I feel bad that Papa hit her, but I’m relieved she’s not screaming anymore.

I try to look at my arm, but there’s so much blood. Papa yells instructions to Uncle Louie about calling a doctor, saying I’ve been shot. How did that happen? When? Is that why my arm hurts? My eyes feel heavy.

Papa carefully unclasps my blood-soaked cape, pulling it down carefully over my shoulder. It jostles my wound, sending more pain down my arm. He tosses it to the floor of the car.

You’re going to be okay, Princess. You’re such a strong and mighty little soldier. Look at you, barely shedding a tear. He wipes a tear from under my eye. Look at your weak mother, crying and calling out to God.

He glances at Mom, shaking his head. Papa unzips my dress and, with great care, pulls it down over my arm. I take in a quick breath as pain shoots from my fingers to my neck. My body trembles, shaking me from head to foot.

Lou, tell the doctor her wound is on her left shoulder, he shouts. It looks like the bullet went completely through her, there’s a clear exit wound, but it’s bleeding heavily.

Papa pulls me into his lap, holding me still. He reaches for the cabinet below the wet bar and pulls out some white towels and presses one on the front and one on the back of my shoulder. It hurts so bad, but I know he’s trying to help stop the bleeding. I try so hard to be Papa’s good little soldier, but I can’t help the tears that fall from my eyes. I don’t make a sound. Uncle Louie watches me closely, looking sad and worried. He tries to give me a little smile. Spots swim in my vision, and I’m so tired. I let my eyes close and let the darkness take away the pain.

She was so brave, son. But her mother, Nonna says. Papa responds, but I can’t hear him.

I’m lying on a big bed, probably in Nonna’s room. I keep trying to open my eyes but can’t. It’s like Uncle Louie’s gym weights are attached to my eyelids. Wanting to hear more from Nonna and Papa, I lay still and listen.

The doctor had to sedate Sophia, Nonna continues. She’s sleeping now.

The bed dips and Papa’s musky scent fills my nose. He wraps his hand around mine, giving it a little squeeze. Pushing my hair off my face, he kisses my forehead.

She is such a strong little girl, a true soldier and my daughter. She wasn’t wailing like her mother, or any other six-year-old little girl would have. I have no idea what I am going to do with Sophia. She is a weak, spineless woman now. What did I see in her all those years ago, Mama?

Nonna chuckles. Oh, Alessandro, you know you love her. She never got over watching her sister die in her arms. And the other loss was just too much for her. Seeing something like that can break a woman. Sophia wasn’t brought up seeing all of this like you were. Her father only worked for the Family, you know that. They never witnessed things like she did that day.

Papa let out a big sigh. "The doctor said the bullet wound would leave a small circular scar in the front, where he had to give her five stitches. The scar